Comments on: A Mormon Advice Columnist?

By: Alison Moore Smiteh

Alison Moore Smiteh — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:19:21 +0000

Two other women and I wrote a Mormon "advice column" called "Circle of Sisters"on Meridian for quite some time. Beginning in 2003, we continued that tradition on Mormon Momma for some years after that. In total, there have been four of us answering the column questions. (Technically the column still exists, but we tend to cover the same stuff on the forum now.) We got lots of questions and I love to give advice. :)

By: Trenden

Trenden — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:09:49 +0000

Gosh, what’s wrong with Dr. Laura? Most of her views seem to be in harmony with Judeo-Christian principles including the no sex before marriage thing. I listen to her show on occasionally during the commute and I’d say 90% of her advice is exactly what most bishops would advise.

By: Ziff

Ziff — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:51:13 +0000

I would NEVER EVER advocated Dr. Laura as speaking for Mormondom. That hurts my eyes to even read.

Amen, Lupita.

By: Ziff

Ziff — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:45:30 +0000

Regarding "Ask Gramps," while he represents a common Mormon way of thinking, he often boils down to "Ask Joseph Fielding Smith." For example, here he is on fossils and here on birth control. I' m not a fan.

By: Marjorie Conder

Marjorie Conder — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:43:11 +0000

A number of years ago the Deseret News had a regular personal advice column writen by “Mary Marker”. Can’t remember what her real name was, but she was the grandmother of the present editor of the DN, Joseph Cannon. Also, in the 1950s (also before?-after?) Elaine Cannon (Later YW general president) wrote an advice column in the same paper for teens. So it has been done. Even in the lifetime and memory of some of us still around.

By: Latter-day Guy

Latter-day Guy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:33:27 +0000

I see Peter (26) already beat me to the punch.

By: Latter-day Guy

Latter-day Guy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:32:07 +0000

Ummm... don't we already have this?

By: Carol Brown

Carol Brown — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:00:46 +0000

Although we can find some good advice from wise counselors, therapists, and church leaders, I would suggest that perhaps the best advisor is the Holy Ghost, who “will show unto you all things what [we] should do.” Ne. 32: 5

By: Lon

Lon — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:45:10 +0000

I can empathize with the frustrations with those who sought advice and then ignored it. But there is another group who seek the advice and follow it to the letter that are still a problem.

As a former bishop, I can say that there are serial-users (sometimes abusers) of a bishop’s time/energy. Brothers and sisters who feel the need to come to the bishop for every single issue facing them. And they often come with sincere and heartbreaking stories. A sister who had been left by her husband of decades and is shaken in her self-ability to make decisions. After all, she blew *that* one, right? (Wrong, but another post.) A brother who had lost a child as a result of an accident who now second-guessed every decision he makes because he’s afraid of the consequences. Those are generic examples. One of the hardest parts of the bishop’s job were lovingly and gently getting them back on their own feet. Forcing them to do their own research, prayer, thought and study and then come up with a plan. Supporting the decisions they come to and showing them the positive outcomes. And teaching them how to learn from the negative outcomes.

By: threetimesabishop

threetimesabishop — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:32:00 +0000

Lon (#34), I couldn’t have said it any better.
B.K.Packer said:
“We seem to be developing an epidemic of “counselitis” which drains spiritual strength from the Church much like the common cold drains more strength out of humanity than any other disease.
That, some may assume, is not serious. It is very serious!
On one hand, we counsel bishops to avoid abuses in welfare help. On the other hand, some bishops dole out counsel and advice without considering that the member should solve the problem himself.
There are many chronic cases—individuals who endlessly seek counsel but do not follow the counsel that is given.
I have, on occasions, included in an interview this question:
‘You have come to me for advice. After we have carefully considered your problem, is it your intention to follow the counsel that I will give you?’”

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=7ddcd0640b96b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD