Okrahomer

With today's news that the BYU School of Medicine has received preliminary accreditation to recruit its first class, it's a major milestone. Beyond opening its doors, the school's mission emphasizes global impact—addressing international health needs, supporting worldwide humanitarian efforts, and eventually bringing in international students. Apparently, International medical students are a rarity in U.S. (typically making up under 1% to 2% of total students), I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on a few questions: The Student Body: How will the cohort shape up? Does an "international focus" mean mostly training domestic students for global service, or actively bringing in students from abroad who can return home to practice? Focus Areas: What unique public health or clinical challenges (e.g., maternal/child health, infectious diseases, local health systems) do you think a Church-affiliated medical school will tackle? A Pathway Connection? Looking further down the road, could we see educational bridges tied into programs like BYU-Pathway to help prepare or support international medical candidates? Curious to hear how others picture this unique program taking shape.

Agree 100%.

I agree. I don’t think Elder Shumway was lying here. The fact that full-time General Authorities receive a living allowance is hardly a recent discovery—it was publicly reported in Church financial reports in General Conference as early as 1944 and acknowledged in Church publications long before Elder Shumway’s talk. It seems much more likely that Elder Shumway was speaking about the general practice of unpaid Church service. The overwhelming majority of Church service is performed without financial compensation, which is the longstanding basis for describing the Church as having an “unpaid ministry.” The wording may be imprecise, but calling it a lie seems unwarranted. If Elder Shumway were actually trying to conceal the fact that GAs receive a living allowance, it would be a rather odd thing to “lie” about when that fact was already publicly known.

Good point!

Thank you! And welcome to the board!

Haha! Yes I am!

Thank you!

It wasn’t easy, but we did figure a system out. They live with my sister and brother-in-law. The rest of us rotate one by one, two weeks at a time, so that the entire responsibility doesn’t fall to my sister. My brother-in-law also built a bit of a new wing on their house so Mom and Dad have a private space for themselves. Nowadays we also have help from Home Health, Hospice and various VA services. Between all of us, I think they are well cared for.

We have captured a few things but dementia has now robbed us of most of their memories.

Muskogee is (along with Checotah,, Eufalla, Salisaw, Henryetta, McAlester…and probably a few others) all part of the new-ish Gore OK Stake. The Stake President grew up in my home ward. And of course there is a lot of excitement about the temple in Tulsa.

Agree. I had to give a Sacrament talk for Mothers Day when I was about 16. It was impossible to talk about Mom without talking about Dad — I could not separate them.

I grew up in Muskogee.

I wonder if we are related.

Dad is from Lovell and Mom is from Byron. They were young marrieds with 5 young boys (including 5-month old me) when they moved to Oklahoma…almost 70 years ago.

I am flying home today. I will spend the next couple of weeks taking my “turn” at caring for elderly parents — now both 99 years of age. Not sure what I’m thinking or feeling exactly, but I love these two Wyoming-bred and Oklahoma-grown souls so very deeply. They gave me life. They gave me the Gospel. They taught me to work and to be productive. They taught me how to face life’s ups and downs with courage, and to find happiness along the way. They taught me to love music, to enjoy people and so many other things. I know their mortal journey will soon come to an end: I wish they could stay, but I know they have to go. In August, they will celebrate 80 years of marriage and in September Dad turns 100. When I grow up, I want to be just like them. God bless my Mom and Dad.

Good point.

From awful to worse. How does anyone come out of this feeling like justice has been served? The evidence against the accuser and her mother must be overwhelming, so what now?

Totally agree

Agree 100%. And here I am feeling all high and mighty about it, when I could have the same or similar lapses.

This sounds like southern gospel to me — very much in line with other pieces by the Oak Ridge Boys.

I agree that he was likely trying to fill a void of embarrassment about a song we are still grappling with. I also agree that it’s moments like this when well-meaning people are most prone to errors in their off-the-cuff remarks. It does feel like the temporary lapse reveals something about our culture — a flaw — that needs fundamental fixing.

Here What was he thinking?!

The Fillerup's also made their way into Church settlements in Northern Wyoming -- my Dad's best childhood friend growing up in Lovell,WY was a Fillerup.

Agreed. I do think there is probably still a “BYU look”; although maybe it is morphing a little right now. It would help if BYU would shed the no beards policy.

I don’t get it either. I noticed at least one genuinely puzzled commenter asking for non‑partisan information about the Church, specifically because he admires Dan’s scholarship so much that he wants to understand more about Dan’s religious beliefs. And given the sheer volume of incredulous reactions, I wouldn’t be surprised if others are now curious as well. That’s a good thing. Good for Dan.