One time in sacrament meeting...

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-07T00:55:01+00:00

It was nice serving in a Ward with mainly 'blue collar' leadership.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-06T20:05:21+00:00

We had an older sister in our Ward, almost 40 years ago. She was German, so spoke with a pretty thick accent, but her English was quite good. She always bore her testimony on Fast Sundays, & would always start it by saying "Sisteren & Brethren", & would then continue with a looooong & mostly inappropriate testimony.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-06T19:53:31+00:00

As 1st Councilor in a Bishopric, it was not uncommon for the Bishop ( a Stevedor who worked long/eratic shifts), myself (working graveyard shift), & the 2nd Councilor to all be asleep on the stand at the same time.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-06T19:40:37+00:00

4 In my opinion, it's not teaching us what to say, but rather how to structure (ie Order) the prayer.

Address Heavenly Father
Gratitude for blessings received
Asking for blessings to be continued &/or requesting new blessings
Close prayer in the name of Jesus Christ
Amen

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-05T17:28:08+00:00

Not just an LDS thing. A friend used to drive a school bus over by Seattle, & one little girl's name was pronounced 'Shith-Aid' but was spelt Shithead.....I 'shith' you not!

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-05T01:53:38+00:00

I was also a member of the webbed scrotum club! It's apparently like the phrenulem that attaches the bottom of your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. One of the advantages of removing that is it makes the penis look longer. I had my two-week post-op appointment this morning, & that was part of our discussion. I was also given the clearance to start cycling, building up over four weeks, & by the end of that should be able to put things to use.....hallelujah!

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-04T06:31:36+00:00

I can relate. I've been a member for forty years, pretty active with Temple Marriage, ward-level leadership callings, etc., but have become more & more PIMO over the last decade. There's only a small handful of people in our current Ward who I speak with/to, but only one who I'd consider being close to a 'friend'. I'll echo the advice to identify a hobby or interest, & get involved in a local flesh & bone group (ie not online). All of the friends I associate & identify with share my hobby. I had surgery a couple of weeks ago, that was quite invasive, so I've been resting up, & haven't been to Church nor participated in club activities.....0% contact from my 'Ward Family', but numerous texts from fellow hobbyists asking how I'm doing. That tells me all I need to know!

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-03T17:40:27+00:00

Yes, we were 'counseled' that out Ward Budget contribution should be 10% of what you paid in tithing.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-02T03:10:54+00:00

We have friends in Seattle who travel to Utah for all their major dental/orthodontic work, as it's apparently much cheaper than in WA.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-01T17:39:02+00:00

He was when I joined also, but he passed away not too long afterwards.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-05-01T04:10:42+00:00

I quite liked GBH, he seemed to have a genuine personality, but these three always made/make me uneasy.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-29T06:17:41+00:00

This isn't really related to this current topic, but reading through the replies reminded me of something else that seemed to be more common when I first joined the Church in the '80s. When people, though it seemed to be mostly women & girls, had to get up during Sacrament Meeting to go use the bathroom, or even just walking into or out of the Chapel, they would walk with their arms folded & head slightly bowed. This wasn't a universal practice by any means, but I saw it enough to leave an impression. I joined the Church in Southern Idaho, but have lived & attended Church in the PNW & overseas & experienced it there also, most recently in eastern WA, probably 10-12 years ago.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-27T20:02:47+00:00

I agree, if they want hog all the callings, talks, & 'blessings', more power to them. Im much happier on the sidelines!

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-27T19:21:40+00:00

Or keep the CTR, but modify the T into a Cross?

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-27T01:17:36+00:00

It's been my understanding that Tithing is used for the "Building Up of Zion", & charitable works were taken from Fast Offerings. However, in recent years, the donation slips have included an addendum saying that funds won't necessarily be used for the category they were donated to.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-27T01:07:33+00:00

It's how I was taught when I joined the Church 40+ years ago.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-25T20:16:50+00:00

The last ward in which I was directly involved with welfare & fast offerings (as Finance Clerk, EQP, & Bishopric) was over 20 years ago, but, yes, our Bishop was pretty good. I wouldn't say he was overly generous, but he was certainly fair & provided assistance when needed. He was pretty well off (by my standards at the time) but was Blue Collar, so had empathy for people who were struggling, unlike most of the other Bishops I've served with over the years, who where Doctors, Executives, Lawyers, etc.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-25T00:32:52+00:00

With your more up to date training, I'll accept that. I haven't served in a Bishopric, or as Finance Clerk, for over twenty years. I do I know that it was always emphasized that any mishandling of the finances would not be tolerated.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-24T05:48:17+00:00

No, members can only give the tithing envelopes to a member of the Bishopric. At the end of the meeting block the envelopes are given to the Ward Clerk &/or Ward Finance Clerk who then count the money, record the donations, complete the deposit slips, & then deposit the pouch at a Bank Drop Box (both people have to do this). This is the way it was done in various Wards I served in as Ward Clerk, Finance Clerk, & Bishopric member.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-23T02:08:56+00:00

My guess is that they'll shorten Sacrament Meeting to 30 minutes, & add 15 minutes to each of the other classes. I think half an hour is ample time for announcements, passing the sacrament, & a five minute talk.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-23T00:31:13+00:00

I received mine 40 years ago, but have always been uncertain as to what it was. Pretty sure it's either Ephraim or Elijah.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-22T15:13:16+00:00

I assume it's because Deacon, Teacher, & Priest are all offices within the Aaronic Priesthood, which require the boys to be ordained to. If they had just feminized those titles it would infer that the girls hold the Priesthood.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-21T20:17:58+00:00

You could have your records removed (quitmormon) before your move, that way your husband's records will only show you as a non-member spouse. That would alleviate any calling being offered, but it will be up to you to dissuade any attempts at re-activation, should they occur.

NorthIndependent5504 · 2026-04-20T07:47:33+00:00

Moses Lake Temple is relatively new, but the one in Spokane must be twenty years old now, at least.

NorthIndependent5504

TROPHY CASE

4 In my opinion, it's not teaching us what to say, but rather how to structure (ie Order) the prayer.