tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7549418691638110643.post2458380571505140188..comments2018-01-21T19:06:41.932-08:00Comments on Making Sense of My mission: Called of GodJacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16098730726416806431noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7549418691638110643.post-30108273772657203592014-11-07T08:42:10.519-08:002014-11-07T08:42:10.519-08:00My husband was made a branch president in his miss...My husband was made a branch president in his mission for the last 11 months of his mission. In that area, he excelled. He was baptizing at least monthly in a mission where missionaries were lucky to get one or two baptisms their entire mission. He formed life-long bonds with the people in that area.<br /><br />One day he said to me something about not making AP. I was floored that he could think that was important at all. I think what he did accomplish was far greater than a mere status symbol. I believe he has a true calling waiting for him in life that will be far greater than the high positions in the church that he is looking to, if he will ever wake up to the truth.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09892415021115022195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7549418691638110643.post-64541426935464797392014-11-05T13:48:50.211-08:002014-11-05T13:48:50.211-08:00I as well have recently returned (about 5 months a...I as well have recently returned (about 5 months ago). Seems like we're both on the same page (or at least in the same book). I can relate completely to everything you said. I served as AP for goodness sakes (whoopty-doo....). I saw how it all worked out. The putting of companions together was based on "following the rules" not obedience to the commandments, and after that it was based off of personality or character, who was aloud to drive, and what language they spoke. I can't deny that the Lord worked around our follies and efforts to put together the "perfect transfer", and produced miracles in spite of our pride and boasting in our own strength and wisdom. I'm just grateful to find someone who's like me on this rant. Amen to your words brother, perhaps we shall meet in person someday. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427431465294544699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7549418691638110643.post-21911475721139317502014-11-05T08:12:18.498-08:002014-11-05T08:12:18.498-08:00Just saw that you are "recently returned.&quo...Just saw that you are "recently returned." Good thing, because writing like this and you would have been sent home quite quickly!Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08876761145806406244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7549418691638110643.post-60931638918923171822014-11-05T08:10:53.887-08:002014-11-05T08:10:53.887-08:00Hi Elder,
Not only does the situation you are desc...Hi Elder,<br />Not only does the situation you are describing happen, the inverse happens as well. What I mean is, when people actually ARE called of God, and then do what he says, and it happens to disagree with whatever the policy of the person (people) above him (her) says, that individual will be released, despite the endorsement of God himself.<br /><br />I was called to be a ward mission leader a few years ago. The Bishop and I both received the same revelation: That our mission plan was to focus on people, not numbers, and simply teaching the doctrine of loving your neighbor without assignment. The ward changed dramatically. Inactives were coming back to church because they actually felt the concern of and friendship of their neighbors, who were not being assigned to visit them, but befriending them because they wanted to. The Spirit told me to stop going to weekly "coordination" meetings with the rest of the stake's ward mission leaders, and instead visit families. My Bishop supported this idea. He said he felt God had told me to do that. Two weeks later, I was released over that incident because "I wasn't following the handbook." This Bishop was an honest man with a good heart, and I still consider him a good friend. But this is just one of many examples where I know of a leader getting explicit revelation, then ignoring it because a policy of men said otherwise.<br /><br />God bless you in your journey!Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08876761145806406244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7549418691638110643.post-20266243295384739432014-11-05T08:02:49.340-08:002014-11-05T08:02:49.340-08:00Thank you for writing this. You are spoke articula...Thank you for writing this. You are spoke articulately and without drama, very straight forward and honest. I also appreciate the simplicity of your testimony and message. What you have said should give us all pause. God bless. Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17155664862229733620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7549418691638110643.post-22720719859761133652014-11-05T06:53:50.987-08:002014-11-05T06:53:50.987-08:00It does happen at higher levels. I can speak firs...It does happen at higher levels. I can speak first hand that it happens with ward leadership and stake leadership. People recommend your name and often times you are intact called to that position. There is an element of "who you know" and the "good ol boys club" when it comes to the nature of callings within the church. I know bishops and stake president councilors that were very good friends with the priesthood leader extending the calling. I've sat in bishopric meetings where the same process was extended. Sure, we all pray about callings, but I've never been in a position where we prayed and the answer was no.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03025082304075168603noreply@blogger.com