The manipulation pattern

[Danimal]

My first experience that I can remember with the manipulation pattern on my mission was in my first district, when my district leader wanted us all to memorize the discussions (in french). During a district meeting, he gave a guilt-inducing speech on memorizing them and then asked each of us individually to commit to memorizing them by a certain date. When he got to me, I said "no".

Other than that, I can't really remember any times where I really felt like I was being publicly manipulated to do something in the church. On Sunday, in EQ, our new gung ho counselor gave an enthusiastic lecture on setting goals for missionary work, committing with God to do certain things to get that goal, and promising that the goal will be accomplished. It was bad enough that the lesson was just pure bunk, but at the end, he asked each of us to raise our hands and commit to praying daily for missionary opportunities. I didn't raise my hand.

What are your stories with the manipulation pattern? Bonus points if you were the manipulator!

[SteelBlue]

Prop 8.

[Mormon Red Death]

There was a several month period of my mission where we instructed to use the following after the first discussion.

Missionary: "If god were asking you to be baptized what would you say?"
Pesqisador: "I would say yes"
Missionary: "then all you have to do is find out from God if we are his representatives. Will you pray to God and ask if we are his chosen representatives? and when he answers you will you be baptized (the second sunday from today)?"

Pesquisador: "I guess"

[BlueHair]

I manipulated tons of Filipinos into getting baptized.

Once, I was asked to play the part of the investigator at a zone training while the AP's demonstrated the manipulation pattern. I kicked their butts. One of the big churches in our area was the Iglesia ni Cristo. They believe that Jesus isn't God. So I played like I was a member of that church and stayed one step ahead of the AP's in their quest. It was pretty damn funny. They weren't happy.

[creekster]

Doesn't your post fit the pattern you describe?

[Danimal]

Doesn't your post fit the pattern you describe?

Not really.

[grapevine]

We beleive leaders are called of God and Gods servants. So what comes out of the prophets mouth comes out of the Lords. But interesting on manipulation at Adult Session of Stake Conference Young Womens president begged us to raise our hand and commit to several things. Almost forced. SP in later talk said you still have your agency.

Another note I remember a ap who played football at Michigan than transferred to BYu after baptisms went down came to Zone Development meeting said we let our MP down and said we will write in weeklys after we get done with something. Will do certian things. What is dynamic what isn't. Don't have trust now. Will not murmur either. Major unrighteous dominian I thought. Made it point not to do what he said we will do after that. Letting us know he was in charge.

He was my zone leader earlier and president had issues with pager ringing off hook for stupid things. Told me about it not to do it and at meeting role play said some missionaries were doing it. Like I was one of them. Never crossed my mind to do what he told me not too. Those are some signs of manipulation.

[Mormon Red Death]

Another note I remember a ap who played football at Michigan than transferred to BYu after baptisms went down came to Zone Development meeting said we let our MP down and said we will write in weeklys after we get done with something. Will do certian things. What is dynamic what isn't. Don't have trust now. Will not murmur either. Major unrighteous dominian I thought. Made it point not to do what he said we will do after that. Letting us know he was in charge.

Jeff Holt was in your mission?

[creekster]

Not really.

But sorta. Assume the result and impose it publicly with implied ridicule for those who disagree. Maybe you should define the pattern a little more clearly.

[Danimal]

But sorta. Assume the result and impose it publicly with implied ridicule for those who disagree. Maybe you should define the pattern a little more clearly.

My thread is not a high pressure situation. If you feel like your responses will be ridiculed, you are free to not participate without negative judgment or social embarrassment.

[Babs]

My first experience that I can remember with the manipulation pattern on my mission was in my first district, when my district leader wanted us all to memorize the discussions (in french). During a district meeting, he gave a guilt-inducing speech on memorizing them and then asked each of us individually to commit to memorizing them by a certain date. When he got to me, I said "no".

we get this kind of stuff all the time...even down to signing commitments publicly, or having to deliver them to the front of the church. There have been several times where I was the only one still sitting. Even when I agree with whatever the point is, there is simply no scriptural indication that this kind of manipulation was ever an intended ecclesiastical device, and I therefore refuse to participate in its employment.

[grapevine]

Jeff Holt was in your mission?

Yep he was. I actually got along with him most of the time. Times he would let us know he was in charge though. Let people he tracted know not many people give up scholarships to come on missions. Some people were not impressed with him. Some ways that he lead I did not think were greatest.

Did do a decent job of order though in some places that probably needed it.

[creekster]

My thread is not a high pressure situation. If you feel like your responses will be ridiculed, you are free to not participate without negative judgment or social embarrassment.

True, but by assuming your conclusion you also pressure people who disagree with your premise from participating, which discourages diversity of opinion. So, to me, it seems it is sorta the same.

[Danimal]

True, but by assuming your conclusion you also pressure people who disagree with your premise from participating, which discourages diversity of opinion. So, to me, it seems it is sorta the same.

No more than any other thread on CUF. Your comparison seems marginal.

[Danimal]

we get this kind of stuff all the time...even down to signing commitments publicly, or having to deliver them to the front of the church. There have been several times where I was the only one still sitting. Even when I agree with whatever the point is, there is simply no scriptural indication that this kind of manipulation was ever an intended ecclesiastical device, and I therefore refuse to participate in its employment.

You'd feel right at home in my EQ!