A radical view on Islam
Amid recent world events and a presidential race full of controversy, one of the issues at the forefront of America’s mind is Islam and how to deal with the ever-present threat of an ISIS catastrophe in the U.S. Frontrunner Donald Trump has proposed the barring of all Muslims coming into the country and heavy surveillance of those already here. Logical as that may seem, let me explain why that is the wrong thing to do.
Think about what he’s talking about doing here; he’s proposing the scrutinizing and ostracizing of an entire religion, based solely on the actions of one extremist group. To say that such a move is unfair is a complete understatement. Do we judge Christianity by its extremist groups (and if you don’t believe that they exist, just look it up)? Of course not! So why would we ever stoop so low as to do that to Muslims? Newsflash, Muslims are amazing people! I spent my entire mission among them and was even subject to their extremist violence on more than one occasion, but to punish their entire religion based on those few experiences would be absolutely preposterous.
People, there are more than a billion Muslims on this planet. If they really embraced the violence that Donald Trump wants to kick them from the country for, we’d all be dead by now. So let’s use some common sense here and not give ISIS an actual reason to turn their heads on the United States.
— Braden Tanner
Pocatello, Idaho
Dating and honesty
Countless firesides, devotionals, Sunday school lessons, Ensign articles, and General Conference talks are aimed towards young single adults and encourage, even direct us, to date. Through dating we gain experience and understanding of how to properly treat peers of the opposite sex, learn what traits we value as most important in an eternal companion, and ideally, eventually find that companion.
Far too often dating is not the enjoyable activity of meeting and getting to know new people, but rather a stress-filled, sleep-depriving mind game that does little more than to distract us during lectures and give us material to complain about to our roommates. To all of my single compatriots out there: it does not have to be that way!
A date does not constitute a marriage proposal. It does not mean that she’s totally into you. It means that you are willing to spend a few hours together, doing something that both of you enjoy. You get to know each other, you’re cordial, and you have fun! That does not seem to be a scary or intimidating process, and yet that’s often exactly what we make it because we don’t understand each other’s expectations. Open, honest, straightforward communication can fix this.
If you aren’t interested in dating seriously, say it. If you are really interested in a person and want to see if there’s some real chemistry there, say it. If you just want to have fun, and get to know the other person a little better, say it. Getting to the point where everyone understands what the other is thinking and feeling isn’t always easy or comfortable, but it makes dating more enjoyable and saves a lot of headache and heartache down the road.
— Davis Larkin
Layton, Utah
Just another editorial
“Just” is becoming the new “like” or “um.” It’s another filler word with no substance that makes what we say ordinary, average, and unprofessional: 'I'm just working for a company in Salt Lake,' or 'I'm just going to visit my Grandma,' or 'I just have church,' or 'I won't answer the phone, it's just my mom.'
The word “just' plays down our strengths and adds insecurity to our words. Would you ever write in a resume or say in an interview, 'I just served a 2 year mission' or 'I just did research for a Harvard professor?' It's not impressive, it's not professional, and it doesn’t sound good. So, why do we put it in front of our words when we speak? Why do we like sounding mediocre and indifferent? We just won't stand out with such language.
Be aware of “just” in your conversations and maybe you'll realize it’s just time to get rid of it.
— Celeste Ingersoll
Laguna Beach, California