Should An LDS Member Turn Down A Calling?

[Comprehend]

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!"

um. the Bishop is not the Spirit...

 

[Comprehend]

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.

Then why couldn't they accept the calling and let the Bishop remedy the circumstances?

Why would your scenario necessitate a rejection of the calling?

 

[Katzpur]

um. the Bishop is not the Spirit...

I guess I'm missing your point. If the Bishop extends all callings as a result of inspiration and that inspiration is through the Spirit, and if the Spirit is aware of our circumstances, why would the Bishop not know them before extending the calling? Why would hearing it from the person he's extending the calling to come as a surprise?

 

[Katzpur]

Then why couldn't they accept the calling and let the Bishop remedy the circumstances?

You are assuming that the bishop is able to do this. If it's a matter of something like transportion or something of that sort, he probably is. Other things are beyond a bishop's control and may very well be things that he could not possibly know without someone (i.e. the person being called) telling him.

 

[madhatter85]

You are assuming that the bishop is able to do this. If it's a matter of something like transportion or something of that sort, he probably is. Other things are beyond a bishop's control and may very well be things that he could not possibly know without someone (i.e. the person being called) telling him.

what could possible stop someone from performing a calling? example please. i can't think of a single circumstance that the bishop could not help remedy.

obviously no matter your personal circumstance the Lord feels you can accomplish the task and has called you to serve. the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves.

The lord never calls us to do something when we have absolutely no means to do it. he ALWAYS provides a way

 

[SoyLeche]

Then why couldn't they accept the calling and let the Bishop remedy the circumstances?

Why would your scenario necessitate a rejection of the calling?

I don't recall saying that a rejection would be necessary. Just that I can see situations where a rejection, or more likely the bishop deciding with the person not to extend the call, would be acceptible.

 

[Comprehend]

I guess I'm missing your point. If the Bishop extends all callings as a result of inspiration and that inspiration is through the Spirit, and if the Spirit is aware of our circumstances, why would the Bishop not know them before extending the calling? Why would hearing it from the person he's extending the calling to come as a surprise?

The point is that you are assuming that the Bishop must have all the knowledge of the situation just because the Spirit does when I didn't say anything like that.

That isn't how the Spirit works, Jesus Christ himself was line upon line. Why would you expect a Bishop to be led any differently? The bishop may have NO idea whatever why he is supposed to call so-and-so to a particular calling but he does it because the Spirit tells him to, it teaches faith. When Adam was instructed to make sacrifices to God he didn't automatically gain the complete knowledge of the Spirit as to why, which is why when an Angel later asked Adam why he made sacrifices, Adam's response was "I know not save the Lord commanded me." (paraphrased, too lazy to look it up). Then Adam was taught further.

So.... when I say that the Spirit is aware of the circumstances, that doesn't have anything to do with what the Bishop is aware of.

 

[Comprehend]

You are assuming that the bishop is able to do this. If it's a matter of something like transportion or something of that sort, he probably is. Other things are beyond a bishop's control and may very well be things that he could not possibly know without someone (i.e. the person being called) telling him.

Actually, Soy assumed that was the case in his example.

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.

I was addressing his scenario. If, as Soy said, the Bishop was inspired specifically for the purpose of informing the Bishop about the circumstances, it would have to follow that there was something the Bishop was able to do about it, otherwise, what would be the point of the spirit telling the Bishop?

 

[Comprehend]

I don't recall saying that a rejection would be necessary. Just that I can see situations where a rejection, or more likely the bishop deciding with the person not to extend the call, would be acceptible.

My apologies, I thought we were discussing this issue in the context of the OP.

If the Bishop is discussing the calling with the person, they have already extended the call or the Bishop has violated protocol.

 

[SoyLeche]

I was addressing his scenario. If, as Soy said, the Bishop was inspired specifically for the purpose of informing the Bishop about the circumstances, it would have to follow that there was something the Bishop was able to do about it, otherwise, what would be the point of the spirit telling the Bishop?

Of course there is something that the Bishop can do about it. He can council, give financial assistance, bring in the person's spouse for counciling, contact civil authorities if needed, etc.

The point is, the calling may have been inspired for the express purpose of getting the person into the Bishop's office to talk. It may be obvious to both the Bishop and the person that they should not accept the calling because of the circumstances that the Bishop just became aware of.

 

[SoyLeche]

My apologies, I thought we were discussing this issue in the context of the OP.

If the Bishop is discussing the calling with the person, they have already extended the call or the Bishop has violated protocol.

I'm giving situations where it would be appropriate, that's all. In the large majority of situations a member should not turn down a calling.

 

[ladybug83]

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.

On the one hand, I agree that callings should generally not be turned down because more often than not, a calling is only turned down out of fear. It's very nerve-wracking to be approached with a new responsibility, especially one that you're not familiar with or don't see yourself enjoying. In the case of women called to serve in the Nursery or in Primary, one question they might ask themselves is, "How can I serve children if I don't see myself having the patience to teach them?" or "How could I have been called to serve a particular age group if I have no experience or desire to do so?" And then of course, the natural reaction is to fight the calling, to believe you're not the right person for it and that it'll make you miserable.
In my opinion, to blindly accept a calling not knowing exactly what you'll be doing or how well you'll fare is to accept it by faith, to put your trust in God rather than fight the unknown or succumb to your own low expectations. HOWEVER, in response to SoyLeche's comment, I do not think you will be jipped on blessings or personal inspiration if you're not ready to accept a calling for whatever reason. I believe God understands our fears, our situations and our maturity levels; and, being a merciful God, will wait until a later time in your life to extend that calling to you. We each have a lot to learn about ourselves, about life, faith, the gospel, etc., so I don't think we'll be denied blessings for rejecting a calling.

 

[Comprehend]

Of course there is something that the Bishop can do about it. He can council, give financial assistance, bring in the person's spouse for counciling, contact civil authorities if needed, etc.

The point is, the calling may have been inspired for the express purpose of getting the person into the Bishop's office to talk. It may be obvious to both the Bishop and the person that they should not accept the calling because of the circumstances that the Bishop just became aware of.

I have a problem with the second part, I find it difficult to believe that the Spirit would use callings that way. If that were the case, what do you make of Uchtdorf's (sp?) statement?

 

[Comprehend]

I'm giving situations where it would be appropriate, that's all. In the large majority of situations a member should not turn down a calling.

I understand your position, I am a strong believer in the ol' have faith and God will provide a way for one to accomplish whatever it is God asked you to do.

To put it bluntly, I think that what some people think is a reason why they "can't" accept a calling is simply a lack of faith that God cannot accomplish his purposes being evidenced.

 

[Bishka]

To put it bluntly, I think that what some people think is a reason why they "can't" accept a calling is simply a lack of faith that God cannot accomplish his purposes being evidenced.

Way to trivialize it.......

:sarcastic

 

[SoyLeche]

HOWEVER, in response to SoyLeche's comment, I do not think you will be jipped on blessings or personal inspiration if you're not ready to accept a calling for whatever reason. I believe God understands our fears, our situations and our maturity levels; and, being a merciful God, will wait until a later time in your life to extend that calling to you. We each have a lot to learn about ourselves, about life, faith, the gospel, etc., so I don't think we'll be denied blessings for rejecting a calling.

What I was trying to get at is more along the lines of "The Spirit has been trying to tell you that you should take this calling, but you decide not to listen". That can lead to 2 ways that I can come up with that you will receive less inspiration in the future:

1) You have already started down the road of ignoring inspiration. You'll probably continue down it.

2) The Lord knows knows that you are not listening, so he won't bother talking anymore, and work with others to get done what he needs done.

The 1st is probably the bigger cause than the 2nd, but I wouldn't discount the 2nd entirely.

 

[SoyLeche]

To put it bluntly, I think that what some people think is a reason why they "can't" accept a calling is simply a lack of faith that God cannot accomplish his purposes being evidenced.

Most "acceptable" decisions to not accept a calling will be joint decisions involving 3 parties: The person issuing the calling, the person being issued the calling, and the Spirit. I don't know how often my scenario actually happens (probably not often), but I can see it as being possible.

 

[SoyLeche]

I have a problem with the second part, I find it difficult to believe that the Spirit would use callings that way. If that were the case, what do you make of Uchtdorf's (sp?) statement?

Which one? (I'm too lazy to search back through the thread, and you seem to know right where it is )

 

[Comprehend]

Way to trivialize it.......

:sarcastic

Did you have something to add?

How would you suggest I trivialized it? Either you believe God or you don't.

 

[Comprehend]

Most "acceptable" decisions to not accept a calling will be joint decisions involving 3 parties: The person issuing the calling, the person being issued the calling, and the Spirit. I don't know how often my scenario actually happens (probably not often), but I can see it as being possible.

Soy, you ought to know by now that I consider you a reasonable person. I don't think you hold any radical views and I don't usually have strong disagreements with you.

I don't think you are being unreasonable here either. I can see it as being possible too, I just have a hard time doing it. I'm ok with your position.