Lex Mormonum: The Oaks Years

[PaloAltoCougar]

Apologies, but the mention of Mutual awakened grandpa and reminded me of the Gold and Green Balls that used to be the year’s crowning social event for Mutual. Gold and green were the official colors of MIA, just as the Primary official colors were [one, two, three] red, yellow, and blue. G&G Balls were still a thing in the early 70s (I trust they’ve since been eliminated) and included those between the ages of 18 and 21 or so, who were called M-Men and Golden Gleaners.

For the event during our freshman year at BYU we decided to go all in on what we thought was a pretty stupid theme. We reserved the private dining room at the Morris Center, plastered the walls with photos of appropriate honorees (e.g., Golda Meir, Giuseppe Verdi, Barry Goldwater, Mean Joe Greene, etc.), had a menu tailored to the event (the only items I can remember were Honeymoon Salad--lettuce alone--and a disgusting gold and green Jell-O salad). I delivered a stirring keynote address honoring the two most underrated colors of the spectrum. I double dated with the future Church Historian who continues to wonder how he can work all that into the official History of the Church, including the conclusion of our evening that featured a malfunctioning traffic signal by Carson’s Market—weirdly stuck on both yellow and green. A perfect end to a weird evening. Okay, back to my nap.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Has anyone stopped to consider that this is some nefarious scheme by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to hurt John Dehlin and Mormon Stories?

I think we need an 8 hour podcast from John exploring this because it is probably true!!!!

[BigFatMeanie]

Apologies, but the mention of Mutual awakened grandpa and reminded me of the Gold and Green Balls that used to be the year’s crowning social event for Mutual. Gold and green were the official colors of MIA, just as the Primary official colors were [one, two, three] red, yellow, and blue. G&G Balls were still a thing in the early 70s (I trust they’ve since been eliminated) and included those between the ages of 18 and 21 or so, who were called M-Men and Golden Gleaners.

For the event during our freshman year at BYU we decided to go all in on what we thought was a pretty stupid theme. We reserved the private dining room at the Morris Center, plastered the walls with photos of appropriate honorees (e.g., Golda Meir, Giuseppe Verdi, Barry Goldwater, Mean Joe Greene, etc.), had a menu tailored to the event (the only items I can remember were Honeymoon Salad--lettuce alone--and a disgusting gold and green Jell-O salad). I delivered a stirring keynote address honoring the two most underrated colors of the spectrum. I double dated with the future Church Historian who continues to wonder how he can work all that into the official History of the Church, including the conclusion of our evening that featured a malfunctioning traffic signal by Carson’s Market—weirdly stuck on both yellow and green. A perfect end to a weird evening. Okay, back to my nap.

I'm not as old as you but I do vaguely remember the term "Golden Gleaners".

[BigFatMeanie]

The "Young Ladies' Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association" was formed in 1869 by Brigham Young. The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was founded in 1875 by Brigham Young and then the girls renamed to "Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association" a couple of years after that.

The "Young Ladies' Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association" makes the nicknames "Builders", "Messengers", and "Gatherers" seem positively delightful by comparison.

[Moliere]

Has anyone stopped to consider that this is some nefarious scheme by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to hurt John Dehlin and Mormon Stories?

I think we need an 8 hour podcast from John exploring this because it is probably true!!!!

That would likely only be two questions long at 8 hours.

After a couple days of thought, I still think the names are lame but shortening it to Builders, Sharers, Gatherers is fine…whatever…my daughter (Builder of Light) doesn’t seem to care a ton and has had fun light heartedly making fun of the names. But I’m pretty apathetic to crap like this in my advanced age.

[PaloAltoCougar]

The "Young Ladies' Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association" was formed in 1869 by Brigham Young. The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was founded in 1875 by Brigham Young and then the girls renamed to "Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association" a couple of years after that.

The "Young Ladies' Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association" makes the nicknames "Builders", "Messengers", and "Gatherers" seem positively delightful by comparison.

Brigham Young was initially very concerned about the transcontinental railroad and how the inevitable influx of "the world" into the sheltered existence of the Saints would affect, for better and for worse, the lives of the youth. I don't think it's a coincidence that the YWMIA was founded at the same time as the completion of the railroad. I think there are parallels between the transcontinental railroad and the internet, and the Church's efforts to offset the negative elements of social media.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Brigham Young was initially very concerned about the transcontinental railroad and how the inevitable influx of "the world" into the sheltered existence of the Saints would affect, for better and for worse, the lives of the youth. I don't think it's a coincidence that the YWMIA was founded at the same time as the completion of the railroad. I think there are parallels between the transcontinental railroad and the internet, and the Church's efforts to offset the negative elements of social media.

Eff the railroad, eff the railroad!

[Donuthole]

I don't think we need to embrace the titles for the sake of the YW or anything else. I simply think that "Builders", "Messengers", and "Gatherers" are better names than "Beehives", "MIA Maids", and "Laurels". Also better than "12 and 13 year old young women's class", etc.

Rest assured, I am not opposed to giving these classes names. I am opposed to giving them dumb, unwieldy names. Unlike the Aaronic priesthood, the names of these classes are not doctrinal. So while we can be creative, we don't have to go full Utah in an attempt to manufacture import or meaning. These new class names are the equivalent of naming your three daughters McKeighla, Brecksalynn, and Avanleigh.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Rest assured, I am not opposed to giving these classes names. I am opposed to giving them dumb, unwieldy names. Unlike the Aaronic priesthood, the names of these classes are not doctrinal. So while we can be creative, we don't have to go full Utah in an attempt to manufacture import or meaning. These new class names are the equivalent of naming your three daughters McKeighla, Brecksalynn, and Avanleigh.

Great analogy. I agree completely.

[MartyFunkhouser]

From my Elder’s Quorum Prez:

“Like it is for many, this was another change that was difficult to want to accept (I still miss the priesthood session of conference to which I was hoping to take my son), but having three girls who will each go through these age groups, I’ve had some really moving impressions that the group names will have a profound impact on them—helping them shape their identity as daughters of God and sense their progression as they prepare for sacred temple covenants. Convenient names, these are not, but I believe the Lord is behind them.”

I predict that these name changes will not have a "profound impact on them." It is most likely that they have little to no impact on them, for good or bad.

Also, "the Lord is behind them."

I realize that I'm just a Heathen here, but I'm sure if there is a Lord that he isn't wasting time coming up with names like these.