Trouble Brewing

[splitbamboo]

Originally Posted by El Paso Coug

cover to cover within the last few weeks. What is amazing to me is that the LDS Church is run on a very, very detailed scale. There are procedures for every aspect of Church leadership operations. Micromanagement is a very fair word.

For example, read the section on funerals. You wouldn't think that there would be that much guidance on this topic and funerals are not something that a Bishop deals with that often. Nevertheless, every aspect of a funeral service is regulated. Funeral shouldn't last more than an hour and a half. When the casket can be open and closed. Which songs are allowed. No video or slide shows. Don't focus on the decedent, but instead focus on the gospel in all talks.

Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies and High Counselors really don't have that much leeway as to what they are supposed to do. Sure, there are a lot of areas where leaders are to use their best judgment, but the level of regulation and structure is shocking. I kept asking myself: Would the Lord's only true church really need to be micromanaged to this degree?

Just my thoughts.

I remember my current Bishop stating how thankful he was that he had a clear process to follow when he dealt with his first funeral. As we all know, they aren't full time with no formal training and in the midst of the fight, the instructions are incredibly useful.

[splitbamboo]

Originally Posted by El Paso Coug

Don't focus on the decedent, but instead focus on the gospel in all talks.

El Paso Coug says the HOI says the above, it actually says:

"Funeral addresses and music should balance tributes with teaching the gospel."

I don't have a problem with this at all, especially since it says in the intro to learn your duty by FIRST reading the scriptures, then seeking revelation, THEN using the HOI.

The HOI seems to be right on for me in giving just enough information to help but allowing the leader to lead as directed by the spirit.

This is really much ado about nothing.

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by splitbamboo

"Funeral addresses and music should balance tributes with teaching the gospel."

Shocking level of micromanagement!

[MikeWaters]

We first discussed Wikileaks over 2 years ago on CG. Who would have thought it would come to our current circumstances.

Notably the church has created new handbook of instructions. Half of which is publicly accessible now (much of the edited old material that was restricted is now unrestricted), with the part directed towards bishops and stake presidents still private.

Might be a topic for another thread, but I think it makes sense to keep some of the instructions private. Because it gives local leaders extra latitude in making inspired decisions that may conflict with the handbook. That would be a relatively rare circumstance, but at least in that case you wouldn't have the membership crying foul based on not agreeing with the handbook.

[wuapinmon]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

We first discussed Wikileaks over 2 years ago on CG. Who would have thought it would come to our current circumstances.

Notably the church has created new handbook of instructions. Half of which is publicly accessible now (much of the edited old material that was restricted is now unrestricted), with the part directed towards bishops and stake presidents still private.

Might be a topic for another thread, but I think it makes sense to keep some of the instructions private. Because it gives local leaders extra latitude in making inspired decisions that may conflict with the handbook. That would be a relatively rare circumstance, but at least in that case you wouldn't have the membership crying foul based on not agreeing with the handbook.

Like most things on wikileaks or sites like it, I'm torn between enjoying the access to information while realizing that it makes certain people's jobs very difficult, jobs that are important for the benefit of us all.

[ute4ever]

Ironically, the founder of Wikileaks (Julian Assange) is upset that documents about his rape allegation have been leaked to the public.

http://www.abajournal.com/weekly/art...n=weekly_email

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by Solon

with the LDS handbook brouhaha. Apparently wikileaks, via scribd, posted a pdf of the handbook online in mid-April of this year. The LDS church claimed copyright infringement and scribd removed the material:

http://www.scribd.com/word/removal/52827

According to this article, the handbook was still available two days ago (May 13) but it doesn't seem to be the case anymore. A search of the site only turns up the 1999 edition of the handbook.

http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormon..._over_handbook

The article compares the LDS complaints with complaints received from the Chinese government, a Swiss bank, and the Scientologists. Quite the ensemble of provocateurs.

I wonder how the church convinced wikileaks to take down the page, in light of this quote:

Or did I just miss something?

Just curious but why does the church care? what kind of information would be had in the handbooks? Do we have a secret sauce to protect?

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

Just curious but why does the church care? what kind of information would be had in the handbooks? Do we have a secret sauce to protect?

I think it is just a matter of controlling its distribution. It's not like we can order our own personal copies as members.

I think they don't want it to be fodder for discussion. And they don't want members to be able to say "Our Bishop is not following the handbook" because this might undermine faith and support.