Are you honest in all your dealings?

[Art Vandelay]

This fall they opened a beautiful new HS in my city, which was long overdue. Because of a heavy minority population the school board made very strange boundaries. They understandably wanted to avoid a rich school - poor school scenario, thus the boundaries look like a horseshoe. As the new school was being built it was assumed that the area that encompasses my ward would attend it. However, all but a very small section of my ward was assigned to the old HS. Based upon geography I should only have 2 of my youth attending the new school, however, I have 12 kids jumping boundaries. They do this by using a relative's address as their home address within the new school boundaries.

My question as the parents come to renew their TR would this qualify as an obvious case of not being honest in all their dealings, or is the school district not considered your fellowman?

[Coach McGuirk]

This fall they opened a beautiful new HS in my city, which was long overdue. Because of a heavy minority population the school board made very strange boundaries. They understandably wanted to avoid a rich school - poor school scenario, thus the boundaries look like a horseshoe. As the new school was being built it was assumed that the area that encompasses my ward would attend it. However, all but a very small section of my ward was assigned to the old HS. Based upon geography I should only have 2 of my youth attending the new school, however, I have 12 kids jumping boundaries. They do this by using a relative's address as their home address within the new school boundaries.

My question as the parents come to renew their TR would this qualify as an obvious case of not being honest in all their dealings, or is the school district not considered your fellowman?

Sorry Bish, This wouldn't even pop up on the radar of things to consider as a honest dealing.

[Art Vandelay]

Sorry Bish, This wouldn't even pop up on the radar of things to consider as a honest dealing.

I haven't and doubt I will ever bring this up to any of the families. However, it does bring up the question how big does the lie/deceit have to be before that question would apply?

[RC Vikings]

I always wonder why someone that is not honest in their dealings would feel the need to suddenly become honest and tell the bishop the truth.

[I.J. Reilly]

I always wonder why someone that is not honest in their dealings would feel the need to suddenly become honest and tell the bishop the truth.

lol.

[PaloAltoCougar]

It is dishonest to report a different address for the purpose of getting one's kid into a more desirable school. But except in the most egregious and obvious cases of dishonesty (and let's face it, it's at least possible the kids are going to better school for valid reasons), I simply asked the questions and let the respondents respond however they felt was right (give them all the rope they need...).

By the way, in Fremont, CA, where we used to live, our kids' high school was by far the best of the five in the city, and people (especially those of a particular ethnic profile) would go to great lengths to get their kids into it. One had to provide substantial documentation (utility bills, grant deeds, lease agreements, etc.) to prove residency. A brisk black market for such stuff was the result.

[mUUser]

I'd be curious to know how much authority a bishop/SP has during the recommend interview -- at what point do you question the validity of their testimony? support groups opposed to teachings of the church? full tithe payer? etc...etc...

[jay santos]

The question is kind of silly because the answer is "No" for every human on earth.

"No, when a police office asked me how fast I was going, I said I didn't know, when I actually did know."

The big sin/little sin construct is really damaging to Mormons.

[wuapinmon]

This fall they opened a beautiful new HS in my city, which was long overdue. Because of a heavy minority population the school board made very strange boundaries. They understandably wanted to avoid a rich school - poor school scenario, thus the boundaries look like a horseshoe. As the new school was being built it was assumed that the area that encompasses my ward would attend it. However, all but a very small section of my ward was assigned to the old HS. Based upon geography I should only have 2 of my youth attending the new school, however, I have 12 kids jumping boundaries. They do this by using a relative's address as their home address within the new school boundaries.

My question as the parents come to renew their TR would this qualify as an obvious case of not being honest in all their dealings, or is the school district not considered your fellowman?

It's a lie. A big one in my book. This isn't you telling your wife that you like her haircut. This is lying to the government, signing your name somewhere saying that you're telling the truth.

I would never do this. Now, I might let my daughter sleep at my mom's house if she lived in a better district. But, I'd want to fulfill the letter of the law.

That said, geographic school boundaries are evil. I'd much rather have my child bussed somewhere where everyone goes than to go to school in a gerrymandered district.

Lying = fellowman. Willful intent to deceive is not being honest, and shame on anyone who says otherwise.

I take this stuff seriously: http://courses.coker.edu/jwilliams/honor/

[Medfordcoug]

If the parents are truly honest, they will struggle with their answer. I think most try and use the "I strive to be" answer.

If they are not or do not struggle with the honesty question, then maybe you have bigger issues with those parents.

As for what would I do, if the school is substantially "better" I would try and figure a way for my kids to go to it. I have a responsibility to do the best I can for my kds. However, I would also have no problem telling the Bishop what I was doing.

[Jacob]

It's a lie. A big one in my book. This isn't you telling your wife that you like her haircut. This is lying to the government, signing your name somewhere saying that you're telling the truth.

I would never do this. Now, I might let my daughter sleep at my mom's house if she lived in a better district. But, I'd want to fulfill the letter of the law.

That said, geographic school boundaries are evil. I'd much rather have my child bussed somewhere where everyone goes than to go to school in a gerrymandered district.

Lying = fellowman. Willful intent to deceive is not being honest, and shame on anyone who says otherwise

.

The government =/= your fellow man. All governments are inherently evil. The bigger and more powerful, the more evil. If you are faced with a corrupt government program, you are not morally/religiously obliged to follow such program.
Putting false information on a government form so that your kid can go to the good school that is closer to your home may well be justified. We are not obliged to be burdened or oppressed by bureaucrats.

[wuapinmon]

.

The government =/= your fellow man. All governments are inherently evil. The bigger and more powerful, the more evil. If you are faced with a corrupt government program, you are not morally/religiously obliged to follow such program.
Putting false information on a government form so that your kid can go to the good school that is closer to your home may well be justified. We are not obliged to be burdened or oppressed by bureaucrats.

[PaloAltoCougar]

.

The government =/= your fellow man. All governments are inherently evil. The bigger and more powerful, the more evil. If you are faced with a corrupt government program, you are not morally/religiously obliged to follow such program.
Putting false information on a government form so that your kid can go to the good school that is closer to your home may well be justified. We are not obliged to be burdened or oppressed by bureaucrats.

I believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

[UtahDan]

They do this by using a relative's address as their home address within the new school boundaries.

How do you know this?

[Coach McGuirk]

Great stuff.