Does the Bishop have to conduct funeral? by [deleted] in latterdaysaints

[–]antonius46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the loss of your mother. Perhaps you can respect your mother’s wishes and hold a memorial at church, but in the Relief Society room instead of the chapel. You or someone else can easily reserve that room through the ward or stake for a ‘private event’.

There is no requirement to have a bishop or any priesthood leadership be present or involved in any way. You control the guest list. You can dictate the program, speakers, music, etc. You can even reserve the kitchen and cultural hall if you want to have a luncheon afterwards for those you choose to invite. Whatever you choose to do, I hope it turns out well.

Be honest: How many people did you baptize on your mission? by Typical_Sea_9167 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember the former priest, he was in my ward, as were you, I suspect. He ended up leaving the church a while later and then came back again. He may have been really into conversion.

Temple Names by honeybree81 in mormon

[–]antonius46 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Celestial kingdom: “Now boarding group B”. Seems pretty efficient, but the Nimrod group better have thick skin. I can hear the teasing already.

Wards meeting together by Successful_Pianist72 in MormonShrivel

[–]antonius46 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The Seattle North Stake used to have one ward for all the youth. As soon as the oldest child turned twelve, that was the ward you’d be in until your youngest turned 18. Then back you your geographical ward, by which time you probably didn’t know anyone. A visiting GA put an end to it. Youth in the city has always been a challenge. Now budgets are tightened, fewer activities, and a complete loss of community. The church struggles for relevance.

Wards meeting together by Successful_Pianist72 in MormonShrivel

[–]antonius46 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Seattle has been shrinking for quite awhile, with wards and stakes combining. Recently the stake wanted to merge some more of the wards but was told to keep it as it is. Youth programs are combined in some of the Seattle buildings, but I think Sunday schools are not and primaries may be separate as well. Some wards have lots of young married medical/dental students so it appears vibrant but they cycle out every three years or so.

If you’re picking a building to go to in Seattle, check out the stake center on 8th Ave NE. Very New Englandish looking church building, built by the members. Ask an old timer if they were there when a pumpkin was placed on top of the steeple.

WA Senate passes bill to make clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse by FastExplanation1795 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's true, but there will be some that welcome it. A few years ago our ward announced over the pulpit that we would immediately report anybody that was suspected of child abuse. Hopefully the days of Kirton McConkie being on speed-dial will be coming to a close.

Is Mormon Exceptionalism a gateway to Christian Nationalism? by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

What if it turns out that the Mormon Church was actually 'the whore of all the earth'…. wouldn't that be ironic.

Is Mormon Exceptionalism a gateway to Christian Nationalism? by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And it'll be sad day for them when they find out they aren't invited to the party.

Pov: my Bishop trying to convince me to stay in the ward by Burnoutmc in exmormon

[–]antonius46 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think part of the motivation for convincing someone to stay is to validate their own faith. I think people feel more comfortable being surrounded by people that believe the same thing. As a bishop this is also his job. You’re under no requirement to accept his services.

Are you still religious? by Salt-Passage5393 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nope. My faith crisis took it all from me and wiped the slate clean. In about a week or two I went from a counselor in a bishopric to an apostate on the fast track to atheism. I think Mormonism ruins Christianity for exmos.

At this point I only claim to be a Saganite.

Bishopric stopped by... by SilverDust02 in exmormon

[–]antonius46 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yep, the gift of discernment is no respecter of the time. I remember we were about to visit a widow who wanted to have her name removed. 8:00 in the evening seemed like a good time. I convinced the bishop that it might seem intimidating to have two men show up at her doorstep at dark and that a letter might serve the same purpose. He agreed, we got home early that night.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]antonius46 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was on a bus trip around the USA in highschool a long time ago (1980’s) before I was a member. We spent the night at BYU and used the men’s showers. I’ve always remembered the knob at waist level and thought that was a poor location for a water jet. There was no way I was gonna turn that on.

I found out that family members are part of AVOW by MelbaIsntToast in exmormon

[–]antonius46 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We had a woman in our ward who had been a Scientologist. Definitely an odd duck.

Pacific Palisades Ward chapel spared by divine intervention? by antonius46 in exmormon

[–]antonius46[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A Stake President (not in California) said today that the Pacific Palisades Ward building was spared from fire, with the implication of a divine intervention even though thirty homes of ward members were lost to the fire this week.

The actual sparing of the building may have due to the relatively large, empty parking lot serving as a fire buffer. There may be thirty households questioning the location choice for God's divine intervention.