Episode #99 – Neil’s Squeals
The year in review, for we as individuals, for the Church, and for the podcast! What are your memories of 2011 and, more importantly, your memories of TWiM? We are the most important. Don’t forget that.
David Archuleta decides to go on a mission! Woo hoo!
Geoff has more beef with Deseret Book. It’s sad. It’s justified.
Changes in YSA wards in terms of size, naming (_YSA Ward), and other issues. What is going on here? Doesn’t this all go against the whole concept of more, smaller, more manageable singles wards?
Advice from LDS single men to the ladies. Really profound stuff.
And a special segment: We’ve decided the Brethren all need blogs and Twitter accounts, but what should these accounts be named? This is where the genius of TWiM comes in.
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Can you clear something up for me? Right around minute 44, you say that family wards have a responsibility for YSA and other single member and that they generally fail. Do you mean family wards are responsible for people who aren't even on their rolls? You are retarded!
Thank you for your kind words.
No, we are saying that family wards that have YSA programs in them en lieu of a singles ward have a responsibility for those YSA, though the YSA in family wards are often overlooked and underutilized. We're not saying that wards have a responsibility for those whose records aren't even in the ward. That would be retarded.
You are right–that would be retarded.
I just don't agree with your concerns–nearly every person in any ward (family, YSA, mid-singles, etc.) feels like they don't belong for some reason. I know people who don't feel like they fit in because they have an autistic child, are wiccan, had a stroke, suffer with depression, have social anxieties, are single, have a less-active spouse, and so forth. I don't think that being single sets you apart from anyone else in the church. Your concerns about being marginalized because you are single just don't ring true to me.
I am also single, and feel like I have seen it all. I went to BYU and attended several student wards, I was a member of a YSA ward in my hometown, I attended student wards at other universities, and now I attend a family ward. I don't feel like any of my wards failed me, I realize that my testimony and activity level depend solely upon me–it doesn't matter how hard anyone tries to activate another, it really is up to each individual. I am currently serving as the Relief Society president in my family ward (that's right, a single, never-married 36 year-old), and I constantly struggle to help others become more active in the ward and church–no matter how hard I try, it is up to others to take those steps toward activity.
I apologize for calling you retarded–I am working on my temper as we speak.
P.S. I have never been set up with anyone by my married friends at church. There is a dearth of single men in the church–didn't you guys talk about that a couple of weeks ago?
I am downloading this show right now. You had to release it the same day as a 5 hour Mormon Stories episode! I guess the saying is true, when it rains it pours! Thanks guys! As for 2011 some of my best memories are of a little, 10 minute show called ” Sunday School Bonanza”. You may have heard of it. Oh, well. It rocked my world for a couple of months, anyway.
Just started listening to TWIM a few weeks ago and am now working my way backward through them. I had to comment on this episode because I loved the part about MTC tips. Since I served in Korea, I spent a 12 week stint in the MTC and then worked there as a janitor when I went to BYU. Surprisingly, I didn't find any hidden notes in my room as an elder, but I found them all the time when I was a janitor. They were often behind loose light switch plates, in the air duct over the door, and in holes leading to a secret compartment atop the closets (I don't know why they existed, but they were perfect for these notes). Missionaries often left spare change in these places and one left clues for a treasure hunt with $5 at the end! I collected the change and could usually cash in $60-$70 per semester in coins (you can't change coins at currency exchange kiosks at the airport, so the missionaries left them behind). Your brief mention in this podcast took me back briefly to some great times.
My other comment is in regards to the YSA ward naming. Geoff's argument about labeling YSA wards being demeaning seemed like arguing for the sake of arguing. Al's comparison to language specific branches was apt. All wards are labeled. Some by location, some by language, some by marital status. These things distinguish the boundaries of the members in the ward. If there were a part of town that was socially less desirable from another part of town, the ward would still be tagged with the place's name and any negative nuance it carried. Geographic boundary exceptions are made to allow people with some other commonality to meet. I don't find the label demeaning, only informative.
Nate, sorry I'm just now replying to this, but that is awesome. I never thought of all the change people would leave behind. I just love that the MTC is totally it's own little world, with legends and traditions all of its own. You remember hearing about the tunnels under the MTC and how you'd for sure get kicked out if you tried to get to them like "all those other guys". Love it.
And Geoff is just a cynic, we're used to it
-Al
One summer we got to go down and clean the tunnels. We were shocked to find out they were not only real, but that we were able to finally see them (and see proof of the elders who had been down there, too). It was kind of eerie down there. We opened the tunnels strategically to create a breeze through them so the dust we swept up would naturally float down to the end. It seemed like it had a mind of its own. You gotta love being a part of MTC lore without being a disobedient missionary.