I'm a new Bishop and Recovering Mormon - Go figure. If you have a question - shoot.

What are the discussions at your level and higher about folks leaving the corporation?

Still new to the game - so new real conversations higher. Ward Council members tend to gravitate towards applying generalizations why someone is inactive - feminist, got caught up in unimportant things, reading on the internet, marriage on the rocks, etc. I notice strong members testifying of the growth and reach of the church with new temples, etc. I've had some great conversations with families/fathers/mothers that were a "Focus Family". A couple families just wanted to be left alone from the onslaught of love from the ward being a focus family - I totally got it and said no problem and removed them. Ward Council objected at first until I shared the Ecclesiastes chapter about their is a season for everything, and now it's their season to be left alone. I figure if people want to be left alone, we should leave them alone... Changed to focus families that actually needed and wanted help from the Ward.

What is the attendance versus total members on the books in your ward?

Generalizations are fine if the precise numbers might give a clue to your location.

I would say that this area is very strong. There are tons of High Priests, Elders, Youth, and Primary. Most people thought pretty much everyone was active - if you look on the LDS tools site you notice that most everyone on it is Active. The church, however, has provided a Privacy option where you can limit who can see your information. I talked to a few people that were complaining about being e-mailed and called by the Relief Society or High Priests and I told them just change your Privacy settings on LDS.org. I have learned that it is almost impossible to get your information removed - the church has your records. Anyways, to answer your question, I used to think we had a couple hundred members, most active - now, I've learned that we have about 400+ members.

You aren't still going to ask kids (or adults) about their masturbation habits, are you?

Seriously...?

I won't go there, but for some reason LDS members love to come and tell me about their masturbation habits. That was a big shocker to me. All these people wanting interviews to talk about masturbation. I will say that their are a lot of members from High Councilmen to newly married Bubba addicted to porn and masturbation - I make it very clear that I'm not a therapist nor a marriage counselor and guide them to professional help IF they want it. I try to lift them up - these poor people are beating themselves up...

Good for you!

"...these poor people are beating themselves up..."

Pun intended? ;-)

I well remember the "sexual guilt" the morg instills in people. And the imperative to go confess to the bishop if you've been...well...spanking the bishop*. I can't, though, imagine what it's like to sit there and have people confess to you about it.
Hang in there.


* http://www.dribbleglass.com/subpages/euphemisms.htm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2017 10:35AM by ificouldhietokolob.

It's not too enjoyable. The Bishop before me would get into the details and frequency - so I think some of these Bubbas were expecting that and I think it caught them a little off guard when I said forgive yourself and move on with life... or get a counselor/therapist if they had unhealthy porn addiction or marital problems - surprise, I'm not the expert here. My Stake President is actually a pretty cool guy and gave me the same advice - don't be a marriage counselor or therapist, but tell them to seek professional help. I guess he has some Bishops that do so and it's been pretty messy...

Blot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's not too enjoyable.

Wow, with a mind your own business attitude like that, you probably wont be as effective as desired in looting people's financial resources in the interest of tithing. you might not make it very long as a bishop.

Make sure you issue temple recommends to everyone and their pets.

LoL! I have my counselors do all the Temple Recommend interviews... We've had 3 temple trips and I've had work, sport tournament, and a vacation get in the way - so far so good... I'm out, but will return and report on any other questions later

and in good conscience you know that non temple parents cannot see their kid marriage in the temple? and are ok with that? especially in the winter in the rain in Bellevue?

So you're a non-believer and you've accepted an important calling. Any cognitive dissonance? Feelings of hypocrisy? I can see being active and attending meetings as a non-believer, to keep harmony in the family and hold on to your community, but I am curious about your comfort level here.

OTOH, the opportunities to sabotage from within are delectable!

Then again, there's always the possibility you're a troll or prankster. This is the internet, after all!

Please assume that the original poster is sincere.

If you have compelling evidence to the contrary, you can report the post and let us know. We'll take care of troll identification.

CZ (admin)

1. Did you present the SP with any pre-conditions for you to accept the calling?

2. Do you have a sense of how many members in your ward are TBMs, who are NOMish, and who don't believe at all, but are in only to keep the peace or from fear of divorce?

3. Can the class instructors use materials other than the insipid lesson manuals? Do the essays, or any real church history, ever get discussed?

4. Do the YW get the licked cupcake lessons and the drills on modesty modesty modesty above all? Do they get hassled on earrings?

5. Do you tell the men that what they tend to call "porn addiction," such as occasionally looking at a Playboy, really isn't?

6. Can the organist play classical non-church music?

Jesus of Orem Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 6. Can the organist play classical non-church
> music?



Can the organist actually play the organ? (The ones who can are getting pretty rare these days...)

1. Did you present the SP with any pre-conditions for you to accept the calling?

Nope


2. Do you have a sense of how many members in your ward are TBMs, who are NOMish, and who don't believe at all, but are in only to keep the peace or from fear of divorce?

Before being called as Bishop, I spent alot of the 2nd hour and 3rd hour in the parking lot or walking around the neighborhood - so, I know several - we all had good conversations, but never stated I'm a non-believer - sometimes you can just tell by comments that only recovering mormons make. After I was called, several asked to be released or left along and I happily obliged - we're still good friends and they are keeping the peace with their wives


3. Can the class instructors use materials other than the insipid lesson manuals? Do the essays, or any real church history, ever get discussed?

I haven't put any boundaries up. I will say, before being called Bishop I stopped going to 2nd hour because I couldn't stomach the comments - now that I am Bishop I run around meeting people during 2nd hour, so it's much more enjoyable and easier


4. Do the YW get the licked cupcake lessons and the drills on modesty modesty modesty above all? Do they get hassled on earrings?

Haven't been in one of those lessons, yet - not that I know of; I battle with my wife about clothes our daughter can where


5. Do you tell the men that what they tend to call "porn addiction," such as occasionally looking at a Playboy, really isn't?

I have some men confessing crazy things - I don't enjoy that much... It runs the gamut from where I'm concerned and pulling them out of primary, to telling them it's natural and forgive yourself and move on...


6. Can the organist play classical non-church music?

He's in a Punk rock band ;-)

As Ex-mormons, you have no idea how bizarre the idea of enforced callings is to those raised in most other churches. You are not a volunteer if you are assigned and told you have to do something, whether you want to or are well-suited to that calling or not. Even if you insist on refusing, it is a mark against you. The idea of untrained clergy is scary, not inspiring.

In other churches, a general announcement might be made that we need new members for the parish council, the hospitality group,Sunday School, or the choir, but nobody is singled out and pressured to join. People volunteer because they want to do these things and feel they would enjoy them. If they need to quit because of other priorities, that is understood. Nobody is required to donate money to attend services.

Janitors, groundskeepers, Music directors, religious education directors are paid staff. The clergy need years of schooling in a seminary, which includes pastoral counseling.

As a "recovering Mormon" is it safe to assume you no longer believe in TSCC?

If you no longer believe, do you represent yourself as believing to the ward and the people that called you to the position?

If you do not believe, but present yourself as believing, do you feel any guilt for this? Do you think it fair to people that do believe?

This is my crucible and vortex. I will say that I struggled mightily for years to get my family out. My family's whole life was in the church - friends and social etc. It was really tearing us all apart - coming out non-believing to my wife and not "supporting" my kids. My kids know they can do what they want and I won't judge or stop them... I tell them I don't believe in everything in the church - polygamy, treatment of blacks, my son came home one day and disbelievingly said someone told him JS translated the BoM with a rock in the hat - I told him he did use a rock and a hat... I finally decided to stop rocking the boat, and my personal life is better now that I'm not fighting my wife - I decided to let things be and just roll with things. Being called Bishop was the furthest thought from my mind - I don't know how it happened - but the curiosity of learning more of the inner workings intrigued me. I'm not at the Stake Level, so it just feels more like running a company. I set a tone of helping others, and I talk to people about callings at great length - if someone is stressed and wants to be released no issue here - if someone wants to left alone, done - I ask people what they want to do and try to make it happen. Anyways, that's where I am at, will see how it continues to roll...

So, simply put, you are telling everyone lies and you are comfortable with that.

That you are comfortable telling lies that will keep your children living the lie of TSCC.

Got it.

Better you than me.

Can you post a copy of the handbook so we can all get a look at it?

Not sure how and too lazy to copy and upload it - but it's not as exciting as you might think. I spent the first few days poring through the whole manual. Mostly, how to administer things or deal with different situations, which ended up being more of a let-down excitement wise...

Did they make you sign any legal documents, e.g. confidentiality agreements or NDAs?

Did they request any more personal information on you than was already in the church's records?

What kinds of security measures have they instituted to keep temple recommends and blanks away from unauthorized people? (I'm not interested in circumventing those measures, just wondering how paranoid the church has gotten.)

The most useful information would be a bishop's eye view of the church disciplinary system. What extra information does a bishop have access to that the clerks (and maybe counselors) do not? What types of secret annotations are there on member records? Does the church's membership software have a separate login for bishops that has extra capability?

What strange requests and notifications do you get from church headquarters?

Are you pressured to increase tithing receipts or decrease fast offering expenditures?

Good luck! You aren't the only non-believing bishop out there. It wouldn't surprise me if low double digit percentages of bishops had serious doubts or were closet non-believers.

Did they make you sign any legal documents, e.g. confidentiality agreements or NDAs?

No


Did they request any more personal information on you than was already in the church's records?

Not that I'm aware of - I honestly thought if/when my name went back to HQ they would see the precipitous fall in tithes paid and lack of Temple attendance and decline, but I got a certificate in the mail signed by the First Presidency (I'm sure it's a digital signature) for being called a Bishop


What kinds of security measures have they instituted to keep temple recommends and blanks away from unauthorized people? (I'm not interested in circumventing those measures, just wondering how paranoid the church has gotten.)

I just put the TR in my binder in the drawer in my desk. My counselors have free reign to come in and grab it whenever they need. I also keep my door to the Bishop's office always unlocked. I also make it a point to always let someone else sit in my chair...


The most useful information would be a bishop's eye view of the church disciplinary system. What extra information does a bishop have access to that the clerks (and maybe counselors) do not? What types of secret annotations are there on member records? Does the church's membership software have a separate login for bishops that has extra capability?

I now have a Leader's access on LDS tools. I see people's membership information, baptism dates, ordination dates, endowed dates, where they served a mission, birthdates, etc. I don't or haven't seen negative stuff. There is another link showing all the missionary process stuff - very interested for another day...


What strange requests and notifications do you get from church headquarters?

Haven't experienced any, yet - but something might come up. I just get official announcements stating read this about "safety in the church" etc...


Are you pressured to increase tithing receipts or decrease fast offering expenditures?

Still new, so no pressure yet - I think our ward brings in all the money for the Stake anyway...


Good luck! You aren't the only non-believing bishop out there. It wouldn't surprise me if low double digit percentages of bishops had serious doubts or were closet non-believers.

Thanks - it is hard to talk to believing former Bishops who want to share their counsel with you - all very hard core...

"I see people's membership information, baptism dates, ordination dates, endowed dates, where they served a mission, birthdates, etc."

LOL. You can look up their endowment dates on the New Name Oracle to find their new temple name. Then you can schedule a meeting, look deep into their eyes, and with your special "gift of discernment," address them by their temple name. That'll impress them, you bet. Pure revelation. Direct line to the heavens.

I must comment on the different reception Blot has received here on exmormon as a current Bishop, and the one I received 15 years ago. I was a Bishop, I needed a place to blow off steam at the stupid things I saw in the church. So I posted here as "Current Bishop" as my name.

Well, nobody believed I was a "current bishop" could not understand why I would be here, and pretty much called me a troll and a liar. Somebody from the board contacted me and said I should come up with a new name if I wanted to keep posting so as not to antagonize the masses. So I did just that, and now post from time to time as "A New Name"

I'm glad this board has mellowed some in the past 15 years!

I'm sorry you experienced that! Some folks are snarky, most truly care. Have things changed since you last posted? The Boner.

Brother Boner,

Yes, I believed the board has mellowed. Not as many angry people.

I don't post a lot, I mostly just come here to find out the latest news and gossip about the church.

When I do post, it is generally answering a questions about church rules/policy, etc. After being bishop, and a counselor twice, plus EQ pres, etc, etc, I can fill in the blanks on some of the crazy stuff the church does!

and then there are those of us that things are as bad as ever....

If you read carefully, you'll see one of the other commenters on this thread has mentioned the possiblity that "Blot" is indeed a troll.

Some of us have followed you here and elsewhere for a long time and value your insights highly.

As I said in your earlier post when you were considering the call--non-believers probably would make the best bishops as you have compassion lacking in TBMs.

How do you bear your testimony every third F/T meeting? Do you use the words "know" or "believe?" Is it specific as to Mormon figures, or just kind of generic wisdom?"

Very best wishes with the calling, you're probably going to help of lot of folks get off the guilt trip. The Boner.

Total generic wisdom. It is easy to bear testimony on real actual truths and not have to touch restored gospel topics in fast and testimony meeting. I have been a long time lurking reading posts and the name BYU Boner always gives me a smile

I know I'm getting a bit ahead of things ... but still curious!

: )

I've heard people say the things you confess to your bishop are put on your church record or passed on to others.. is this ever true?

Blot can say if things have changed in the last 12 years, but when I was Bishop, nothing was recorded on anything permanent unless the person had formal discipline (disfellowship or excommunication) Anything else is just words in an office, unless the Bishop takes notes.

The only time information gets passed to a new Bishop during a move is if the person was in the middle of a formal disciplinary action, or has already been disfellowshiped.

I don't have any records. I did have a long sit down talk with the former Bishop who explained who had been disfellowshipped or had to be rebaptized. He didn't explain why, leaving that to those people to share with me when they are ready. Funny thing is, I am good friends with several of them. I felt comfortable around them because they didn't take the church too seriously. I will say that our relationship dynamic does feel different...

And, no, the Bishop didn't pass on anything people had confessed. I will say that the first month or so of being Bishop, I had lots of people setting up interviews to talk to me to confess whatever they were going through - it was all self actuated... I don't share anything with counselors or WC, but I do let my wife know I don't want my daughter dating a couple of the boys in our ward...

We are not mormon and were not able to attend our convert daughter's marriage ceremony. It was a devastating experience for our family and created a lot of division.

TSCC punishes couples who choose to marry outside the temple first so that everyone who loves them can be there. This is permitted in many other countries without the one year punishment. Clearly it is just a policy that could be changed.

How do you justify this hateful policy?

You can't justify it, but you can encourage couples that have non-member family to get married civilly, and wait the year for a temple sealing. This is a very foreign way to operate, and goes against everything the church teaches, but it works well with a couple when the bishop is encouraging it with a "family first" explanation. I did it once with great results. Non-member parents give me a hug when they see me to this day!

Bad policy, but its your daughter who chose it. She could have done a different marriage - why didn't she?

Free Man Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bad policy, but its your daughter who chose it.
> She could have done a different marriage - why
> didn't she?


She was young, a new convert, and desperately wanted to fit in with her TBM in-law family. She believed the lie that God would be pleased (and that we would be so impressed by her faithfulness that we would eventually join TSCC!). Haven't we all believed a lie at some time?

I hold church leaders responsible. They are aware how much damage their policy creates but refuse to allow any option that would be inclusive and kind. (And no a ring ceremony is not adequate, it is insulting and condescending.) Instead of encouraging conciliation, they encourage divisiveness.

I can't justify it. I had a sibling just miss his/her offsprings wedding. I think it's sad that it rips families apart. I do have some youth where the parents are not active - I have talked to them to love and respect their parents. They are not bad people if the drink tea, coffee, smoke etc. I think they get taught in the church that they are bad people for doing those things and they need to hear from someone in leadership that they are good... It'll be interesting if I get one of these Youth to want to be married without their parents... I think the church just changed the policy where you can't get married in a church then get sealed the next day. I think I would tell them to wait a year and honor their parents with a civil wedding - you got eternity to get sealed, right?

The case for waiting:

You can have a unique celebration and include everyone who loves you regardless of their religious beliefs.

A year of marriage will give a deeper perspective and appreciation of the commitments you are making.

Disconnecting the sealing from the marriage allows you to concentrate on the sealing without the distraction of the reception, the hurt you have caused, and anticipation of having sex for the first time.

Question: Will you be 100% honest and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in Fast & Testimony regarding:

1) That Joseph Smith engaged in money digging and was found guilty in 1826 (Bainbridge, New York) of the technical term called 'glass looking,' which is looking at a magic stone and claiming you can see the supernatural inside the rock?

2) That Joseph Smith and his father (and brothers) were involved in conning folks out of their money by using Joseph Smith to use his clever skills at glass looking?

3) That Joseph Smith admitted to his father in law (Isaac Hale) that said glass looking never worked?

4) That Joseph Smith's favorite glass looking peep stone was found when he and his brother Hyrum were hired and in the process of digging a water well for their neighbor (Willard Chase), and when they were past 20 feet deep a unique rock was excavated and Joseph Smith used that rock in the translation (or fabrication) of the entire Book of Mormon?

5) That the witnesses to the BoM state he used the method of burying his head in his hat and looking at his 'magic' peep stone?

6) That Apostle Bruce R. McConkie stated in his tome, Mormon Doctrine, that peep stones are not of God but that other bad guy?

7) That the next President of the Church in line to replace Thomas Monson is Russell Nelson (President of the Quorum of Twelve) and authored a Church Ensign article, "A Treasured Testament" in July 1993 and certified that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by looking at his stone in his hat?

8) That the 'faith promoting artwork' used by the Church is incorrect; that Joseph Smith didn't sit at a table looking at the plates; and that the plates were either in another room covered or some other place?

9) That the pictures in the missionary manual, "Preach My Gospel" on pages 7 and 38 do not depict the correct method, and that there is NO MENTION to the missionaries of the truthful, honest translation method -- which would be VERY problematic to the missionaries and potential investigators if they knew the whole truth?

10) That Boyd K Packer advocated in his sermon, "The Mantel is Far, Far Greater," a talk given to CES employees, that "some truths destroy" and if you teach those things you are "a traitor to your covenants?

11) That Dallin Oaks of the Q12 advocates remaining SILENT on these historical problems?

12) That the Church leaders and general authorities do not tell the truth, the whole truth in their general conference talks?

13) That remaining silent on salient facts is a method which the church spells out in the Gospel Essential manual (Chapter 31 on Honesty) that this is how Satan deceives, and when we do this the Lord is not pleased just because it is to our advantage to do so?

14) Will you then read the following definition of honesty to your ward congregation from chapter 31 which states: "Lying is intentionally deceiving others. Bearing false witness is one form of lying. The Lord gave this commandment to the children of Israel: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16). Jesus also taught this when He was on earth (see Matthew 19:18). There are many other forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest. The Lord is not pleased with such dishonesty, and we will have to account for our lies. Satan would have us believe it is all right to lie. He says, “Yea, lie a little; … there is no harm in this” (2 Nephi 28:8). Satan encourages us to justify our lies to ourselves. Honest people will recognize Satan’s temptations and will speak the whole truth, even if it seems to be to their disadvantage."

15) Will you have integrity and tell the whole truth in your testimony meetings, or will you perpetuate the exact opposite of being 100% honest with your fellowman?

16) Will you explain to the congregation that LDS historians who have told the truth about church history have been excommunicated for doing so? Yet, the temple recommend interview asks, "Are you honest with your dealings with your fellowman?" in order to gain access to the temple?

17) Will you testify that this is the true church that excommunicates historians for telling the truth, but will demand a different definition other than the one in Chapter 31 of Gospel Principles in order to stay in full fellowship and gain a temple recommend?

18) Will you stand boldly at the pulpit and be honest? That is 100% honest?

I totally get how I can be judged - that's my blemish or lot in life (blot) - or mole is also a blot.
I think you would be surprised at how easy it is to lead and bear testimony of things that you feel are true. Yes, I have lead fast and testimony meeting, I have shared testimony to the Youth. In my case I am weak and unable at this time to delve into church history. I don't bear testimony of the restored gospel, JS, truths, etc. I do, however, bear testimony of forgiving one another, showing love and compassion and not judging. These are things I feel passionate about. When I was falling away I struggled with religion. I saw how it was destroying my relationship with my wife - she knows who I am and what I believe - I "testify" and focus on the things I believe and helps others. I guess I'm a liberal Bishop. I encourage people to find peace and happiness where they can find it...

"I don't bear testimony of the restored gospel, JS, truths, etc. I do, however, bear testimony of..."

Well that sounds just like something you would expect and do hear from many of the GAs in SLC and most of the Q15 who KNOW that the LDS church has so many historical problems about it being the restored church. In fact, we've read hear on RFM about the number of Apostolic visits to various stakes around the world where the visiting apostle WILL NOT take questions on historical problems regarding Joseph Smith, BoM, BoA, etc. That in a nutshell spells to me, "I can't and won't talk about those things because I have no answers, and I certainly don't want to make others aware of problems." Why? Because their job and probably NDA is to do otherwise: promote a religion, make the folks believe you are a super spiritual witness of Jesus and without saying the restored gospel is true, just tell stories and events on different topics and bear testimony how important those things are.

What is so sickening to me is how the leaders have changed their testimonies from what my parents heard and I heard growing up. During those many decades the Q15 repeatedly said over and over that the church is true because...(and then they'd tout their testimony of some restored historical event). You see, it's morphed due to the fact that the Q15 have zero answers to the problems. They have to confiscate journals and put them in a vault. They hide behind Mormon apologists. They have ZERO ability to speak inspiration from God (as true prophets, seers and revelators) and clarify. Instead they run, hide and avoid the issues and let some ridiculous anonymous essays be their so called escape clause from the problems. It's a fraud! Good grief. If you can see it and still remain a bishop, you're only knowingly perpetuating a con job, and their is absolutely no rationalization for that.

Do you (unlike the Q15) have a problem with missionaries testifying of the so called restored gospel when you all probably know that LDS Inc. is not being honest with the historical facts? Do you just allow them to find their way and bear testimony of something you know isn't true? If so, how is that having integrity as a Bishop? Calling yourself a liberal bishop and allowing it (if you do) is an excuse to NOT BEING HONEST with the facts.

It seems to me that you're perpetuating a fraud and none of the ordinances performed by authority originating from JS really have any after life significance. Hence, the temple is pure nonsense. Baptisms for dead folks is pure nonsense. Temple sealings for dead folks is pure nonsense. And all those copied Masonic handshakes that I did in the temple is pure crap. You have no real priesthood authority from God or any so called "keys" in your calling.

Who would want to preside over a ward knowing all that and think they are doing something good for people? How can you sit and listen to lessons prepared by the correlation committee that don't tell the whole truth? How can you allow members to regurgitate conference talks as Sacrament meeting topics? How can you sing a hymn of the restored gospel or even allow it to be played knowing that the message isn't true?

Personally, I have too much integrity to con a living soul by knowing tons of stuff on one hand and speaking out the ends of the other hand. That in itself is wrong. It's what constitutes NOT BEING HONEST - 100% honest!

What are you doing here? Or there?

You mentioned very few people are paying full tithing, including one of your counselors. How are they maintaining temple recommends, or are people looking the other way?

Lots of questions, so I'll try to answer some of them.
I know the last couple times I got myself a TR, I made a monetary contribution before I went into the interview. I was doubting then and not paying per say. I did so thinking they would check. I have done a few TRs and I do not look up anyone's financials. I just found out a month ago how to see everyone's. I do not believe my counselors do either. I am not sure what they do on the Stake side. Therefore, to answer your question I don't think they are looking, just asking. Bytheway, I got no formal training on how to conduct a TR. Just showed where the binders were in the office drawer...

I pay tithing online with an old direct bill pay method. The local ward gets no numbers on how much I pay, if at all. They bothered one bishop during tithing settlement, but I just said I was a full tithe payer, and he had to accept it.

Do you ever steer ward members away from the gossip that is integral to ward councils? Do you ever tell them that, when you discuss a person's problem, with three individuals, for example, you have now multiplied that person's problem three-fold?

If this is real let me tell you some hints from prior experiences. EdZ if you are reading along chime in.
1. Welfare- wards vary in economic content so to speak. The prior bishop may have been paying a disabled or chronically unemployed member some support that you now disagree with and they have become dependent on. These and other welfare issues will bring you attention from the SP/HC and auditors if you are writing too many checks. Got hammered for the latter by all above. Trying to get disabled/chronically unemployed and federal food stamp/aid to dependent children dependent members working or even looking for a job created so much friction it became not worth the effort. This will consume most of your time. Delegate.

2. Marital Strife-almost universal in my ward. Cut throat raw emotions constantly on display and in your position you will be the arbitrator. Counseling costs $$ and members don't want to pay it.

3. Drug and Alcohol dependency-Hell yes and prescribed drugs the worst. Forget porn- this stuff is a bitch.

Gatorman



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2017 07:17AM by gatorman.

When I was bishop, if I paid out less in Welfare than I took in with Fast Offerings, the SP never questioned who I was helping and why. I was lucky to have several people that gave very generous Fast Offerings, so I was never questioned by my SP. Other Bishops told me that once they went over, the SP would question every payment, and want to know the plan for making them "self sufficient"

Are you the bishop counseling my TBM wife to leave her nevermo husband because he is never going to convert, despite her insistence that she was never happier before marrying her beer-drinking, coffee-mainlining, god-denying husband?

Use to be TBM. When I stopped believing, two bishops and my ex-wife's President of the 70's cousin told her to leave me. She did. How can you represent a cult that knowingly destroys families for profit?

Sorry I couldn't be of more help - my road to recovery is my road - I don't wish to upset anyone anymore - One thing I have learned is not to judge...