Is it official?
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 6:33 pm
We are finding with increased regularity that what appear to be official changes are being pointed out to priesthood and auxiliary leaders by members who are serving in ward and stake callings within the various organizations. When pressed for a source, these members most often refer to lds.org or other Church publications that appear to be reliable.
We had yet another incident of this today in our stake council meeting where a ward leader had asked a stake leader for additional guidance in implementing a change of which the stake leader was not aware. The stake leader was asking the stake presidency where to obtain accurate and official information on the new policy.
How are we to respond to these inquiries, when no official source of information has been disseminated through ecclesiastical channels?
Are we to consider the Serving in the Church section of lds.org to be official information, even when the information presented appears to be a change to the current handbook(s)?
This is becoming a challenge for some of our more seasoned leaders who are no quite as connected to the electronic world of blogs, websites, and the need to seek out information electronically.
It is one thing to let an auxiliary leader know through priesthood channels the outline of a change, with further details to be provided at the Church web site. It is quite another thing to expect that leader to check the site looking for changes that have not yet been announced or communicated, just in case something changes.
Have we moved to the point where official information comes through lds.org rather than through communication to stake presidents and bishops?
Or are we missing something in our "official" communication channels that we need to fix?
If we have changed, and lds.org is to be treated as "official" (as well it might be), have we been so informed?
As you express your thoughts, please be positive in your responses. Communication is always a challenge, and it is better to get the word through unofficial channels than not at all.
Lately, though, it seems that some changes are not showing up "officially" even after the fact.
Is lds.org official enough to act upon with regard to Handbook changes? Your thoughts?
We had yet another incident of this today in our stake council meeting where a ward leader had asked a stake leader for additional guidance in implementing a change of which the stake leader was not aware. The stake leader was asking the stake presidency where to obtain accurate and official information on the new policy.
How are we to respond to these inquiries, when no official source of information has been disseminated through ecclesiastical channels?
Are we to consider the Serving in the Church section of lds.org to be official information, even when the information presented appears to be a change to the current handbook(s)?
This is becoming a challenge for some of our more seasoned leaders who are no quite as connected to the electronic world of blogs, websites, and the need to seek out information electronically.
It is one thing to let an auxiliary leader know through priesthood channels the outline of a change, with further details to be provided at the Church web site. It is quite another thing to expect that leader to check the site looking for changes that have not yet been announced or communicated, just in case something changes.
Have we moved to the point where official information comes through lds.org rather than through communication to stake presidents and bishops?
Or are we missing something in our "official" communication channels that we need to fix?
If we have changed, and lds.org is to be treated as "official" (as well it might be), have we been so informed?
As you express your thoughts, please be positive in your responses. Communication is always a challenge, and it is better to get the word through unofficial channels than not at all.
Lately, though, it seems that some changes are not showing up "officially" even after the fact.
Is lds.org official enough to act upon with regard to Handbook changes? Your thoughts?