Bernard Gui Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) In some threads the phenomenon of “mansplaining” has been brought up. Well, lo and behold if my old friend S. Heber Young, Mormon gadfly and quirky dude extraordinaire, didn’t just address this in an urgent note he sent me today! I reproduce it here with his permission. Quote “Dear Brother Gui, old pal, “Sometimes we Mormons think we are above the fray when it comes to current social issues, but often we find ourselves, usually unwittingly but sometimes not, at the forefront. Now I am here to tell you that we’re setting ourselves up for a rough ride. You may have heard about the problem of “mansplaining.” This means "to explain something to someone, characteristically by a man to woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing” (Wikipedia). Sometimes, it appears, it doesn’t even have to be condescending. “So, Bernardo, this raises certain questions regarding the way we relate with each other in the Church. Looks like more and more folks are getting upset by LDS men doing the ‘splaining. We will have to refer to this from now on as “Mormansplaining.” Some folks say it happens a lot in Cub Scout Committee meetings, in ward councils, and on LDS discussion boards. In fact, several recent such meetings were secretly recorded and posted on Pinterest by some sisters who got Mormansplained. They’re going viral. Some major news networks have picked them up, and, my Brother, it’s going to hit the proverbial fan. “If a man quotes scripture or a handbook in order to defend a position or to illustrate a point, that is Mormansplaining. After all those are almost the exclusive product of the Patriarchy and have served to keep it in power. Mormon men quoting other men to project authority = Mormansplaining. Granted, we don’t know what hidden influences were exerted on the patriarchs and prophets by their matriarchs, but all the indicators are there for some serious revisionist examination. Expect some uncomfortable news conferences and Salt Lake Tribune and KUTV hit pieces. “Check out this recorded quote from a bishop in Hurricane, Utah, during a ward council meeting discussing the ward budget: “Sister Vapors (YW President): ‘Well, bishop, I think there’s a problem with the proposed budget. It says here the Young Men get $12,66O.57 and we get $34.77. That doesn’t seem fair.’ “Bishop Troglodison: ‘Now Sister Vapors, I think that the Handbook points out that boys’ activities cost more than girls’ activities. Now we all know you women are more creative than us men. You always put flowers and hand-made doilies on your Relief Society tables. You can make something out of nothing. Eve showed us that in the Garden of Eden when she said, ‘Here Adam. Have some fruit and let me make you a figleaf loincloth.’ Those boys need that money for their jet ski rentals on their two week trip to Lake Tahoe next summer!’ “That’s not going to play well.” S. Heber has also alerted me to another fractious issue that is being raised in some of the more progressive LDS circles around the Salt Lake Valley: Mormanspreading. That’s where a Mormon man spreads his knees to take up more space than that to which he is entitled in Ward Councils. It’s becoming a big problem now that we meet sitting in circles. So, I’m going to be woke and on the lookout for some Mormanspreading on the stand at Church from now on. I noticed a serious infraction from a high councilor today. Well, there it is. S. Heber, always on the lookout. Edited February 19, 2018 by Bernard Gui Link to comment
The Nehor Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Allow me to explain why mansplaining is not a problem in the church as if you are a total idiot. Wait.....crap..... 3 Link to comment
Bernard Gui Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) I didn’t say it. S. Heber said it. He asked me to ask you, “Just how big a boy are ya? Edited February 19, 2018 by Bernard Gui Link to comment
Thinking Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 58 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said: That’s where a Mormon man spreads his knees to take up more space than that to which he is entitled It's called manspreading when I spread my knees while flying Southwest so that other passengers choose to sit elsewhere. 4 Link to comment
The Nehor Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 32 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said: I didn’t say it. S. Heber said it. He asked me to ask you, “Just how big a boy are ya? Tell him my response is: "Bring it ya nancy boy!" 2 Link to comment
Meerkat Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 53 minutes ago, The Nehor said: Allow me to explain why mansplaining is not a problem in the church as if you are a total idiot. Wait.....crap..... Actually, mansplaining isn't a problem. Just takes a little finesse. Here's a family example: "Honey, it's been a long hard week. You deserve a break. Why don't you go fry up some chicken, whip up some tater-salad, chop some wood, get the kids ready and I'm gonna take you on a Picnic!" Women love picnics. 3 Link to comment
Robert F. Smith Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Bernard Gui said: ............................... Quote “Check out this recorded quote from a bishop in Hurricane, Utah, during a ward council meeting discussing the ward budget: Should we even consider the opinion of anyone unable to properly pronounce the word "Hurricane"? 2 hours ago, Bernard Gui said: S. Heber has also alerted me to another fractious issue that is being raised in some of the more progressive LDS circles around the Salt Lake Valley: Mormanspreading. That’s where a Mormon man spreads his knees to take up more space than that to which he is entitled in Ward Councils. It’s becoming a big problem now that we meet sitting in circles. So, I’m going to be woke and on the lookout for some Mormanspreading on the stand at Church from now on. I noticed a serious infraction from a high councilor today................ Is this a veiled criticism of the Manspreader-in-Chief in Washington, DC? How dare you, sir! 1 Link to comment
CV75 Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 I'm developing an app for a new term, "splainspreadize™" it's when you mainsplain the scriptures while heftfing one foot onto a chair. Casual dominion™, another new term. I also made up this logo all by myself: 4 Link to comment
Duncan Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Speaking of mansplaining, I grew up with this guy in the Church and I didn't like him since I was like 5. Anyways, long story short he has this "scripture voice" and he holds all the knowledge and the secrets of the universe and we all should be so privileged just to be in his presence, condescending to say the least. The Temple here was announced in April of 2011 and it wasn't approved until Aug. of 2016, the weekend it was announced it was approved, they moved out to BC. They obviously had no prior knowledge of it's approval. It was almost like God was waiting until they moved until the Temple ball could get rolling 2 Link to comment
Popular Post Rain Posted February 19, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2018 WhIle I think the term is thrown out too much it hurts my heart that my brothers in the gospel use it to make fun of something that hurts women. I see similar things to the idea all the time. I see it when I do all of the financial work in our house and the financial clerk repeatedly turns to my husband about our tithing etc even after every time my husband will defer things to me. It is interesting to me that in years past I always wrote my husband's name on tithing checks, but this year my name only was on every single tithing donation because it was online and that receipt was handed to my husband. Simple thing yes? Yes, but when it happens repeatedly for decades it gets old and frustrating. And that's the thing. I really want to have unity with the men. I think it is necessary to really thrive. But I am so frustrated with the way I am treated sometimes and hurt that when I try to explain it is treated as I am less spiritual, more worldly, more prideful, more selfish. You can go too far pro women/against men or pro men/against women, but in between there is a lot of wiggle room when we can listen to each other and treat each other with respect as equals. In order to do that each side needs to listen and explain where problems lie in respectful manner. Ugh. I really hate saying "each side" with reference to men and women. There is just so much to be gained from working together. 12 Link to comment
Exiled Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 1 hour ago, Rain said: WhIle I think the term is thrown out too much it hurts my heart that my brothers in the gospel use it to make fun of something that hurts women. I see similar things to the idea all the time. I see it when I do all of the financial work in our house and the financial clerk repeatedly turns to my husband about our tithing etc even after every time my husband will defer things to me. It is interesting to me that in years past I always wrote my husband's name on tithing checks, but this year my name only was on every single tithing donation because it was online and that receipt was handed to my husband. Simple thing yes? Yes, but when it happens repeatedly for decades it gets old and frustrating. And that's the thing. I really want to have unity with the men. I think it is necessary to really thrive. But I am so frustrated with the way I am treated sometimes and hurt that when I try to explain it is treated as I am less spiritual, more worldly, more prideful, more selfish. You can go too far pro women/against men or pro men/against women, but in between there is a lot of wiggle room when we can listen to each other and treat each other with respect as equals. In order to do that each side needs to listen and explain where problems lie in respectful manner. Ugh. I really hate saying "each side" with reference to men and women. There is just so much to be gained from working together. How do you feel about separating into priesthood and relief society in the third hour? Do you think that separate but "equal" time adds to whatever problem there is? The reason why I say this is that it caused a lot of problems in my marriage years ago. My non-member wife agreed to start going to church with me after I had been inactive for years and was very upset that she had to separate from me when she didn't really know anyone. Subsequently, she pointed out how sexist it was after seeing and observing the male only priesthood and soon didn't want to go or have me go. Please start a new thread on this topic. This thread is closed. 2 Link to comment
Popular Post Rain Posted February 19, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2018 6 minutes ago, Exiled said: How do you feel about separating into priesthood and relief society in the third hour? Do you think that separate but "equal" time adds to whatever problem there is? The reason why I say this is that it caused a lot of problems in my marriage years ago. My non-member wife agreed to start going to church with me after I had been inactive for years and was very upset that she had to separate from me when she didn't really know anyone. Subsequently, she pointed out how sexist it was after seeing and observing the male only priesthood and soon didn't want to go or have me go. I am really sorry about that. It must have been really hard on both of you. I am comfortable seperating though I think there could be some changes. I have an appointment I need to get to so I will have to look it up, but I believe it is Sister Neil Marriott who talked about how we speak of the men in the church. They may hold the authority, but they are not the priesthood. I think that is an important distinction and the way we talk often doesn't show that. I think we are missing a lot of things about women and the priesthood - not that we should hold it in the same way as men do, but missing just how it applies to us. It is a feeling I have always had inside, but until recently didn't recognize it when I found that other women were missing that understanding in part because we never talk about it. So just the seperating part I am ok with. The priesthood part I am ok with. What it actually all means and how that is communicated? That is where I struggle. So I have a little bit of understanding why your wife would feel that way. 7 Link to comment
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