Neighborhood Professor

So the other day I was in one of my classes taught by a professor who lives in my small Mormon community. He was my youth leader and I have played countless basketball games with him and other members of my home ward. I like this professor a lot, but there was some bad news when it came to taking his class. He basically promised he was going to embarrass me in front of the class and told me to "sit in the front." So what did I do? I sure did not sit in the front. I would sit in the middle to back area of the class everyday (the class has like 180 students). The first two weeks or so nothing happened, and I started to think that he was not going to do anything. I could swear he would look right at me sometimes, but he never said anything. It was about the Wednesday class period of the third week when I finally thought something was up. When I came into class, he looked at me and smiled. This time I knew he was looking at me and I thought "oh, no. Here it comes." The class started with announcements like normal, then my professor asked the class "Has anyone here ever had a youth leader who had a profound impact on there life?" I raised my land a little bit and then put it down. I was now 100% sure that he was going to call me out. He then said, "Well, I'd like everyone in the class to know that there is a student here who I have had twice in youth groups, and he has not so much as said a single word to me since the class has started. He just sits in the back and hides." At this point he was looking at me, and the other 179 students were starting to turn their heads. Then he says my name and "Will you stand up." I stood up and he said, "not a word?" I could not think of anything to say. I eventually uttered, "Hey! How's it going?" I sat down and the professor eventually moved on. So to everyone out there taking a class with a BYU professor who knows them well, I have one suggestion. Talk to your professor before, during, or after class. If you don't you may regret it.

From Little Town to Little Town: An Interview About Two Small Towns

So today I wanted to share an interview I had with my grandpa about the small town where he grew up. It was a little town called Mulgrove in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. We live in the same small town now and I found it interesting to hear about the some of the differences between where he used to live and where he lives now. I hope you enjoy!

What was the religious situation in your town?

In my little town of eleven-hundred we had the Anglican Church of England…the Catholics…And the Presbyterians. And the united church of Canada. When I was a kid…there were five churches. Now there is only two left I think.

Which churches are left?

[There are three left] That would be the Catholic...United Church and the Anglican Church. They’re just hanging on by a thread. There’s not too many left. And that’s what we need back, we need our churches back and religion.

So were most people religious?

They were. It’s such a small community and it’s hard to keep three churches up with eleven-hundred people. We have the LDS church there now, but you have to travel a little ways and I imagine you’ve got other religions too that [have] come in.

So were all of the churches located in the town at that time?

Yeah, they were separated. Wherever the most members were, they built [a church]. There was a catholic section in town and that’s where the church went. [There was also] Protestant and other [churches] like that, they did it that way.

So was there ever conflict if you were one religion versus another or was everyone ok with each other?

There [is]  now, but time has changed. Then I was on a hockey team. It was run by the Catholics. The baseball was likely run by the other churches so we all intermingled in sports. [There] used to be a little hard feelings but it’s gone away. I guess we grew up a little more and matured a little on that kind of foolishness.

So you were Catholic when you grew up?

Well it was Church of England. It was a break off of the Catholic Church.

So what would you say are some of the biggest differences you have noticed living here in [our town] versus growing up in your town as a youth?

Well in my little town it was a seaport. And here it’s in the mountains. It’s altogether a different scenery. Both places are beautiful. I was one of the blessed people that lived in one part of the country or continent and then come out here to the mountains. It’s really spectacular. And it would be to someone going back there and seeing the ocean ships going by. The climate is much different. It is much colder.

Do you notice a lot of religious differences here in Mapleton?

Well, being LDS here, most of your friends are all LDS. Because there are so few of another religion you don’t make contact with anybody unless you’re in a larger area. And they do have Catholics and Protestants. When I was a kid there were more hard feelings about other religions but now it’s kind of changing. You don’t argue or fight about religion as much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slam Ball

The game begins after the old are split from the young. The 40+ men from around the neighborhood didn't look good on paper, but in action the case is quite the opposite, especially on a seven foot rim. The young team looked young and confident. The young team passed the ball around. A three pointer was knocked down. The old team received the ball. One pass and a sports center top ten dunk was thrown down on the young team. They couldn't stop it. The young got the ball and attempted a dunk. It was never even close. The old got the ball again. The young are dunked on again. The old, church leaders of the group looked smugly at their opponents. The old told the young they have no chance. But the young won't give up, they knew they can beat the leaders. 

I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.
-Michael Jordon

The young players shoot the ball again, they miss. They do not give up though. They still believe they have a chance.
They continue to play, even though victory looks bleak. They will not let anything get in their way to success.

Braided Essay

1. The First Sunday Experience
I walk into the doors with my friend Jeff. I look around. Who are these people? Are these really all the singles from my community? I don't know who most of these people are. Am I in the right building? Jeff's been here before, but I'm still not sure. Jeff assures me "this is it." I still don't know. It feels weird; different. Sacrament meeting ends, most people walk by, some say hello.
2. Life, As it Was Before
Growing up I started in one of the eleven or so wards in my Stake in our community. I knew a few people, but then again I was three. The ward split, it was time to meet new people. I grew up in the new ward, with new people. At first I did not know who lived where or who belonged to what family, but eventually I got a hold of where I was. I made some great friends who I today consider to be some of my best friends. Life is good. I go to Sacrament meeting. I go to Sunday school. I can talk to my friends and here all the news and interesting stories they have from the week. I leave church Spiritually and mentally nourished. Life is good.
3. Change
Many of us are suspect of change and will often fight and resist it before we have even discovered what the actual effects will be. When change is thought through carefully, it can produce the most rewarding and profound experiences in life. The changes we make must fit the Lord’s purposes and patterns.-Elder Marvin J Ashton
4. Learning Something Knew
Well the first Single's ward Sunday is over. It is not what I expected but, change rarely is. The people seem nice. The teachers are good. Maybe change isn't so bad after all. Maybe change leads to something more, something that helps us gain a greater perspective. Single's ward may not be what I expected, what's more I never saw myself going to single's ward as a kid, that was always way too far off. Single's ward was for old people. Sure it's not what it used to be, but this could be good too. Jeff drops me off at my house. "Are you going to come next week?" "Yeah. Probably." I reply. Maybe it's time for change.

Waste Land

     So this post has nothing to do with my topic of small Mormon communities, but I still think it's pretty interesting so I'm going to post it anyway. So the other day I had an assignment given to us by my English professor. She wanted us to watch a movie called "Waste Land." This movie is basically a documentary about this guy named Vik Muniz who wants to go to a giant landfill in Brazil and make art from garbage found throughout the area. It really doesn't sound too interesting on the outside, but once you get into it you start to realize that it is much more than "garbage art."
    One interesting aspect of this landfill in Rio de Janeiro is the job of the "pickers." Their job is essentially to pick out recyclable material and load it onto trucks. As the documentary gets going you realize a lot of the people working there are really hard workers. They are doing their daily grind, the day to day things that help their families get by. Eventually Muniz decides on what he wants to do for his works, and the results turn out pretty impressive. What's even cooler than the end result is that he has people from their old jobs in the landfill making the art. They eventually make a good amount of money for the organization of the pickers, that was a significant help to them.
     Probably the best part of watching this movie was seeing people who were very different come together and make something amazing. It was really interesting to see the way Muniz could talk to the pickers and the way they talked to him. You can tell that there was a mutual respect between the artist and the pickers, which is something really amazing to witness. If you are looking for a good documentary, or just something that will help you have a broader view of the world, I strongly suggest this movie.