Let Us (Only) Speak Kind Words

Through the Veil

cw: discussion of gender dynamics through LDS gender binary framework; mention of violence and m*rder Today we’re learning about the stark differences between how the LDS Church teaches their young women and young men. I analyze the youth lesson manual topics to compare and contrast the emphasis given to preparing for a future of family life, and I discuss the heavy implications the “gender divide” differences have on the development of Mormon girls and boys alike. In week forty-seven my journal entries include whining about a faithful saint getting too “Kolob” in our surface-level lesson with an investigator, watching an inspirational Ward Council training video to cheer up after a depressing visit, and entering the home of an insistent adult man on a dark and stormy night... Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen [http://patreon.com/AllyChristiansen] Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen [https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen] This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you! Internet Archive: Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3 [https://web.archive.org/web/20101213002609/http://lds.org/manual/aaronic-priesthood-manual-3?lang=eng]  Internet Archive: Young Women Manual 3  [https://web.archive.org/web/20101213002614/http://lds.org/manual/young-women-manual-3?lang=eng] Internet Archive: Preparing to Become an Eternal Companion  [https://web.archive.org/web/20101231223421/http://lds.org/manual/young-women-manual-3/lesson-4-preparing-to-become-an-eternal-companion?lang=eng] Internet Archive: Hastening the Work: Ward Council Training [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/english/wwlt/hasten/hastening-the-work-ward-council-eng.pdf?lang=eng] Internet Archive: Hastening the Work: Ward Mission Leaders [https://web.archive.org/web/20140219074057/https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/ward-council-and-mission-leaders] YouTube: The Ward Mission Leader in the Work of Salvation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYUDIVRP354] Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen. Music credits: Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 #sistermissionary #sdrcm #southdakotarapidcitymission #NdbM #northdakotabismarckmission #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister #mormonmissionary #deconstruction

My Patriarchal Blessing

cw: Reading through and discussing my own patriarchal blessing—discretion advised for believing Latter-day Saints. Skip through if you don’t want to hear it! I’ve had this on the backburner and I decided today is the day. I’m reading through my patriarchal blessing and discussing the specific ways it harmed my development, before and during my mission. In week forty-six my journal entries include multiple instances of divine guidance, comforting a family about their son who was refusing to serve as a missionary, and referring to myself as an Elder Sister. Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen [http://patreon.com/AllyChristiansen] Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen [https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen] This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you! Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen. Music credits: Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 #sistermissionary #sdrcm #southdakotarapidcitymission #NdbM #northdakotabismarckmission #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister #mormonmissionary #deconstruction

The Curse On Their Skin

cw: discussion of theological arguments for racism It’s season 3! I’ve wanted to discuss the LDS Church’s theological relationship with race, with regards to Black people in particular. Today, I finally decided how to start this topic—by reading from the Book of Mormon.  In week forty-five my journal entries include picking up and moving to my third area, saying goodbye to my old trainee and meeting my new one, and thanking the Lord for His tender mercies when I discover a local sunflower field. Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen [http://patreon.com/AllyChristiansen] Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen [https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen] This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you! LDS Gospel Topics Essays: Race and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/race-and-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng] Learn More:  The Black Menaces: https://www.theblackmenaces.org/home [https://www.theblackmenaces.org/home]  Mormon Stories: Channel Achenbach [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbyGhOXVSqE&list=PLxq5opj6GqOCQclBv9mdHAYD5UQHb9YCp] Wikipedia: Black people and Mormonism [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_people_and_Mormonism] Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen. Music credits: Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 #sistermissionary #sdrcm #southdakotarapidcitymission #NdbM #northdakotabismarckmission #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister #mormonmissionary #deconstruction

Those Who Mourn

cw: mention of diet culture/restrictive eating, mention of food insecurity I don’t know if you’ve noticed but whenever I’m writing about something sad in my journal as a missionary, there’s always some sort of faithful spin, some positive element, some way to see God’s hand in it all. This was a learned, cultural response. I didn’t just make this up on my own—I knew that part of being a valiant example of Christ, a light on the hill, was showing my faith through my absolute belief in God’s plan and will and timing. Today I’m starting things off with a reflection on the Mormon tendency to avoid feeling grief and loss, from regular daily life to the big moments like funerals. In week forty-four my journal entries include reprimanding myself for putting off God’s instructions for our area, blaming myself for being too negative, and reminding myself to be diligent—aka, obedient and positive—every single day. Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen [http://patreon.com/AllyChristiansen] Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen [https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen] This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you! LDS General Handbook: 29.5 Funeral Services (Where Customary) [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/29-meetings-in-the-church?lang=eng] Alyssa Grenfell: The Dark World of Mormon Funerals [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Lw3V_6QEA] Learn More:  Heidi Priebe: What to do About Heartbreak (Grief) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPkWHdamMfo] Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen. Music credits: Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 #sistermissionary #sdrcm #southdakotarapidcitymission #NdbM #northdakotabismarckmission #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister #mormonmissionary #deconstruction

Let Us (Only) Speak Kind Words

cw: mention of pornography We open today with a discussion on the strong culture for “kindness” and against contention. From the hymns we sing in Sunday services to missionary guidelines on living like Christ, it’s no wonder that I struggled with honest communication on my mission! I believe that this cultural refusal to tolerate conflict ruins true relational authenticity at best, and in worst case scenarios is a key element of the social leniency towards perpetrators of abuse. In week forty-three my journal entries include finally going on a fun group P-day activity, helping a tragically overwhelmed Young Women’s leader prepare for Girl’s Camp, and experiencing one of God’s greatest miracles—finding my lost wallet! Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen [http://patreon.com/AllyChristiansen] Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen [https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen] This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you! LDS Hymnal #232: Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/let-us-oft-speak-kind-words?lang=eng] Current Missionary Preach My Gospel Manual: Chapter 6, Patience [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/preach-my-gospel-2023/14-chapter-6?lang=eng] Heidi Priebe: How People Pleasing Kills Intimacy (And Honest Conflict Builds It) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLj9HrKfcYE] Alyssa Grenfell’s interview of Heather Gay: Discussing “Surviving Mormonism” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Ef5-d05C0] Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen. Music credits: Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 #sistermissionary #sdrcm #southdakotarapidcitymission #NdbM #northdakotabismarckmission #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister #mormonmissionary #deconstruction