Have any of my fellow LDS members participated in the member cleaning program. Cleaning the meeting house for?

Question

sunday? I have particpated in the past and this last saturday. I find it surprising that si few members actually particpate in this grate way to give/teach service.

Answer 1

I have done the cleaning. Each ward has it's own system. Some are better than others. We used to have a voluntary sign up sheet. It meant the same people did it 10 times a year. Now the person in charge gets everyone to do it once every six months. So far it is turning out pretty good. People will do what ever you ask, if you ask. They won't volunteer.

Answer 2

Hunnerbunner, you have missed the point of what your calling an "handout". The Bishop is responsible for those funds and has the opportunity to follow the spirit as far as what he would ask them to do or not do. I have not known a single Bishop that did not understand the way the Lord would have him assist others. The Church does not offer free handouts to it's people, the principle always is to lift and progress. Please talk to the Bishop about it if you have a problem with it. You can also talk to the Stake President if your afraid of your Bishop. As far as cleaning the Church, we do it every week as the closing part of mutual and then 2 to 3 families get the privileged of getting it ready for Sunday services on saturday. It has been a huge blessing to my family to get to participate. It has taught us more of respect for the building and the grounds. It makes the building feel more like it is ours, like we are at home when we go there. It has been a wonderful experience even to the point where we will show up when it is not our turn just to help.

Answer 3

A while back ago we as members of a stake and i think it was the area would get together and make a community day and help do things in the community that the city might wont done. For an example i remember going and cleaning up a fenced area and then the city went and planted in that area some beautiful bushes. I also know one year they went and cleaned up a city park and helped make a walking track in the park that is used by the community. That has stopped now but the youth in the area does a service project in the area and then they open up the aquatic center (swimming pool) and then let them go swimming.

I have actually helped clean the church house a couple of times. I remember with the youth we cleaned it before they fixed up our building. I also remember going with my family and other families and cleaning the church house. We have since stopped that and i believe the church had paid church members in need to help clean the church.

Answer 4

I would love to but the three wards/branch I've been in only want families to participate (ie married couples or married w/kids). I even volunteered to clean with a family but was told that that family wanted to clean the building as a family project - which would've been fine had I specified a family but I was open to any family. Once the branch was hurting for someone to come clean it, they said that you could come by the Branch President's house and get the key if you didn't already have one. After a reasonable amount of time I asked if anyone had volunteered. No one had, so I did. It was a small branch and we didn't have our own building, so we rented two rooms in an industrial park. I was told that I couldn't. I asked why? Was it an issue of priesthood? No. Was it because I am a girl/woman/female? No, another sister had cleaned it with a family in the past and the family didn't show so she cleaned it by herself. So then what was the problem? I never got an answer, but persisted and suggested that this other woman and I clean it together. I was then given permission. We cleaned it, but I never felt right about having to practically force my way in, when no one else wanted to. I've moved since then, and my new ward must only ask in priesthood meetings because when I asked about it I was told that my husband would sign up if he wanted to - but I've never had a husband.



Sorry, I didn't realize I was so sensitive about this. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I would LOVE to, but I've never been allowed.

EDIT: Thanks Karma. I appreciate the church trying to look out for my well being.

Answer 5

There's an old cliche about this very thing.

20% of the church is doing 80% of the work.

Tends to be the same people doing the work over and over. I've heard pastors say "If you're going to just come on Sunday and fill a seat then go home and not do anything else, then stay home and watch on TV".

Answer 6

I have done the "clean-up" after activities I was involved in. We actually have a building custodian. It is a calling and this individual does not get paid for what they do. However, we do help out with cleaning up behind ourselves in our own classrooms and pick up bulletins after sacrament meeting. We use trash cans. We all do our part to make their job easier.

Answer 7

I have in the past, and I usually enjoyed it. My new ward shares the building with 2 other wards. They take turns every year. Our turn is coming up in a couple months. I'll participate if they ask. Some wards I've been in, the person in charge of cleaning never asked for help or said when he'd be doing it, so no one could help him.

Answer 8

I have and it is a great experience.

Tonya... one reason could be because the church is very conscience when it come to women being in the church house alone. Not because you are going to do anything... but because of the possible danger of someone following you and being in a pretty secluded area... things could be bad. In most cases the church wants multiple people or a man present for safety purposes.

Answer 9

Yes and it is disgusting what parents let their children do to the chairs and tables. write on the walls with crayons etc. We need more discipline in the house of the Lord.

Answer 10

I'm not LDS, but that does sound like a great way to promote togetherness and service.