Bruce Jessen Resigns 1 Week Later

[_Nomomo]

According to Wikipedia Bruce Jessen (CIA and military torture architect) resigned as Bishop one week after being appointed. The reference only links to the original article of his appointment as a Bishop at the Spokane newspaper that broke the story which hasn't been updated to reflect his resignation. I can only assume the person who edited the Wikipedia article is correct as that statement is not referenced.

[_Kishkumen]

Wow.

[_Drifting]

Does this mean the calling wasn't 'inspired' in the first place?

Or

Does it mean God changed His mind about who should be Bishop in Spokane once He saw the PR fallout?

[_Chap]

... The reference only links to the original article of his appointment as a Bishop at the Spokane newspaper that broke the story which hasn't been updated to reflect his resignation. ...

Updating is happening:

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispa ... e_torture/

Does Romney’s Religion Condone Torture? [UPDATED]
Post by Joanna Brooks

Nobody asked Governor Mitt Romney or President Barack Obama about torture during Monday night’s “foreign policy debate”—but someone should have.

Because recently disclosed Romney campaign documents are raising new questions about the candidate’s position, and the recent appointment of a Spokane, Washington LDS bishop who in his professional life as a psychologist pioneered so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” after 9/11 has raised new questions about whether Mormonism condones torture.

Washington newspapers are reporting that Bruce Jessen was called and “sustained” (or approved) to serve as bishop by his Spokane-area congregation in mid-October. [UPDATE: Sources have confirmed that Jessen stepped down from the position last Sunday.]

[Guest]

So the Church didn't withdraw the call, Jessen withdrew his acceptance...

The Church should now remove his Temple Recommend (slowly using water and a towel) because he obviously doesn't sustain his Church leaders.

EDITED: to add, that I am starting to feel sorry for the publicity he is getting.

[_Harold Lee]

Wikipedia said huh? ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Jones-Drew

[_Chap]

Jessen was called as Bishop of Spokane 6th Ward. The data for that ward on http://Mormon.org/meetinghouse currently show as:

Spokane 6th Ward
X

4444 E 43RD SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 99223 UNITED STATES

+1 509-443-7242

Directions
Website

Schedule
Leadership

Finn Bishop

+1 509-448-1863

[_Drifting]

Actually, now that I think about it and regardless of what one thinks about his 'work'. I am appalled at the idiocy of the Church Leaders involved in this.

It's now easy for relatives of inmates of Guantanamo (and others) to track down the guy that invented the torture techniques inflicted on their family members. Well done Church Leaders for putting this man's life and that of his family at risk from reprisal by issuing a high profile calling, which was bound to be publicised.

[_RockSlider]

So the Church didn't withdraw the call, Jessen withdrew his acceptance...

The Church should now remove his Temple Recommend (slowly using water and a towel) because he obviously doesn't sustain his Church leaders.

I'm guessing all parties (Bish on up) came to grips with the Mormon Moment and this Bish's "outing" Likely some critic shared information, possibly from here or other boards with media.

[_Infymus]

Dallin H. Oaks said that refusing a Cult calling is the same as refusing Jesus Christ.

"I often hear about members who refuse Church callings or accept callings and fail to fulfill their responsibilities. Some are not committed and faithful. It has always been so. But this is not without consequence."

"The Savior spoke of the contrast between the faithful and the unfaithful in three great parables recorded in the 25th chapter of Matthew.... And when the Lord came in His glory, He separated the sheep, who had served Him and their fellowmen, from the goats, who had not. Only those who had "done it unto one of the least of these my brethren" were set on His right hand to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world."

"My brothers and sisters, if you are delinquent in commitment, please consider who it is you are refusing or neglecting to serve when you decline a calling or when you accept, promise, and fail to fulfill. I pray that each of us will follow this inspired declaration:"

"There's surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth's harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor through life's short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.
(Hymns, no. 270)"

Jesus showed the way. Even though He shrank from the bitter path that led through Gethsemane and Calvary, He submissively said to the Father, "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done".
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" We need to remember the purpose of our service to one another. If it were only to accomplish some part of His work, God could dispatch "legions of angels," as Jesus taught on another occasion. But that would not achieve the purpose of the service He has prescribed. We serve God and our fellowmen in order to become the kind of children who can return to live with our heavenly parents.

Dallin H. Oaks, "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," October 2002 General Conference, Ensign, Nov. 2002, Page 67