Comments on: A Terrifying Proposal

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:18:32 +0000

Sic ‘im, iguacufalls! Besides, J. Paul’s posture was not correct while he was typing his criticism.

By: iguacufalls

iguacufalls — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:01:22 +0000

J.Paul – I think you must be on the wrong topic. The decoding of the letters by numbers is on the Enigma post

By: J. Paul

J. Paul — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:45:55 +0000

Also 1, 5, 8, 9, 10,

By: J. Paul

J. Paul — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:43:47 +0000

I would like to call attention to the unsuitableness of phraseology and wrong use of words in paragraphs 2, 3, 7 and 13

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:02:32 +0000

Iff’n ya wuz tuh go out intuh the big world whar the swells talk gooder ‘n you do, tho, it might could be a dang good thing fer somebody what could talk like one o’ them school marms to larn you to talk good. Cuz its allers easy fer folks to make fun o’ ya fer talkin bad, as if yer mountain speechifyin meant that only stupid folks could b’leve in yer religion.

By: BruceCrow

BruceCrow — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:40:41 +0000

I mispell wurds when i right them on the chalk bord all the time. it duzn’t seam to be a problim with the class, though.

By: Steve C.

Steve C. — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:23:28 +0000

This is great stuff! I will be conducting a teacher development workshop for my branch in March. I can use BH as an “attention getter”.

I like the method JM used. In my unit we are always looking for ways to improve the sub-par teaching. We have a number of professional teachers and university professors. Unfortunately, most are in leadership or have stake callings and we can’t utilize their talents.

I do think BH brings up some good points. I think lesson preparation needs to focus on correcting “misconceptions in ideas, defects in logical treatment.” On the other hand, I can tolerate some grammatical errors pronunciation mistakes if they’re not too distracting. I think most of us are guilty of those things. But I think doctrinal integrity is quite important.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:50:40 +0000

I’m afraid of the honest-but-fair criticism, kevinf. The certainty of honest-but-ignorant criticism just makes me mad.

By: kevinf

kevinf — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:30:54 +0000

Seriously, I think you’re right, Ardis. Look at his suggestions of things that should be pointed out:

awkwardness in bearing, unsuitableness of phraseology, wrong use of words, errors in grammar, mispronunciation of words, misconceptions in ideas, defects in logical treatment, inappropriateness of illustration

Worthwhile, perhaps, certainly idealistic, but put this in more general terms. Many of our PH, RS, and SS teachers were raised in an era where every player on the soccer team got a trophy. We’re a society that thrives on constant reaffirmation of mediocrity. (“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone, people like me!”) Honest but fair criticism? How horrible!

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:28:27 +0000

Since you have probably never had to suffer through a lesson in priesthood meeting, Ardis, you must have no idea how truly awful much of what passes for teaching in the quorums is. I say, let’s bring back Brother B.H. from the dead, and see if he can whip this generation of teachers into shape.

We could try starting here in Brooklyn, where he spent several years as president of the Eastern States Mission. Maybe we could go hold a seance on the street in front of the old mission home, and get him to come to us from the vasty deep.