A Virtual Ward

[Anonymous]

Just wondering what you think of the concept of a “virtual ward” — one where attendance is online, you membership is online at the virtual ward, you get your interviews online — for people who live in far-away places where it’s not practical to get to a Ward building. A sacrament meeting is visible via webcam, and social events are in the form of discussions, online interactive experiences/games. Your home teaching/visiting teaching is also online if you aren’t within travelling distance of your assigned people.

[Anonymous]

I would vote for it. Maybe you should draft a letter to the First Presidency and make the suggestion.

Oh wait, we aren’t allowed to do that anymore 🙄 .

[Anonymous]

It is happening now in some areas with Seminary for those who can’t attend the traditional early morning classes. Our stake is part of the pilot program, and I have been impressed overall – even though I was skeptical a bit at first, given my background in education and instructional software. In a couple of years, when the Church has gone through the entire four-year cycle of classes and has time to work out system bug issues, I can see it being rolled out broadly for all students who have been doing home-study Seminary. It is not designed as a replacement for traditional Seminary, but it is a wonderful program and effort.

I agree totally with the recent statement in GC about the danger of losing tangible, physical contact in the temptation to interact more and more online, but I also believe strongly in the power of online interaction – obviously. There is great potential for something like that to be a positive force, but there also is great potential for negative influences in a setting like that. Can you imagine a testimony meeting (or any meeting, really) in a setting where concerted hacking is a possibility?

There are issues that would have to be reconciled (like how to handle things like the sacrament), but if the sacrament is not being administered / taken anyway (since the people aren’t attending anyway) . . .

Overall, I really like and would support the idea if it could be limited to those who really are in locations and situations where they simply can’t attend. I wouldn’t want it to be a substitute for physical attendance with people who are capable of attending the traditional services. To me, a HUGE part of charity is learning to interact with, serve and actually love those with whom I disagree, even passionately about some things – and I’m not sure a virtual ward would be able to provide that in nearly the same way as a traditional ward can.

Rather than seeing it as virtual ward (with all of the callings associated with the traditional organization), I can see the basic format of the Sunday Meetings being broadcast live – with speakers and prayers provided by a core group of members. Again, however, it probably would need to be “restricted” to members identified by their Branch Presidents, Mission Presidents and Bishops as not being able to attend the traditional services – through a user name and password like is in place to access lds.org’s stake and ward directories section.

That’s my initial reaction, anyway. I certainly am open to other views and suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

To me, a HUGE part of charity is learning to interact with, serve and actually love those with whom I disagree, even passionately about some things – and I’m not sure a virtual ward would be able to provide that in nearly the same way as a traditional ward can.

I’m not sure. I’ve been on other forums before and I’ve seen the extreme emotions that have been stirred up over various issues. In fact, the natural man seems even more close to the surface in an online environment — thus requiring the same kinds of forgiveness and charity necessary in face-to-face contact.

I also agree that it’s a substitute for people who don’t have a Ward close by to interact with. I think it could be a good way to interact with people who for various reasons, can’t travel. We had a woman who had her legs removed due to diabetes and was unable to locomote places as a result — not even in a wheel chair (she was very old as well, but sentient).

I could visualize a Ward service project held asynchronously. Each person discusses how they might do service that week, and then goes and does it, and then reports back with pictures. It could be powerful to see a group of people fully united in service yet geographically dispersed. I could see a someone appointed remotely to manage the execution/coordination. There is an online discussion about the experience.

Quote:

Rather than seeing it as virtual ward (with all of the callings associated with the traditional organization), I can see the basic format of the Sunday Meetings being broadcast live – with speakers and prayers provided by a core group of members.

.

I think there could be callings — and this would be even more possible when the internet technologies get wide enough that the same benefits of face-to-face interaction we enjoy now, are possible through technology.

Quote:

That’s my initial reaction, anyway. I certainly am open to other views and suggestions.

I too am an educator, online course developer, online teacher, as well as on the ground, and I’ve found that things we felt were unlikely to work, are actually feasible online — and as you get experience executing things online, you find better and more effective ways of accomplishing your objectives.

Here are some suggestions for getting around some of the practical issues. These might seem ridiculous now, but I think they could spawn ideas.

1. You get bread and water that has been blessed by the priesthood in the mail. If there is a member of the aaronic priesthood in the home, they pass it with the passing fed to the Branch President via webcam. There are standards and training for the Aaronic Priesthood to make sure this is done properly.

If there is a melch priesthood holder, they fire up the webcam and prepare the sacrament and take part in a live sacrament blessing video feed.

2. Fast offerings and tithing are done electronically; tithing settlement happens via webcam and phone.

There are Branch Conferences at various intervals where people have to travel to provide a realistic experience.

I could also see the virtual Ward being an extension of an existing face-to-face Ward which has a strong local congregation, but also a lot of geogrphically dispersed members, rather than a purely online Ward — more of a blended Ward — partly onsite, partly online.

[Anonymous]

SD – I love the idea!

I have even gone a step further and set up our ward. What do you think?

Bishop – Brian

1st Councilor – Heber13

2nd Councilor – Tom

HPGL – Orson

EQP – The DA —- Councilors – Spock & Sambee

Music Director – SD

RS Presidency – Flower, CG, BN

Young Women Presidency – Buttars, jwald,

Young Men’s President – Doug

SS presidency – Enoch, MH, Silentstruggle

Internet door greeter – Roy

Nursery Leaders – Ray & cwald

[Anonymous]

That’s not fair, cwald. I’d be changing your diapers in a few years. 😆

[Anonymous]

cwald wrote:

.

Young Men’s President – Doug

I’m good with that … as long as scouting is also virtual.

[Anonymous]

Very interesting idea. I would love to attend RS presidency meetings wth Flower and BN how fun would that be!!!! I’d also want to be a fly on the wall in nursery with Ray and cwald.

Maybe we will get to that point someday. Being an introvert this seems like a great idea to me but I wouldn’t want it to be interactive. I’d just like to tune in online and be a quiet observer.

You have such an interesting mind SD!!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I’m surprised that no one called me on the blessed sacrament bread in the mail idea. I thought I’d get lambasted on that one.

cwald — I accept the call as music director. I think you’re inspired. This is one calling I’ve never held (I realized this the other day) and after reading about it in the CHI, I was hoping our Bishop would call me to it since our Ward Music Director never comes to Church.

I think our Ward should also have a custom lesson manual:

Here are the lessons for the first three weeks of 2011. Feel free to add more to the list:

1. Truth vs Error: Does it really matter since it’s impossible to determine objective truth anyway? (Spock can teach that one).

2. Orthopraxy for Dummies (Old-Timer)

3. How To Be Mormon and NOT Be a Mormon at the Same Time (SD).

Anyone else care to add to the list?

[Anonymous]

I actually like the sacrament/mail idea, seriously.

Lesson 4. How to Avoid Twisted Thinking Within the Church – Heber13

Lesson 5. Differentiating Between Cultural Commandments and the Gospel – cwald

Lesson 6. Compassion for Our Same Sex Attracted Brothers and Sisters – BN

Lesson 7. The REAL History of the Church – Mormon Heretic

Lesson 8. The Word of Wisdom IS NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ – Brian

Lesson 9. Despite What You May Believe – The Church is Not All That It Claims To Be – The DA

Lesson 10. How Personality Types Affect our Inward Faith – Doug

Lesson 11. Just Enjoy the Beauty of the Gospel – Flower.

Lesson 12. How to Sing Church Hymn Lyrics to Different Tunes – SD (I will probably skip that week 🙂 )

Lesson 13. Logic, Common Sense and the Gospel – Spock

Lesson 14. The Future of the COJCOLDS, and What We Can Do About It – The DA

Lesson 15. What is Tithing, REALLY – SD

Lesson 16. Strategies How To Stay LDS After A Trial Of Your Faith – John Dehlin

Lesson 17. Why People Leave the Church – John Dehlin

Lesson 18. Showing Charity To Our TBM’s Family and Friends – Ray

Lesson 19. Book Of Mormon Historical Theories – Mormon Heretic

Lesson 20. Navigating Your Way Through a Temple Recommend Interview – CanadaGirl

Lesson 21. The Merits, REAL merits, for Actually Following the Word of Wisdom – Sambee

Lesson 22. How to Serve in Church Leadership Positions WITHOUT a Temple Recommend – cwald

Lesson 23. Blending in With the TBMs/Stage 5 Thinking – jwald

[Anonymous]

I have a couple more:

Lesson 24: Mormon Truths Revealed by Hari Krishna (Brian)

Lesson 25: How To Give Blessings without Violating the Handbook: A Woman’s Guide (Old-Timer)

[Anonymous]

cwald wrote:

SD – I love the idea!

I have even gone a step further and set up our ward. What do you think?

Bishop – Brian

1st Councilor – Heber13

2nd Councilor – Tom

HPGL – Orson

EQP – The DA —- Councilors – Spock & Sambee

Music Director – SD

RS Presidency – Flower, CG, BN

Young Women Presidency – Buttars, jwald,

Young Men’s President – Doug

SS presidency – Enoch, MH, Silentstruggle

Internet door greeter – Roy

Nursery Leaders – Ray & cwald

I have noted that my name was inadvertently left off this leadership roster. I should be written in as the “patriarch.” I am a natural at writing blessings (though I might ask a token donation). Also a plus, leading the mourners through old cemeteries with my gold-leafed shepherd’s cane (think of the movie Thorn Birds – if you are old enough). SHALOM to all.

[Anonymous]

George – I originally had you down as the HPGL – but fired you in matter a seconds after typing it since you have been “inactive.”

I thin you would be a great patriarch. Consider it done. Oh wait – I guess Brian has to make that assignment now. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Heavens to Mergatroid, I’m “inactive?” Oh yes, guess I have been. Continue on…

Notice to ward population: Grandchild Number 13 (a boy) arrived two weeks ago. The five oldest grandkids are all in BYU’s in three different states. Three of them are recently temple married. I could be a great grandfather shortly. I am truly a “patriarch” (though some would apply the word apostate in front of said title).

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

I have a couple more:

Lesson 24: Mormon Truths Revealed by Hari Krishna (Brian)

Lesson 25: How To Give Blessings without Violating the Handbook: A Woman’s Guide (Old-Timer)

Additional offerings:

Lesson 26: How to be a undetected “Strangite” while holding membership in the LDS Church (George)

Lesson 27: How to raise my arm to the square to sustain the Brethren, while crossing my big toes to cancel voting for just one member of the same (George)

[Author]

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