Should LDS implement a rank system?

[_Scottie]

In Scientology, if I understand it correctly, you are advanced through a series of ranks. Each rank comes with greater understanding and knowledge.

I also draw from my MMORPG experience. It is AMAZING what torture people will put themselves through to advance to the next level or get that shiny new piece of armor. I have known people who will stay awake for 3 days, killing thousands of bad guys in the hopes that an extremely rare item will drop and they can get a really cool piece of armor.

Would something similar work in Mormonism?

As it is right now, children wait to turn 8 to be Baptised. Boys wait for 12 to get the Aaronic priesthood, then 18 to get the Melchezedik.

Sure, there are minor milestones as well. Eagle scout, uhh... I can't remember what the girls get that is similar to the Eagle? MIA something?

Then they go on a mission and/or go through the temple.

After that, there really is no church milestone to work for. Sure, get married and have a family, but the church isn't really involved in that.

I wonder if the church would see greater participation if there were new levels that members could achieve? These would be competetive. It would be almost like the baseball hall of fame. A panel of some kind would determine the worthiness of a certain member to enter the next level.

By gaining a new rank, you would now be eligible to learn new secret information about the church. Similar to how the secrets of the temple really motivate people to stay worthy so they too can go in and learn those secrets.

I believe that having this kind of tangible goal would really boost activity.

Or perhaps medals of some kind that people could earn.

What if a member could earn a "100% church attendance" medal? Or a "100% home teaching award"?

I also believe that this kind of rank system would foster another level of elite. Members would have extreme pressure to gain levels, or be looked down upon as "less worthy". What better way to boost attendance!

[_Infymus]

There already is a rank system. Mormons want to make it to GA status.

The whole thing isn't about milestones, or what age you get what, or levels to achieve. You know better than that.

It is about how much money you make, how much you can donate and who you know. It is about money, nepotism and corporate structure.

Pay, Pray, Obey.

[_Themis]

Would something similar work in Mormonism?

If Joseph had not been killed we probably would have had much more of this kind of thing going on. This was just not BY cup of tea, and no ones since. It seems like religious founders are the innovators, and those who come after are just the managers.

[_Scottie]

No, this would be different.

Even the best members know they have a slim chance of even being called as Bishop. And, quite frankly, with the amount of time needed, many don't want it. Plus, there is no judgement passed if you are never called as a Bishop.

What the church needs is a rank system that is completely seperate from the callings. Everyone that wants to can advance in rank, if you are just righteous enough. You could be a level 17 Mormon and still be the Sunbeam teacher. But you could boast of your level 17 status and look down and pass judgement at all those pathetic level 2's that just aren't righteous enough to make it.

Maybe they could change it so that you have to become a level 12 Mormon before you can go to the temple.

Plus, it would be a better disciplinary tool that disfellowship. Depending on the severity of the sin, they could remove a couple of levels from you that you would then have to earn back.

[_jon]

Some merit badge suggestions:

'Love Bomb' awarded to people for dropping anonymous food parcels on the door steps of strangers

'Cured' awarded to gays who get married to the opposite sex

'Member of the Month' (complete with framed picture in the lobby) for the person giving the most Monson like anecdote in Sunday School

'Doh' awarded for asking stupid questions like 'why is facsimilie 3 not what Joseph said it was?'
(not strictly a merit badge per se, more of a demerit badge)

'Sparkle' badge for the member/family who gets the best shine on the urinals during their tour of duty

[_Scottie]

As I thought more about this, it was also help to curb apostacy.

If I had spent 35 years to become a level 17 Mormon, if I leave, that means I would have to start over at level 1! If I stop going to church, I'll start losing levels. There is too much invested for that! Plus, I'm SO close to level 18!

[_Sophocles]

That's what the church needs. Gamification.

From what I hear, even games are beginning to suffer from too much gamification.

[_KimberlyAnn]

Why should the Mormon church implement a rank system? It stinks enough already!

KA

[_sock puppet]

Scottie,

What would it take to be a 32nd degree Mormon?

[_Scottie]

Scottie,

What would it take to be a 32nd degree Mormon?

I'm not responsible for determining what criteria you must meet to advance rank. That's the prophets job.. via direct communication with God.