posted
With talk of aspiring to a calling, I was curious about something. It's somewhat personal, but I remember a time when I had an impression that I should serve as a Stake Missionary. I remember at the time, being impressed I should go talk with the bishop, and such, but I was feeling unworthy and the calling sounded like a lot of work, and well, I think I just wanted someone to call me on their own, rather than mention that I'd be willing to take the call were it offered. Needless to say I didn't get the call, because I never even expressed my desire to serve. I know that you shouldn't seek certain callings, cuz it's um... wrong to force the hand of inspiration, I suppose. Still I'm curious...
Have you ever felt like you should have been called to a certain calling, but were, at the time unready or unworthy for it? Have you ever felt impressed that you should be in a certain calling? And what did you do about it?
As Primary president I was helping our Activity Day leader. She didn't have an assistant so I was going up on Tuesday nights just to be there, help her out, and help her plan her activities. When I was released as president I offered as her friend to continue to help her out if she wanted it. I knew she wouldn't be able to do the calling long and I wanted to do it, and I knew that volunteering and letting the powers-that-be see you do it is a good way to get your name nominated.
Now I am the Activity Days leader.
In our ward the bishop tends to have exploratory interviews with new members, to see what they've done in other wards and what their lifestyle and schedule is like and what they like to do. There's nothing wrong with that. Inspiration doesn't often strike out of the blue; it's more often finding a person with the ability and availability to fill a calling, and asking the Lord if that person's okay with Him. He doesn't do it with people that have grown up in the ward, though, so he may not be aware of our talents and desires.
If I had a desire for a calling I'd make sure the person over that auxiliary and the bishop overheard me say so, and then leave it up to him.
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posted
Some callings are more amenable to such speaking-up. Like Cub Scout leader (or activity days leader, or nursery leader). Others aren't (like bishop). This is how I get to stay in Primary. I say I like it there, and for the most part most of my life, that's where I've been.
posted
See, I'm curious. Why are certain callings safe for aspirations while others are taboo? (And I agree tendril with you, there are some callings that have such a sense to them.)
I mean if your heart is in the right place, and you want to serve in God's kingdom, why should it matter if someone desires to be bishop, for example?
posted
I think there's a difference between aspiring to be in a position - like you want the prestige and you campaign to get that job - and wanting to serve in a particular calling, but being willing to take whatever calling they extend to you. If you think you would enjoy a calling and say so in the hearing of the people who could make that happen, and then let it go, that's not aspiring to a calling. "Aspiring" implies you think it's something that will elevate you in some way and you're going to ask for it. Saying you'd be willing to be a bishop is not the same as aspiring to that calling. Volunteering in the Primary so they'll see you're good with kids and call you to Primary is not aspiring to a calling, especially if you're not going to sulk if you're not called, or refuse the other calling they give you instead.
For the record, I have never known ANYONE who desired to be a bishop. Posts: 5841 | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Yes, I have known in advance that I was going to be called to a calling. I never said a word to anyone except my dh on one occasion. I didn't DO anything about it, except begin my preparation to do it the best I could.
And yes, I have volunteered for various positions --- particularly to teach the disruptive teen SS class, where they went through teachers like water. Sometimes leaders are happy to know that someone is happy to do something if they need or want them to do it.
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posted
Jenna: Is it sinful to aspire to a calling, if the motivation is not for prestige?
I seem to recall the apostle paul stating that aspiring to be a bishop, for example, was a good thing. (1 Timothy 3:1)1-"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work."
Or is it because there's just one bishop, and it's such a central position that the one who is called has to apologize for how "inadequate" he feels, when he's called, and how he NEVER expected to get it... as if not wanting the call makes him more virtuous in its performance?
(definition of aspire does not really give a motivation... if anything it sounds somewhat noble in denotation.) 1 : to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal <aspired to a career in medicine> 2 : ascend, soar
quote: Is it sinful to aspire to a calling, if the motivation is not for prestige?
How is the person aspiring? Is there some unrighteous behavior going on to get to the calling? Such as gossiping, backbiting, being whiney, etc? Or is it something that the person is quietly doing? Such as speaking to the appropriate priesthood with stewardship and then accepting whatever decision?
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posted
Ah; aspirations. Let me tell you a story of a once young man who aspired to be branch president.
This young man joined the church at the age of nineteen. Over the next 17 years he served in many callings in the branch and supported and sustained his leaders. He noticed after awhile that whenever a new BP was called it was invariably someone who had just recently moved into the branch and he began to wonder what was wrong with the long time resident priesthood holders in the branch, were they not worthy or capable? Then a longtime member of the branch was called and the young man was disappointed because he felt that he should have been called. He was called to serve as a councilor to this branch president and grew to love him. Then this branch president was released and was followed by two more move ins. The young man agin felt that he should have been called because who could understand the needs of the branch better than he who had so long served in this branch? Thwn it happened. This young man was serving as a councilor to the current BP when the BP had to move due to his work. The young man was left to fill the role of acting BP for six months. Then the call came, the one he had so much desired. He knew now that he would be able to help the members of the branch realize their full potential and be able to help them understand what they needed to do in order to overcome their weaknesses and trials. The young BP soon came to realize that this was not going to be an easy task. He spent many hours meeting with and counseling the members. He also spent many hours in disciplinary councils with members who should have known better. Then one day, four years later, the District President came and asked the young man, who was now almost 41, if it was time for a release. The young man felt and stated that he was prepared to carry on. Within a week that young BP was on the phone, almost in tears, asking to be released. That was 16 years ago. This member is much wiser and humbler but, still suffers from the many hours spent counseling with the members.
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posted
Twice that I recall, I have aspired to callings. Once, as a young Priest, I wanted to be the First Assistant, leading of the Priest's Quorum. I imagined that it would bring me all sorts of personal benefits. I was called, and the benefits didn't happen. I was the same person as I was before I was called, with the same problems, only more responsibility, which I didn't handle nearly as well as I had imagined I would. That seriously damaged my delusions of grandeur.
Later, in a student ward where there was a lot of turnover, I was one of the veterans. I thought, based on seniority, experience, etc. that I would be the best person for the job of Elders's Quorum President. (I saw a quote one time: "He never had a chance, and the only person that didn't know it was him.". It seems fitting.) Another person was called. I quickly got over my disappointment, but then as I watched, I saw that he was actually doing a far better job than I would have dreamed of, let alone been able to do myself. That seriously damaged my delusions of competence. Other events later destroyed them entirely.
I once heard someone say "If the Lord saw fit for me to be an apostle, he would have invited me. It doesn't look like that's going to happen". Yeah. Me too.
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I should probably attempt to draw some conclusions from the experience. I have definitely learned not to aspire to a calling. As a matter of fact I usually try to be absent if the Stake presidency is in the vicinity .
As I ponder it I sometimes wonder if the "aspiration" was in reality a foreknowledge and the Spirit was attempting to prepare me for the calling. I know that the exasperation I felt at the times I was not called was wrong and not of the spirit. I also know, on reflection, that I was not ready. I'm not sure that I was ready when I finally received the calling.
The experience of the calling from a growth point of view was definitely worth it. Overall the experiences which I gained during that time were also worth the time and sacrifices. I must point out that, apart from the Spirit, the support of my wife and the sacrifices she was willing to make was (were?) indispensible.
I also didn't realize that I was still so emotionally attached to that calling and experience until I attempted to write the previous post.
Should we aspire to callings? Probably not, but, if you are having strong feelings then maybe you are being asked to prepare, and, if the calling comes or not you will have gained in preparation and experience.
ps. I think that if I were living in a large ward I probably would not have had the experience of the callings I have held.
Moral? If you really have a hankering to serve move to a small ward or branch, you will definitely be utilized.
posted
I also like the example. It is one reason aspiring is not so important. Being worthy to aspire without aspiring, now that is where it all needs to be.
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Perhaps if you think you are ascending to that calling over, say, a home teacher etc. then you are aspiring to that calling. The idea that this calling is at a higher level than others.
However, if you would like a calling because you would enjoy it, have the time for it, would like to become closer to Christ through the service required for it etc. then it wouldn't be "aspiring".
I've known that I was going to be asked to be in the primary 3 times before I was asked. Each at a time when it would be difficult for me to be there. Each time I have prayed and felt I should accept so that I can bend my will to the Lord's, but also tell of my concerns. Each time they have withdrawn the calling. I haven't known about any other calling, but none have been surprising to me accept the time I was asked to be primary pianist.
posted
An excellent example. Not wanting a calling but willing to do it. It goes with the tradition set by Christ Himself in Gethsemane (though perhaps not as significant, but then again, what is significant compared to the Atonement). It shows a strength of character.
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posted
I heard an older family member talk about the conundrum that faces the man who's about to be called as Bishop or Stake President.
He said that in his experience, and for everyone else he's ever asked, that these callings are never a surprise to the man they've been extended to - in essence, they've received advance notice from the Lord, sometimes months in advance.
In the case of calling the Stake President, all the men being prayed about are called in, and asked the question, "Who do you think the next Stake President will be?"
So there will be always be one man who won't be telling the truth when he lists names, because he knows it's going to be him, but that's not something you ever admit in an interview.
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posted
I have never thought to desire a calling. It just didn't occur to me. I figured that whatever callings I should have, I would have.
Once I did find out a day before a calling was issued that I was getting a certain calling. The Spirit kept whispering the new calling to me, and I kept arguing with it.
Spirit: You are going to be called to ---. Me: Nuh uh. Spirit: Yeah huh. Me: no WAY I am called to that. Spirit: Yes. Way.
and so on through most of the night.
When I got into the meeting with the bishopric member, I knew why I was given that little heads up. It was a blessing to me for a few reasons...not the least of which was that I knew that I was being told early so that I could have no doubt that it was the Lord's call to me...not the bishopric's. There were other reasons, but I believe that was the most powerful.
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posted
I campaigned for a calling in Primary. Whenever I saw the PP I would tell her that I would love to be in Primary. Whenever I saw a member of the bishopric I reminded them of the many callings in Primary that needed filling and that I was available. I got called into SS. I served willingly and (somewhat) cheerfully. Actually, I grew quickly to love my SS calling
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posted
dianoia's example gave me pause. One of my good friends is a counselor in a stake presidency. When the stake was reorganized, the visiting GA interviewed all of the bishops and stake high councilmen, then called a bishop as SP, with my friend and a counselor from the former presidency. My friend had no forewarning, and he was mighty shaken up. Since then he's done a great job!
For the record: I don't aspire to be bishop, ever. Just wanted to get that on the record Posts: 31 | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I aspire to be worthy of being a bishop (per the scriptures), but grow a beard to keep the worthiness undercover. In the times of Brigham Young, I think I would be clean shaven.
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posted
I really do not get the beard/no beard thing as far as leadership positions are concerned, though I have never seen a rs pres with one come to think about it.
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quote: quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I aspire to be worthy of being a bishop (per the scriptures), but grow a beard to keep the worthiness undercover. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know of 4 men that this did not keep them from being called as a Bishop, as I was in those wards... only one of them received any counsel from the SP that called them about their beards... but eventually all of them shaved... I don't know what that last part means... I just don't think that having a beard will keep you from any calling... if the Lord wants you in it...
That is because they have been "assimilated".
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posted
After a move to another state many moons ago I greatly aspired to serve in my new ward’s Primary. I’d been in Primary callings since the age of 16 when Primary used to meet Monday afternoons and I taught the Moonbeams (anyone remember Moonbeams came before Sunbeams in the olden days?!) So I was born and bred to work in the Primary, lol.
Each Sunday at our new ward I sat in Primary. I offered to be an on-call spur-of-the-moment substitute for anything they needed. It was working well. I wasn’t official but I was happy and so were the leaders to have me available for last minute teacher or chorister vacancies.
One week I attended RS. It was awesome. I went the next week. It was awesome. First time in my life I’d enjoyed RS. I loved it. What a group! I was here to stay (at least for the year we would be in that state before moving back home)
The 3rd week I attended RS I was called to teach the Merrie Miss girls.
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quote: Note: some "anti's" refer to the Church as "The Morg"!
This reminded me of a conversation I had with my friend the other day. The scripture about not being ashamed of the gospel came to mind as she was thinking about responding to LDS posts on a message board she goes to. How some anti's work very hard to make us ashamed of it.
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quote: quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That is because they have been "assimilated". --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, resistance is futile...yada, yada, yada...
Note: some "anti's" refer to the Church as "The Morg"!
I would refute that through use of the "Book of Morg".
By the way, I have just begun sweating bullets. Someone in authority asked me how much I liked my beard. This is not a good thing.
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quote:Someone in authority asked me how much I liked my beard. This is not a good thing.
Hang in there. They don't bother me because I am Santa Claus. You could point out that Jesus, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, and George Albert Smith all wore beards. I've been wearing a beard off and on but mostly on since 1971. Posts: 3371 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:You could point out that Jesus, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, and George Albert Smith all wore beards.
You always leave ME out of that list, Mr. Kringle. I'm starting to feel a bit slighted. Posts: 8601 | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
We have a guy in our SP right now who has always worn a beard-- except once. When he was called to work with the Young Men, he was asked to shave it, and did. But as soon as they called him to the bishopric, he grew it back, and since then they have called him to the Stake Presidency and no change in the beard.
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