# PonderIt

## Sunday, March 19, 2006

### The letter-less sacrament meeting

In sacrament meeting this morning, I was eagerly awaiting the second counselor in the bishopric to read the letter from the First Presidency about participating in the upcoming neighborhood caucuses. I wanted them to cancel/postpone/reschedule YM/YWs activities that night, so that my husband can come, too. Alas, it was all in vain, for not a thing was said about it. The letter wasn't read last week, either.
It's a very little mistake. But now I have a dilemma. I try hard to support my husband in his Scout calling, and encourage him to do things even when I'd (obviously) rather have him at home. But this situation isn't selfishness, right? I mean, it's patriotic, and even the First Presidency wants us to participate!
The fact that it will be much more fun and the babies will be easier to deal with if he is there has nothing to do with it. Nothing at all. :)

#### 4 Comments:

- Did you speak directly to one of your bishopric members about this? Speaking from experience, I can say that bishoprics sometimes have so many things they are trying to deal with that they occasionally allow things to slip through the cracks. I appreciate it when a member kindly brings my attention to such matters. (I'm not quite as appreciative when a member whines about matters).
  We read the letter in Sacrament meeting last week and have cancelled church events scheduled for this Tuesday evening . I'm surprised to hear of wards ignoring this.

  By Reach Upward, at 3/19/2006 7:52 PM

- Although I didn't know it, Bradley talked to the second counselor this morning about the letter. The second counselor said that although he had read about it in the newspaper, they had not received the letter. Our bishop has been on National Guard duty for the last two weeks, and it seems possible that the letter was sent directly to his house.
  Fortunately, Bradley talked to the Young Men's president, and he'll be missing the activity on Tuesday night so we can go to the caucus together. Yay!

  By Keryn, at 3/19/2006 9:53 PM

- Church protocol is to send ward materials directly to the bishop's home address. Unless the stake president deems it necessary, the bishop's counselors do not open the mailings to the bishop. That usually only happens if the bishop is away for an extended time -- more than just a couple of weeks.
  That means that time sensitive directives can sometimes end up being missed, as appears to be the case in your ward. It is often customary for the stake to provide direction on the cancelling of scheduled meetings when directives of this nature come from church HQ, but that is up to the stake leaders.

  By Reach Upward, at 3/20/2006 6:48 AM

- Thanks for the clarification. That probably explains it.

  By Bradley, at 3/20/2006 7:48 AM

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