Winston 🛐🇺🇸

Christ is King!
Future husband to “an elect daughter of God”
Help me ⬆️ 😃

[An Old Fox @FoxsFoxes]

Apparently basically everyone misunderstood my actual commentary with this tweet, so allow me to explain as plainly and as clearly as I can.

In this story, basically everyone acted well, save the boys at the beginning who provide the inciting incident.

Sis. Renlund acted well by willing to serve in teaching. She also acted well by providing correction in real time in class by confiscating the paper airplanes.

At some point, the boys felt ashamed of their poor behavior, and that realization came either from their own consciences (the Spirit), their parents, Sis. Renlund, or some combination thereof. That is also acting well, realizing one's shortcomings.

Then those boys, as Elder Renlund states, acted like men, not like cowards, not like moral weaklings, but as good, courageous young men. They knew they had acted improperly, that they had failed to meet the proper standard of decorum for Church. And they went to make it right and take their licks, as it were. This is acting extremely well. This is highly admirable behavior on their part. They deserve commendation for it.

And finally, Elder Renlund acted well by sharing this experience with all of us as a teaching opportunity.

One phrase in this story stands out among the rest:

"We failed to meet our duty as Deacons and we are sorry. We have learned from our mistake and better learned what our Aaronic Priesthood duty is."

Many, MANY people get very offended and angry and worked up any time I or @KimballCall or others dare suggest that a) standards exist and b) we should always encourage everyone to reach that standard.

The most common refrains I could think of were;

"Just be glad the boys were there at all."
"Don't be so judgmental of their behavior."
"You're a Pharisee!"

Any time I suggest that a standard exists and that the standard should be met, these are the kinds of things I hear from spiritual midwits.

And yet here we an have one of the 12 Apostles clearly expressing his thoughts on what the proper standards for Sunday School behavior is;

"They were a bit casual and less than engaged than ideal in the lesson about Job. Ruth had given the students a handout with some scriptures to read. Of course, paper airplanes were made of the handouts (is anyone surprised?)."

My post then was a call to all the normal soft, lukewarm, milquetoast members who cry and lament anytime standards are mentioned to go ahead and say the same things to Elder Renlund that are said to me.

Will no one chide Elder Renlund that he should just be content that the boys were physically present in the church building at all?

Will no one judgmentally shake their finger at Elder Renlund, reminding him not to be so judgmental towards these boys? I mean after all, Elder Renlund is literally shaming these boys by mentioning their poor behavior at all!

Will no one scoff at Elder or Sister Renlund and call him a Pharisee for being so concerned with rules? I mean, the General handbook doesn't even specifically prohibit the making of paper airplanes out of Sunday School handouts, so is it even that big of a deal?

I reiterate, as I did in the quoted tweet below, that standards are good. Enforcing those standards, as Sis. Renlund, the boys' parents, and the Spirit did is is also good. If we actually care about one another, then we should help and encourage one another to reach those standards, to climb to whatever the next rung on the ladder towards God is for each one of us. We only harm and stunt one another's growth when we pat our heads and say, "You are fine exactly as you are and no change in your behavior is required of you ever."

Now, you can all feel free to tell me that I missed the point, sent this into foul-ball territory, that I should just relax or whatever nonsense you wish.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@TheLordSurfusa @alexjweiner He owes the fans everything.
Just like me with my customers, when I don’t show up when expected, there needs to be an explanation.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@Manhattva @mateiahlouise Time will tell… 🤷‍♂️

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@Latterdaytruth I recently listened to 11.22.63 it was actually better than I anticipated.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@dustinharding Do you use the activity sharing page for your ward?

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

The fundamental purposes for the exercise of moral agency are to choose God and to love one another. And these two purposes align precisely with the first and second great commandments to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Earlier this week, Susan and I were delighted to visit with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and representatives from a collaborating organization in Tokyo, Japan as they participated in a service project to provide relief supplies for refugees and single-parent families.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, it is our wonderful responsibility to seek opportunities to serve and bless God’s children. As we do so, we will be blessed to become instruments in the Lord’s hands to help others feel His love, light, and promised peace.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@bcbaker66 @KimballCall Can you point to the handbook and council from GAs where is says he has a dress code for this assignment?

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@tko140pt6 Go listen to Elder Bednar’s last talk on agency.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

Hey @MountainAmerica your app is not working with Zelle.

[Kimball Call @KimballCall]

The young men of the Church deserve better than soft, coddling, and feminized male leaders who teach the world’s gospel of “you do you,” “be your authentic self” and “don’t judge anyone for anything” mentality.

Young men DESERVE masculine male role-models who teach accountability, responsibility, obedience, virtue, wisdom, maturity, love for God and His Gospel, and hard work.

High love, high expectations, total love for God and total disregard for the world. That’s what they need.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@Latterdaytruth This is a great idea!
When I was in a bishopric, we went over a part of the handbook every meeting, generally twice a week.
As a new member of about a year, I learned so much in the time I was there.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@EkinsDanny @FiredUpCoug That’s impressive!
My record is 4 Tri-tip roasts.
Once at the party I was worried they would not all be eaten, oh how I was wrong and happy!

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

Take a moment and read up on what the prophets have said about blessing, passing and partaking the sacrament. I think you may change your mind.
I also want to say that generally what I say here on X is for the rule not the exception.
Pres. Monson said it best. Never let a problem to be solved become greater than a person to be loved.
Standards, and charity when needed.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@defense_of_fam Here’s something from president Oaks 2008

https://t.co/qK08SRMdqy

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@collegefandave @UncleMaui @For3JT

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@hawaiiancougfan @NQpilot Oh 100%
I’m not going to challenge how a bishop handles his ward.

If I’m the one who is charged with overseeing an ordinance, I will do my best to follow the brethren and train the youth as they direct.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

As I was writing the last reply, Pres Monson’s words came to mind.
Never let a problem to be solve, be greater than a person to be loved. Something like that.
If the ordinance was already started, I would let it finish. I would then make sure that some training on officiating the sacrament was done before the next Sunday.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@hawaiiancougfan @NQpilot https://t.co/GdEm3LjzBf

There are some things that should be done in exactness.

[Winston 🛐🇺🇸 @CovenantBeacon]

@JeffBiesinger https://t.co/GdEm3LjzBf