Farewell Friends, I Was Just Called As Bishop

[_Drifting]

If it is not a spoof then how would Wang be able to honestly answer in the affirmative, given his activity on this board etc, to a number of questions that the SP will have asked him?

Wang, if it's not a spoof then you have my sympathy.
The Bishops job is completely thankless with little or no support from the upper echelons in the Church. It is a job where, if you have a modicum of knowledge about the 'real' history of the Church you will end up in situations where you have to fudge the answer.

For example, a nine year old asks you how the Book of Mormon was translated? The only answer a Bishop can give (without causing uproar in the ward) is "by the power and gift of God".

Nope, I do not envy you one little bit.
But I do wish you well.

[_Rambo]

Either Everybody Wang Chung is kidding, or this is undeniable proof the church is not true.

I have to disagree. There can be no such thing as undeniable proof the church is not true - only deniable "proof".

Just off the top of my head I could suggest:

• Everybody Wang Chung is being given an opportunity to turn his back on evil/anti-mormonism and return to the fold - his experiences as a bish will cause him to see the light
• Everybody Wang Chung is being put in a position in which he will have to choose between good and evil
• Everybody Wang Chung is being allowed to ripen in iniquity

Remember, god's ways are not your ways - etc.

You're usually quite imaginative, LDST - what happened?

Don't you you have to believe to be a bishop. How could these church leaders call him through inspiration when he really doesn't believe. All I know is that my stake prez would not want a non believing bishop.

[_Kishkumen]

Everybody Wang Chung:

Good for you. It will be a challenge I am sure, and I do not envy you, but I am proud of you for being willing to serve others. It is quite a big sacrifice, but good bishops can do a lot to help decent, average folk. Just don't do anything your conscience shrinks from or the Spirit does not approve of.

I am, however, really excited for you. Don't be a stranger. We look forward to hearing good things about your service to others.

All best,

Kish

[_malkie]

Either Everybody Wang Chung is kidding, or this is undeniable proof the church is not true.

I have to disagree. There can be no such thing as undeniable proof the church is not true - only deniable "proof".

Just off the top of my head I could suggest:

• Everybody Wang Chung is being given an opportunity to turn his back on evil/anti-mormonism and return to the fold - his experiences as a bish will cause him to see the light
• Everybody Wang Chung is being put in a position in which he will have to choose between good and evil
• Everybody Wang Chung is being allowed to ripen in iniquity

Remember, god's ways are not your ways - etc.

You're usually quite imaginative, LDST - what happened?

Don't you you have to believe to be a bishop. How could these church leaders call him through inspiration when he really doesn't believe. All I know is that my stake prez would not want a non believing bishop.

Of course, Everybody Wang Chung's stake prez may be a particularly thorough person.

Although I have never been a non-believing bishop, I have been called to stake callings several times. On the last occasion the counselor in the SP saw me in the corridor of the building just before the meeting began, and said (my best recollection - it was several years ago): "You've probably heard by now that we're going to call you as X in this meeting. Your bishop recommended you, and the high council approved it last week subject to interview. I was supposed to interview you this morning but forgot to phone you. Is that OK with you?"

A few minutes later I was sustained as X, and a couple of hours later I was set apart. Nobody mentioned inspiration. Nobody asked me what I believed.

[_just me]

If you are serious, I appreciate the shout out! One less bishop asking people that question is a net positive!

You better at least chat it up with us once in a while!!!

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Even so, does your very kind offer of pro bono legal defense on behalf of this board, should the need arise, still stand?

Shades,

My offer still stands. Contact me if the need should ever arise. Your board is awesome and I learned a great deal from my interactions here. Thank you.

Everyone,

Thank you very much. I will be true to myself and do the best job I can. I will try to drop by once in a while.

[_Shulem]

Best of luck to you and no ill feelings from me. But, just remember that if anyone ask you what is the name of the king in Facsimile No. 3, you tell them that you don't know. And if they should ask you why the name Shulem is not really written in the writing, you tell them you don't know why.

There now, go have a nice time playing bishop.

Paul O

[_keithb]

Mates,

After MUCH deliberation and soul searching, I have accepted a call to serve as Bishop. As such, I imagine that my interaction on this board will cease.

As everyone knows, I have serious questions and concerns about many issues regarding the Church, but ultimately I look at this as an opportunity to serve and improve the lives of people in my sphere of influence. I promise all of you that my focus as bishop will be on tolerance, love, acceptance and forgiving others/ourselves. I have learned a great deal from this board and your experiences.

Runtu:
I promise you that I will NEVER turn away from helping someone in need, either financially or otherwise, regardless of their tithing or activity status. Even if this ultimately means that I have to take on that burden personally. What happened to your parents was unacceptable and embarrassing for a people who proclaim to be Christian.

Just_me/sock puppet:
I promise you that I will NEVER ask the youth questions about masturbation, even if it means that I am in direct conflict with the Stake leadership. I will do my best to make them feel loved, accepted and important.

Dr. Scratch and Cassius,
As promised, I will post a report (along with photos) of Daniel Peterson and my trip to the Holy Land in April. I still, and will always, strongly disagree with the tactics and behavior of most Mopologists. I thank you for hard work.

Nightlion (and others who know my in real life),
Please feel free to stop by and visit anytime.


I have enjoyed my interaction with almost everyone on this board. Friends, I bid thee adieu.

Good luck on your calling as a bishop. I hope that you find the experience rewarding and that you have a chance to help the lives of the people in your congregation. I don't personally believe in God any longer, but I have often thought that whether one believes in God has very little to do with whether one attends a church or is a part of a religion. If I could find the right church, I would consider going to church again for the cultural experience. I still haven't quite worked that out in my mind.

Some of my favorite people in church are still Mormon. If the culture was even a little bit different, I could consider more participation in the church, but I don't like the authoritarianism, the emphasis on paying tithing (and the fact that I have no idea where my tithing is going), the homophobia and sexism, and the repression of sexuality. Still, I will be interested to see how the church changes over the next 20 years.

I think that the church needs more bishops like you and Kevin Kloosterman (hopefully I spelled his name right). Good luck.

[_Shulem]

the homophobia

I've confessed my sins and am an unrepentent homosexual but the bishop hasn't taken any action against me. My membership remains intact. I must be special. :-)

Go figure.

Paul O

[_Doctor Scratch]

Au revoir, Everybody Wang Chung. You will be sorely missed.