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Nothing profound here. Just a casual observation. I was reading the most recent Ensign and came across the following passage: Quote:Tears filled my eyes as I considered Susan’s challenge in raising five children while dealing with a less active, challenging former husband.
I thought “Don’t I read this particular turn of phrase a lot? ‘Tears filled my eyes as…’?” So I went to the Gospel Library app and did a search. I found 28 instances of that particular phrase with five instances of “his eyes”, four instances of “her eyes”, two instances of “our eyes” and one example of “their eyes.” Not a lot but enough to seem repetitive. Some samples:
From 1980
Quote:Tears filled my eyes as I realized that I could be wearing the same shoes that had carried my grandmother through the precious endowment ceremony many, many times.
From 1992
Quote:Tears filled my eyes as I felt my Heavenly Father’s love for me
From 2005
Quote:Tears filled my eyes as she told me that each one of her children had served a full-time mission.
From 2001
Quote:Tears filled his eyes as he spoke of his love for Jesus Christ and of his gratitude for the priesthood which he held…
A quick Google search found that this is a pretty common expression other places as well. But we Mormons use it enough that it caught my attention today. My interpretation is that it is a twist of language that we use to represent a specific kind of emotional experience. It reminded me of this blog post:
http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2014/03/29/proper-use-of-the-word-moisture-a-primer-for-utah-mormons/ Other words and expressions that I think we have appropriated and use a lot:
“precious” (not the Gollum type)
“sweetheart” (Sorry, can’t stand this word. It’s probably a generational thing).
“those in need” (I don’t know if there is a better way to express this concept without being a bit insulting…eg. “poor” “needy” etc.)
“make(s) poor choices” (instead of “sinning”)
We ARE kind of a peculiar people (over a 100 instances of this expression according to my app).
🙂 That’s funny, although not surprising at all. When I hear the word “sweetheart” I visualize Han Solo’s sarcastic nickname for Princess Leia. “Don’t assume nothin’ sweetheart.” or “Sorry Sweetheart. I haven’t got time for anything else.”
I know. I’m such a nerd.
🙂 When I hear “sweetheart” I visualize Edward G. Robinson. His name is already formatted like a GA and everything. :think: I don’t even know if he ever said “sweetheart” but I imagine him saying it all the same.
Great. I will never be able to hear the word “sweetheart” in any normal away ever again. 
This is language that is part of oir Mormon culture. How about: “Please manifest it”
“Even” as an interjection. “I say these thing in the name of the Lord, even Jesus Christ.”
“Nourish and strengthen our bodies”
“Travel home in safety, that no harm or accident may befall them.”
etc.
Born – agains do similar things. If you hear them pray they use the words, “Oh God” and “just” a million times. “We just want to thank you, Oh God, for everything you’ve given us. Oh God.”
Tears filled my eyes is a classic Mormon phrase. If you want to really annoy me, start talking in a low, soft, somewhat husky voice when talking about something spiritual. I think our jargon and mannerisms are a way of signaling we are true blue.
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