Elaine Bradly Of The Neon Trees On Being A Rock Star And Lds

[Sine Saw Square]

Brandon Flowers is problematic. After he created his "I am a Mormon" video, I looked into his public past. Not exactly the greatest role model for LDS youth - drinking, smoking, immodest lyrics, immodest dress, swearing, didn't serve a mission.

I wonder what message this sends to the youth (or anyone for that matter)? How does one answer the question, "Well, Brandon Flowers drank/smoke/swore/dressed this way/etc, why can't I?"

One can say, "Well, Brandon has repented", to which a rebuttal is easy, "So will I". One can also say, "Brandon is a bad example", to which a rebuttal is easy, "Then why is the Church holding him up?"

H.

I would imagine a repentant Alma the Younger still posed problems for some Nephite parents along these same lines.

As I said earlier in this thread. This is a unique dilemma for LDS artist because their past, good and bad, is uniquely visible. It lives on in their work.

[LDSToronto]

I would imagine a repentant Alma the Younger still posed problems for some Nephite parents along these same lines.

As I said earlier in this thread. This is a unique dilemma for LDS artist because their past, good and bad, is uniquely visible. It lives on in their work.

I don't see this as a dilemma for the artist. Moreso, it's a dilemma for parents and impressionable youth.

H.

[Sine Saw Square]

I don't see this as a dilemma for the artist. Moreso, it's a dilemma for parents and impressionable youth.

H.

It's a dilemma in the sense that they receive more and public scrutiny than your average member. Brought on, if you will, by those impressionable youths and concerned parents. That scrutiny adds extra challenges to someone who is trying to repent and live the gospel. Imagine if your rebellions contined to be published or distributed after your change of heart.

It is understandable and realistic to expect that members may find it hard to trust or accept someone with a publicly checkered past. It would be nice if they didn't though.

[Stargazer]

I was in the Army when the brown Garment was introduced. I never got any because I was within months of retiring, and my position rarely required I go into the field at that point. Besides, I could (and did) wear a standard military T-shirt over my Garment), so it was not visible to other soldiers.

Nonetheless, it was not a safety issue, but to permit soldier/Saints to wear a single upper body covering inside the BDU jacket. Neither safety nor health was the reason. Mine was the only company at Beale Air Force Base in the 110° heat of the summer of 1989 that lost not a single soldier to heat injuries. I wore the Garment that day, and was not affected. (Of course, I made my First Sergeant carry four canteens, as I did myself, and forced our soldiers to drink one canteen in front of us every hour—then we swapped canteens with them. No one else did that, or anything like it.)

Lehi

I suppose that to some it was not a safety issue, especially for those in non-combat or rear echelon duties, but as I was in a combat MOS (Infantry and then Field Artillery -- forward observer), a white T shirt was a camouflage issue, which in actual sneaking around on patrol missions, could definitely become a safety issue if you were detected by an enemy because of a white clothing item showing. We would use camo sticks (makeup) to cover our faces and necks, and the backs of our hands to avoid visibility -- having a white T shirt item poke out would rather defeat the purpose.

[LeSellers]

I suppose that to some it was not a safety issue, especially for those in non-combat or rear echelon duties, but as I was in a combat MOS (Infantry and then Field Artillery -- forward observer), a white T shirt was a camouflage issue, which in actual sneaking around on patrol missions, could definitely become a safety issue if you were detected by an enemy because of a white clothing item showing.

I was 11B as an enlisted guy (PV1~SGT). I know something of what you are speaking.

However, as I said, I wore the Garment and the brown T-shirt: no cammo problems, and no health or safety issues, either.

Sam issued (but I bought, being an officer at the time) brown T-shirts long before the brown Garment was offered. We all wore the Garment beneath the T-shirt, and I did even when the uniform T-shirt was white. I never had the Garment show at the neck (the only place it would have been a concern).

So, again, I say that the Garment is never a safety issue unless the same clothing that would prevent its being seen would present that same safety issue, as well. And I cannot imagine any clothing a drummer or guitarist would have to wear to perform his job that would preclude his wearing the Garment.

Lehi

[Duncan]

there is that band Adam's Road made up of former members of the Church. I don't know if they are popular though

[altersteve]

OK, I can understand that - but do you think that youth understand that? What is the more likely interpretation of Flowers' journey from a 16 year old's perspective:

1. Brandon Flowers overcame the sins of his youth, and because he's saying I shouldn't do it (btw, where does he say that?), I won't do those things

or

2. Brandon Flowers did a bunch of crap, and he repented, so I can do a bunch of crap and repent, too.

H.

If they've been raised right, probably the first one.

And I remember him suggesting to his fans to not do drugs, smoke, etc. in an interview awhile ago. I don't remember where, though.