“Policies and Announcements,” Ensign, Dec. 1989, 71
Policies and Announcements
The following items appeared in the 1989–3 Bulletin.
Naming and Blessing Children
“Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name.” (D&C 20:70.) Priesthood leaders are reminded that in conformity with this revelation, only those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood should participate in the ordinance of naming and blessing children. Leaders are encouraged to inform their members of this policy and to discuss it with the families concerned before each meeting in which children are named and blessed.
Members Soliciting Funds
Some members who have provided their names and addresses in copies of the Book of Mormon donated for missionary purposes have received letters from individuals in developing nations asking for financial assistance. The established programs of the Church provide financial assistance for worthy individuals and appropriate causes. Church assistance is administered by priesthood leaders who are familiar with the circumstances and can prevent duplicate assistance and other abuses. Members who want to respond to persons requesting funds could advise that they have made contributions in their own ward so that funds will be available for assistance according to established principles of Church welfare.
Questionable Self-awareness Groups
Many resources in the community provide effective help for members experiencing social or emotional problems. However, some questionable groups that purport to increase self-awareness, self-esteem, or self-actualization often use methods that may result in added stress, marital discord, and even divorce.
Members should avoid participation in groups that challenge religious and moral values or advocate unwarranted confrontation with spouse or family members in order to reach one’s potential. Beware of groups that meet late into the evening or early morning hours over several days. This approach tends to lower inhibitions and encourage confession and disclosure of personal information in ways that may later be damaging to the individual. It may foster unnecessary physical contact among participants. Groups advocating such techniques are often expensive. They tend to promise quick solutions to problems that normally require time and personal effort to resolve. Although participants may feel some initial relief, they often find their old problems returning.
Members should be reminded that the process of finding one’s self comes through living gospel principles. Members experiencing social or emotional problems may wish to consult with priesthood leaders for guidance in identifying resources that are in harmony with gospel principles. Priesthood leaders should inform members for whom this counsel might be needful or of interest.
Sportsmanship
There is a serious, ongoing need to teach and emphasize sportsmanship in the Church. Participation in competitive sports requires self-control on the part of players, coaches, and spectators. All must apply the teachings of Christ in their participation. Two excellent media aids are available from the Salt Lake Distribution Center to help local leaders improve sportsmanship. They are A Winning Season, a twelve-minute filmstrip with audiocassette (VVOF4112; $3.25 set); and The Church Sports Official, a fourteen-minute videocassette (VNVV0190; $6.00 each). The Physical Fitness, Sports, and Recreation Manual (PBAC0158; $.75 each) has additional helps on sportsmanship.
1990 Relief Society Personal Study Guide
The 1990 Relief Society personal study guide is the first of a series of four manuals to be used by Relief Societies worldwide. It is suggested that sisters keep them, because they will be used again.
The format of this study guide will be changed from that used in previous years. Lessons based on talks given by General Authorities will not be included, in order to allow more current messages to be taught from the general conferences. To replace these lessons, the Relief Society presidency should select subjects from recent conference and general women’s meeting talks that are most timely for the sisters in the local areas.
Helps for preparing a lesson from a talk are contained in the introduction of the manual. Such lessons should be based only on general conference talks found in the Ensign and international magazines, with resources from the scriptures and other approved Church materials.
The home management teacher will also organize and teach two lessons on subjects relating to home and family preparedness applicable to the local areas.
Teachers should work with the in-service leaders and the counselor responsible for education in preparing and presenting the lessons.