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My husband and I just got called to serve in the Metropolitan First Branch, which is a very politically correct way to say “the Salt Lake County Jail.” I’ve never been one to accept a calling just because I feel like it’s got to be inspired. I’ve declined several callings in the past and haven’t actually had a calling for quite some time. I’ve got to admit, though, that I’m actually super excited about this one. It’s a three-year calling, and from what I gather, it’s kind of a cross between teaching Sunday School and doing missionary work. We’ll be working with the jail inmates, so it’s a fairly transient group of men, unlike the Utah State Prison. I love the idea that I’ll actually be doing something that is more along the lines of true service. Glad for you and I hope it turns out good for you and your husband and also that you can help those in need. I hope your heart comes out of the calling bigger and stronger. That really sounds interesting. I have a lot of questions.
– do you get any training?
– it sounds like you will have structured presentation or class. Where do the lessons come from?
– can you talk or council inmates one on one?
– Are they limited to nonviolent inmates?
– have you been able to talk to anyone who has had this calling? What were their experiences like?
Keep us informed.
That sounds like an incredible opportunity! Best of luck to ya. I remember the couple who was assigned to our prisons back in the ward where I grew up. It’s such an important calling. I remember this one woman there, who was the only convict with permission to take the sacrament. Apparently, her old boyfriend murdered her abusive father, and she kept quiet about it for well over a decade. That makes her complicit, and despite getting married in the temple and having kids, wound up with a 12 year sentence.
I guess my point is, we can never really judge those who end up in jail/prison. They are in a tough spot, and really need our help. Glad you chose to take on the responsibility.
:thumbup: I’ve heard from people who serve in other faiths about working in correctional facilities and jails that it is some of the most rewarding work/care they have ever given. Most of them tell me the person who grows the most is themselves. You have one of the biggest hearts. You will be marvelous with this.
Please remember to share the lessons you learn with us over here.
Congratulations.
That is so awesome. They need someone like you who understands struggles and won’t judge them immediately.
Minyan Man wrote:
That really sounds interesting.I have a lot of questions.
– do you get any training?
– it sounds like you will have structured presentation or class. Where do the lessons come from?
– can you talk or council inmates one on one?
– Are they limited to nonviolent inmates?
– have you been able to talk to anyone who has had this calling? What were their experiences like?
Keep us informed.
I’m sure we’ll be given a little bit of an introduction about what to expect and what the rules are, but from what I understand, most of our “training” will be shadowing another couple for a few weeks.
I’m sure it’s pretty structured, and I know we’re to rely a lot on the “Teach My Gospel” manual, but as to the specific “course of study,” I don’t know yet.
I hope we’ll be able to talk to the inmates one on one, but as we’re not trained councilors, I doubt we’ll be expected or even allowed to do much in that area, besides just trying to offer them hope for the future and helping them to understand that the Atonement applies to them as well as to everybody else. I definitely hope to be able to get to know some of them and be able to interact on a little more personal level with them. We were told, though, that there is to be zero touching, and that if my husband were asked to give a priesthood blessing, he’d have to stand with his hands behind his back and say something like, “Robert Jones, holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, and
as if my hands were on your head, I…” We’ll be teaching minimum, medium and maximum security prisoners. With the maximum security prisoners, we do so through the bars of their cell. That will definitely be an experience.
Another couple in our ward has been doing it for about six months and they absolutely love it. I’ve also heard second-hand accounts of other people who’ve done it and love it. (Of course, there are always people who “love” every calling they’ve ever had, so I don’t take these reports to mean a great deal.) For me personally, it’s right up my alley.
We’re still waiting on security clearance so it may be a couple of weeks before we start.
Today was our first Sunday in jail. It was an absolutely marvelous experience from beginning to end. We shadowed another man and will continue to do so for a couple more weeks. The lesson (taught twice, back to back to different groups of prisoners) was on the Plan of Salvation. I was really touched by how receptive most of the men were, and how willing to join in the discussion. Some of them made some really well-thought-out comments. There was both an opening and closing prayer, and both were offered by inmates. The opening prayer in the first session was given by a man in his early 40s who had been active in the Church for most of his life and had only during the past few years got into some trouble. He told us he had had a lot of callings in his life, including some in leadership positions like Young Men’s President in his ward. I was really touched by the inmates’ prayers. All of them were so genuine and heart-felt, and they all thanked God for sending us to them and for our willingness to serve. I actually started getting emotional listening to them, which is something I never, ever do in church any more. Generally, I just leave after the meeting, glad that it’s over and irritated by something one of the speakers or teachers had to say. I’m going to have a little more latitude to be myself in this setting, and not have to worry that I’m going to be viewed as a left-wing heretic.
I really feel like this is going to be an answer to my prayers. I’ve been asking God to help me find a place in the Church where I can be true to myself and help someone else along the way. I’ve never wanted to leave the Church, but inactivity has been sounding better all the time. Now that’s not going to have to happen. I’ve never felt that all callings are inspired and it annoys me when people insist that they are; but I’m pretty sure this one was!
Awesome! I think the people you’ll serve will need your left-wing heresies. You can teach them about a radically inclusive and forgiving Jesus without having to struggle to find him first.
Excellent. I want to hear more, please. Minyan Man wrote:
Excellent. I want to hear more, please.
And you undoubtedly will — probably every Sunday. I haven’t been this excited about a calling in… oh, about 70 years.
Clickbait! 😆 We have a ward member who helps run AA in prison. I admire the people who can do these things. I have no experience of jails. I have visited friends in secure wards which is the nearest thing I suppose.
I’ve got to ask the obvious… do you get any protection from any potential trouble?
Good on you though. I think these guys do need support. I wouldn’t want to be in their position. I think some of them need healing as much as punishment.
I am fond of saying that our local district of Toastmasters international has the greatest percentage of incarcerated members of any other district! 😆 We sponsor a number of “prison clubs”. The people in these clubs are some of the most motivated and dedicated members.Above everything else, people in prison are human beings with feelings and stories.
Redemption and other gospel topics can be much more relevant in a prison setting.
There are definitely people who believe their “calling” or “ministry” (using the terms as Protestants might) is working with those who are in jail/prison. Although I think the meaning is broader than this and not necessarily “concrete,” I do think “And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” applies. SamBee wrote:I’ve got to ask the obvious… do you get any protection from any potential trouble?
We’re in a small room with a glass wall that is adjacent to a much larger room where there are guards and cameras into all of the cells and into the room we’re using.
Quote:Good on you though. I think these guys do need support. I wouldn’t want to be in their position. I think some of them need healing as much as punishment.
I suspect you’re right. I think that we may be teaching in maximum security next week, and if we are, that will definitely be interesting as we teach through the bars of their cells.
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