Priesthood Ordination for my Son

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Roy
Posts: 7520
Joined: 07 Oct 2010, 14:16
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by Roy »

Yes, Amy, I am making an effort to not bring it up. I am practicing mourning for my dreams of watching my kids carry on the traditions without giving hints that I am mourning.

I think that if Roy Jr. does receive the higher priesthood and I am asked to ordain then I should not make a big deal about the priesthood line. That shouldn't be hard to do because church culture only cares that it can be traced back to Christ.

I don't want to give my baggage to my son. It's ok if it stays and dies with me.

I don't want him to feel like I'm disappointed in him if he doesn't receive or pass on the line and I certainly do not want my grandsons thinking that they need to jump through these hoops to honor my memory.

If my son receives the higher priesthood from someone else, that's ok. If my son never receives the higher priesthood, that's ok too. I'm practicing getting comfortable with that being ok, anyway. ;)
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood

“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223

"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
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Roy
Posts: 7520
Joined: 07 Oct 2010, 14:16
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by Roy »

I think I will wait a while since we just had the priesthood discussion, but I also want to give my son freedom to name his first born boy whatever he and his future wife want and not impose the weight of the tradition to carry on the name of Roy.

That too, is something that can stop and not be continued on - generation to generation.
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood

“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223

"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
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Lds_ExScoutmaster
Posts: 5
Joined: 28 Aug 2025, 19:03

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by Lds_ExScoutmaster »

You're leading a good example for your son. He can do things on his own terms and make his own choices, he may not see it all yet but he will as an adult.
My youngest was kind of in the same boat, with the priesthood came up, and then mission pressure (he ended up serving a service mission), I knew temple would be next and I really wanted this to be not only his own decision but also his own motivation.
Fortunately I only had to mention the plan once and there hasn't been any more pressure.
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Roy
Posts: 7520
Joined: 07 Oct 2010, 14:16
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by Roy »

Thank you, Scoutmaster. I appreciate your experience and vote of confidence.
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood

“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223

"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
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Roy
Posts: 7520
Joined: 07 Oct 2010, 14:16
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by Roy »

Our stake is arranging a temple trip for just the high school seniors. The youth will go to the temple in the afternoon and have dinner at the church adjacent to the temple afterwards. Parents are invited to join their HS senior.

We have decided not to send Roy Jr. because 1) it doesn't sound fun and 2) there will almost certainly be pressure to take out endowments and/or prepare to serve a mission.
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood

“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223

"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
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Minyan Man
Posts: 2400
Joined: 15 Sep 2011, 13:40

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by Minyan Man »

Roy, does your son also think that it won't be fun?
My first thought was to let your son have the experience (assuming he wants to go) then
discuss the experience with him when he gets back.

It's just a thought.
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DarkJedi
Posts: 8271
Joined: 24 Aug 2013, 20:53

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by DarkJedi »

Roy wrote: ↑24 Oct 2025, 09:35 Our stake is arranging a temple trip for just the high school seniors. The youth will go to the temple in the afternoon and have dinner at the church adjacent to the temple afterwards. Parents are invited to join their HS senior.

We have decided not to send Roy Jr. because 1) it doesn't sound fun and 2) there will almost certainly be pressure to take out endowments and/or prepare to serve a mission.
I agree that there will be mission and "covenant path" pressure.

Thinking back to when my kids were in similar situations I'd have let them choose, but also have made it clear I would not participate. There are some differences in your situation and mine, though, including that my kids were for the most part "active" and attending church and my wife and I were not on the same page and she most certainly would have pressured the kids.
In the absence of knowledge or faith there is always hope.

Once there was a gentile...who came before Hillel. He said "Convert me on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Hillel converted him, saying: That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it."

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Roy
Posts: 7520
Joined: 07 Oct 2010, 14:16
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Priesthood Ordination for my Son

Post by Roy »

After reading MM's advice, I figured it certainly couldn't hurt to give DS the option.

An added variable is that he would miss a sports practice and a library event by going on this temple trip.

Roy Jr. has chosen to miss the temple trip and we responded by text declining the invite.
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood

“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223

"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
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