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FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Algunas personas afirman que la Iglesia les enseña a poner el servicio en la Iglesia (por ejemplo, en llamamientos de la Iglesia) sobre las necesidades de sus familias.
Al decidir cómo vamos a pasar tiempo como familia, debemos tener cuidado de no agotar nuestro tiempo disponible en cosas que simplemente son buenas y dejar poco tiempo para las que son mejores o excelentes. Un amigo llevó a su joven familia a varios viajes durante las vacaciones de verano, incluso visitas a lugares históricos memorables. Al final del verano, le preguntó a su hijo adolescente cuál de esas buenas actividades veraniegas había disfrutado más. El padre aprendió de la respuesta, al igual que lo hicieron aquellos a quienes él se los contó. “Lo que más me gustó este verano”, dijo el muchacho, “fue la noche en que tú y yo nos acostamos en el césped y conversamos, mirando las estrellas”. Las actividades familiares extraordinarias pueden ser buenas para los hijos, pero no siempre son mejores que el pasar tiempo en forma individual con un padre amoroso.
Líderes de la Iglesia enseñan que la familia debe ser colocado en el centro de la vida de uno. Servicio en la familia es una parte vital de servicio en la Iglesia y, cuando se gestiona adecuadamente, servicio en la Iglesia mejora las relaciones familiares. En caso de conflicto, servicio en la Iglesia necesita ser delegada o simplificado por lo que las necesidades de la familia pueden tener prioridad.
Church leaders teach that family duties and relationships are paramount. However, there are instances when those who hold positions in the Church lose sight of this and require correction. Late Church President, Harold B. Lee, warned:
Speaking to men called to demanding positions as Bishops in the Church, late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley said:
Note that family is emphatically not to be neglected or “impoverished,” and that one is not expected to do more than is healthy for the family.
Church leaders have consistently taught that family duties are the primary Church duties. To neglect one's family needs is to fail in the most important Church responsibility:
Local Church leaders are instructed to avoid conflicts between Church and family responsibilities by spreading duties throughout their congregations and showing sensitivity when making assignments and callings. As member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle, Quentin L. Cook, explained:
In recent years, Church leaders have spoken of the need to “simplify” Church programs so they don’t detract from family life. In the words of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles member, M. Russell Ballard:
Despite the ongoing counsel of Church leaders to keep duties simple, there are times when Church work does require members – particularly men – to spend time away from their families. This is acknowledged by Church leadership. Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Dallin H. Oaks, has said:
Oaks went on to mention a study on prosocial behavior in the Church. He reported that:
If properly managed, the benefits families receive from such sacrifices can outweigh the costs. It’s part of the paradox Jesus himself expressed when he said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25
When we speak of consecration in the LDS context, the first type of dedication that usually comes to mind is the dedication of money, specifically in the form of paying tithing. However, in a very real way, to spend time and energy fulfilling Church duties is also to make an offering. Unlike offerings of money, LDS people do not keep records of time spent in Church duties. We’re not called to account for the number of hours we spend annually in Church service. Unlike tithing, no specific proportion of our time is expected of us.
The proportion of time spent in Church duties changes as callings and responsibilities change. At some times, personal Church duties may be light. At other times – such as during full-time missions -- they are demanding. Whatever their size, they are never insignificant. Simply attending the weekly three hour block of Sunday meetings puts LDS people inside their church buildings longer than many other kinds of faithful churchgoers.
The prophet Malachi spoke of offerings in the Old Testament. He famously rebuked the people of his day for failing to pay tithes but he also spoke of the people’s withholding of their service from the Lord. Malachi said:
In the same sermon and in the same spirit as Malachi taught Israel about the blessings of paying tithing and the perils of failing to pay it, he taught about the blessings of taking time to serve the Lord. Many LDS people can testify that their household budgets go farther when tithing is paid.[12] It might not make sense mathematically but somehow the difference is made up and, as Malachi said, the Lord “open[s] the windows of heaven, and pour[s] out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10.
Many members can also testify that even when a family member has a time-consuming Church calling, families are blessed with increased capacities to show each other attention and affection.
Living comfortably and securely despite sacrificing family funds to tithing is a miracle of keeping the law of consecration by paying tithing. Living in greater love and harmony while a family member serves in a demanding Church calling is a miracle of keeping the law of consecration by spending time in Church duties.
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