You knew what I was when you picked me up. Hissss!

[RobinFinderson]

Most of us have heard the story of the indian boy on his vision quest. It is a Mormon favorite, and it was during a stake conference that I heard it the first time, and the story sent chills down my spine.

An indian boy, to become a man in the eyes of his tribe, goes on a vision quest. He climbs a high mountain, and at the top he meets a rattlesnake. The snake speaks to him, "Bring me down from the mountain and I will be your friend for life!" The boy responds, "No! You are a snake, and once the sun warms your coils you will bite me and I will die." The snake, almost frozen, says, "Because of your kindness, I will love you, and you will be different." After some back and forth the boy decides to help the snake.

Once down from the mountain, the snake, nestled warm against the boys body, springs to life and immediately bites the boy.

"Why? Why did you bite me when you gave me your word that you wouldn't?"

"You knew what I was when you picked me up. Hisss!" And off he slithered, leaving the boy to die alone.

The story was chilling.

Over pot roast, later in the day, the family discussed it. My dad told me he thought the story was bunk, basically an excuse not forgive when people repent. He thought that it was essentially un-Christian.

So what say you?

[woot]

The same story could be told only with a mexican being lazy, a black guy stealing your money, etc. It's just an invitation to assume characteristics based on group identity, or as you said, to not forgive others if the mistrust is based on personal dealings rather than group stereotypes. I always hated that story.

[TripletDaddy]

I prefer a more uplifting story about a different indian boy, one that I have shared before.

Two white children come across a lonely indian boy who is very hungry. The white children want to help this indian boy, so they fill a flashlight with baked beans and give it to him. the boy eats the beans and the 3 children become friends.

later, the white children get stuck in an old jail cell, along with the rest of their family. They escape by tying their belt together to form a makeshift rope. Eventually, they make it back home, but their dad reveals himself to be a closeted homosexual and then shortly thereafter he dies of an AIDS-related illness.

[YOhio]

I prefer a more uplifting story about a different indian boy, one that I have shared before.

Two white children come across a lonely indian boy who is very hungry. The white children want to help this indian boy, so they fill a flashlight with baked beans and give it to him. the boy eats the beans and the 3 children become friends.

later, the white children get stuck in an old jail cell, along with the rest of their family. They escape by tying their belt together to form a makeshift rope. Eventually, they make it back home, but their dad reveals himself to be a closeted homosexual and then shortly thereafter he dies of an AIDS-related illness.

That story has gotten me through some awful rough spots in my life. Thanks again for sharing.

[Guest]

I prefer a more uplifting story about a different indian boy, one that I have shared before.

Two white children come across a lonely indian boy who is very hungry. The white children want to help this indian boy, so they fill a flashlight with baked beans and give it to him. the boy eats the beans and the 3 children become friends.

later, the white children get stuck in an old jail cell, along with the rest of their family. They escape by tying their belt together to form a makeshift rope. Eventually, they make it back home, but their dad reveals himself to be a closeted homosexual and then shortly thereafter he dies of an AIDS-related illness.

it took me a moment. nice one.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Thanks to this board, my gospel doctrine lessons seem to write themselves.

[RobinFinderson]

The same story could be told only with a mexican being lazy, a black guy stealing your money, etc. It's just an invitation to assume characteristics based on group identity, or as you said, to not forgive others if the mistrust is based on personal dealings rather than group stereotypes. I always hated that story.

Well that is what it looks like from where I stand too. But I think the original application might have been porn, or alcohol or some other priesthood meeting subject. But it might also have been a warning about the company we choose to keep. I don't recall the actual application, just the story.

[RobinFinderson]

it took me a moment. nice one.

Ok. I give. What is it?

[Jeff Lebowski]

it took me a moment. nice one.

Yet another Donny moment for me.

[Guest]

I hope I'm not stepping on TD's toes here, but...

[YOUTUBE]flAYSNIRILI[/YOUTUBE]

[Solon]

Most of us have heard the story of the indian boy on his vision quest. It is a Mormon favorite, and it was during a stake conference that I heard it the first time, and the story sent chills down my spine.

An indian boy, to become a man in the eyes of his tribe, goes on a vision quest. He climbs a high mountain, and at the top he meets a rattlesnake. The snake speaks to him, "Bring me down from the mountain and I will be your friend for life!" The boy responds, "No! You are a snake, and once the sun warms your coils you will bite me and I will die." The snake, almost frozen, says, "Because of your kindness, I will love you, and you will be different." After some back and forth the boy decides to help the snake.

Once down from the mountain, the snake, nestled warm against the boys body, springs to life and immediately bites the boy.

"Why? Why did you bite me when you gave me your word that you wouldn't?"

"You knew what I was when you picked me up. Hisss!" And off he slithered, leaving the boy to die alone.

The story was chilling.

Over pot roast, later in the day, the family discussed it. My dad told me he thought the story was bunk, basically an excuse not forgive when people repent. He thought that it was essentially un-Christian.

So what say you?

I always hated this story from a gospel perspective, but I've found it often applies in other situations.

-- the Wal-Mart auto shop
-- that girl who just got out of a relationship
-- Anything in Altoona, PA
-- D.M. Quinn's Early Mormonism and the Magic World View
-- Windows Vista
-- Cougar Ute Forum

I'm sure a sportier wit could come up with much funnier ones than these.

[cougjunkie]

Ok. I give. What is it?

It was the idol.

[Solon]

Well that is what it looks like from where I stand too. But I think the original application might have been porn, or alcohol or some other priesthood meeting subject. But it might also have been a warning about the company we choose to keep. I don't recall the actual application, just the story.

The first time I heard it was by Robert Harbertson in 1990 at Priesthood mtg.:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.js...____&hideNav=1

Apparently, it was a re-do from a year earlier:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.js...____&hideNav=1

Gordon Hinckley re-told the story in 2000 (the famous "rave" talk in the General Women's Meeting).
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.js...____&hideNav=1

I've heard it re-told in meetings numerous times. I don't really have a problem with the way these GA's told or used the story, with their comments referring to youngsters.

[wuapinmon]

Well that is what it looks like from where I stand too. But I think the original application might have been porn, or alcohol or some other priesthood meeting subject. But it might also have been a warning about the company we choose to keep. I don't recall the actual application, just the story.

Something I've always wondered at, especially since I have three small kids......you know how your parents didn't ever want you to hang around with "bad kids" because they didn't want them to "rub off" on you.....what if you're the parent of a "bad kid" and you want your kid to hang around with a "good" one? And do I trust my kids enough to try and set good examples for their friends, or do I run the risk of letting them get corrupted by a negative influence/peer pressure?

[myboynoah]

I took the story as a warning against picking up rattlesnakes, advice that I have followed to good effect.