Bruce is an independent researcher with a degree in Political Science and an MBA. He researches Mormon History in Tennessee where he lives, sharing his findings online in blogs, Twitter, and at history conferences like MHA. He travels frequently for his day job as a business consultant. He prefers to identify as Mormon even as the church has moved away from the label.
When was last time you were asked what your calling was at Church? No, don’t tell me. But ask yourself this question. Why did they think they needed to know? Were they just curious and making small talk? Were they trying to place you in the scheme of the local social order? Did they want to know if you were one of the privileged few with a library key? Were they trying to gauge your faithfulness? Or, perhaps to determine what the Church leadership thought of your faithfulness? Not sure?
I live across the country (United States) from my parents so we don't talk as much as my siblings who live much closer to home. Our phone conversations revolve around my job, my wife, or my kids. So, at our last family reunion my parents pulled me aside and asked me for an update; a detailed update. After asking the same questions they always do about my job and how the family is doing, they asked what my current calling was at Church. I’m not sure if other families do this, but in my family, we sort of knew what callings our far-flung aunts, uncles, and cousins held. We didn’t have a chart or anything - a spiritual hierarchy of sorts. And I say “knew” because I no longer even try to keep track, there are just too many. But apparently, at least my mother does. And honestly, I’m sure she was just trying to get a frame of reference for how I spend my time at Church. Most of the callings in the Church are standardized, regardless of where you live or serve. She knows what a Primary Teacher does. She understands the duties of a Sunday School President. My calling gives her a shorthand to know what I do at Church. My answer, although not complex, requires some background.
A few years ago, my wife realized that the Church no longer aligned with her values. After giving a glorious yet scandalously feminist talk in church she stopped attending altogether; a story worthy of its own blog post, but best saved for another day. Of course, in my calling, as the Young Men's President I had influence and people listened when I spoke, so I kept attending (yes, I recognize my privilege). Shortly after my wife’s talk, however, I was released from that calling, and from my contact with the youth, and called instead as a Family History Consultant - a safe calling with little influence or teaching responsibilities. As an armchair historian, I loved that calling, but it sidelined me from the decision-making process in the Ward and limited my official contact with most Ward members. Later that year, in order for my wife to finish her degree we moved closer to the state university. Our new home was in a different ward and in a neighboring county. I was again given a calling in the Young Men's program.
When the policy regarding the baptism of children of parents in same-sex marriages, commonly referred to as the Exclusion Policy, was leaked, my wife decided that her name could not be affiliated with an institution that would deny children baptism on the basis of their parents perceived sin and decided to resign. I decided to remain a member.
Although I agree that there are genuine problems with the Church that need addressing, I didn’t resign. I still wanted to be heard at church when I spoke up to challenge problematic practices and to offer insights that might lead some to reconsider folk beliefs, ideas, or actions that can cause others pain. I can’t do that as an outsider. Plus, I identify as Mormon. My ancestors sacrificed much for the settling of Utah, for the inclusion of those ejected from their homes and by their families. My view of the world, people, and family are all based in Mormon thought. That does not change just because I arrive at different conclusions. As Bishop Edwin Wooley reportedly said to Brigham Young "... why should I apostatize from my own church?" Furthermore, if I left the Church my conclusions, and the progressive interpretations of Church doctrine I had been sharing, would be dismissed as obviously wrong. But for my wife, her ideas were already dismissed in part because she is a feminist, and an intellectual, two of the three kinds of people identified as enemies of the Church.
Getting back to where this all started, this year at our family reunion my parents took me aside for an update. This time they included a question about my current church calling. It shocked them to hear that I had none. I explained that after my wife's resignation I was released from my calling in the Young Men's program; not right away, but a couple months later. I was certain of the cause and effect, however. I have not since been given another. After a few moments of awkward silence, they changed the subject.
Which lead me to wonder, are our callings used to fix our position in the social order? Specifically, do our friends and family think of us differently because of our callings? More importantly, does the Church leadership bestow approval on us by giving us callings? Are some callings considered safe for people who have issues with some Church positions? And what does this say about people with no callings?
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