"To me, that's what the gospel is about: helping everyone come unto Christ, from the Simpsons fan to the stay-at-home-mom to the homosexual."

Archives for April 6, 2006

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QDear 100 Hour Board,

I want to take pictures from the roof of the SWKT. The archives say to contact the building coordinator, but I can't seem to find a name/phone number/email address to do this from BYU's website. Will you please tell me one of those things?

And aren't there public hours where I wouldn't have to bother talking with a building coordinator?

- babyducky

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ADear babyducky,

The SWKT custodial told me that the building coordinator for the SWKT doesn't deal with access to the observation deck of the SWKT. They told me the only way you can get up there is through campus tours. So I suggest contacting the office of Public Affairs & Guest Relations, who handles general campus tours. See http://unicomm.byu.edu/about/c... for contact info.

-Wilhelmina Wafflewitz

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QDear 100 Hour Board,

What is your opinion of people who suffer from a mental illness and taking responsibility of their actions? Ask this question based upon several things. First, I have had several experiences with individuals in my life where they will excuse themselves from their actions because they were trying to cope with their mental disorder.

Another example is the recent case involving Debra LaFave (for more info see http://www.newsday.com/news/na...). At one point she made a public comment saying that "Mental Illnesses are real and...they can cause good people do bad things." Granted, that can be true, but she makes that her excuse for having sexual relationships with a 14 year-old boy. No matter how severe your mental illness, it never removes your responsibility. At least, that is my opinion.

So, what is your opinion? I would like to know

- First Tenor

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ADear FT,

Sometimes mental illnesses are incapacitating, but the case of LeFavre is more like... Hmm. After three times of doing the same thing, do you think she was aware of her actions? Probably so. I don't care if she was 23 or 103, but no matter what the pressing mental circumstances of the case are, my personal opinion is that if she was coherent enough to get a teaching certificate, and to get the kid to do this act with her thrice, she should go to jail.

I feel sorrier for the kid than for her. He's the one who's going to have the mental problems in the future, not her. She can have all the guilt she wants, and whether or not she's actually bi-polar is for more than one professional to decide.

Otherwise, I don't know of any mentally incompetent people who would know enough to do the things that she did. Yes, I'm being judgemental, but... the kid is the victim here. She had authority, and she severed abused it. Sorry this reponse is more in reply to the case than to the mental disorder thing, but if she is so badly off, she needs not only house arrest, but probably treatment in a facility, and I personally think she is using the mental stuff as a cop-out.

Keep Kids Safe!
The Last Line

ADear First Tenor,

In many of these situations, I have to remember that "the Lord looketh on the heart" and even though I may know the facts of a situation, I don't ever really know the motivations, mental or emotional states of the people involved.

However, using a mental illness as an excuse for your actions makes me pretty suspicious. In my mind, if you're cognizant of the fact that your actions require an excuse, you're also cognizant that your actions were wrong in the first place, which negates the validity of the excuse.

The people I know who have a mental illness which really does affect their actions aren't happy about it and don't use it to excuse irresponsible behavior. They are aware that they can't always behave in the ways they want to, but they also wish that they didn't have this crutch.

Of course, you also say that "no matter how severe your mental illness, it never removes your responsibility." I'm not quite sure I agree with that. I'll agree as far as mortal actions go, that if someone with a mental illness commits a crime they should be held responsible, and appropriately incarcerated or held for treatment. On a spiritual level, though, I think that only God can perfectly judge one's intentions and ability to discern right from wrong.

- Katya

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QDear 100 Hour Board,

What role does each level of the church (Ie apostle, bishop, stake Pres.,) have in determing what happens to a missionary who has an obvious disability but is prepared to serve (ie, where he is called)?

- Jason Jackson

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ADear Jason Jackson,

When filling out the required forms to submit for a mission call, any factors that should be considered in where that call should be issued for should be included. This includes diabilities. There is an area for the bishop and stake president to make any comments or suggestions based on an individual's situation, but ultimately, it isn't in their hands.

Once the papers are submitted to the Church, the missionary department evaluates them and from here on out, my knowledge is more broad. The missionary department will go over every aspect of the papers and take into account different factors in deciding eligibility to serve in different places. Once they have determined where you cannot serve, it is up to the missionary committee (consisting of at least one apostle) to assign you to where you will serve.

-Pa Grape

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QDear 100 Hour Board,

I've been considering 9/11 recently and have read the conspiracy theories that the government was behind it. I have also read that BYU professor's presentations about how it is impossible that the planes could have demolished the twin towers like they did. There is a bunch of stuff out there about the government specifically training for plane attacks and attacks on the world trade center and different statements that were made by government officials before 9/11 about how a catastrophe like Pearl Harbor is the only way to move the American people towards war. I have really been struggling with the entire theory. What do you guys think about this? The theories are convincing, but I don't want to believe it.

-Stark Republican and Bush Lover

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ADear Stark Republican,

I have heard some of the other theories out there. I haven't actively gone out and read them. The truth is and chances are that you and I will never know for certain if any of those conspiracy theories are true (hence, they're not called conspiracy facts).

Now, I am not trying to belittle the tragedy that occurred, but do we really need to know? I mean, yes, if there is an actual investigation and you are part of the investigation into whether the devastation truly was possible from jetliners crashing into the buildings, then I guess it is your job to try and know. But should your every waking thought be consumed by this? I don't believe so.

My philosophy that I do my best to live by is to only stress over what I have control over and to remember that what I have control over is the only thing that God is going to want to talk to me about at that great and final PPI. Nothing more, nothing less. So, did I do my best to elect leaders that I felt were honest, sincerely motivated, and qualified for the job (making those judgments based on facts, not rumors)? Did I do my best to support the leaders of the country in what I felt were moral pursuits?

When it comes down to it, there will be rumors and conspiracy theories about everything significant that ever happens, and probably about a few insignificant things as well. There's nothing wrong with having an open mind and considering alternative ideas, but when it comes down to it, if the facts just aren't there and the theory has no substantial proof to it, then, in my opinion, you just let it go and get on with life.

Just my opinions on all this.

-Rafe

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QDear 100 Hour Board,

Perhaps this is a superfluous observation, but isn't it ironic how the date of the 9/11 terrorists attacks is the same number we use for emergency assistance nationwide. What are your thoughts on this, perhaps less than coincidental, similarity?

- Just wondering why it all happened

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ADear Wondering,

I don't find it any less coincidental than the fact that hundreds of thousands of people visit libraries across the nation on 4/11 every year.

That's just me, though.

-Rafe

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QCherished 100 Hour Board,

Between sessions of General Conference I was watching the Church's "World Report" and saw that in celebration of President Hinckley's 95th birthday a biographical video was made of him with Mike Wallace narrating. Is this video available to the general public and, if so, where might I obtain a copy?

Thanks a bunch,
Just Wondering

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ADearest Just Wondering,

I believe what you're referring to is "A Celebration of Life," President Hinckley's 95th birthday party that was held in the conference center. It's available on DVD from Deseret Book http://deseretbook.com/store/p..., or, if you prefer, you can just watch in online at http://www.lds.org/broadcast/m... in English, Spanish, ASL, French, Samoan, Tongan, or Portuguese. You'll need Windows Media Player. The biography part with Mike Wallace is in the second half, and there are lots of other cool musical performers and speakers too.

Enjoy!

-Tangerine

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QDear 100 Hour Board,

What exactly is a solemn assembly? I'm pretty sure a Temple dedication is a solemn assembly, but what about any other building? Board Question #8219 and Board Question #17587 both refer to General Conference as a solemn assembly.
From what I remember in the scriptures, the Lord calls solemn assemblies on the 7th or 8th day during or after feasts or fasts or mournings. So I know of examples, but is there any hard and fast definition? If not, can you make one up for me?
- light-hearted scattering

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ADear Scattering,

The Solemn Assembly discussed in the mentioned board questions does refer to a General Conference. The first General Conference after the ordination of a new President of the Church is called a "solemn assembly."

According to David B. Haight:

Quote:

A solemn assembly, as the name implies, denotes a sacred, sober, and reverent occasion when the Saints assemble under the direction of the First Presidency. Solemn assemblies are used for three purposes: the dedication of temples, special instruction to priesthood leaders, and sustaining a new President of the Church. This conference session today is a solemn assembly for the purpose of sustaining a newly called Church President and other officers of the Church.
(David B. Haight, "Solemn Assemblies," Ensign, Nov. 1994, 14)

The occasion of this talk was the solemn assembly to sustain President Howard W. Hunter as Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1986, President Gordon B. Hinckley conducted the Solemn Assembly for Ezra Taft Benson. He discussed the history of the meeting:

Quote:

Dating from October 10, 1880, when John Taylor was sustained to succeed Brigham Young as prophet, seer, revelator, and President of the Church, each such occasion has been designated a formal Solemn Assembly of the body of the Church to express the voice of the Church. There have been ten such in the past. In each case, holders of the various offices of the priesthood were assembled in this Tabernacle and seated by quorums or groups in various areas of the building, each voting as a quorum or group on the officers of the Church as they were presented.
("Solemn Assembly and Sustaining of Church Officers," Ensign, May 1986, 73)

In most cases, each quorum would stand together in a group, but President Hinckley pointed out in 1986 that it was impractical to do so. Therefore, he asked each quorum group to stand seperatly. In order, he asked each of the following groups to stand and sustain the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve apostles:
1) The First Presidency
2) The Council of the Twelve Apostles
3) All ordained patriarchs; all ordained high priests, including members of the First Quorum of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric; all other seventies and all ordained elders, wherever you may be participating
4) The Aaronic Priesthood -- all ordained priests, teachers, and deacons
5) The entire congregation, including all of those who have stood previously.

Each group is asked seperatly to raise their hands and sustain the new Prophet, First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles.

In 1995 when President Monson conducted the Solemn Assembly for President Hinckley, he added a few seperate groups and asked them to stand together according to the following:

1) The First Presidency
2) The Council of the Twelve Apostles
3) The members of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric
4) All ordained patriarchs and all members of high priests and elders quorums
5) The Aaronic Priesthood -- all ordained priests, teachers, and deacons
6) Members of the Relief Society-that is, all women eighteen years of age and older
7) The young women-that is, all young women ages twelve to eighteen
5) The entire congregation, including all of those who have stood previously.

In both cases, the rest of the business of sustaining General Authorities happend with everybody seated and in unison.

As mentioned in the question and Elder Haight's comment above, Temple Dedications are considered solemn assemblies "to act on heavenly things" (Haight). There are also meetings of Priesthood Leaders. A bishop I know was recently invited to a Solemn Assembly in the Assembly Hall of the Salt Lake Temple. In two sessions, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles conducted a meeting of all Stake Presidents and Bishops in the Salt Lake Area. And, as the Bishop described it, they put on a perfect sacrament meeting. The Twelve administered the sacrament and others spoke.

Those are the three forms of a Solemn Assembly. The most public assembly is that of sustaining a new Prophet.

Yours,

Bispo Pedro

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QDear 100 Hour Board,

Watching the priesthood session of conference tonight, I wondered what is that white thing that president faust wears which seems like a small microphone? (It hangs from his left ear, over the cheek)

- il ceco

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ADear il ceco,
It was a microphone. I noticed this during the first session of conference. My family and I decided that perhaps his voice isn't strong enough to completely project to the podium.
-ABC 123

ADear il ceco,

It could also just feed into a hearing aide to help him with speech feedback. When you talk, you hear yourself inside of your head. If you start to lose your hearing, that aspect of speech begins to be lost, and it can be more difficult to speak clearly. I don't know if that's exactly what happened, but it would make sense that someone would have a desire to speak more clearly...especially in General Conference.

-Novel Concept

ADear il ceco,

I contacted the Church's Public Affairs office and recieved the following explanation:

"[The Microphone is] simply to provide additional amplification for President Faust so we can all hear him."

It seems, as mentioned above, that President Faust's voice is getting weaker, so they mounted that high-quality mic on his cheek to pick up his voice effectively.

It was interesting... I saw the same brand of Microphone being used by Andy Serkis when he did the Motion Capture work for King Kong (see the DVD extras). So, they are obviously using a good-quality mic for President Faust.

The church does broadcast technology very well.

That is all.

Horatio

Quote:

Dear Mido -

Haven't you ever played a Legend of Zelda game? All the chicks go for Link. There's never any room for anyone else. It may make you feel better to know that he's not going to pick Saria in the end - she'll need some comforting after she gets rejected.

You could also try being a little nicer. You're pretty bossy...and a jerk besides. Loosen up.

And where do you get off calling fair Saria a "chick"?! And where do you get off thinking you know who Link will "pick"?! You do not know who he will pick, even if you think you do! But wait. . .Shoot! Am I arguing against myself here?

Grumble. . .grumble. . .

- Mido

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ADear Mido -

Counterpoint: I beat the game. You didn't.

I don't think there's anything else left to say here.

- Optimistic.

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CMy dear Board writers,

It seems we need a quick review over some BYU grading rules (re: Board Question #24323). It is true that the UW grade is no longer used. The rules about when to give a UW and when to give an E were really confusing, so they did away with the UW. So now, students are given E's if they stop attending, don't take the final, etc. An E is a failing grade, so it will most certainly affect your GPA.

An I is what is given when a student signs an Incomplete contract with his teacher. This can only be done if the student has been attending the class all semester and is passing up until the discontinuance deadline but then has some sort of non-academic emergency arise in the last two weeks and can't finish the course. Once the student fulfills the contract, the I will be replaced with whatever grade is earned. If the student doesn't fulfill the contract, an IE grade will be given, which is calculated as a failing grade.

Katya explained all this really well in Board Question #9661 (which was referenced in Board Question #24262), but just to add to that--the deadline to discontinue is two weeks before the end of a semester (which is, amazingly enough, when the Records Office can start handing out Incomplete contracts!).

If students have questions about the grading rules, they can call the Records Office at 422-4470. If they have questions about discontinuing, they can call the Discontinuance Office at 422-7705.

You know I love you.

- Your favorite Registrar's Office employee

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CDear 100 Hour Board,

(At the risk of usurping the Board's "omniscience" . . .) On Board Question #24214: sounds like a June Bug to me. Like these buggers: http://insectphotos.net/orders...
http://www.cirrusimage.com/bee...

(Now, if I were just smart enough to figure out how to apply to become a Board writer. (Seriously.))

- Idyho Spud

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ADear Idyho Spud,

Perhaps, perhaps! The "looked like a bee" thing threw me off. Regardless, I'm sure our original question asker will enjoy all the help and be able to identify the bug.

- de novo -