I learned in church today

[Bo Diddley]

We've been back to normal for the last month or two in our YSA ward in Orem. We're stacked pretty tight in EQ. I looked around the room and figured about 2/3 - 3/4 wear masks.

[Eddie]

We will be returning to some semblance of normal (but not really) in a couple of weeks. Still working out some of the details - the stake still wants masks and social distancing and told the wards to work out the details. We're in an old building with pretty small classrooms. So I think what he figures is we'll do the 3 feet apart that the CDC recommended for elementary school kids. Because there aren't enough large rooms, I think he's going to do Sunday school week in person - with primary but no nursery. And then on PH/RS week we'll have the YM and YW meet in person, but RS and EQ will still be over zoom.

It's been interesting watching our bishop through this. He is definitely an anti-masker, as is his wife. But he also wants to do what the stake president asks, doesn't want to offend anyone who has concerns for their own health due to the advanced age of many in our ward, and definitely doesn't want to show up on the news as an epicenter of transmission. We'll probably be the first in our building to go back, but that isn't saying much. I learned that in a Bishop's meeting one of the other bishops complained that we've had more freedom than them, because we never stopped singing the hymns, just used masks while doing it. Meanwhile, they've been listening to Copelius and friends for their music every week.

[BigFatMeanie]

We're get to have the full ward in attendance for Sacrament Meeting starting May 9 (originally we were in 3 groups then merged down to 2), masks still required but not the enforced social distancing where we skipped every row. No second hour, no primary, but YM/YW can renew their weekly activities.

Honestly, the only thing I really want is to get back to having 1 set of missionaries conering two stakes instead of a pair dedicated to our stake. 7 wards in the stake and 1 pair of elders basically means they expect me to keep them busy one night a week. They're driving me nuts, bless their hearts.

[grapevine]

Someone that just moved in, may be testimony regular. Needed farm ground to hunt for waterfowl. The Lord answers all are prayers. He visited fossil beds. Asked why some animals were extinct. Didn’t have time to tell us in testimony meeting but got the answer. Will tell us if we ask. Hopefully when we are throttling our opponents on hs football field and I am announcing they won’t come and ask people to get there cars out of the way.

previous occupants did that. Not professional if pa announcer told them were to go. Hopefully that won’t be a problem. Parking in front of there home during football games.

[myboynoah]

Why do people who attended church in Hawaii insist on opening their remarks/testimony at church someplace else with, "Brothers and Sisters, Aloha!"? And then even worse, get upset when they get a tepid, "aloha" in response?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Why do people who attended church in Hawaii insist on opening their remarks/testimony at church someplace else with, "Brothers and Sisters, Aloha!"? And then even worse, get upset when they get a tepid, "aloha" in response?

I think it is fun.

[myboynoah]

I think it is fun.

Yeah, I know I'm being cranky. It wasn't helped when she responded under her breath to the tepid response with, "WE do it much better in Hawaii." Come to find out, she's actually from Colorado and had just returned from a two-week Hawaiian vacay.

[Northwestcoug]

Reminds me of the snide remarks column about other cultures doing similar things:

The next week, I mentioned how if you’re from Hawaii, you’re supposed to begin your sacrament meeting talks by saying, “Back in Hawaii, we always say, ‘Alooooooo-ha,'” and then you make the congregation scream “Aloha.” This led me to mention things that people traditionally say at the start of their talks in other places, such as South-Central Los Angeles (“Yo, yo, homeys, whassup?”). This time, the girl from Zimbabwe wrote a letter to the editor in which she went on and on about something else and then said:

“I also found part of his article about sacrament talks very tasteless. Making people from Hawaii, South Central LA and Payson look stupid isn’t funny. [Counterpoint: Yes it is.] Students at BYU come from different backgrounds and cultures. We should be embracing our differences, not allowing them to be mocked by ignorant people like Eric Snider.”

If I can make Hawaiians look stupid merely by suggesting that saying “Aloha” in church is silly, then I am apparently more powerful than I thought. Bow down to my awesome might!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Reminds me of the snide remarks column about other cultures doing similar things:

I like Eric Snider, but the woman is right. He was being tasteless.

[Northwestcoug]

I like Eric Snider, but the woman is right. He was being tasteless.

Well it wasn't called 'Snide Remarks' for nothing....

I do side with MBN though. It's not offensive or anything to get mad about. But it's time has passed. I mean it's done just because of precedent, and will likely last in perpetuity!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Well it wasn't called 'Snide Remarks' for nothing....

I do side with MBN though. It's not offensive or anything to get mad about. But it's time has passed. I mean it's done just because of precedent, and will likely last in perpetuity!

It is a beloved cultural tradition in Hawaii. Why should it go away?

[Moliere]

I don’t mind it when the person is Hawaiian (or whatever similar greeting they use from that persons home island) but it does grate a bit when it’s a rando that vacayed there or lived there for a short stint. Or certainly a RM who is still using it years after they got home.

[Northwestcoug]

It is a beloved cultural tradition in Hawaii. Why should it go away?

Let the Hawaiians do what they want. But on the mainland, especially by the wannabes MBN and moli talk about? that's the annoying part.

[myboynoah]

It is a beloved cultural tradition in Hawaii. Why should it go away?

I am not opposed to the Saints in Hawaii doing it; I find it quaint and delightful. Or the Saints anywhere else doing local traditions. And if they bring that to their BYU ward, I can see that.

I was just "ugh" when the blonde vacationer showed dissapointment that her Colorado congregation didn't jump in on it. I do give her credit for not forcing a repeat to get a more robust "Aloha" response. Later in the meeting the 10-year-old daughter shared her testimony of the Spirit of Jesus being abundant in Hawaii.

That family had an awesome vacation! I'm jealous.

[Pelado]

Yeah, I know I'm being cranky. It wasn't helped when she responded under her breath to the tepid response with, "WE do it much better in Hawaii." Come to find out, she's actually from Colorado and had just returned from a two-week Hawaiian vacay.

Reminds me of a missionary talk in our ward a while back. He started his talk with a hearty "Aloha" and got a decent "Aloha" back in return. Then he told us he isn't from Hawaii - he just likes saying "Aloha".