Helping leaders with callings recommendations so ward and stake auxiliary leaders' recommendations are not rejected

The following is prepared to assist priesthood and auxiliary leaders in making recommendations for callings, including instances where inspiration is received but recommendations are declined.

Doctrinal foundations of callings:

• This is the Lord’s true church, He will reveal His will to us (D&C 1:30, 112:10, AofF 1:5)
• Revelation, and thus final decisions, flow through priesthood keys (D&C 28:7, 35:25)
• Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies (Thomas S. Monson, April Conference 1996)
• The Lord sometimes withholds communication so leaders learn to develop judgment and become like God; the Lord then stands behind those decisions (see Moses 1:25)

How do we reconcile ‘competing revelation’ when a recommendation is rejected?

• Right person, wrong time
• As in marriage, there’s no “one-and-only”
• Natural to feel right about those we like or who are dependable
• Additional information was needed before asking in prayer
• Feeling an urgency to decide quickly

Key factors in approving callings: peace of heart, a settled feeling among all in the bishopric or presidency, worthiness, availability, personal and family circumstances

Other factors that may affect approvals: dependability, length of service in current calling, willingness to serve, talent, teachable, respect for authority, enthusiasm for work

Three Approaches to Making Recommendations

Directed by priesthood leader

Your priesthood leader selects the candidates for you

• Pro: No rejection rate, no frustration from rejection
• Con: No participation in the revelatory experience, may not prefer candidates chosen

Select from a narrow group

Your priesthood leader gives you a group of 4-5 names to choose from

• Pro: Some revelatory experience, low rejection rate, low frustration
• Con: Limited flexibility, may not prefer any of the candidates offered for consideration

Choose from general membership

You choose from the entire stake or ward membership

• Pro: A sweet, revelatory experience
• Con: Sometimes high frustration from number of rejections due to above factors

-- September 2016