Worldwide Leadership Training last weekend

[Tex]

Surprised no one commented on this, thus far. With Sister Beck, Elder Oaks, and Elder Packer all making appearances, one would think CG controversy would be rich and diverse.

Anyway, not sure how a meeting to which "all adults, 18 and older" are invited could be considered a "Leadership" meeting, but here's a few things I got out of it:

Sister Beck (RS): The very first comment she made was about how hard it is for women who are left alone (single, divorced, widowed, whatever), and how much she admires those who are, and yet "don't abandon the plan." She talked about having a "gospel-driven" culture, and counseled us to be supportive of couples who desire children but for whatever reason can't, and single sisters who have never been married. She said not to fight the desire to have children--it is natural because it is divine in origin.

Consistent with her GC talk, and very different, I might note, than the demonization of Beck that ran rampant here and among other rent-a-intellectuals.

Sister Tanner (YW): Indicated that her husband had not heard anything in church that he hadn't heard first at home. Counselled those who don't have the "ideal" family situation to not feel bad about themselves.

Sister Lant (Primary): Counselled against judging those families around us, in any regard, whether thinking they are "better" or thinking they are "worse" than our own.

Elder Oaks: Challenged fathers to take the leadership role in spiritual matters, calling FHE, family scripture study, etc. Counselled parents to not take personally the poor decision making of their children. "Don't give up, but cease feeling guilty." Also said not to disparage the term "homemaking" or what it stands for.

The key line of the night belonged to Sister Beck, who said that sometimes excessive meetings can take us away from why we're at church: to renew covenants. To which l looked at a friend next to me and said, "Like this one?"

Heh.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by Tex

Surprised no one commented on this, thus far. With Sister Beck, Elder Oaks, and Elder Packer all making appearances, one would think CG controversy would be rich and diverse.

Anyway, not sure how a meeting to which "all adults, 18 and older" are invited could be considered a "Leadership" meeting, but here's a few things I got out of it:

Sister Beck (RS): The very first comment she made, was about how hard it is for women who are left alone (single, divorced, widowed, whatever), and how much she admires those who are, and yet "don't abandon the plan." She talked about having a "gospel-driven" culture, and counseled us to be supportive of couples who desire children but for whatever reason can't, and single sisters who have never been married. She said not to fight the desire to have children--it is natural because it is divine in origin.

Consistent with her GC talk, and very different, I might note, than the demonization of Beck that ran rampant here and among other rent-a-intellectuals.

Sister Tanner (YW): Indicated that her husband had not heard anything in church that he hadn't heard first at home. Counselled those who don't have the "ideal" family situation to not feel bad about themselves.

Sister Lant (Primary): Counselled against judging those families around us, in any regard, whether thinking they are "better" or thinking they are "worse" than our own.

Elder Oaks: Challenged fathers to take the leadership role in spiritual matters, calling FHE, family scripture study, etc. Counselled parents to not take personally the poor decision making of their children. "Don't give up, but cease feeling guilty." Also said not to disparage the term "homemaking" or what it stands for.

The key line of the night belonged to Sister Beck, who said that sometimes excessive meetings can take us away from why we're at church: to renew covenants. To which l looked at a friend next to me and said, "Like this one?"

Heh.

I find it is almost always in an excess meeting that we are counseled not to have excessive meetings.

I also wondered about the Leadership nature of the meeting given that all were invited (in our stake it was even suggested that we invite non-members) and I wondered if it had to do with the heightened scrutiny of the church resulting from Romney's campaign. I also wondered if the March Ensign which is wholly devoted to Christ was also timed to dispel notions spread in the popular press that we are not Christians.

[MikeWaters]

I couldn't make it to the meeting. My campout ran long because the boys were being lazy and didn't want to pickup and clean up. And then of course it took the parents of one of the boys some 40 minutes to come and pick him up.

[marsupial]

Originally Posted by creekster

I also wondered if the March Ensign which is wholly devoted to Christ was also timed to dispel notions spread in the popular press that we are not Christians.

Easter is in March this year. I would assume that is the reason for the Christ-focused issue.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by marsupial

Easter is in March this year. I would assume that is the reason for the Christ-focused issue.

Sure, but have you seen the issue? It is wholly, and I mean wholly about Jesus, even including a nice discussion of grace that even Jay will like (I think), as well as a comment making clear that Joseph Smith is no more than other prohpets in the pantheon of Mormon belief. I have never seen one just like this before, but Easter comes every year.

[splitbamboo]

Originally Posted by Tex

Anyway, not sure how a meeting to which "all adults, 18 and older" are invited could be considered a "Leadership" meeting, but here's a few things I got out of it:

In a Church that puts so much stock in a lay leadership, I find leadership only meetings quaint and a little insulting. At any given time we "qualify" to go by virtue of our current calling. But as a CTR teacher (or whatever), you don't.

I was pleased that they had a meeting like this. Though I doubt it will happen, I would hope that all "leadership" meetings like this from SL are like this in the future. I like sitting with my wife in this kind of setting...

[Jeff Lebowski]

Sorry Tex. I was coaching a b-ball game (i.e., spending quality time with one of my kids) and couldn't make it.

[Venkman]

I thought it was a pretty good meeting. I liked the roundtable discussion idea, although it dragged on for about a half hour too long. It was cool to see a bit more of Holland's and Oak's personalities come through in the more relaxed, informal format.

BKP looked old and tired and fumbled through his talk, I felt bad for him. I seriously doubt he outlives Monson. Hopefully that gives liberal Mormons some comfort.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Venkman

I thought it was a pretty good meeting. I liked the roundtable discussion idea, although it dragged on for about a half hour too long. It was cool to see a bit more of Holland's and Oak's personalities come through in the more relaxed, informal format.

BKP looked old and tired and fumbled through his talk, I felt bad for him. I seriously doubt he outlives Monson. Hopefully that gives liberal Mormons some comfort.

I agree on both counts. The meeting could have been half the length. Just when I thought it might end, Elder Oaks would say, "Another thing I want to point out ..."

Packer really looked old to me for the first time this weekend. Sad.

[ute4ever]

Originally Posted by Venkman

BKP looked old and tired and fumbled through his talk, I felt bad for him. I seriously doubt he outlives Monson. Hopefully that gives liberal Mormons some comfort.

That would make Elder Perry the new #2.