Institute and CES Issues

[Anonymous]

My son just shared this thoughtful YouTube link about the current situation with the young people of the church and the role that the Institutes play in that. I enjoyed it and thought it would be good to share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67IUWnFBmZY&feature=youtu.be” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67IUWnFBmZY&feature=youtu.be

I think much of this line of thinking could profitably be applied to other curriculum.

I would be interested in all of your thoughts and experiences.

[Anonymous]

He makes some very good points and I agree that this could be applied more broadly than just CES. If we could just get people in the church to allow the “issues” to come up and be discussed in the first place, that would go a long way.

[Anonymous]

He lays out the issue fairly well …but a big ouch on the editing. It’s like he recorded himself saying every word in the dictionary and stitched the video together afterwards. It makes for a hard watch. The editing reminded me of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXG-aeeBfPo” class=”bbcode_url”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXG-aeeBfPo :angel:

silentstruggle wrote:

I think much of this line of thinking could profitably be applied to other curriculum.

I agree. The main concern seems to be over his generation of Mormons. This is really an issue for all members. There are people of all ages that could benefit from more open dialogue. If there is change it should be more globally applied. CES and institute could lead the way but we shouldn’t be content to write off the older generations that have the exact same struggles.

I also felt like the tone started out fine but as the video progressed the tone shifted somewhat. It really comes to a head with the last line “…and there is no excuse not to offer these classes.” That’s going to make some people tune out but I hope the shift in tone doesn’t turn people off from the overall message.

[Anonymous]

For people who don’t have time to watch the video, the Youtuber appears to be a college age LDS young adult who attends Institute. He indicates it should be OK to criticize the church constructively, that he loves the church, and is not anti-Mormon. He thinks the Institute program should dedicate elective courses in many of the uncomfortable topics in our history, provide good, unsanitized resources, teach students scholarly study of history, and stop making Institute a mere extension of correlated Sunday School.

I think that if the church was to institute (no pun intended) the changes he is proposing, it would mean “disruptive change” for the church. I believe it would destroy many testimonies, and cause a severe reduction in activity, and loss of big chunks of the Institute generation. Many people would dispense with the notion that it’s all inspired, that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration, that there is only one true church. Many “principles” the leaders use to engender commitment, sacrifice, etcetera would no longer motivate people. For me, the loss of these principles throws out the need for holding a temple recommend in order to achieve salvation, and makes the LDS church like any other Christian church that doesn’t have authority.

A lot of people would likely leave, and the ones who stay or join, would do so based on a new set of premises. Perhaps family tradition, perhaps because they love the church, even if its premises are wrong, etcetera. Some would continue with blinders because its distressing to think all that one invested for the cause you believed in.

[Anonymous]

He is SPOT ON! Well done.

My main feeling was that I am encouraged that the next generation. This is the way that the young kids express themselves. They were asked to get involved with social media to share the gospel. It makes sense that they use this same medium to tell how they need changes since there isn’t another way to send a message “up the chain.”

I am in so much agreement on his complaint that the church is ultra-ultra sensitive to any criticism. I have done some studying on some relationship counselors and one of the most significant ways to grow is to ask for feedback. You will have to filter out some things that are not your issues to deal with, but to stand and confront the issues you realize are true is one of the most significant ways to grow. As individuals we hate to hear where we are lacking, but we need to hear it from a loving source.

One of his points is that you need to have a dialogue about the issues. Just like many of us need this web site – because we can’t talk about it in church.

For the classes he suggests, I would take them online if offered. I would even pay if they were done well and objectively.

He covered things really well. I think the main thing holding back CES is they fear more students leaving over the issues. But I do think that there is a tipping point where more will be leaving over the lack of transparency than those affected.

I have heard a few times that those like us are a small part – as in a few percentage points. I have heard John Dehlin say it. Richard Poll said it in “Liahona vs Iron Rod” speech. I just have a hard time feeling that I am so unique. I feel I am different as I was exposed and can’t believe that about half or more of the congregation would have their head spinning if one sacrament meeting was spent with the bishop going over “Letter to a CES director.”

Do others feel we are a small minority?

I am sure this is going to go viral.

Nibbler – some of the comments point out the poor editing. The author responded that he edited this down from 2 hours and admitted it could be better.

[Anonymous]

I liked it. Good for him for taking the risk. Millenials care, contrary to how they are presented. Maybe some Who down in Whoville’s shouts will break through and be heard. I really don’t care whose shout gets heard, but I hope it happens soon. I am afraid the Old Ship Zion maybe listing and sinking.

[Author]

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