Conference open thread

[LA Ute]

You mean the University of Deseret?

Yes. It was founded February 28, 1851 and is a remarkable and inspiring manifestation of the Mormon pioneers' commitment to education and self-improvement. I forget how soon, but it was renamed the University of Utah a few years later. In about 1875 a branch institution called the Brigham Young Academy was founded in a town out in the boondocks that was named after some early fur trader. This extension campus of the University of Utah later was cut loose and became the church-owned school now operated in that same town.

:nana:

[cowboy]

Yes, I understood your original statement. Even after you restate it here, you are still telling your kids when to have kids. You are doing the same thing as everyone else.

Go Cougs! Beat the Huskies!

Isn't the wise counsel here pretty simple? I mean it's the degree that we all care about as parents, right? I know a lot of people who had kids in college, and still both parents managed to finish school.

In that light, it seems that the best advice is fairly straightforward: Kids make school harder, but when you have them is up to you. Above all else, finish school.

[LA Ute]

Isn't the wise counsel here pretty simple? I mean it's the degree that we all care about as parents, right? I know a lot of people who had kids in college, and still both parents managed to finish school.

In that light, it seems that the best advice is fairly straightforward: Kids make school harder, but when you have them is up to you. Above all else, finish school.

[All-American]

Yes. It was founded February 28, 1851 and is a remarkable and inspiring manifestation of the Mormon pioneers' commitment to education and self-improvement. I forget how soon, but it was renamed the University of Utah a few years later. In about 1875 a branch institution called the Brigham Young Academy was founded in a town out in the boondocks that was named after some early fur trader. This extension campus of the University of Utah later was cut loose and became the church-owned school now operated in that same town.

:nana:

So let's sum up. An organization existed in one place, and a sub-unit of that organization was established in a far-off land, and after some years, ties were severed between the two organizations.

So you're basically saying you're England and we are the USA?

[All-American]

Kind of a tough problem, if you ask me. I hate stupid people plenty, to be sure, but I am the child of a 5th and 7th child, neither of whom would be born had the parents waited to take care of their education first. And both families did just fine financially, I'd say.

[LA Ute]

So let's sum up. An organization existed in one place, and a sub-unit of that organization was established in a far-off land, and after some years, ties were severed between the two organizations.

So you're basically saying you're England and we are the USA?

Pretty good. Not the kind of brutal brilliance I'd expect from YOhio, but you are showing lots of potential.

I think the analogy to the USA and the Philippines is more apt, however.

[wuapinmon]

Isn't the wise counsel here pretty simple? I mean it's the degree that we all care about as parents, right? I know a lot of people who had kids in college, and still both parents managed to finish school.

In that light, it seems that the best advice is fairly straightforward: Kids make school harder, but when you have them is up to you. Above all else, finish school.

Wait, that's what I'm saying too.

Why is everyone thinking I'm saying "DON'T HAVE THEM," when I said "a reasonable chance at finishing an education." "Some people can do it."

My own mother quit school the semester after I was born. She then put both of us through school (well, she and dad), and didn't graduate until after I got my BA, so I have a little bit of guilt about my mom's sacrifice for little Baby Mac.

[Surfah]

Wait, that's what I'm saying too.

Why is everyone thinking I'm saying "DON'T HAVE THEM," when I said "a reasonable chance at finishing an education." "Some people can do it."

My own mother quit school the semester after I was born. She then put both of us through school (well, she and dad), and didn't graduate until after I got my BA, so I have a little bit of guilt about my mom's sacrifice for little Baby Mac.

Probably because that's what you said.

My daughters will hear a constant stream of "finish your education before having babies" from me and my wife.

[myboynoah]

Isn't the wise counsel here pretty simple? I mean it's the degree that we all care about as parents, right? I know a lot of people who had kids in college, and still both parents managed to finish school.

In that light, it seems that the best advice is fairly straightforward: Kids make school harder, but when you have them is up to you. Above all else, finish school.

Ultimately this is the best advice, because as '71 points out, they're gonna do what they're gonna do.

My advice to my daughters:

1. finish your degree (we've been saying this since they were young, so I figure they're pretty well brainwashed on this one)
2. pursue a career that will satisfy you
3. try and choose a husband that will have good career prospects
4. make your family and children your number one priority

I've never thought to council them on children. I figure they'll be like their mother who made finishing her degree a priority and stated that we would wait. That seems to make the most sense, so I figure they'll choose the same route. I guess we may offer some parental advice when the time comes.

But ultimately, they're gonna do what they're gonna do.

[beefytee]

Yes, I do realize that some people really do end up being the .1 in the 99.9% effectiveness of chemical pregnancy interference.

Please note that I'm not including your wife in the observation I'm about to make. I don't know your personal circumstances and I certainly don't wish to offend.

Of the girls I know who got married a year out of high school, the vast majority were pregnant less than a year after getting married. Nearly all of them claimed to have been using oral contraceptives when they conceived and that something "just happened." Upon further conversation, though, it turns out that all but one of them used the pill incorrectly. Some missed multiple days of taking it. One thought that once it was in your system, you were sort of "good" for awhile and stopped taking it. (For the record, they all offered up this detailed history of their reproductive practices freely. I didn't grill them for it.)

While the .1 ineffectiveness of birth control exists, it's not THAT easy to get pregnant on the pill.

Yes it worked great for the first 2.5 years of marriage until we planned on having our first year. My wife was always really consistent taking it.

Yes most of the pregnancy result from misuse of the pill.

I have heard that you have to take it for 3 months before it was effective. My wife hadn't been on it that long before she got pregnant, the doctor had told her we were good. I believe my wife was still breast feeding, which is somewhat effective at preventing pregnancy as well.

A doctor also told my MIL that she was through with her child bearing years before she had her last child 12 years after the one before.

Bottom line. Sure you can be absolutely safe and never have sex, but if you are having sex, there is a chance you get pregnant.

[Mrs. Funk]

. Bottom line. Sure you can be absolutely safe and never have sex, but if you are having sex, there is a chance you get pregnant.

Absolutely, 100% agreed.

[Portland Ute]

Pretty good. Not the kind of brutal brilliance I'd expect from YOhio, but you are showing lots of potential.

I think the analogy to the USA and the Philippines is more apt, however.

I was thinking of Spain and Mexico, actually.

[Tick's wife]

FTR, I never said wait to get married. Get married early and shag each other rotten. Just don't have kids until each of you has at least a bachelors or know yourself well enough to know you can handle having kids in school. Some people can do it. I had kids during the PhD; that's doable because my wife already had her masters. If she had had to study, wow!

But, I don't care if my kids get married "young." I just don't want grandkids until my kids have a reasonable chance of successfully completing an education that won't leave them destitute if their marriage ends (the cause being unimportant to earning potential).

Are you going to love them any less if they do have kids at a young age? Whether you approve or not, they will do what they want to do, in their marriage.

Of course we (Tick and I) want our daughters to get an education before a family and actually do something with their education and have a good life but putting off children can also backfire on you.....I've seen it happen in others and have experienced it....when I felt I was 'ready' and 'we could afford' it, the pot was not fertile, and when we should of, I was too worried about what my parents would say and regret not having at least another one......each family is different, I'm glad I had my girls young, I still had energy and it was not so bad growing up with them. I will also be able to enjoy my grandkids and retirement, unlike those that have kids later in life....being one of the youngest parents at my daughter's HS graduation is better than being one of the oldest or mistaken for a grandparent. IMO

[Surfah]

Yesterday I was called upon to give a blessing. The sister who requested the blessing had some tests done last week on her back that was bothering her when they discovered a mass in her chest. She's a breast cancer survivor of 10 years and she is going to see a cardiopulmonologist this week for further testing. She's very anxious. She and her daughter are the only active members of her family though her husband is an elder. She is black and her husband is white. He's been in and out of jobs forever and claims migraines are too debilitating for him to work. So she really is the breadwinner in the family. Knowing this makes their situation and possible circumstance that much dire as I don't know what would become of this family should the tests reveal cancer.

Anyway, as I was giving this background for why we're to give the blessing to our EQP who accompanied me, he remarked, "Cool. So all we have to do is cure cancer."

We both laughed and then we began talking about Elder Oaks talk from priesthood. I have to say that talk really helped set my mind at ease with what we were about to do. His words regarding faith, the power of the priesthood and God's will gave me strength. I annointed and the EQP sealed. But prior to doing so the EQP invited the husband into the room who held his wife's hand throughout and he bore testimony of the priesthood and his faith in it. The blessing promised no healing. Just comfort and peace and the reassurance of God's love for her. It was a great experience. Both were extremely grateful. I hope that all turns out well for this sister.

[Fiyero]

I passed the sacrament to an apostle yesterday. I should have dropped a note in his lap inviting him to join CUF and leave an intro in Ellis Island, but it occurred that the stake president seated next to him probably would have confiscated it....and the act of him grabbing the note would have appeared very awkward.

So I didn't.