Family

Last week’s topic was honesty.  We have one more note and a quote from readers on honesty before moving on to today’s subject.  Here is the note:

I was sent to an employer from a temporary agency.  At the end of the day, the supervisor marked me as working more than the actual hours I worked. I didn’t even look at my time card until after I had left the job site. 

I went in to the temporary agency with my time card, and tried to explain that I had been given too many hours that day.  I was told, “Don’t rock the boat.”  Last time I checked, a supervisor doesn’t own the company, and does not have the right to hand out pay for unworked hours to anyone.  Stealing work hours is the same as opening the cash register and taking money as far as I’m concerned.

I suppose I tried to get someone to remove the hours, but they wouldn’t.  Wonder how the company owner would feel about this?  Probably not too happy.

Disgusted Temp

And here’s the quote:

Regarding honesty, I agree with Dr. Laura. Everything that is said should be true, but not everything that is true should be said.

Jim Birrell

Well said, Jim.   I hear the vilest things people say and when people protest they say, “I’m just being honest!” — or the modern equivalent, “Just sayin’.”  As Dr. Laura points out and Jim quotes, there are some things that shouldn’t be “just said.”  Truth is not even the issue.

Now we start today’s topic.  It might raise some hackles, so let’s see what the reader has to say:

We live in a wonderful ward filled with warm-hearted, spiritual, organized, caring women.

Why then are the same few women called to preside over the auxiliary organizations over and over again?

Four women in our ward have each served as YW president, RS president, and Primary president — two of them have filled the same calling twice.

I love these women and they have been outstanding at their callings. But in a ward filled with really great women, it would seem that someone else might be able to have the opportunity to serve and grow from being called to a leadership position. (And maybe these sisters could use a break!)

I am certain our bishops have been great men. I am certain they pray about whom to call to these positions. But I wonder if they’re asking, “Would Sister A be a good fit for this position?” The answer of course is Yes. Perhaps instead these good bishops could ask, “Who else might be a good fit for this position? Who else should I consider?” But maybe I have the process all wrong.

I would welcome insight from you and your readers.

Befuddled

Befuddled, the phenomenon you’re talking about is so common in the Church that it has a name — STP, or the Same Ten People.  In some wards it’s the Same Twenty People, but the idea is the same.  I have been in wards where all the auxiliary presidencies were sustained and released at the same time because the same people were just being shuffled from one presidency to another.  This causes a whole lot of befuddlement on the rest of the ward members, who are equally willing to serve.

Okay, readers, what do you think?  If you’re a bishop who relies on the STP, why do you do so?  If you’re one of the STP, do you think it’s a privilege, or do you wish someone else would take over and give you a breather?  If you’re on the outside looking in, how do you feel?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from bishops and auxiliary presidents who have gone outside their comfort zone and chosen dark horse candidates to serve in responsible positions.  Has the experience been a good one for you?  How?

Send your replies to Me**************@ao*.com.  Do NOT use the form on this page, because your letter is likely to get lost unless you use the email address here.  Put something in the subject line to let me know your letter isn’t spam.  And use this same address if you want to suggest a topic for future discussion.  Readers, we want to hear from you.

Until next time — Kathy

“The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.” 

Margaret Carty