I work in [western city] as a family therapist, and historically have received the brunt of my clients from LDS family services (LDSFS). Over a year ago, the LDSFS here began a pilot program for the church where all in-house therapists were gradually let go, and all counseling was done by referring out to community counselors. As such, the church could eliminate the costs of maintaining family services (except adoption services, which will stay intact). However, under new direction, the Welfare Program is now attempting to serve globally, instead of only (for the most part) in North America; with family services, anyway. To accomplish this, a new system is being put in to play, and all of the [western city] area therapists who are on the referral list for LDSFS were called in to a meeting to learn about this today.

We were instructed by the director of family services who is now moving into a supervisory position over a large area of N. America states. The change is this: Bishops will now be instructed that they are to work on a local level to solve ward problems. This is to include that Bishops should find ways to solve members’ problems in lieu of referring them to therapy. This is not to say that counseling should never be recommended, but other solutions should be attempted by bishops FIRST. Previously, training about how to assist ward members was occasionally provided for area bishops, but that will cease to occur. A 24-hour hotline will exist for Bishops to call and receive suggestions to try with their ward members’ issues, instead. As well, it is expected that they will be able to receive text messages with suggested helps, and that there will be phone apps developed; i.e. an app for how to assist a member with a “porn problem”. But the clear and basic pressure (instruction) is for Bishops to solve the problem,and try to avoid sending them to counseling. As well, we were informed that Bishops are being strongly discouraged from financially supporting therapy for their ward members as they have in the past. How that will shake out on an individual basis, is to be left to the Bishop to decide.

Naturally, this will mean less referrals for therapists, and that’s not good news for a room full of counselors; so let me concede the bias that suggests, right now. But I think it’s a poor move for greater reasons than just “it gives me less clients”; there were/are understandable concerns about the burden this places on a Bishop. In my limited experience (essentially a case study of one – me) of 8 years in practice, I’ve had multiple Bishops, multiple times request counseling assistance because they literally didn’t have time to even visit with all the ward members that wanted appointments. This could put sensitive-personality Bishops in the grave, and make dismissive asses out of the more Type-A leaders. In other words, I find it scary. Undeniably, It is financially genius on the part of the church, and while I don’t know if this will be different in a fairly LDS saturated place like Utah, I would also say it does place the world as a whole at an equal level; sort of like “if everybody doesn’t get LDSFS, then nobody does”. Also, essentially forcing Bishops to become capable of helping people better (albeit without any training) isn’t a bad thing. Ultimately, however, I would guess that this will mean better services and assistance for ward members who only need ecclesiastical counsel, and much greater harm done to those who really are in need of professional services.

So I’m trying to say there are obvious positives to this change in system. But my personal disgust came from the clearly stated reason for this change in the welfare system (and I quote): “We’re talking about a church that has infinite needs, and finite resources”. While that is objectively true, all I could think about was the multi-billion dollar mall. Ugh, and gross.

We were further informed that if we wanted to be beneficiaries of the much fewer referrals for counseling that would now be sent out from Bishops, we essentially needed to be buddies with the Bishops. It was made very clear that this could be accomplished by our finding a way to offer free consultation services and phone assistance for said Bishops in dealing with their ward members, so that they would want to use our services if needed for actual counseling. Again- financially brilliant on the part of the church, and rather common as a business model, I suppose. But it kind of feels gross.

I’ve been thinking about some of [other friend's] statements that the church could be better at using its professional and educated resources. I’m not sure if this qualifies as a move towards or fully away from that…?

In any case, there you go.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read a letter to all Minnesota wards on Sunday, Jan. 15 reminding church-goers that “the family is the fundamental unit of society” and urged them to re-read the “Proclamation of the Family,” which begins, “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”

Church members were also asked to “prayerfully consider how to get involved,” according to a Minnesota Blogger.

The letter “concluded with a reminder that church buildings and directories are not to be used for political purposes – with this caveat: unless otherwise directed,” the article continued.

YOU native Americans who are called Indians - who are you? Where did you come from? Do you know that your ancestors were once a mighty nation upon the American continent?"

THE Book of Mormon is a history of your people. It is your book.

"Gods of their own planets?

Posted on Jan 5, 2012

There is no Mormon doctrine that says we will become “gods of our own planets.” A search of LDS.org, which includes all of the church lesson manuals, all talks given in church conferences, and all magazines published by the LDS church shows that there are no instances—zero—where it is taught that we will be “gods of our own planets.”

Mormons, along with many other Christian denominations, believe in deification or theosis, based on the teaching that we can become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

Little is known, though much might be speculated, about the specific details of our potential under this doctrine. Reducing it to ruling a planet caricatures a profound and complex belief.

The word “planet” makes Mormons seem more like sci-fi enthusiasts than devout Christians. Other Christians, who also believe in theosis or deification, are not ridiculed in this way.

This isn’t just a quibble about semantics. Claims that Mormons hope for their own planets almost always aim to disrespect and marginalize, not to understand or clarify."