Should An LDS Member Turn Down A Calling?

[Starfish]

As I've watched my husband, who is now over 8 years in our stake presidency, I know for a fact, that every calling that comes through their presidency is inspired. So in our stake, 100% of the bishops, high council, and stake officers, were called by inspiration. I've seen them take weeks to fill a calling because they don't make a move until the Spirit confirms it. Sometimes the Lord gives them the name for a replacement, before they realized a replacement was needed. It almost seems commonplace. But I will only speak for what I see here. I also know that sometimes you have to act before you've had a chance to pray and wait for an answer. (Ask any bishop.) Then you act on the best knowledge and wisdom you have. Usually, afterwards the Spirit confirms that it was right. This is why daily obedience to the commandments is important to keep yourself in tune.

One thing I've noticed over the years. The Spirit seems so quick to answer and easily accessable when it pertains to matters in the Church. But when it's a personal matter, it's as if we are supposed to work harder for it. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[Bishka]

So what happens to people who do turn down callings?

 

[Comprehend]

So what happens to people who do turn down callings?

auto de fe :biglaugh:

 

[zomg]

So what happens to people who do turn down callings?

In my recent experience, the bishop is very kind and understanding. In the next months my wife and I will most likely be issued the same calling we turned down because of current circumstances.

 

[zippythepinhead]

In my recent experience, the bishop is very kind and understanding. In the next months my wife and I will most likely be issued the same calling we turned down because of current circumstances.

Hey Fire! Good to see you. I hope it works for you this time if offered. Nursery? Primary? Gospel Doctrine?

 

[Bishka]

So what happens to people who do turn down callings?

Anyone??

 

[SoyLeche]

So what happens to people who do turn down callings?

That depends on a lot of factors.

If the calling was inspired, and the Spirit had been trying to let them know that it was inspired, they will probably lose out in lots of blessings, including less chance of receiving inspiration themselves.

If the calling was "inspired" because the Bishop needed to know about something in that person's life and the best way the Spirit could get the person into the Bishop's office to talk was to extend a calling that was never really intended to go forward anyway. In that case, there is little to no effect of turning down the calling.

If the person extending the call wasn't inspired in the calling to begin with, then it can go either way. The calling can still be a blessing to the life of the person, but turning it down probably has no negative effects.

 

[Starfish]

That depends on a lot of factors.

If the calling was inspired, and the Spirit had been trying to let them know that it was inspired, they will probably lose out in lots of blessings, including less chance of receiving inspiration themselves.

If the calling was "inspired" because the Bishop needed to know about something in that person's life and the best way the Spirit could get the person into the Bishop's office to talk was to extend a calling that was never really intended to go forward anyway. In that case, there is little to no effect of turning down the calling.

If the person extending the call wasn't inspired in the calling to begin with, then it can go either way. The calling can still be a blessing to the life of the person, but turning it down probably has no negative effects.

That's why I accept everything. I don't want to take any chances, I guess. Plus IMO it's all part of what I agreed to when I raised my hand to sustain our bishopric.

 

[Bishka]

That's why I accept everything. I don't want to take any chances, I guess. Plus IMO it's all part of what I agreed to when I raised my hand to sustain our bishopric.

Curious.

What do you personally think Starfish.

What if someone turns down a calling for mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, etc., reasons?

 

[Comprehend]

Anyone??

If you are talking administratively... nothing.

People are free to turn down callings. We are big on agency...

 

[madhatter85]

people are always free to turn down callings to serve others.

but remember you are the only one who looses out ont he blessings associated with callings, Inspired or not.

We are to ALWAYS server others, at all times and in all places. so turning down a calling to help others does not line up with that.

 

[SoyLeche]

Curious.

What do you personally think Starfish.

What if someone turns down a calling for mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, etc., reasons?

I know - you specifically asked Starfish, but I'll go ahead and answer anyway: That isn't for us to decide or understand. That is between the person and the Lord. That may not mean that the person is off scott free, though - especially if the Lord had been trying to let them know that they needed to accept and they ignored Him for their own mental, physical, emotional, etc. reasons.

Nobody but the people involved (both those extending and those rejecting the call) and the Lord have any way of knowing what is going on in that situation though.

 

[zomg]

Hey Fire! Good to see you. I hope it works for you this time if offered. Nursery? Primary? Gospel Doctrine?

I would love a Nursery or Primary calling. Actually, it was to be a Cub Scout leader. Sounds great fun, but now is not the time

 

[Starfish]

Curious.

What do you personally think Starfish.

What if someone turns down a calling for mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, etc., reasons?

Well, Bishka, I speak only for myself. Other people's reasons are entirely their own business. I don't turn down a calling because I wouldn't feel good about doing so. I'm healthy, not raising small children, not working full-time, and my husband is totally supportive, so FOR ME, I should be able to take on anything I'm asked to do.

Other people's circumstances are different and I make every effort to not judge them. So what if they turn down a calling? I have no idea.

 

[zippythepinhead]

I would love a Nursery or Primary calling. Actually, it was to be a Cub Scout leader. Sounds great fun, but now is not the time

I have been s Cub Scout leader aka Scrub Sprout leader. It was a calling that was good at the time, but that time has been served. So has nursery. So has primary. I am now challenged being the building cleaning NAZI and that is good enough right now.:thud:

 

[Scott C.]

I think if a person has a good reason to think they should not accept a calling, they should share it with the leader who is extending the calling and let the leader decide to withdraw the calling or not. I think it's important that we leave it in the Lord's hands, as manifested through our leaders, as to how, when, and where we serve in callings.

 

[madhatter85]

I think if a person has a good reason to think they should not accept a calling, they should share it with the leader who is extending the calling and let the leader decide to withdraw the calling or not. I think it's important that we leave it in the Lord's hands, as manifested through our leaders, as to how, when, and where we serve in callings.

Exactly, When iw as called as a ward missionary, i brought up my concern to the Bishop that i did not have a car, and he thought for a second and then said "we can work around that" as if it didn't even matter.

 

[Comprehend]

I think if a person has a good reason to think they should not accept a calling, they should share it with the leader who is extending the calling and let the leader decide to withdraw the calling or not. I think it's important that we leave it in the Lord's hands, as manifested through our leaders, as to how, when, and where we serve in callings.

Isn't that what happens when they extend the calling in the first place? What makes you think the spirit is not aware of your circumstances?

 

[Katzpur]

Isn't that what happens when they extend the calling in the first place? What makes you think the spirit is not aware of your circumstances?

Maybe it's because the bishop acts surprised when you tell him your circumstances and he says, "Oh really? I'm sorry, I had no idea!"

 

[SoyLeche]

Isn't that what happens when they extend the calling in the first place? What makes you think the spirit is not aware of your circumstances?

I'm fairly certain that there are times when a Bishop is inspired to extend a calling for the purpose of giving him an opportunity to find out about the circumstances.