Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency

Odell Campbell Nov. 2013

Last night I was recalling some leadership fiascos/experiences in LDS Church. Once, when I was a first counselor in a bishopric, I received a call from a member of the stake presidency. He told me that they had just released a sister from our ward from a stake calling.

She loved her calling, He told me that when she had asked why she was being released, he told her that it was because the ward had asked for the release because we needed her. He was calling me to cover his ass. The real reason she was released was because the stake presidency didn't like her. He asked me to lie to her about the reason for her release.

She called shortly afterwards, very irate that we, the ward bishopric, ruined her perfect calling and caused her to be released. She demanded that I tell her what calling we had for her that demanded her release.

I was caught off guard. We were not told in advance of her release and had no calling to extend her.

When I told her that we had not asked for her release, I could hear the stunned awareness in her voice.

She is still Mormon.

iris
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
Good for you for telling her the truth.
anagrammy
+1
But you should have added "More likely the Stake President doesn't like you."

Let's put an end to this idea that inspiration is involved.

Anagrammy

squeebee
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
Last Sunday I was told by the EQ president that the bishop wants me to give a message to one of my families about deepening our testimonies, but not to let on that the bishop was dictating their home teaching message, so to explain it as a prompting if asked.

The irony of asking a guy whose testimony is gone to tell a struggling family how to deepen their testimonies is just too rich for words.

dit
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
WOW!

themaster
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
Why do you HT? Do you also say prayers and give oily blessings?

squeebee
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
I am assigned families to HT, I haven't been in months.

Why am I assigned? Because I'm a closeted exmo.

Doubting Thomas
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
As a stake leader and a Bishop I was never asked to lie to anyone. I can remember fudging my own lack of action dealing with paperwork or a calling. Not from wanting to mislead, but simply being behind in every aspect of my life and choosing to do church work last.

I never asked anyone to be dishonest.

However when you come to the conclusion that the entire work is a lie, or just not what you thought it was, then many of the actions you are asked to do on a monthly basis certainly seem less than genuine.

madalice
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
So, what are you going to say? Lets hear your message in advance. I think you're going to need to practice.

How are you going to deliver the message without delivering the message?

Or, are you going to totally ignore the request?

I think you should give a lesson about shelving and questioning every item you've placed on the shelf. After all, we've been so blessed to be born in a time when we have the internet that we can use as a tool to hasten our studying. Yes, Mormon Think has excellent articles on every subject!

squeebee
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
Well I was planning on ignoring the request. :)

JoD3:360
I agree with ignoring the request or skipping that family this month.
It sounds to me like the Bishop knows this is a sore spot for this family. He's using you to hide behind. Or, he's got your number and the message is really for the messenger.

donbagley
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
Mix it up squeebee. Talk about whatever you wish. We're really prompted by our own urges anyway. The Holy Ghost is a bandage applied to unharmed flesh.

squeebee
Re: I agree with ignoring the request or skipping that family this month.
It is the former, or this guy has a really weird idea calling me to Gospel Doctrine teacher.

NON-LDS
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
"Gosh, Bishop!!!
I can't do that.
How would I ever answer your question in our next Worthiness Interview, 'Am I honest in my dealings?'
I think you should deliver the message yourself...

anointedone
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
That shows what is wrong with you Odell. You are a sinner, you refuse to 'lie for the Lord' even when the stake presidency command it. How dare you?

Because you did not repent of this sin it led you down the road of rejecting all the 'lies of the Lord' and finally joining all those apostate sinners outside of the church.

You have caused such pain to the noble valiant apostles such as Elders Oaks and Holland who are perfect examples of adherents to this holy commandment to 'lie for the Lord'.

However, to me and tens of thousands of genuine truth proponents, you are a hero and a source of enlightenment and encouragement.

Thanks Odell,
Tom

sparkyguru
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
if you want a guaranteed recommendation to lie, tell a leader you are losing your testimony from all these facts you are finding and you think you should tell your wife and kids... or any other ward member, you will be told to keep it to yourself guaranteed.

anointedone
Re: Being asked to lie by the Stake Presidency
In fairness, I only remember being asked to lie twice, both times by a GA.

1. I was told to lie to my children (and anyone else) about where their mother and I were going when we went to the temple, on a Sunday, to receive our Second Anointing.

2. If ever asked whether I had seen Jesus, I was to answer with the standard lie/misleading statement.

"Recovery from Mormonism - www.exmormon.org"