Thanks. The first question to be addressed should be: "What is our goal---to change some actions, laws, rules, or regulations which have been harmful to one or more minorities (whether that group is of one race or just one particular common interest) or is it to change attitudes and belief systems? These are two completely different approaches. In the former we can recognize many past laws and social actions which discriminated in ways that were very hurtful--and both parties knew it. Gradually, the laws, rules, and actions have been improved significantly. With regard to attitudes, however, I believe the only real improvement comes when we show people a better way. In classrooms as a sub teacher I have learned I never change attitudes by showing a student what they are doing wrong--whether it is their attitude toward a math problem or their attitude of defiance when asked to turn off their phone. When I can show them something they are doing RIGHT or WELL (I carry many puzzles or interesting questions which, through hints, they always ultimately accomplish and then can be complimented) I create a setting where their attitude and mine both change for the good. Show me a story of some white man who found a sincere and meaningful way to help a black youth and I'll show you an improvement in my attitude. If the news never reported anything but positive experiences between racial groups you would see a far greater change in attitudes, laws, and actions than will ever come from protests up and down the street demanding change. That's because we are all of the same human race.
Tom BaxterMarch 10, 2021
i once had a conversation with an emeritus General Authority who emphatically declared "God's truth, justice and laws will never be man's truth, justice and laws". President Nelson in his September 2019 devotional at BYU reiterated the same point. "Some things are simply true. The arbiter of truth is God—not your favorite social media news feed, not Google, and certainly not those who are disaffected from the Church". Living in these times, my sense is that many of our parents - member and nonmembers alike - are derelict in their efforts to teach their children what God's truth, laws and justice really are. The pushback that President Nelson received is evidence of that. President Nelson went on to remind us that "God loves every one of us with perfect love and there is a strong connection between God’s love and His laws." That being said the recommendations of a diversity committee must be founded enough in the Gospel that these correct principles prevail in whatever recommendations they make for change. Can we do better? Yes, but we must never forget our unique mission statement as an institution, "To assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.That assistance should provide a period of intensive learning in a stimulating setting where a commitment to excellence is expected and the full realization of human potential is pursued." In the end we are all 100% responsible to make choices and use our agency in ways consistent with that mission. Personal morality comes from within, not to be dictated from without.
Mark BishopMarch 10, 2021
One of the problems with establishing an office of diversity and appointing someone over diversity is that it puts the problem into a corner and absolves responsibility in general. Treating everyone of every ethnicity or race in a Christ-like manner is everyone's responsibility and can't or shouldn't be given to any one person.
That being said, the discomfort that people of color feel on Church campuses is likely based on the fact that whites are the predominant race there. I have extensive experience with Church education and I have never witnessed intentional discrimination or unkindness towards anyone. However, I think it might get difficult to live in a place that is somewhat foreign to one's self. And there will always be a few people with strong (and wrong) opinions who are unkind to others. That said, these things will happen anywhere and cannot be erased by an "office of diversity". The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to address these things.
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Harold RustMarch 11, 2021
Thanks. The first question to be addressed should be: "What is our goal---to change some actions, laws, rules, or regulations which have been harmful to one or more minorities (whether that group is of one race or just one particular common interest) or is it to change attitudes and belief systems? These are two completely different approaches. In the former we can recognize many past laws and social actions which discriminated in ways that were very hurtful--and both parties knew it. Gradually, the laws, rules, and actions have been improved significantly. With regard to attitudes, however, I believe the only real improvement comes when we show people a better way. In classrooms as a sub teacher I have learned I never change attitudes by showing a student what they are doing wrong--whether it is their attitude toward a math problem or their attitude of defiance when asked to turn off their phone. When I can show them something they are doing RIGHT or WELL (I carry many puzzles or interesting questions which, through hints, they always ultimately accomplish and then can be complimented) I create a setting where their attitude and mine both change for the good. Show me a story of some white man who found a sincere and meaningful way to help a black youth and I'll show you an improvement in my attitude. If the news never reported anything but positive experiences between racial groups you would see a far greater change in attitudes, laws, and actions than will ever come from protests up and down the street demanding change. That's because we are all of the same human race.
Tom BaxterMarch 10, 2021
i once had a conversation with an emeritus General Authority who emphatically declared "God's truth, justice and laws will never be man's truth, justice and laws". President Nelson in his September 2019 devotional at BYU reiterated the same point. "Some things are simply true. The arbiter of truth is God—not your favorite social media news feed, not Google, and certainly not those who are disaffected from the Church". Living in these times, my sense is that many of our parents - member and nonmembers alike - are derelict in their efforts to teach their children what God's truth, laws and justice really are. The pushback that President Nelson received is evidence of that. President Nelson went on to remind us that "God loves every one of us with perfect love and there is a strong connection between God’s love and His laws." That being said the recommendations of a diversity committee must be founded enough in the Gospel that these correct principles prevail in whatever recommendations they make for change. Can we do better? Yes, but we must never forget our unique mission statement as an institution, "To assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.That assistance should provide a period of intensive learning in a stimulating setting where a commitment to excellence is expected and the full realization of human potential is pursued." In the end we are all 100% responsible to make choices and use our agency in ways consistent with that mission. Personal morality comes from within, not to be dictated from without.
Mark BishopMarch 10, 2021
One of the problems with establishing an office of diversity and appointing someone over diversity is that it puts the problem into a corner and absolves responsibility in general. Treating everyone of every ethnicity or race in a Christ-like manner is everyone's responsibility and can't or shouldn't be given to any one person. That being said, the discomfort that people of color feel on Church campuses is likely based on the fact that whites are the predominant race there. I have extensive experience with Church education and I have never witnessed intentional discrimination or unkindness towards anyone. However, I think it might get difficult to live in a place that is somewhat foreign to one's self. And there will always be a few people with strong (and wrong) opinions who are unkind to others. That said, these things will happen anywhere and cannot be erased by an "office of diversity". The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to address these things.
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