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Tex · 02-24-2008, 11:41 PM

Had an interesting policy question come up last week. A friend of mine who is the Exec Sec in his ward set up prayers for Sacrament meeting and just by chance, asked a woman to say the invocation and a man to say the benediction. One of the counselors (the one conducting) approached him and asked him to switch the order, indicating the church custom that a Melchizedek priesthood holder should open Sacrament meeting.

It's been a long time since I'd heard this little nugget, so I cross-checked it in the Handbook. Not there. I asked our bishop about it, and he indicated we too follow that policy, and it's one of President Packer's "unwritten rules." I went and referenced Packer's "The Unwritten Order of Things" and it's not in there (though he could've said it in a local visit, I suppose).

I'm curious, how many of your wards follow that policy, and do you think it's one of those little (incorrect) traditions we've built our doctrine around? Personally, I see nothing wrong with a worthy sister opening Sacrament meeting, I don't like the implication that it should be otherwise.

il Padrino Ute · 02-24-2008, 11:48 PM

Perhaps it's the interpretation of particular Bishops to do that. I've never heard of that custom.

In my ward, on several occasions, a Sister has offered the invocation.

creekster · 02-24-2008, 11:51 PM

OUr ward most certainly does not follow that custom. This is not a type of rebelliojn, however, I just don't think we ever thought we were supposed to do so.

scottie · 02-24-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Had an interesting policy question come up last week. A friend of mine who is the Exec Sec in his ward set up prayers for Sacrament meeting and just by chance, asked a woman to say the invocation and a man to say the benediction. One of the counselors (the one conducting) approached him and asked him to switch the order, indicating the church custom that a Melchizedek priesthood holder should open Sacrament meeting.

It's been a long time since I'd heard this little nugget, so I cross-checked it in the Handbook. Not there. I asked our bishop about it, and he indicated we too follow that policy, and it's one of President Packer's "unwritten rules." I went and referenced Packer's "The Unwritten Order of Things" and it's not in there (though he could've said it in a local visit, I suppose).

I'm curious, how many of your wards follow that policy, and do you think it's one of those little (incorrect) traditions we've built our doctrine around? Personally, I see nothing wrong with a worthy sister opening Sacrament meeting, I don't like the implication that it should be otherwise.

Our ward doesn't follow that, a woman said our opening prayer today. Did it bother you that your bishop referred to something that's BKP's opinions as a "policy"?

Tex · 02-25-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottie

Our ward doesn't follow that, a woman said our opening prayer today. Did it bother you that your bishop referred to something that's BKP's opinions as a "policy"?

I don't remember his exact phrasing; those are probably my words, not his.

I don't really have a problem with a bishop who chooses to adopt this convention as his personal preference. He presides and is entitled to direct the ward as he feels inspired (within reason, of course). I just take a little exception with it being taught as "the way things ought to be." People find strange things to take a stand on sometimes.

Solon · 02-25-2008, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Had an interesting policy question come up last week. A friend of mine who is the Exec Sec in his ward set up prayers for Sacrament meeting and just by chance, asked a woman to say the invocation and a man to say the benediction. One of the counselors (the one conducting) approached him and asked him to switch the order, indicating the church custom that a Melchizedek priesthood holder should open Sacrament meeting.

It's been a long time since I'd heard this little nugget, so I cross-checked it in the Handbook. Not there. I asked our bishop about it, and he indicated we too follow that policy, and it's one of President Packer's "unwritten rules." I went and referenced Packer's "The Unwritten Order of Things" and it's not in there (though he could've said it in a local visit, I suppose).

I'm curious, how many of your wards follow that policy, and do you think it's one of those little (incorrect) traditions we've built our doctrine around? Personally, I see nothing wrong with a worthy sister opening Sacrament meeting, I don't like the implication that it should be otherwise.

Our stake is very hard core about following this "rule," among other unwritten, unofficial policies.

Jeff Lebowski · 02-25-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Packer's "The Unwritten Order of Things" ...

I have never read this talk, but I sure hear it quoted a lot. What other "rules" does it contain?

il Padrino Ute · 02-25-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

I have never read this talk, but I sure hear it quoted a lot. What other "rules" does it contain?

Wait 30 minutes after eating before you go swimming.
Don't run with scissors.
Don't his your sister.
Knock first.

Stuff like that.

jay santos · 02-25-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

Wait 30 minutes after eating before you go swimming.
Don't run with scissors.
Don't his your sister.
Knock first.

Stuff like that.

don't eat yellow snow.

il Padrino Ute · 02-25-2008, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay santos

don't eat yellow snow.

Yes. That is a good one.

02-24-2008, 11:41 PM	#1
Tex Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,596	Prayers in Sacrament Meeting Had an interesting policy question come up last week. A friend of mine who is the Exec Sec in his ward set up prayers for Sacrament meeting and just by chance, asked a woman to say the invocation and a man to say the benediction. One of the counselors (the one conducting) approached him and asked him to switch the order, indicating the church custom that a Melchizedek priesthood holder should open Sacrament meeting. It's been a long time since I'd heard this little nugget, so I cross-checked it in the Handbook. Not there. I asked our bishop about it, and he indicated we too follow that policy, and it's one of President Packer's "unwritten rules." I went and referenced Packer's "The Unwritten Order of Things" and it's not in there (though he could've said it in a local visit, I suppose). I'm curious, how many of your wards follow that policy, and do you think it's one of those little (incorrect) traditions we've built our doctrine around? Personally, I see nothing wrong with a worthy sister opening Sacrament meeting, I don't like the implication that it should be otherwise. __________________ "Have we been commanded not to call a prophet an insular racist? Link?" "And yes, [2010] is a very good year to be a Democrat. Perhaps the best year in decades ..." - Cali Coug "Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got." - Brigham Young

02-24-2008, 11:48 PM	#2
il Padrino Ute Board Pinhead Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the basement of my house, Murray, Utah. Posts: 15,941	Perhaps it's the interpretation of particular Bishops to do that. I've never heard of that custom. In my ward, on several occasions, a Sister has offered the invocation. __________________ "The beauty of baseball is not having to explain it." - Chuck Shriver "This is now the joke that stupid people laugh at." - Christopher Hitchens on IQ jokes about GWB.

02-24-2008, 11:51 PM	#3
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	OUr ward most certainly does not follow that custom. This is not a type of rebelliojn, however, I just don't think we ever thought we were supposed to do so. __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos.