Comments on: Movin’ on up

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:20:02 +0000

I am still an elder at 46. Currently serve as ward clerk, married in temple 3 kids, never miss a meeting and pay full tithing, there for every move, etc. I have watched over the years as younger men advance to HP. Currently the oldest elder in my quorum and honestly it just frosts me. I know it shouldn’t but it seems becoming a HP in my ward has more to do with your last name and who you know. I am honestly considering inactivity because sitting in a quorum with men young enough to be my own children is becoming increasingly awkward.

By: queuno

queuno — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:27:38 +0000

My brother was called into a HC (and thus made an HP) when he was a doctoral student at 26. I know he hated it.

I look at my ward, with dozens and dozens of elders older than me (I’m on the cusp of middle-age?) and I am reminded that most of the time, becoming an HP is all about ward demographics…

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:34:25 +0000

Re 26 & 27 – Yes, only a relatively few percentage of callings demand substantial amounts of time.

Even in those cases, the amount of time you put into it is to some extent up to you. Such callings could easily absorb all of your discretionary time if one were to let them.

True, but there’s still a minimum amount of time required that is a LOT for a family with young children.

mormoninvestigator, I wouldn’t consider this a reason not to join the church. There really aren’t that many callings that are so consuming.

By: By the Rules

By the Rules — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:12:38 +0000

I am under the impression that in a properly run Ward, there is an annual audit of the Mebership Clerk resonsibilities by the Stake. A line item of that audit is to have the Bishop review the members of the EQ and recommend any Elders that should be considered for HP.

By: Kevin Barney

Kevin Barney — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:11:45 +0000

No. 26, most callings aren’t that big of a deal. I’m the stake community relations person, which basically means I attend a meeting once a month and do follow up on various community outreach initiatives.

But there are a handful of leadership-type callings that do require a substantial time commitment, the most obvious examples being bishop and Relief Society President.

Even in those cases, the amount of time you put into it is to some extent up to you. Such callings could easily absorb all of your discretionary time if one were to let them.

By: mormoninvestigator

mormoninvestigator — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:05:11 +0000

#13 do callings typically have the husband/father spending a great deal away from home? That wouldn’t seem to be beneficial for the whole family oriented theme of the LDS church. Currently I do very little outside the home other than work, I spend most of my time with wife and family and wouldn’t change that for the world…callings would change that I suppose but to what extent? Anyone?

By: Blaue Blume

Blaue Blume — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:08:20 +0000

I was ordained a High Priest at the age of 23 in 1965 when I was called as a counselor in a university ward bishopric. Later, as a young married couple, my wife and I attended a down town Salt Lake City Ward where the High Priest Group instructor was 83, the group leader was in his late seventies and there was not another High Priest younger than fifty. We had our first child in that ward, which was apparently an unusual occurrance. All the elderly wives and widows gathered around my wife on the first Sunday we brought Stephanie to church. Eudora Widtsoe Durham, known for her brashness, commented to my wife, “Well, looking at this baby we know who you’ve been messing around with!” My wife tuned every shade of red. Being a High Priest at such a young age allowed us little association with our natural age group, something we have discussed with some regret.

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:00:46 +0000

From the combined priesthood meetings I’ve attended the only difference between HP and EQ is the number of people sleeping during the lesson.

By: LDS lady

LDS lady — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:26:05 +0000

Our Utah ward recently set apart two men to HP without new callings; they both seem to be about 50, although I don’t know if they just hit a milestone birthday or not.
I’ve wondered the same thing about my own husband, one of the older elders in our ward at 40.

By: ScW

ScW — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:12:52 +0000

It is gratifying to read the sentiments expressed, since I am in the same situation- mid forties and in the EQP again for a second time. Its hard not to think of yourself as damaged goods- the only Elders older than me are divorced, have had multiple marriages or have some other social ills. Its difficult to carry on when the Stake President’s wife remarks how wonderful it is that there are so many “young high preists” in our ward, implying how worthy they must be.