Sea Change

In one source I found, "sea change" 'indicates a fundamental transformation with far-reaching, revolutionary ramifications'.  I believe the recent announcement by President Monson about changes in the eligibility ages for missionary service will produce a 'sea-change' in missionary work and LDS culture.  I might post more about that later, but for now I'll just post the text of this month's bishopric message in the ward newsletter.

God Is Hastening His Work

“God is hastening His work,” proclaimed Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve during a press conference following the Saturday morning session of General Conference.  He was, of course, specifically referring to that morning’s announcement by President Monson lowering the mission-eligible age to 18 for men and 19 for women.  He went on to say the Lord “needs more and more missionaries to spread the light and the truth and the hope and the salvation of the gospel of  Jesus Christ to an often dark and fearful world.” 

What does this mean for the Kanab Third Ward?  For the youth it means that their post-high school options are now greater.  And I stress the word “option.”  It was made clear in the press conference that the new age requirements are not a mandate to serve at that age, but an option available to young men and women.  Some may still wish to wait for a year or so due to financial, educational, or emotional reasons.

Elder Holland went on to say to potential missionaries to keep themselves worthy and clean and “study diligently to know the gospel you will teach.  We want you teaching effectively from the first day onward and that will require preparation that starts long before you get your call to serve.”

Mention was made in conference about the new curriculum for YM and YW.  If you go to lds.org and click on the New Youth Curriculum tab it is possible to see the teaching outline and aids to be used starting in 2013.  The new materials are exciting, relevant, and will require more from us as leaders and teachers in preparation and delivery.

The greatest responsibility will remain with the parents, however.  The counsel from Elder Holland was clear:  “We ask parents to take a strong hand in this preparation and not expect it is somehow the responsibility of local church leaders or the Missionary Department of the Church or MTC’s to provide and direct all of that (instruction and preparation).”

We have had the opportunity to witness modern revelation, brothers and sisters.  The Brethren have carefully studied, discussed, pondered, and prayed about this new opportunity for missionaries.  Let us do our part, whatever it might be, in sustaining them in this worthy work.

John Schmutz

P.S.  If you missed the news conference referenced above, go to lds.org and click on newsroom.  It’s a great introduction to the changes and the reasons for it.