Sustenance

     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been in the news off and on for the past few years. Due to a certain musical and a certain person that I don't wish to name, there has been some curiosity about this faith. There was profile of the LDS on television a few months ago. Members and former members have been speaking out about what they believe.
   The LDS have several customs that I like a lot. The LDS is a mostly volunteer organization. There are no paid clergy and the leaders are also not employed by the Church.The grounds are cared for and the buildings are cleaned by the members of the wards (congregations) that use the buildings. When someone is chosen to do a job for the Church (also known as given a calling) the person is sustained by the membership. When a person is relieved of their duties (released) they are given a vote of thanks.
  After the opening hymn is sung the man conducting the meeting reads any announcements. At that time he also reads the name of those who have accepted callings. If the person is there they are asked to stand. The conductor of the meeting then asks those who wish to sustain the person in the calling to please do so by raising the right hand. I have yet to see anyone fail to raise a hand. I've even seen little children raise their hands.
   All callings are given a sustaining vote from the membership. All sustainings are done exactly the same way. It doesn't matter if the person being sustained is the President of the LDS or a primary teacher. The same procedure is followed every single time.
   The leaders of the Church are sustained when they are first called and then twice a year after that. Sustainings happen at the conferences. There are ward conferences, stake (several wards) conferences and General Conference (the entire church).
  The reason why I like it is because it is a vote of confidence. Many people don't feel confident about their callings at first. I think it's helpful to look over all those uplifted hands. Even if you don't feel ready or able, the rest of the ward does and will support you. It must be really nice for the leaders. I've been reading biographies of some of the LDS Church presidents. Several of them did take comfort in the sustaining votes.
  When a person is released from their calling, the man conducting the meeting announces that person's name. After the name has been announced he calls for a vote of thanks. I like this as well. It's exciting when new people come in, but it is always nice to give the person who held the calling some recognition for a job well done.
   I didn't really appreciate this custom until several weeks ago, when we found out Bishop Campbell was being released. The day that the announcement of the new bishop came and the chapel was full. The release of Bishop Campbell was announced and all hands went up for the vote of thanks. I wished I could have raised mine, but I'm not a member. Bishop Campbell was sitting up front and the man sitting next to him put an arm around his shoulder. Then the name of the new Bishop was announced. Bishop Nealy stood up and again there was a sea of uplifted hands to let him know that he would have plenty of support.
   I like the idea of people sustaining other people. Another word for sustain is support. I wish we as a society were better about supporting those around us. It's simple. Just raise you hand and smile.