My surreal release from Bishop Counselor calling

[Anonymous]

Last Sunday I was released as a bishop’s counselor . It was Ward Conference . It was not so easy to have all eyes on me. During his speech , the bishop said he had seen so many faces stunned by the release . He wanted everyone to know that I had been to him more than a counselor, a close friend. Then he said: “You know I love surprises . RALPH I would like to ask you to speak for a few minutes .” Fortunately, the other counselor had warned me of the intentions of the bishop. What could I say ? “Hey guys , I no longer believe in certain doctrines of the Church.” or ” I have become an apostate ” or “have you ever heard of Joseph Smith polyandry , Brigham Young False Doctrine, etc. . ? ” . Of course not. I thanked the Bishop and the other counselor, all the members for the wonderful experiences we have had together, I talked about the importance of service and I bore my testimony about the gospel . I knew that the Bishop wanted the members to know that there were no problems between us. I tried to make that clear to the congregation.

At the end of the meeting many members have come to thank me . Someone asked me “Are you moving to another city ? ” . Some worried High priests told me : “Sorry for your release but we do not agree that the Stake take the best brothers . We need you in the Ward.”

OK. The thing was beginning to be worrisome. I quickly greeted everyone and went home. The next day a sister called my wife and asked if I had been called into the Stake. Ouch! Stake Conference will be in June, so I still have a few weeks! And after that? is easy to say that we do not care what others think, but in reality it is not so. I hope to be strong enough not to feel bad for what other people will say and think of me when they’ll realize that I have not been called to the Stake. At that time I will understand if they are really interested in me or just curious.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure it wasn’t easy. You reacted the right way.

You’re a “class act”.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like your ward thinks very highly of you. That’s pretty cool.

Your experience does raise questions doesn’t it? The good news is that they immediately assumed the best. I also would tend to worry about what others will think after the weeks go by but it’s also possible that the members will forget about everything entirely. One way to remedy that and help yourself in the process is to find some other engagements to be involved with now that you’ve been released. You can now serve on your terms, the rumor mill will be slow to churn up if you are in the service of your fellow beings… and this time it can be in ways that you want to serve.

Good job on surviving the testimony. I keep mine well guarded these days and I might even say as much if someone pressed me into sharing it, I’d really have to chose my words wisely. Let me know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you’re handling it pretty well, and for the most part so is your ward. There’s always some scuttlebutt going around about higher profile callings in the ward and stake. Both times when I was released from bishoprics I was sustained in other positions at the same meeting (YMP once, GD teacher the other). Did that not happen for you because of your doubts or is it just a matter of the bishop or SP not quite finding the right place for you? I understand not having a calling is sometimes best, I don’t have one and don’t want one and frankly there are few things I think the leadership and I would both feel comfortable with at this point. But then everybody in my ward knows at least I am inactive and some probably know more than I wish they should or think they should. At any rate, continue to be gracious – it seems to be working. Sometimes I find that in answer to the more pushy of the curious a simple but firm “I can’t say” stops them.

[Anonymous]

Mike wrote:

I’m sure it wasn’t easy. You reacted the right way.

You’re a “class act”.

+1. We often feel the need to justify ourselves in order to help people think the best of us. The fact that you focused on ensuring your Bishop and Ward felt comfortable first shows that you have genuine charity.

Out of interest, was the release at your request (sorry if I’ve missed another thread).

[Anonymous]

DarkJedi wrote:

Did that not happen for you because of your doubts or is it just a matter of the bishop or SP not quite finding the right place for you?

mackay11 wrote:

Out of interest, was the release at your request

It’s for my doubts. After I had my FC, ​​I felt inadequate to represent the Church. I do not know if I will accept callings in the future. I will choose from time to time. Maybe something peripheral, as a consultant, I do not know.

my introduction: http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5352

[Anonymous]

Good job. You handled that really well.

Is there an assignment or calling you would feel comfortable / like doing – maybe coordinating community service or the nursery (which I loved)? You don’t need to have a calling if you don’t want one, but if you don’t mind doing something you would accept, there is nothing wrong with asking the Bishop if you could do something specific.

[Anonymous]

I know I repeat myself but if I was in the same situation and someone really pushed for more info I would share this podcast with them:

http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/2014/03/27/fairmormons-john-lynch-from-with-bill-reel/

I think it does an excellent job of sharing the heart of what a Faith Crisis is about while remaining in the orthodox mindset – very balanced.

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

Good job. You handled that really well.

Is there an assignment or calling you would feel comfortable / like doing – maybe coordinating community service or the nursery (which I loved). You don’t need to have a calling if you don’t want one, but if you don’t mind doing something you would accept, there is nothing wrong with asking the Bishop if you could do something specific.

True, if you’re comfortable doing something (and I understand if you’re not – I wasn’t), the bishop can “make up” any calling he likes – it doesn’t have to be a “standard” calling.

[Anonymous]

Orson wrote:

I know I repeat myself but if I was in the same situation and someone really pushed for more info I would share this podcast with them:

http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/2014/03/27/fairmormons-john-lynch-from-with-bill-reel/

I think it does an excellent job of sharing the heart of what a Faith Crisis is about while remaining in the orthodox mindset – very balanced.

Thanks Orson, I appreciate the referral. I try to have serious discussions while leading with faith…… good stuff coming down the pipe as well.

“Making False Assumptions Disappear, One At A Time”

[Anonymous]

DBMormon wrote:

Orson wrote:

I know I repeat myself but if I was in the same situation and someone really pushed for more info I would share this podcast with them:

http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/2014/03/27/fairmormons-john-lynch-from-with-bill-reel/

I think it does an excellent job of sharing the heart of what a Faith Crisis is about while remaining in the orthodox mindset – very balanced.

Thanks Orson, I appreciate the referral. I try to have serious discussions while leading with faith…… good stuff coming down the pipe as well.

“Making False Assumptions Disappear, One At A Time”

6th April as someone’s birthday perhaps don’t worry, I face-palmed at that moment in the talk too.

[Anonymous]

mackay11 wrote:

DBMormon wrote:

Orson wrote:

I know I repeat myself but if I was in the same situation and someone really pushed for more info I would share this podcast with them:

http://mormondiscussion.podbean.com/2014/03/27/fairmormons-john-lynch-from-with-bill-reel/

I think it does an excellent job of sharing the heart of what a Faith Crisis is about while remaining in the orthodox mindset – very balanced.

Thanks Orson, I appreciate the referral. I try to have serious discussions while leading with faith…… good stuff coming down the pipe as well.

“Making False Assumptions Disappear, One At A Time”

6th April as someone’s birthday perhaps don’t worry, I face-palmed at that moment in the talk too.

McKay – I did an episode on that and it will release in a few weeks (premium sooner) and It is one of the best I have done. I share the facts and both sides of the issue including original audio (which possibly discredits one of the sources), and do so graciously and with charity, which I have failed to do elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

I have a question — why were you released? Do you know? Were you open about your lack of belief in certain doctrines, or was it some other reason — or even an unknown reason?

Just curious. It is good everyone thinks you’ve been moved into the Stake, which tells me they do in fact think highly of you.

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

I have a question — why were you released? Do you know? Were you open about your lack of belief in certain doctrines, or was it some other reason — or even an unknown reason?

I spoke with my Stake President about certain things that were disturbing me. I told him that I felt very uncomfortable with my calling. He only asked me to wait a month, for the ward conference. He was really charitable, I felt much better after that.

[Author]

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