Raylan Givens wrote: ↑Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:55 pm
Had a meeting with the new BP. Nice guy, empathetic and listening. I didn't get into the nitty gritty, but he knows more than most of my past BP.
He asked if he found the "right" calling would I accept. I guess
What callings would a gun slinger without a recommend and a very NOM belief like myself qualify for? Any ideas, or past experiences?
The base question is: what kind of Mormon do you want to be? LDS theology is not quite as mature as Judaism, for example. While Reform and Liberal Jews have profound disagreements with Conservative and Orthodox Jews, they all recognize the Jewish Heritage each possesses. The Seder meal might mean very different things to various types of Jews, but it still acknowledged as the community recognition of a critical story in Jewish culture. Liberal Jews don't have to hold a literal reading of the book of Exodus to get something out of Passover. Being a cultural Jew is understood and recognized by the Jewish community at large.
This distinction is only in the early stages of acknowledgement in LDS thought. The temple ceremony is widely considered the
literal gateway back to God and is a divine requirement for all mortals in the progress towards salvation. Someone like me only wants to participate in temple worship as a part of a family or social gathering. I feel no draw to attend the temple for my own personal edification. Being a strictly cultural Mormon is
not understood or especially appreciated by the LDS community at large. I keep these ideas to myself because it serves my greater goals.
Personally, I do serve on the scout committee in my ward. I got lucky when the bishop called me to this position although I made it no secret that would happily serve in scouts since I enjoy camping and working with the young men in a
slightly more secular manner. I am prepared to turn down just about any other calling. But this is simply what works for me.
What would
you feel comfortable doing? I don't recommend waiting for your bishop to come up with the "right" calling. You should provide some suggestions for him. This will also help establish how orthodox he is and get an inevitable confrontation out of the way early on if needed. Your church service should be your own and you should make your own decisions on how you want to serve. I spent last Saturday helping with and Eagle Project with a young man in my ward along with two dozen other men and boys. Community social ties have real value and you don't have to reject them just because you don't believe like they do.