MustardSeed Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 (edited) Sorry, I prematurely hit DONE before finishing the title. I love this change. https://universe.byu.edu/2019/07/19/fsy-conferences-to-replace-efy-in-us-canada/ I “think” what this does is includes all the youth in the testimony building experience of the activity. Edited July 22, 2019 by MustardSeed 3
bluebell Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 I was really pulling for my stake to be one of the few that would get to the FSY conferences next year so that I wouldn't be forced to go on trek but alas, it was not meant to be. If anyone is wondering if their stake was chosen I can look it up for you (though I'm sure your ward leadership could give you the same info). 2
The Nehor Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 Yeah, I read the letter yesterday. I thought we would make the pilot but it was all nearby stakes. 1
Popular Post Amulek Posted July 22, 2019 Popular Post Posted July 22, 2019 I see this as being positive in the sense that it will be more local and easier for everyone to participate in. Hopefully, it will be cheaper as well. However, having gone to EFY here in TX a couple of times in my youth, one of the things that made it kind of special was that it was mostly comprised of young men / women who really wanted to be there. There was a noticeable benefit from that kind of positive selection bias, and I hope that doesn't end up getting lost in the transition. 7
rockpond Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 I think my feelings are representative of the majority that I've spoken with -- Sad to see EFY come to an end (including being able to send my kids to the 1-week experience at BYU) but glad that we're making a similar program available more widely and more affordably. 2
Scott Lloyd Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 I’m thinking EFY was cost prohibitive for many families in the Church. I’m guessing (and hoping) the new FSY program will be far less so. 4
rockpond Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 31 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said: I’m thinking EFY was cost prohibitive for many families in the Church. I’m guessing (and hoping) the new FSY program will be far less so. I agree. It was also something that was largely unavailable to youth outside of North America (I believe). This feels like another positive move toward standardizing church programs across the globe. 2
RevTestament Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Scott Lloyd said: I’m thinking EFY was cost prohibitive for many families in the Church. I’m guessing (and hoping) the new FSY program will be far less so. None of our 3 sons attended EFY although some wanted to. We made them choose between EFY or National Scout Camps for monetary reasons. Out of all our family i know of only one nephew who has attended EFY, and that is probably because the cost of a plane ticket elsewhere was deferred. I wouldn't have minded being in MTAB, but felt I could not afford the trips, etc. I'm glad the Church is trying to make a similar event more accessible.
Tacenda Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 10 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said: I’m thinking EFY was cost prohibitive for many families in the Church. I’m guessing (and hoping) the new FSY program will be far less so. The church should pay the full cost. Tithing money could be used or from the profit making end. The members are janitors, missionaries, etc. The church could give them a break in this instance.
The Nehor Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, Tacenda said: The church should pay the full cost. Tithing money could be used or from the profit making end. The members are janitors, missionaries, etc. The church could give them a break in this instance. I disagree.
bluebell Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 21 minutes ago, Tacenda said: The church should pay the full cost. Tithing money could be used or from the profit making end. The members are janitors, missionaries, etc. The church could give them a break in this instance. I don't think the church could afford to do that. Some EFY experiences are thousands of dollars (mostly due to the airfare). 1
Tacenda Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 58 minutes ago, bluebell said: I don't think the church could afford to do that. Some EFY experiences are thousands of dollars (mostly due to the airfare). Wow, I had no idea. Both my son and daughter's EFY's to Logan and Provo, were a couple of hundred. Still think the church could handle it. It's got like 60 something billion.
bluebell Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 3 minutes ago, Tacenda said: Wow, I had no idea. Both my son and daughter's EFY's to Logan and Provo, were a couple of hundred. Still think the church could handle it. It's got like 60 something billion. It has $60 billion in liquid assets? And if it does, do you think that spending millions on EFY events for the youth each year would be the best use of those funds? I mean, if the church was doing that, wouldn't people just start complaining about how the money should be going to the poor instead? 4
Tacenda Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 2 minutes ago, bluebell said: It has $60 billion in liquid assets? And if it does, do you think that spending millions on EFY events for the youth each year would be the best use of those funds? I mean, if the church was doing that, wouldn't people just start complaining about how the money should be going to the poor instead? What are these camps that charge a couple of thousand? That needs to go, if so.
stemelbow Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 I don't understand why people are saying this new program will be cheaper. why are people saying that? I don't see that discussed in the article.
bluebell Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 9 minutes ago, Tacenda said: What are these camps that charge a couple of thousand? That needs to go, if so. It sounds like they are on their way out, but why would they need to go? They are completely optional and have nothing to do with any activities at the ward or stake level. To answer your question though, the ones that I have seen that are that much are the service ones where the kids go and do service in different countries in Africa and South America. 1
The Nehor Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 9 minutes ago, Tacenda said: What are these camps that charge a couple of thousand? That needs to go, if so. They were optional and cost that much because of the travel expenses to get the kids there. 17 minutes ago, Tacenda said: Wow, I had no idea. Both my son and daughter's EFY's to Logan and Provo, were a couple of hundred. Still think the church could handle it. It's got like 60 something billion. They could handle it. I could buy a Ferrari or a trip on one of those civilian space missions too but it would be a sub-optimal allocation of resources and the reason I could do those kinds of things is that I do not do those kinds of things. This kind of financial mindset is toxic. I have a pretty wealthy family member who married someone from a poor background. He loves her but has to work hard not to hate her family because they are always trying to get him and his wife to pay for everything and anything with the rationale that “they can afford it”. He lost it when there was a family meeting and her parents decided that they needed the couple to buy them a house and they had even picked one out and acted like it was a done decision as the rest of the family had all agreed this had to be done. The couple walked out and cut off all contact. 2
Duncan Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 Our Stake has always done a Mini EFY. For us here in central Canada EFY is always in Alberta and what parent is going to send their teen(s) on the bus or airplane alone? besides of which several people that went to EFY aren't active anymore so what was the benefit of it, in the long run? Just do it here, save money, time and get to know folks from around here 1
Prof Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 In my area, I see a lot of youth leave the Church once they graduate high school. I hope that this program will give them some testimony building so that they don't leave! 1
rockpond Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, Tacenda said: Wow, I had no idea. Both my son and daughter's EFY's to Logan and Provo, were a couple of hundred. Still think the church could handle it. It's got like 60 something billion. My son is going to EFY at BYU-Provo this summer. The cost was $525 plus airfare. But let's say that the church decided to cover the cost for all youth -- we still wouldn't have the capacity. If you want to give all youth, globally, the opportunity to have an EFY experience, I think that the FSY conferences are a great way to do it. I'm still sad that my two younger kids won't have the BYU EFY experience but I do think the greater good is being served here with the switch to FSY conferences. 2
Tacenda Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 1 minute ago, rockpond said: My son is going to EFY at BYU-Provo this summer. The cost was $525 plus airfare. But let's say that the church decided to cover the cost for all youth -- we still wouldn't have the capacity. If you want to give all youth, globally, the opportunity to have an EFY experience, I think that the FSY conferences are a great way to do it. I'm still sad that my two younger kids won't have the BYU EFY experience but I do think the greater good is being served here with the switch to FSY conferences. It does appear that the FSY will be more affordable.
The Nehor Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 10 minutes ago, Prof said: In my area, I see a lot of youth leave the Church once they graduate high school. I hope that this program will give them some testimony building so that they don't leave! While this is a tragedy this is rarely due to losing a testimony. It is because one was never there. I am reminded of C.S. Lewis’s comment about the students at his school. When they had the option to either go to roll call early or church service later almost all did the latter. When the policy changed and it was not required most of them stopped going to the chapel. This was not a shift in belief. It was just an opportunity to show what they actually believed. Same with kids leaving home. Many parents do not pass on a testimony......often because they do not have much of one themselves. 2
Tacenda Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 24 minutes ago, bluebell said: It sounds like they are on their way out, but why would they need to go? They are completely optional and have nothing to do with any activities at the ward or stake level. To answer your question though, the ones that I have seen that are that much are the service ones where the kids go and do service in different countries in Africa and South America. I have friends that just sent their daughter on one to Thailand. Forgot about it being an EFY program. Pretty sure it was this one. https://www.hefy.org/index.php/expeditions/asia-and-oceania/thailand2 The cost is over three thousand, so I understand this may not be sustainable for the church.
Amulek Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 23 minutes ago, stemelbow said: I don't understand why people are saying this new program will be cheaper. why are people saying that? I don't see that discussed in the article. I don't know that it will be significantly cheaper, though I'm hopeful that will be the case. At a minimum, you're going to be cutting down on transportation costs. Aside from those who lived in/around Provo and attended EFY at BYU, travel expenses could definitely add up - especially if you have multiple children wanting to attend. When we have had overnight youth conferences at local universities it was never terribly expensive. Plus, as an official (rather than optional) activity, Stakes and Wards ought to end up taking on the costs. 1
Tacenda Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 5 minutes ago, The Nehor said: While this is a tragedy this is rarely due to losing a testimony. It is because one was never there. I am reminded of C.S. Lewis’s comment about the students at his school. When they had the option to either go to roll call early or church service later almost all did the latter. When the policy changed and it was not required most of them stopped going to the chapel. This was not a shift in belief. It was just an opportunity to show what they actually believed. Same with kids leaving home. Many parents do not pass on a testimony......often because they do not have much of one themselves. How is one to have a testimony then? What is the criteria that someone has a legit testimony? That's like me saying you never had one if you ever disbelieve. Are you going to tell me that all those years you never had one? Because that is what you're saying here, albeit they are youth, but still.
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