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Readers Respond to Electrical Current
Events
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
Parents Should be Outraged - Read Article Here
We as a family with grandchildren attending elementary and junior high and high school in Palmdale, Calif. strongly protest the treatment that these first, third and fifth graders were subjected to according to your article, and T V and radio reports. What are the classes above elementary school being taught and subjected to?
Home schooling looms much larger on the horizon. Looking forward to closing public schools that subject our youngsters to this kind of treatment.
Joan
and Philip Hoskins
Browns Valley, California
**
You bet we are concerned about this decision. What is the majority of our country neglecting, besides speaking out and getting involved? I have sixteen grandchildren, I definitely would not want them surveyed with this survey.
I
was a late teenager before I could even answer any of the questions in that
survey. I am appalled and disappointed that we have judges who can make
such irresponsible decisions. This is a worse nightmare for parents throughout
the whole world for these kinds of things to happen, especially here in
Parents have to be stronger and outspoken and hopefully during this day of elections, elect responsible individuals who will do their part, but we also have to do our part. Thank you for the article. We heard about it on a radio talk show last week on our way home from an assignment in the Conference Center.
The talk show host was outraged as were we. And after reading the questions it is very alarming.
Glenn
and Diane Taylor
Ogden, Utah
**
I am a lifelong resident of the liberal Santa Monica and Bay Areas of California. You can imagine the changes that have taken place in the state in my lifetime.
In the 40s and 50s, life was wholesome and good compared to now. Our predominantly non-member friends and neighbors were about as conservative as we were.
It just sickens me to hear what's happening now. I used to be quiet in order to 'get along,' but now I feel we should express our values at work and school, to friends and colleagues when the appropriate opportunity comes along.
Carol Hansen
Fremont, California
**
Parents should not be outraged. Outrage does nothing to protect our children. It is a knee-jerk reaction. I did not find the court’s response shocking; in fact I thought it was fairly appropriate. If you are going to encourage concerned citizens to “write [their] local media,” you might at least suggest they read the case first. Here it is: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/circs/9th/0356499p.pdf.
I did find the content of the questions shocking. However, what I find more shocking are the parents who carelessly turn their children over to public schools in the current moral climate without constantly informing themselves of the dangers. For example, the letter sent out by that district raised all kinds of red flags. The parents could have made their concerns known at that point, and they also had the option of not allowing their children to take the questionnaire.
There was a recent Meridian article on how to gracefully and effectively advocate for change in schools in cases like this. I thought the suggestions were very wise. We don’t need to make enemies of our school administrators, we need to make friends. We need to show that our children’s education is a top priority by being actively involved in the schools. If I were a school administrator confronted by “outraged” parents I’d never seen before, I’d roll my eyes and wonder where they are on PTO nights.
Lindsay
Varnum Cano
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
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Merci Times Three for Mental Health Site
Connecting Saints with Mental Health Services - Read Article Here
Thank you, thank you, thank you for linking the website and the well-directed article. As an LDS health care professional, I appreciate the vast array of information readily available in an organized manner on the linked website. Most families are affected by some of the conditions listed. Having such resources available to these families is a positive step toward their ability to understand and cope with these conditions. We all have different challenges in life. Our goal is to help each other return to our Heavenly Father's arms.
Lori
C.
Rancho Cucamonga, Clifornia
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The Temple Express: How Two Sisters’ Temple Attendance Blessed the Entire Ward -- Read Articles Here
A few weeks ago, our stake high council met in order to review possible solutions to a drop in morale and spirituality among our ward members. This article may well represent a key answer to our concern and I will definitely share it with our stake leaders.
Many thanks for this very helpful insight.
Charles Defranchi
Paris,
**
What a wonderful idea, and what a wonderful couple of sisters. I live 4-5 hours from any temple, so this would be a great idea to start in my ward, only twice a month would be about all we could do here. It was an inspiration to me to read of how it motivated their ward and the resulting blessing they received. There is nothing quite like attending the temple. The Lord does provide when we make our best effort to serve Him. Of that I know from personal experience.
Thank you so much for putting this wonderful story on your website. And thank you for a great magazine. I enjoy it each and every day!
Margie
Zimmerman Jackson
Hamilton, Montana
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A Modest Proposal
What You See at Church May be Shocking -- Read Article Here
I just read your article and agree with it 100 %. As a seminary teacher, I see all kinds of examples of immodest dress. At church one would assume that these issues would not become a problem but like your article said, it is. As a father of two girls I am aware of what they wear and the latest trends. However I do find the clothes needed for my daughters.
I also have a son. This is the reason why I am responding. The boys also need attention. To me a lot of the reverence of the sacrament is lost when the young men passing have to hold a tray in one hand and their pants in the other.
Nothing looks more ridiculous than a young man in a white shirt, cartoon inspired tie, and pants with the waist that is about five or so inches below the waist. I do not need to see what kind or color of underwear the young man is sporting.
My father is a bishop and he stresses greatly the importance of dress and he is saddened by what he sees. I hope in the future that I will see something about the young men.
Trent Foulk
Phoenix Arizona
**
I am going through this problem with my very soon-to-be daughter-in-law. My son is a returned missionary and, thank goodness, still very pure. He has chosen a young woman who, unfortunately, has made some serious mistakes in her your life, as many of us do. However, they are to be married in the temple, very, very shortly and she and I have had many discussions about her clothing. I have told her that if her temple garments will show, in any form, any amount, at any time, because of her outer garments, the outer garments are not appropriate. Common sense tells us that if a woman's blouse comes just to her waist, even if her skirt or pants, jeans, etc., come up to the waist, when she sits, twists, bends, etc., skin will be showing, therefore making that piece of clothing completely inappropriate!
Two years ago, I took my husband to have some tests run and there was a young couple in the waiting room. The young woman stood up to take care of her young child and when she bent over I was appalled! There, hanging out, was about 9 inches of Temple Garments! When she sat back down I went over to her and said very quietly to her, "Did you know that your religion shows?" She looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Excuse me?" I said, "I'm LDS. When you bent over to take care of your child, my nonmember husband, myself and the other 50 people in the waiting room just got a great look at your garments. Please remember and respect those covenants you have made!"
She looked a little sheepish, but I don't think it really mattered to her! We live in the South and have seen bathing suits with a cover-up tied around it IN SACRAMENT MEETING! Beach flip-flops seem to be the mode of footwear for young women and even sandals on the young men. Now, I am not speaking of teenagers. I am speaking of our Young Single and Young Married adults! There is no excuse for this!
They were taught better, or should have been taught better at home. I was a teenager in the 70's, when miniskirts, bikinis and other revealing clothing were popular. It was simple. We just didn't wear that clothing! It wasn't allowed! When this type of apparel is seen on young girls and teens, the blame must be placed strictly on the parents. Are they not the ones purchasing these items for their children? Do they not realize what this does to the many sick pedophiles and other deviant people who are out there in the world around our children? It all goes back to one statement. "We must live in the world, but not be OF the world"
Name withheld
**
My 10-year old asked why I wouldn't buy her tank tops, trying to justify the purchase with the classic line. "My friends going to church can." I showed her one of her mothers garment tops and asked, "Can mom wear a tank top and cover this?"
"No."
"Do you want to go to the temple?"
"Yes."
"Then why get in a habit of buying clothes you can not wear to the temple, that will not cover temple garments?"
"OK," she said a bit deflated, "That makes sense."
"If you will make it a habit now it is not a complete wardrobe change when you are able to go through the temple. You will have already been making correct, modest decisions."
She is fine with that and there hasn't been dissention since. If parents will make it a habit with their grade school children then it isn't nearly the problem when they hit junior high and high school.
Brian
E Kamerath
Murray Utah
**
I wanted to mention to you, that, after I became a member, I suddenly found myself in need of modest clothes that went below the knee. As a single working mother I had only acquired clothes given to me, so I wasn't choosy, and the skirts I had were not "flimsy" but they were above the knee in length. I have long legs so it made this more noticeable. I couldn't help it. I had no money for clothes. Other sisters in my ward had no clothes to give me in my size either (I am considered on the skinny side). I went to the temple one day feeling embarrassed to have people look at me like I was doing something wrong.
Please don't judge parents by their clothes and think they are teaching
their kids hypocrisy — it may be that they are spending their money on long
skirts and appropriate clothes for their daughter as I was, or maybe even
just food. I would suggest that ward members who are offended by the clothing
of new members on limited incomes might make an effort to find second-hand
clothing among the Relief Society sisters.
Lisa
Lehmuller
Fairfax, Virginia
**
This article by Gary and Joy Lundberg is the best I've read on modesty in a long time. I've witnessed nearly every example they wrote about, to the point that I've had to turn my head to avoid seeing what I didn't want to see. If only everyone in the Church could read this, and follow the wise counsel. I forwarded it to my bishop, with the gentle hint that he might want to share it with our YW and RS presidents, I printed a copy for my paper file, and I'm keeping it in my "favorites" email file. Thank you so much for writing what I've been thinking.
Tamy Lee
Reno, Nevada
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Saving Grace
Letter from the Highlands -- Read Article Here
Thanks for an excellent article. You have described exactly how I feel.
Joy Johnson
Riverton City, Utah
**
Nice thoughts. I appreciated your message.
Herm
Olsen
Logan, Utah
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Can This Guy Write Poetry?
“A Prequel, Just Like Star Wars!” -- Read Article Here
It is rare that I run across an author whose writing reads like poetry. What a breath of fresh air to read the first few paragraphs of "A Prequel"! If you were to write a book that reads this way I would be the first to buy it.
Darryl
Borden
San Antonio, Texas
Sexual Offenders — Serpents Amoung Us? -- Read Article Here
Thank you for this article about Sexual Predators. While the crimes these people commit are terrible, we are not in the position, in fact we are commanded not, to judge. Absolutely, we need to watch our children carefully, but that is nothing new. Sexual offenders have been around for a very long time, and many, many have changed their lives.
Many of them have taken plea deals because they could not afford adequate representation and over-zealous prosecutors intimidated the accused. We do not know the individual stories, which is precisely why we have been commanded not to judge. On the contrary, we have been commanded to love them.
We can love the sinner, fellowship the sinner and befriend the sinner without jeopardizing our families' safety. In fact, if we don't, we jeopardize our own eternal reward.
Judy
Haisten
Summerfield, Florida.
**
In this article, it was suggested that sexual predators "deserve" their fate. Technically, of course, they do. Any of us who have committed a sin deserves the loss of spirit that comes through sin. This is justice. Justice cannot be denied.
But Christ paid for our sins. He has satisfied the demands of justice. All we need to do is to follow the strict requirements that he has stipulated for repentance. This is true in all cases. So, someone who has committed a very serious sin has need of very serious repentance. But, we should always remember that Christ has asked us to forgive ALL others. Being a vigilante, spreading rumors, and gossiping are not the actions of those who love, and are willing to forgive.
Arn Kratzer
Hillister, California
**
While I fully agreed with much of this article, as well as the spirit (caution) it was written in, there is a clear bias that people cannot change which is inconsistent with the message of the gospel. In particular, one member is mentioned who had his blessings restored, yet cannot work with youth. That is wrong. If your sins were like scarlet, through the atonement they are made white. If there is any doubt whatsoever about repentance, then blessings would not/should not be restored.
Even outside the church (and I believe whole-heartedly in repentance and baptism changing a person) there are, there must be, sexual offenders who serve their time and are rehabilitated. It is horrible that we label these people for life. Morally reprehensible! Everyone makes mistakes! And everyone can change!
Brent Taylor
Aurora, Colorado
Work and the Glory: American Zion Shows Joseph as Prophet and Man --- Read Article Here
We too shared our family Home Evening group at the Theatre. I liked your article and loved the show...keep up the good work.
Gord Brinkhurst
Cardston Alberta
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First Love
The Book of Mormon, A Latter-day Corrective — #6: Different Kinds of Self-Esteem -- Read Article Here
Amen to Wallace Goddard's article on self-esteem! Those who focus on "liking themselves" first, do not show character in their relationships with others. They tend to return love only to those who love them first and withdraw from those they think don't like them.
Charles
Eads
Pleasant Grove, Utah