Today I got to teach my cute Young Women the lesson on
‘Women and the Priesthood’ {Manual 1 Lesson 16}.
They were so much fun to make that I was just itching for an excuse to use them again.
Which is why….when I saw that the title of my lesson included the word ‘Priesthood’…I knew I just had to bust them back out. Because seriously. Mustache = Boys which = Priesthood. Right?!? Right.
I used the chocolate mint Wilton wafers. Mmmmmm……
I don't think that this amazing idea will NOT ruin the young women I think that it will just inspire them to be a better example. Thank you Marci for this wonderful idea. I can't wait to use it in my lesson. Thanks.
Thanks so much for your sweet comments Devony. I so appreciate the positive support! xoxo
After reading some of these comments I was disturbed. As a YW growing up in a heavily Mormon community, it was easy to follow church standards. I was very surprised to hear a story when I was a teen about a YM in my ward who asked another "good Mormon girl" from our stake to a school dance. She showed up in a backless dress for their date, leaving him no place but her bare back (or her butt) to place his hand while they danced. After the dance the boy went to see the bishop because he felt so guilty for touching her back. The YM was the best boy and priesthood holder possible, and I know he always did his best to have clean thoughts and actions, but he got put into a situation that made his teenage body have thoughts he didn't want. He did everything he could to fix it ASAP, but this situation could have been avoided if this YW would have dressed modestly. She never realized the impact her choice had on him, but I was profoundly affected by the story because I had not realized how little choices like that could affect others. I agree wholeheartedly with BusyBee, and believe that this is a lesson that EVERY YW AND YM need to hear! I also concur with many other comments stating that no one is responsible for another person's actions, but we don't always know how our choices affect others. It is their choice what to do with it, but we need to be careful and do what we can to help others anyway. I hope my daughters (and sons if I ever get any) get a lesson like this so they can understand these concepts, as well as the self worth ones. Thanks for your amazing ideas Marci! Keep up the great work! Also remember that the Lord helps us to get the messages across that he wants us to. When we pray and do our best, everything works out.
I read these comments and contemplated them for about a week while deciding what kind of hand out to give my girls during this month of learning about the priesthood. I agree with busy bee.
I also agree with Elaine S. Dalton: “Being a guardian of virtue means you will always be modest not only in your dress but also in your speech, your actions, and your use of social media. Being a guardian of virtue means you will never text words or images to young men that may cause them to lose the Spirit, lose their priesthood power, or lose their virtue” (“Guardians of Virtue,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 123)
Ultimately, the Young Men and all priesthood holders make the decision for themselves. We are not responsible for those decisions that they make, but we do have a great influence in their lives.
Thank you for all that you do!
Thank you Summer. I agree whole heartedly! xoxo
Well said!
I think one small word has been overlooked here and it totally changes the context of the message. The word HELP does not imply that it is the responsibility of the young women to defend or honor the priesthood or virtue of the young men. This simply acknowledges that the choices that individuals make (in this case a YW because that's who she is targeting with her message)CAN impact another. Of course, agency belongs to each individual, but we all know that how an individual acts, dresses and talks can impact another. It does not place blame, it calls for support. I believe this message is simply saying… be aware and do your best in this matter. Secondly, we were not present during the lesson and cannot know the tone or comments expressed. There is no doubt in my mind that this young woman leader not only supports and encourages self worth, but is a source of great strength for her young women organization. Thanks for your continued hard work Marci. 🙂
Thank you Busy Bee. You took my thoughts and put them into words perfectly!!! xoxo
i never looked at this handout any other way then the simple message Marci had attached to it. I can understand the girls getting offended being the "butthurt generation" but i still dont understand why adults get offended or make a sweet msg so negative! Thank you Busy Bee for your comments! Marci, i used ur handout in my lesson and the girls loved it!! The only msg they saw in this handout was the simple msg Marci put into it!
^ I love this last comment. I hope that you don't feel attacked, Marci! I am sure that you are an amazing young women's teacher, you obviously put a lot of time and effort into your lessons. But, yes, I second the idea that the message is more important, no matter how adorable those mustaches may be. 😉
I just want to say to Marci, obviously this idea has made the rounds on some Mormon Mom boards, hence the sudden multiple comments. I want to say that despite the concern about this particular idea, you ARE an amazing YW leader. Its obvious you spend lots of time and energy making your girls feel loved and appreciated. You have a LOT of really fun ideas, too! I just think its very easy to get caught up in the 'cute' and maybe not think too deeply about the little saying that's on it, and how it could be portraying some damaging ideas. So maybe just take some time to really analyze the purpose behind the quote, saying, lesson idea, etc…before jumping into the part you do really, really well, which is making it cute and fun. 🙂 This calling is so precarious because it IS so important, and it can be very uplifting or very damaging. And these ideas spread like wildfire once they hit Pinterest, so its very important to make sure there are no misogynistic messages in it before we share them. Its easy to make that mistake because its the society/culture we grew up in, but we need to do better by our girls.
I wish I would have had more lessons about my self-worth back then. I think we all could use more self-esteem boosts and less guilt and shame.
This handout is harmful to our young women, and even our young men. Young women have no responsibility whatsoever for the virtue of young men, nor how they honor their priesthood. Men are responsible for their thoughts and actions, just as women are. I would be very upset if my daughters came home with a handout that suggested something like this. During the years that they are involved in the YW program girls should be focused on developing a relationship with their Savior, getting to know themselves, and become the best person they can be. Not worrying about how anything they may be doing is affecting a young man or his future.
While I appreciate the time invested in the YW, the content of this handout makes me uncomfortable. No matter how much we love others, we can not control their behavior. It is damaging to teach that we can. We are all responsible for our own choices. There are no loop holes in living the Gospel.
amazing
Very Cute. I love your ideas!