Likely future LDS Church Presidents and possible influences on church policies.

[Indy Coug]

I don't think they are "groomed" but I have to believe that someone realized just how young, Bednar, for instance, was when he was called. They realized it was VERY likely he would be the prophet.

Perhaps it's the way that the old guard ensures that their hardline views are passed on to future generations.

They pick a very young guy that shares their views and hope he outlives those before him and has a long run at the top, thus ensuring the conservation of church dogma and policy.

Yep. Makes sense.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Where is that Bednar talk about rejecting a potential spouse due to multiple ear piercings?

[beelzebabette]

Where is that Bednar talk about rejecting a potential spouse due to multiple ear piercings?

No idea, but I disagree with this:

My dear young brothers and sisters, the honor and dress codes are not obstacles designed by out-of-touch old people to hassle you during your time on the Ricks College campus. Rather, the honor code is a lesser law preparation to enter the house of the Lord and make sacred covenants, and the dress code is a lesser law preparation for how you will dress and should act after you have entered into those covenants. If you struggle at Ricks College to obey the lesser and preparatory guidelines contained in the honor and dress codes, then may I candidly suggest that you will not be prepared to make those covenants in the temple.

If you have already entered into these sacred covenants in the temple, the honor and dress codes serve as a partial measurement of how well you are honoring and keeping those covenants. I emphasize that students who have previously entered into these covenants (returned missionaries and married students) have a particular and weighty responsibility to set a worthy example for those who are preparing and learning. As we learn in the 82nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants, "For of him unto whom much is given much is required" (verse 3).

http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/1998_09_01_Bednar.htm

EDIT: I don't agree with PU's comment that he was brought to hold the hard-line position. People mellow with age so I don't really think I know how he'll act in a few dozen years.

[Tim]

Yep. Makes sense.

Yep. Makes sense.

[Tim]

No idea, but I disagree with this:

http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/1998_09_01_Bednar.htm

EDIT: I don't agree with PU's comment that he was brought to hold the hard-line position. People mellow with age so I don't really think I know how he'll act in a few dozen years.

Look, either he's called of God or he isn't. If he's called of God, then what he says is God's word. Therefore, shorts are evil in the sight of Go...

Oh, oops... Wrong message board.

[DapperDan]

Where is that Bednar talk about rejecting a potential spouse due to multiple ear piercings?

What a touching story

Sister Bednar and I are acquainted with a returned missionary who had dated a special young woman for a period of time. This young man cared for the young woman very much, and he was desirous of making his relationship with her more serious. He was considering and hoping for engagement and marriage. Now this relationship was developing during the time that President Hinckley counseled the Relief Society sisters and young women of the Church to wear only one earring in each ear.

The young man waited patiently over a period of time for the young woman to remove her extra earrings, but she did not take them out. This was a valuable piece of information for this young man, and he felt unsettled about her nonresponsiveness to a prophet’s pleading. For this and other reasons, he ultimately stopped dating the young woman, because he was looking for an eternal companion who had the courage to promptly and quietly obey the counsel of the prophet in all things and at all times. The young man was quick to observe that the young woman was not quick to observe.
http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=8883

[Indy Coug]

Sister Bednar and I are acquainted with a returned missionary who had dated a special young woman for a period of time. This young man cared for the young woman very much, and he was desirous of making his relationship with her more serious. He was considering and hoping for engagement and marriage. Now this relationship was developing during the time that President Hinckley counseled the Relief Society sisters and young women of the Church to wear only one earring in each ear.

The young man waited patiently over a period of time for the young woman to remove her extra earrings, but she did not take them out. This was a valuable piece of information for this young man, and he felt unsettled about her nonresponsiveness to a prophet’s pleading. For this and other reasons, he ultimately stopped dating the young woman, because he was looking for an eternal companion who had the courage to promptly and quietly obey the counsel of the prophet in all things and at all times. The young man was quick to observe that the young woman was not quick to observe.

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=8883

It probably would have been useful for purposes of this talk to explain what the other reasons were. I get the feeling earrings were the tip of the iceberg, not the 90% that lay beneath the water.

[jay santos]

I was offended by this talk.

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-646-32,00.html

[DapperDan]

It probably would have been useful for purposes of this talk to explain what the other reasons were. I get the feeling earrings were the tip of the iceberg, not the 90% that lay beneath the water.

Since Elder Bednar felt inspired to share the story about the young lady and her extra earrings with all of us, I get the feeling that the other reasons were merely 10% of the problem.

[Indy Coug]

Kind of like the first red flag that was raised -- to be followed by additional red flags thereafter.

[TripletDaddy]

It probably would have been useful for purposes of this talk to explain what the other reasons were. I get the feeling earrings were the tip of the iceberg, not the 90% that lay beneath the water.

I think you are probably correct but what a goofy example to use in a public talk.

His point was self-evident and easily understood. there was no need to toss in a token story, esp one that seems so over the top.

Ironically, Church leaders often muddy the waters in their good-natured attempts to clarify them.

[Surfah]

Bednar's problem was he came charging out of the gate with Tender Mercies. Is he a one-hit wonder? Did he peak too early?

[TripletDaddy]

Bednar's problem was he came charging out of the gate with Tender Mercies. Is he a one-hit wonder? Did he peak too early?

Speaking of one hit wonders, worst analogy at the past General Conference.....Dieter U's "multicolored pen" analogy. That one was pretty bad.

I forgive him because of his hotness. And the whole wrath of God part, too.

[Surfah]

Speaking of one hit wonders, worst analogy at the past General Conference.....Dieter U's "multicolored pen" analogy. That one was pretty bad.

I forgive him because of his hotness. And the whole wrath of God part, too.

The multicolored pen was bad. Kind of like Bednar's pickle analogy.

[Jeff Lebowski]

No idea, but I disagree with this:

http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/1998_09_01_Bednar.htm

Heaven help us.

EDIT: in reference to Bednar quote, not BBB.