2) It's complete hearsay, but a family friend of ours has some high-up connections within Church leadership. Rumor is there are a "bunch" of "big" changes in the works and the presidency is just waiting for when the new prophet is called.

I know you're just the messenger but these kind of rumors have been around for decades. I don't think we'll see "a bunch" of anything (because we don't need to) and I don't see the purpose in waiting for a new prophet even if there was.

I've served as Elders Quorum President in a previous ward I lived in and had an interesting experience there. I had just grown out a goatee right before I was called. The Stake President (who also worked at LDS Church headquarters) called me in and asked if I would accept that calling. His next question was how attached I was to the facial hair. I just laughed it off and made a comment about it being new--but he didn't move on until I agreed to shave it off for the duration of my calling. I did because it wasn't a big deal to me--but then when I was calling counselors, one guy I suggested is a guy who also has facial hair and puts highlights in his hair. I was counseled that he would not be a good option and that I should focus on people who the ward "can look up to". I don't know if the Bishop knew something I didn't or if his comments were specifically concerning his grooming--but that always rubbed me a bit wrong.
I've since moved wards/stakes and have a goatee again. But I was called to be in the HP group leadership--and they said nothing about facial hair--though none of the SP have any. I'm not sure if that is just a "preference" thing or what--but facial hair has nothing to do with ones' worthiness or ability to serve. That is another area I'd like to see BYU and the church in general chill out a little over.

Every now and then I've grown a beard. It's mostly due to laziness so I have never been too attached to it.

Once when I was sporting a beard, I was in the temple. While getting a name I was asked whether I was a temple worker, typical question. One of the workers turned to the man handing out the names and said, "You don't have to ask him that. He has a beard. If someone has a beard don't bother asking that because they can't be temple workers." The two of them then proceeded to have a conversation because the fact temple workers can't have beards was a new concept to the one worker.

Easy there Gunk, perhaps the temple worker was someone who wanted to grow a beard but was following protocol? I think both sides of the argument get too worked up in the church sometimes. I also didn't know that being shaven was a requirement for working in the temple. CAn you get a beard card? ha ha .

I do not believe there are any exceptions allowed to the rule of being clean shaven. If that option is unavailable to you, you will be invited to serve in other ways, I imagine.

I thought they were joking. So if someone has a beard they really can't be a temple worker?

2) It's complete hearsay, but a family friend of ours has some high-up connections within Church leadership. Rumor is there are a "bunch" of "big" changes in the works and the presidency is just waiting for when the new prophet is called.

I know you're just the messenger but these kind of rumors have been around for decades. I don't think we'll see "a bunch" of anything (because we don't need to) and I don't see the purpose in waiting for a new prophet even if there was.

I've served as Elders Quorum President in a previous ward I lived in and had an interesting experience there. I had just grown out a goatee right before I was called. The Stake President (who also worked at LDS Church headquarters) called me in and asked if I would accept that calling. His next question was how attached I was to the facial hair. I just laughed it off and made a comment about it being new--but he didn't move on until I agreed to shave it off for the duration of my calling. I did because it wasn't a big deal to me--but then when I was calling counselors, one guy I suggested is a guy who also has facial hair and puts highlights in his hair. I was counseled that he would not be a good option and that I should focus on people who the ward "can look up to". I don't know if the Bishop knew something I didn't or if his comments were specifically concerning his grooming--but that always rubbed me a bit wrong.
I've since moved wards/stakes and have a goatee again. But I was called to be in the HP group leadership--and they said nothing about facial hair--though none of the SP have any. I'm not sure if that is just a "preference" thing or what--but facial hair has nothing to do with ones' worthiness or ability to serve. That is another area I'd like to see BYU and the church in general chill out a little over.

Every now and then I've grown a beard. It's mostly due to laziness so I have never been too attached to it.

Once when I was sporting a beard, I was in the temple. While getting a name I was asked whether I was a temple worker, typical question. One of the workers turned to the man handing out the names and said, "You don't have to ask him that. He has a beard. If someone has a beard don't bother asking that because they can't be temple workers." The two of them then proceeded to have a conversation because the fact temple workers can't have beards was a new concept to the one worker.

Easy there Gunk, perhaps the temple worker was someone who wanted to grow a beard but was following protocol? I think both sides of the argument get too worked up in the church sometimes. I also didn't know that being shaven was a requirement for working in the temple. CAn you get a beard card? ha ha .

I do not believe there are any exceptions allowed to the rule of being clean shaven. If that option is unavailable to you, you will be invited to serve in other ways, I imagine.

I thought they were joking. So if someone has a beard they really can't be a temple worker?

I've served as Elders Quorum President in a previous ward I lived in and had an interesting experience there. I had just grown out a goatee right before I was called. The Stake President (who also worked at LDS Church headquarters) called me in and asked if I would accept that calling. His next question was how attached I was to the facial hair. I just laughed it off and made a comment about it being new--but he didn't move on until I agreed to shave it off for the duration of my calling. I did because it wasn't a big deal to me--but then when I was calling counselors, one guy I suggested is a guy who also has facial hair and puts highlights in his hair. I was counseled that he would not be a good option and that I should focus on people who the ward "can look up to". I don't know if the Bishop knew something I didn't or if his comments were specifically concerning his grooming--but that always rubbed me a bit wrong.
I've since moved wards/stakes and have a goatee again. But I was called to be in the HP group leadership--and they said nothing about facial hair--though none of the SP have any. I'm not sure if that is just a "preference" thing or what--but facial hair has nothing to do with ones' worthiness or ability to serve. That is another area I'd like to see BYU and the church in general chill out a little over.

Every now and then I've grown a beard. It's mostly due to laziness so I have never been too attached to it.

Once when I was sporting a beard, I was in the temple. While getting a name I was asked whether I was a temple worker, typical question. One of the workers turned to the man handing out the names and said, "You don't have to ask him that. He has a beard. If someone has a beard don't bother asking that because they can't be temple workers." The two of them then proceeded to have a conversation because the fact temple workers can't have beards was a new concept to the one worker.

Easy there Gunk, perhaps the temple worker was someone who wanted to grow a beard but was following protocol? I think both sides of the argument get too worked up in the church sometimes. I also didn't know that being shaven was a requirement for working in the temple. CAn you get a beard card? ha ha .

I do not believe there are any exceptions allowed to the rule of being clean shaven. If that option is unavailable to you, you will be invited to serve in other ways, I imagine.

I've served as Elders Quorum President in a previous ward I lived in and had an interesting experience there. I had just grown out a goatee right before I was called. The Stake President (who also worked at LDS Church headquarters) called me in and asked if I would accept that calling. His next question was how attached I was to the facial hair. I just laughed it off and made a comment about it being new--but he didn't move on until I agreed to shave it off for the duration of my calling. I did because it wasn't a big deal to me--but then when I was calling counselors, one guy I suggested is a guy who also has facial hair and puts highlights in his hair. I was counseled that he would not be a good option and that I should focus on people who the ward "can look up to". I don't know if the Bishop knew something I didn't or if his comments were specifically concerning his grooming--but that always rubbed me a bit wrong.
I've since moved wards/stakes and have a goatee again. But I was called to be in the HP group leadership--and they said nothing about facial hair--though none of the SP have any. I'm not sure if that is just a "preference" thing or what--but facial hair has nothing to do with ones' worthiness or ability to serve. That is another area I'd like to see BYU and the church in general chill out a little over.

Every now and then I've grown a beard. It's mostly due to laziness so I have never been too attached to it.

Once when I was sporting a beard, I was in the temple. While getting a name I was asked whether I was a temple worker, typical question. One of the workers turned to the man handing out the names and said, "You don't have to ask him that. He has a beard. If someone has a beard don't bother asking that because they can't be temple workers." The two of them then proceeded to have a conversation because the fact temple workers can't have beards was a new concept to the one worker.

Easy there Gunk, perhaps the temple worker was someone who wanted to grow a beard but was following protocol? I think both sides of the argument get too worked up in the church sometimes. I also didn't know that being shaven was a requirement for working in the temple. CAn you get a beard card? ha ha .

I do not believe there are any exceptions allowed to the rule of being clean shaven. If that option is unavailable to you, you will be invited to serve in other ways, I imagine.