I had a roommate at a certain Church institution of higher education who was very concerned about me. I had subscribed to “Dialogue” and was reading “Sunstone”. In addition, I talked about wanting to write articles for those journals discussing some of my questions/challenges with aspects of the Church. He told me he was very concerned about my Church career.

I honestly had no idea what a “Church Career” was beyond teaching seminary, working at the Church Office Building in some capacity or working at one of the Church Universities and I had no interest in working for any of these entities. He informed me that my “Church Career” was the progress I will make in my callings over time. He said that a “normal” trajectory would involve a calling to an EQ Presidency, then into a Bishopric, then High Council or Bishop, then into a Stake Presidency, and if really good at these callings, then called to be a Mission President or Seventy. According to him, this progression was based on three key elements, my faithfulness, my diligence in the calling and my ability to stay out of controversial issues. I was a bit shocked and irritated by this and effectively told him I really don’t care about my Church career, I will do what I am asked to do in callings, while also speaking out on things I don’t agree with (e.g., state how I feel about issues, subscribe and publish in Dialogue, etc.). He was very disappointed in me. In my experience, I have met men who aspire for callings and some who seem to even lobby for certain callings. To them, I say “you deserve every calling you get…”