Are Only Mormon Families Important?

[Russell C McGregor]

"From the time she (his daughter) was 8 years old, her friends and their families"

 

The gentleman in the OP's quote is not talking simply about children talking about their faith he is talking about adults trying to convert other peoples children.   I don't think I can possibly convey how outrageously deplorable I find this kind of usurpation of another families parental authority and their right to raise their own children in the faith of their choice.

If you're going to parse his words that closely, then we need to have some balance.

An accusation is not proof.

And besides that, "Her friends and their families" might just mean that the child visits a friend's place and the friend's brother is on the way out the door to Mutual, so the child asks, "What's Mutual?" and the brother (are you ready for this?) answers the question!

Quelle horreur!!

 

So no, I don't expect any fair-minded people will be prepared to condemn all Latter-day Saints everywhere all on the strength of one grumpy individual's non-specific, uncorroborated say-so.

[KevinG]

No children do not need permission to CONVERT, you know that, they need permission to be baptized and join.

 

The conversion process is sometimes a natural outcome of friends exploring each other's beliefs.  When that unintentional conversion happens then it is a delicate matter to make sure the entire family of that child is engaged in the process.  At the same time if a non-member child is interested in what we believe I am always honest when answering their questions.  (Then I tell them if they want to know more have their parents meet with the missionaries).

 

Inside and outside the LDS church I've heard families talking about how they were some child's second home, or second parent.  While this attitude is probably meant out of love for the child, it always causes me to cringe.  We have been host to a large number of children in our home who are not ours.  Through the years many have said they loved our family and some even said they wished they could be a part of it.

 

When this is expressed I always tell them that God placed them in their own family, and that they should honor their parents.  I am honored that they love us, but that their job as a child is to honor their own family and make it the best they can.  If there are things they can learn from us, then use them in their own family when they are grown, but we are not their parents.  We are always open to visit, and even crash on the couch as long as their family gives permission.  

 

There are times when children have been told they could stay with us when there was a crisis in their home.  I think we are trusted precisely because we never try to usurp a parents position, even when they are locking horns with their teens.

 

As far as church membership I strongly discourage children from joining the church unless their parents come with them.  At least until they are adults.

Edited November 20, 2015 by KevinG