In that talk was one line that became most famous, for reasons I'll never understand. It was just a small snippet in a nearly 3,000-word discourse, yet it became a litmus test for obedience and, sadly, a yardstick by which to either praise or judge the women of the Church (well, those who happened to have two sets of ear piercings). That line was this:
"We do not, however, take any position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings.”
Suddenly, there were two camps for women with double piercings, those who went right home and removed that second earring, and those who didn't. Those in former group were praised for their obedience. I began to hear talks that referred to this sister or that one, who was so perfectly obedient. It was as though suddenly, the key to being an obedient Latter-day Saint woman was to show off to the world that you removed that second earring.
I could not be that woman. Because I only had one ear piercing. These things just never work out for me.
What saddens me is that it seemed like no one even remembered all the other wonderful messages in President Hinckley's talk. He spoke about how our children need our help to resist the evil influences that surround them, how they need prayer, how they need to exercise self control, and how they need "the strength of good
friends." It was such powerful counsel, but I fear hardly anyone cared once it was over, because all the focus was centered on that dang second ear piercing.
We Mormons love our rules, but sometimes I worry that we might love them more than we love the doctrine or the spirit of counsel. You see, I know President Hinckley. Okay, no, I didn't know him personally, but I felt like I knew him through years of listening to him and seeking to learn from, adopt, and apply his incredibly optimistic and welcoming attitude to my own life. So I don't think for a second his purpose here was to incite a culture of praise/pride or judgement of women in the Church, based on how many ear piercings they have.
Instead, I think this very small section of his lengthy talk was intended to teach the doctrine of honoring our bodies for the temples they are, and remembering their sacredness as we make decisions about how to treat them. Beautiful, beautiful doctrine.
Recently, on September 11, 2016 to be exact, Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke in a broadcast to 220 local stakes here in the valley. Like President Hinckley's talk, his was long and full of uplifting counsel. He spoke of the importance of remembering essential habits, helping others find answers to questions, turning to prophets and apostles, living within our means, enjoying each other's company, and loving our neighbors. In a small section of those remarks, he mentioned the giant craze (at the time) of Nintendo's latest video-game Pokemon Go:
"Now, someone has found one more way to keep family members occupied and away from what matters most—it is something called Pokémon Go. I don’t understand this one, so don’t ask me about it. I just know it is one more thing that prompts young people to look down at their smartphones rather than looking up to see the beautiful creations of God’s wonderful world or even someone they may want to meet, date, and marry, with whom they could have a real-world relationship that results in eternal blessings."
Once again, some jumped to the conclusion that the game Pokemon Go is evil, that an apostle said so, and therefore, we should not play it. And the judgement began. But honestly, I don't think Elder Ballard intended to vilify this particular video-game. My guess is he sought to remind us of the importance of putting down that screen (whatever is on it) and talking face to face with our families and friends. I, personally, have never played Pokemon Go or any other video-game, but I spend plenty of time looking at a screen nonetheless. I spend numerous hours on social media, browsing the internet, blogging, writing emails, so the counsel to limit that screen time in favor of "real-world relationship" absolutely applies ot me, even though I've never played Pokemon Go. I'm not sure anyone plays it anymore; it sort of came and went. But the counsel from Elder Ballard endures.
Just like President Hinckley's counsel to honor our bodies.
My hope is that we would strive to heed the counsel of our leaders, rather than praising and judging each other based on specific examples that have little meaning over time. If clinging to a specific example causes us to judge our neighbor, then we probably ought to let go of it and seek to make changes in our own lives instead.
If you are a woman with two ear piercings, you are welcome. If you play Pokemon Go, you are welcome. Because as President Uchtdorf taught, "There is room for you in this church."
Instead, I think this very small section of his lengthy talk was intended to teach the doctrine of honoring our bodies for the temples they are, and remembering their sacredness as we make decisions about how to treat them. Beautiful, beautiful doctrine.
Recently, on September 11, 2016 to be exact, Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke in a broadcast to 220 local stakes here in the valley. Like President Hinckley's talk, his was long and full of uplifting counsel. He spoke of the importance of remembering essential habits, helping others find answers to questions, turning to prophets and apostles, living within our means, enjoying each other's company, and loving our neighbors. In a small section of those remarks, he mentioned the giant craze (at the time) of Nintendo's latest video-game Pokemon Go:
"Now, someone has found one more way to keep family members occupied and away from what matters most—it is something called Pokémon Go. I don’t understand this one, so don’t ask me about it. I just know it is one more thing that prompts young people to look down at their smartphones rather than looking up to see the beautiful creations of God’s wonderful world or even someone they may want to meet, date, and marry, with whom they could have a real-world relationship that results in eternal blessings."
Once again, some jumped to the conclusion that the game Pokemon Go is evil, that an apostle said so, and therefore, we should not play it. And the judgement began. But honestly, I don't think Elder Ballard intended to vilify this particular video-game. My guess is he sought to remind us of the importance of putting down that screen (whatever is on it) and talking face to face with our families and friends. I, personally, have never played Pokemon Go or any other video-game, but I spend plenty of time looking at a screen nonetheless. I spend numerous hours on social media, browsing the internet, blogging, writing emails, so the counsel to limit that screen time in favor of "real-world relationship" absolutely applies ot me, even though I've never played Pokemon Go. I'm not sure anyone plays it anymore; it sort of came and went. But the counsel from Elder Ballard endures.
Just like President Hinckley's counsel to honor our bodies.
My hope is that we would strive to heed the counsel of our leaders, rather than praising and judging each other based on specific examples that have little meaning over time. If clinging to a specific example causes us to judge our neighbor, then we probably ought to let go of it and seek to make changes in our own lives instead.
If you are a woman with two ear piercings, you are welcome. If you play Pokemon Go, you are welcome. Because as President Uchtdorf taught, "There is room for you in this church."
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