Authoritarian Abuse By Ward Mission Leader

While serving a mission, the Ward Mission Leader of the congregation I served in constantly practiced unrighteous dominion over the sisters, without many people questioning him because it was how things had always been done. Additionally, no one questioned him since he was related to the Area Authority and a former Bishop. Anytime he was challenged, he pulled his 'mantle of authority." Arguing with him was insufferable. 

As Ward Mission Leader, he would assign women in the ward to feed the missionaries instead of letting people sign up like traditionally done during the blocks. It didn't matter if they were single women who couldn't feed the Elders- he told them they needed to meet them in public to do so. 

In addition to assigning sisters to feed the missionaries, he also assigned them to go on exchanges with us. He even sent out postcard reminders. This was a waste of every resource imaginable, effort, time, printing, postage costs, etc. given the several of these women in were living in care centers. I approached him about this being terrible for report, given some of the sisters were bed ridden or too elderly to drive. He actually thought that it would be "convenient" for us to bring our investigators into these women's homes and test of everyone's faith amidst trials. 

Another problem he had was with Baptismal Programs, he felt that they were superfluous and printing them a waste of "sacred ward monies" despite it actually serving a purpose. This came to huge point of conflict when we had a family of seven getting baptized across three generations: grandma, the parents, and four children ranging from ages 9-16. They also had two younger children in the family. I wasn't going to stand for this family not having a momento for their baptism. I asked for him to make an exception given this ward had not seen a baptism in over three years other than children of record. He said no, but I printed the programs myself anyways. Upon bringing them to the baptism to pass out he actually tried to rip the stack out of my hands. He got a few of them and crumpled them up in a ball, yelling. Then instead of beginning the baptism on time he called my Mission President to tattle on my "disregard for authority" and a request to have me transferred immediately.