Priesthood Complacentcy

bmwhutto · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 09:39 PM

I am an Elders Quorum President in the south. In the past 4 years in my calling I have seen a decline in the priesthood. More and more of the priesthood seem to be complacent in their calling as father, husband and holder of the priesthood of god. It almost seems as a majority that no one cares about the gospel and what the gospel means to them and their families. Now don't get me wrong, there are those faithful men that go well above and beond the call of duty. I have tried being nice, loving and downright rude trying to reach the members of my quorum. My counselors and I have prayed long and hard to receive the lord's consel, when we do receive the revelation that we need, we go and execute the things that are required. But to no avail nothing changes. Any suggestions or comments would be nice.

skalenfehl · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 09:46 PM

I've been in your shoes (well in the presidency). The best you can do is your best and to set the example. My recommendation is to strengthen the strongest of your quorum until they are strong enough to strengthen others. I believe Christ told his apostles when they were converted to strengthen their brethren. Through your example and the example of those who catch the spirit, the momentum will begin to grow. The best way to strengthen those that need it is through the longsuffereing principle of service. Visit your elders and tend to their needs. When their cups are filled they will be strong enough to fill the cups of others.

My two cents.

MorningStar · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 11:00 PM

Maybe have a special meeting to emphasize these things? Our bishop recently chewed out the men because many of them will not watch their kids during Enrichment, yet they show up after Enrichment to play basketball. He said, "It's always the same people. I see your wives bringing your kids with them to Enrichment, you never volunteer to do the nursery, and then you're playing basketball afterwards. Enrichment is mandatory." I'm glad he takes it so seriously. Enrichment is the only break some women get in our ward.

My friends husband made a stink just when she wanted to go to the grocery store for an hour and leave their baby there. He complained and she pushed the issue, then when she got home, he had done nothing, so the baby was screaming. I told her, "He did that so you would take the baby with you next time. He knows that if the baby is miserable, you wouldn't dare leave him home with him. Tell him if he does it again, you will leave for twice as long." She actually told him that and he sheepishly grinned and acknowledged that's exactly what he was doing. Oh my gosh! I can't stand it when men won't watch their own children! He did start watching him though and stopped doing such a terrible job. Sad that she had to resort to that.

Jbs2763 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 11:26 PM

what about "pretending" for 10 minutes we dont smell the poopy diaper?

kidding by the way

MorningStar · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 01:47 AM

You mean the poopy diaper that smells so bad, it's making you gag?

No one can pretend that well! :P

Elgama · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 03:03 AM

Have a thank the Sisters dinner - get the Youth to organise a creche, and each Priesthood holder has to wait on his wife, be attentive, make her place setting, provide a flower etc, and a letter of a appreciation. Precede or Follow it with a fireside on how the priesthood should behave towards their family.

-Charley

sixpacktr · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elgama

Have a thank the Sisters dinner - get the Youth to organise a creche, and each Priesthood holder has to wait on his wife, be attentive, make her place setting, provide a flower etc, and a letter of a appreciation. Precede or Follow it with a fireside on how the priesthood should behave towards their family.

-Charley

all great ideas, but if these clods haven't figured it out yet then they won't. Every General Conference PH meeting, EVERY ONE, has a talk to the brethren about being kind and attentive husbands. EVERY ONE. I get tired of hearing them, but realize that the prophets/apostles only preach that which the Lord wants us to hear, and after reading some of these examples I now understand why.

Poop never killed anyone, watching the kids you helped make never killed anyone. I had a blast with my girls when they where little when my wife was away. I always made the food that was really, really bad for you that mom would never make. My kids still talk about that. If you are on this board and think that raising the kids is your wife's responsibility and not yours, and that when you come home from a long hard day at work and want to go out with the boys and play ball, etc., then you need to repent. Your wife has had just as hard if not harder of a day, and needs some of you to offset the chatter of little ones. And your kids need you to be there too. I'm not saying never do anything with anyone else, but I too have witnessed people that just really didn't give a tinker's damn about their kids.

They miss out on so much.

As for the OP, that is the life of an EQP. Been there 3 different times. I worked my tail off and tried to lead by example. But the sad fact is that the church is ruled by the 30% rule: 30% activity, 30% tithing, 30% temple recommend holders, 30% HT. There are pockets of areas that do better on some or all, but for the most part, this is what we have. As a leader you do your best, so that, like Jacob, God won't hold your responsible for the sins of others, and go forward in faith. I'm believe more along the JS line of thinking: teach them correct principles, and let them govern themselves. It isn't you, or the Lord, being evaluated here. It is their willingness to obey the counsel of their leaders and the commandments of the Lord.

Elgama · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixpacktr

all great ideas, but if these clods haven't figured it out yet then they won't. Every General Conference PH meeting, EVERY ONE, has a talk to the brethren about being kind and attentive husbands. EVERY ONE. I get tired of hearing them, but realize that the prophets/apostles only preach that which the Lord wants us to hear, and after reading some of these examples I now understand why.

Poop never killed anyone, watching the kids you helped make never killed anyone. I had a blast with my girls when they where little when my wife was away. I always made the food that was really, really bad for you that mom would never make. My kids still talk about that. If you are on this board and think that raising the kids is your wife's responsibility and not yours, and that when you come home from a long hard day at work and want to go out with the boys and play ball, etc., then you need to repent. Your wife has had just as hard if not harder of a day, and needs some of you to offset the chatter of little ones. And your kids need you to be there too. I'm not saying never do anything with anyone else, but I too have witnessed people that just really didn't give a tinker's damn about their kids.

They miss out on so much.

As for the OP, that is the life of an EQP. Been there 3 different times. I worked my tail off and tried to lead by example. But the sad fact is that the church is ruled by the 30% rule: 30% activity, 30% tithing, 30% temple recommend holders, 30% HT. There are pockets of areas that do better on some or all, but for the most part, this is what we have. As a leader you do your best, so that, like Jacob, God won't hold your responsible for the sins of others, and go forward in faith. I'm believe more along the JS line of thinking: teach them correct principles, and let them govern themselves. It isn't you, or the Lord, being evaluated here. It is their willingness to obey the counsel of their leaders and the commandments of the Lord.

Yeah but at least their wives might get a night off lol

-Charley