HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to Jody

good history

After a day or so went by with no reply (you don't drop by every day, so normal), I started to think about what I'd advise Jody to say to her granddaughter. I'd have tread lightly on theology too, which is a difficult concept for outsiders and full of pitfalls; and talked a lot about the early history of struggle and persecution. Glad you took care of it before an outsider like me tried and botched it.

An area you didn't mention but might be appropriate for a kid, even one not considering joining up, is how to relate to Mormons socially. For example, she might have noticed that her Mormon friends tend to come from large families, as a result of religious beliefs. They might dress conservatively, and their families might do things others don't, like stock up on food. It's a good life lesson in general that people have reasons for what they do even if outsiders can't see it.

The biggest social minefield for all kinds of people is diet and ingestion of intoxicants and stimulants, whether your friends are vegan or Mormon or Muslim or Jewish. Jody's granddaughter ought to know about the high standards Mormons set, regarding the body as a temple, and eschewing not just alcohol but nicotine and other things too (Mormons aren't hypocrites when it comes to "Just say 'no' to drugs"). If, later as a teenager, a Mormon friend declines to "party", the granddaughter ought to understand the need to respect the religious basis for that stand.

Just a few thoughts, trying to tread lightly among your religious beliefs.

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