Deseret News | MormonSpeak: The Boy Behind the Moon

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MormonSpeak: The Boy Behind the Moon

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Perle | 1:37 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

This story should make some people sit up and think about how they treat others. Adults can push young people into a tight corner that some, unlike the Boy Behind the Moon, may never get out of.

Becky | 6:45 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I loved this story! I had the best belly laugh! People can surprise you!

Seabass | 7:29 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I loved the story! it was amusing, and entertaining! I loved the eclipse. Thanks! bye!

Comments continue below

Mom of 5 | 7:39 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I needed a laugh today! What a great story. Sometimes good kids do stupid things and as adults we need to take every moment we have with our youth to help them learn and grow from their mistakes. With parents and teachers putting pressure on kids sometimes they need a leader or a parent that once in a while will sit down and let them know your a great kid! I now that there are some things I did as a teen that I don't necessarliy want my kids to know (like toilet papering the bishops house)but sometimes it helps them to understand that their parents made mistakes and hey we turned out just fine.

kiajellybean | 7:58 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I'm sure I would have been mortified if this had been my son, but.... really, isn't it funny?? In my family, it would have been something we'd laugh about for years to come, once the moment had passed. Give the poor boy a break! It was a kid thing to do, and really not all that unusual for the age group. Jeesh!

grundle | 8:23 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Thanks for a fun story!

Raymond Takashi Swenson | 9:55 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

The thing missing from this story is the repentance of the moon boy. It tells a story of people tolerating misconduct and the guy turns out OK in the end. (pun intended)

What if he had used an obscenity instead? What if he had acted violently, bouncing the ball against a Relief Society sister's head? If another youngster reads this, the lesson he or she hears is that you can get away with offensive actions in your teenage years and still be OK, and people should tolerate such offensive stupidity--in a church!

Let's suppose that one of the ladies who was there was so offended that she stopped coming to church. Or that she was a non-Mormon who spread the story of how Mormons behave to her Methodist friends, persuading a family to stop seeing the LDS missionaries.

Sorry, this story gets a thumbs down from me. I want to see the kid straightening up and realizing he did something wrong. Too much irrational behavior in teen years--like getting drunk and dangerous driving--is high risk. People who survive might look back and think it humorous, but stupidity can also have tragic and unforgettable consequences.

Yulie December | 10:40 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I think those who are having trouble with this story should realize that kids are kids and are people too and have feelings. With the action may have been inappropriate, what harm was done? Some one was a bit miffed? And its not like the young man had no remorse...or was not given greif over the incident...

Get over yourselves if you were puritanical about this...remember about not being offended? An Ensign article not so long ago? Take the story in the context it was written. Oh and it was hardly like tolerating misconduct...

Dan | 10:40 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Oh, I remember those days as a kid trying to play ball. The Relief Society would take up one corner of then gym and wouldn't let us play. Why do they always do that? Why can't they just go to another room? It's as if they need the power to use the gym and not let boys play. If they just said, "yeah,we'll move to a different room," then there would never have been a mooning incident. It's the relief society's own fault for forcing the boys to get their energy out through mooning instead of through basketball.

Lisa | 10:45 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Funny story. But what about the Relief Society leader. My first thought is, what is the big deal? Move the quilts to one end of the room. It is so hard to keep young men coming to the church. For whatever reason, let them come and support them. It was mutal night after all. The sisters handled the situation poorly, resulting in the boys prank. I think sometimes we get all bent out of shape for a harmless prank and the boy is probably a great kid, so lighten up Raymond.

Kilo-Watt | 11:00 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

"For Heavens Sakes"

Let's not compare a little "Moonshine" with "drinking" and "driving"

Are Teenagers little adults? Not Necessarily.

Can they be offensive in there behavior? Undoubtedly!

Do they need counsel and advice?
Most positively!

Can they grow up to be responcible adults and parents?
Most asuredly!

Do they need to be addressed positively and politely? Most naturally!

Do they respond more positiely when addressed politely RS Sisters? Mostly!

Can we laugh at their pranks afterward?
Sometimes!

Is ther really hurt by some of their actions?
Occasionally!

Do we need to love them?
Always!

Do we need to show tough love sometimes?
Yes of Course!

Will they respond to tough love?
Most of the time!

Are they a child of God?
All the time!

TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE!!!!!

labeau | 11:04 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

raymond, get over yourself. I bet your own kids couldn't wait to get away from you.
Your a nutburger.
no wonder people think where nuts.

Kilo-Watt | 11:03 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

PS
And remember I'm not the only one who feels like a teenager once in a while and I'm 65+

stevan | 11:16 a.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Good story - good moral. I'm not LDS, but as a parent, I appreciate the stories of Learning and growing - if we don't allow our kids to fail and suffer consequences in smaller things.....
well done.

Nancy | 1:13 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I was highly offended by this article. There are too many unsupervised youth who think they own the gyms of the church. Hooray for the RS sisters who stood their ground. The young men of the story need some good sound punishment for very inappropriate and offensive behavior.

Jim | 2:02 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

These comments show some of the small divisions in outlook on the LDS faith between wanting to uphold high standards and wanting to be forgiving. I guess we need both, but I want more forgiveness and less harshness. I really do think Nancy and Raymond are being way too uptight. It is good to see that most people can get a laugh out of this and move on. I wonder, did people really call for this boy's excommunication? That would have been outrageous. What kind of saint is it that would permenantly destroy a teenager's reputation and opportunities in the Church over one silly impulsive act made by a hormone-messed-up kid? We almost never ex teenagers, no matter how drug-trashed and wild they be. We work with them, because teens aren't hardly real people yet, and the church is practical enough to regognize that . I worry that all of the "perfect " justice-mongers in this life will only find justice in the next.

What the . . . | 2:08 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Nancy - I sure hope you are a troll, cuz that's just goofy.

Fun story BTW.

Bob | 2:14 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Nancy and Raymond, people like you are what's wrong with the church. I certainly hope you don't hold leadership positions, and have nothing to do with the youth.

As for the comment about a moon free mission, I'm going to have to call shenanigans. I bet if you asked Travis, he mooned his share of companions.

Jerry in Texas | 2:34 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Nancy - it's sisters like you that need a BBall bounced off their head! I remember putting a cream pie in the face of the Young Mens President when I was 16. It was meant as a loving joke. I really liked the guy. But the way he carried on and demanded "restitution" from my parents and myself.. I never went back to mutual.

Kids will always be kids. Live with it and enjoy the adventure. They will grow out it - I promise.

I beleive | 3:28 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I was shocked by the behavior of this young man, however I am sure that his parents gave him a good lecture and most likely he was grounded for quite a while after that... I guess so because of the way he turned out today. The parents did their part, the church leaders did theirs, and this is the way it ought to be. To raise a child it is a community effort, it is not sufficient to point the fingers when things go wrong, but it is everyone's duty, withing this child's circlde to contribute to his emotional, spiritual, and mental welfare. Parents cannot do it alone. They never could and today it is even worst! We do not need anybody critisism when we raise children, we have enough sorrow when we them making mistakes. We need more understanding and more help andmore insight on how to. We need more allies rather than more ennemies.
What did Christ says when they wanted to cast stones to the prostitute?
He new she had sinned, he knew she was guilty. But he simply told them : he without sin cast the first stone. Then he sent her home, telling her to sin no more.
Can we do the same? be forgiving, and non-judjing? we do no have to like the sin. But we should love everyone. We need to be more Christlike if we want to make a difference.

Lovely | 3:31 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Nancy, what is your problem? Do you enjoy the power trip of denying something that would bring pleasure (and exercise) to somebody just because you can? Hooray for the RS who had multiple options but wanted to teach the young men a lesson that, even though a compromise was available the young men were worthless and of no concern? How very Christ-like of you.

Mooner | 4:07 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Thanks for the funny story. Reminds me of a mooning episode I had when I was young and stupid. I think all the young women eventually recovered and I'm glad my parents didn't disown me.

Pat | 5:11 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

The relief society sister got what she ask for!!

She was nasty to the boy, and lazy!!They should have moved out of the boys way,so the boys could play basketball..

SJ | 6:13 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

What a jerk. Glad he (apparently) grew up.

And to everyone who wants to tell Ray and Nancy how stupid they are, let it be your daughter who gets flashed or mooned by the out-of-control, "hormonally-challenged" fifteen-year-old. Then show us how stupid you are.

Mark | 7:52 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

The article is wonderful, especially to a repentant youth from many years ago. However, the comments are priceless. I'm so glad I escaped Zion as it were....

Mother of 3 | 8:07 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I have 3 boys, and I can say that if anyone of them would behave this way, I would be greatly disapointed and there would be some serious consequences to follow this inapropriate behavior.
However, it seems that everyone today is quick to judge and condamn the youth. I agree that some could be more respectful toward others and property that do not belong to them. I agree that some could have better manners, but who teaches them these values? who enforces these values?
Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world, and I have not met a perfect person yet. So i think we will have to keep putting up with unperfect people until WE parents get it right ; and I don't know that it is possible to raise the perfect child. But we can keep on trying and certainly keep on loving them beside all of their stupid mistakes...
Doesn't RS teaches the gospel of Christ?
well Nancy read ST Matt 9:10-13

Enrichment Night | 10:36 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

These young men need to learn to respect the Relief Society and not hassle them. Our RS even had some trouble with some 20 something men who insisted on playing basketball and tried to kick us out. These guys were from the other ward and it was our ward's night for the building. These guys should learn better manners and toughen up and play outside. Blah, blah, blah so what if this hooligan is at medical school and supposedly turned out ok.

Tim | 10:53 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

The kid did something stupid a long time ago - nothing major, just a silly, stupid, immature thing. (Basically, he was being a teenager.) We've all done something really dumb, even if they aren't quite as memorable as this story. I can't believe (okay, I can believe) people are suggesting that this is comparable with driving drunk or that it is something he couldn't grow out of. Teenagers (and people in general, really) are impulsive, sometimes doing really stupid things. That doesn't excuse the action, but it doesn't eternally condemn the person either. One act (especially a small one like this) does not define a person's entire character.

And Raymond: if someone had hypothetically left the church over that incident, well... I would say the main fault there is not in the teenager, but in the adult who should know better than to be so mortally offended by the impulsive (admittedly offensive, but not THAT offensive) action of a young teenager. As many people much wiser than you or I have said (paraphrasing): "People do and say stupid things, but it is always our choice whether to be offended or not." ("Oh no! A boy's behind! Whatever will we do?" "Leave the church of course!")

I think it's absurd to think that a teenager will read this and now think they are justified in swearing/drunk driving/etc. You're right, instead of doing this he might have bounced a basketball against someone's head, he might even have sworn (gasp!) - in fact, he might even have taken off all of his clothes and ran around shouting obscenities and throwing basketballs at ladies' heads. But the fact is that he didn't do those things. And I think most people realize that mooning someone is different (and generally less offensive) than those things.

Ben | 10:53 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I think we should learn from this experience and ban the relief society from using the gym. They will only continue to provoke the youth with their space consuming service projects.

gramme | 10:55 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

I enjoyed the story but felt so sad that the RS ladies could not be more tolerant of the teen-agers. Yes, they do stupid things, didn't you as a teen-ager??? I know I certainly did and I was considered a "little angel" by most of the adults but as one person stated, have you ever met a perfect person as yet? Think of the accomplishments this young man has had after this incident, top in his class, young missionary, now studying to be a wonderful, caring (I am sure) doctor. Both of my sons are totally inactive and I raised them in the Church and as a single Mother needed all the help I could get with them as teen-agers but they were often banned from the RS President's home where they were friends with her sons because as she put it so harshly "You are trouble makers because you don't have a Father". I informed her they did have a Father, he just didn't live with us and my sons were followers and her sons were leaders!!! Anyway, my sons are good men, just not active in the Church which pains me deeply as I know they had a hard time of people being tolerant with them as youth. RS Sisters and all of us for that matter, think of the consequences before any action is taken or harsh words come out of our mouths. We can make quilts anywhere but there is only one basketball court in the Church!
I am thankful I am wiser in my older years, please let's be more tolerant as the Savior teaches of others whether they be youth, adults, gays, of another race or color, we could be the only contact of the LDS faith, let's make it a good one!

Mother, too | 10:57 p.m. Aug. 28, 2007

Wow! I wonder if Joe Walker realized what a stir his story was going to cause. I personally really enjoyed the article and got quite a chuckle out of it. Thanks, Joe, for making my close to perfect day a little more perfect.

rebecca | 6:31 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Everyones saying how wrong it is for people to be upset with this young man, and that he was treated badley , but they have no problem saying mean things to each other, we are all at different places in our lives ,therefore our opinions are going to differ, this young man should not have done that, but he was found worthy to go on a mission, he must have made things right, the bigger picture is so much easier to see. WOW! he went on a mission . it gave me hope for my son , who is a tall gangly somewhat onery 14 year old, I do well to get him to church at all,

wow! | 7:31 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

This was a great story! Started my day off in a great way. But it has really made my day to read the comments. Is this really what your church gets all riled up over? I work with troubled youth in a residential facility and I can tell you this was nothing! I was glas to see some folks see the purpose of the story. Kids are great and sounds like Travis has a pretty good head on his shoulder so he couldn't have been that stupid.

Thanks people for your spiritual wisdom! Especially Nancy and Raymond..it's people like you that confirm my idea that there are stupid people in every church. WOW!

Blue Never Doubts | 7:44 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Haaaaaaaa! Haaaa! Haaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

Thank-you...thank-you for this hilarious and entertaining story!

I know people like Nancy and Raymond, they wouldn't know a funny if it hit them square in the behind! (pun INtended). The never can see the humor in any situation or event.

I wouldn't condone a good mooning anywhere, but this was funny. Maybe not at the time, but many stories, after time passes can be viewed from the humorous side.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Nancy and Raymond someday sit with their children, (if their children still speak to them) and years later relate the "unspeakable secrets" all kids seem to have...I'll bet Nancy and Raymond pull out the belt and whopp their 35-year old little brats for things they did 25 years ago! (And likely give 'em a whopp on the bare bum...a forced "moon-move" by many a parent over the years!)

Great Story!!!!!!! Get the heck outta the gym if you don't HAVE to be there for your activity...when the kids need a place to play. What a bunch of sad women...displaying their POWER over the little kids.

San Chonino | 7:50 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Petty squabbles are the best kind. And this comment thread is replete with them.

The comment section was even funnier than the article itself.

Joe | 8:19 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Probably not true, but is typical of how we treat each other. R.S. could've, I'm sure, given them a basket to use for 15 min. 'til mutual started. Loving others isn't just something to preach, it's to practice.

Brian | 8:21 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

The story, with all the accompanying commentary (hard to tell which are sarcastic, and which ones are sincere!) reminds me a lot of the Farley Family Reunion, with blustering Homer telling Skipper, Bud, and Cletus, "We know who you are, and we're writin' it down!"

Unlike the one poster, I'm glad I haven't "escaped Zion". Because as much as I laugh at the hens with the ruffled feathers I know that I can be just as self-righteously upset as they, and I have been on each side of the cultural hall. (Today, I'm wearing my patronizing hat.)

Someday, I hope to learn what charity is. Bear with me, the Lord hasn't finished with me yet.

Porter Rockwell | 8:49 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Let's think for a moment.. how would Jesus have handled this boy and his little prank-- OK just my guess here.. but I am thinking the conversation may have gone something like this:
Jesus: "Well, young man, that was quite the display, I trust we won't see it again, and lets go appologize to sister brown real quick.. then go outside and play some Frisbee Football"

RW | 10:24 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I saw something very similar happen recently at our building. The RS had reserved the gym for the whole night. The boys just showed up unannounced. However, when they came in, basketballs in hand, the situation was explained to them by someone in the RS that actually understands. She invited the boys to come over and take a look at the quilts and even asked for suggestions. Then, she asked them if they wanted a brownie. I happend to arrive just in time to see a group of "hoodlems" laughing with the "blue hairs" of the ward, brownies and basketballs in hand. The boys didn't play basketball but they didn't seem to mind.

BTW, I love what Jim says "These comments show some of the small divisions in outlook on the LDS faith between wanting to uphold high standards and wanting to be forgiving". We're not good at it. Read all the comments here and you'll see that most of us are just not good at it. We either lean towards upholding those high standards or we lean towards being lenient. I know that I'm one who would lean towards cutting the mooner some slack.

Somehow God's got the right balance. He expects us to be perfect and we all know it but we still get an arm around us when we screw up.

I need to figure out how he does that so well.

Shalalaman | 11:39 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

can't we all just get along?

RE: Brian | 11:57 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

That was beautiful! Brought a tear to my eye...I will bear with you Brother.

diamondladi | 12:06 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Mother of 3, I'm a mother of 4 and your comment concerned me you said: " have not met a perfect person yet. So i think we will have to keep putting up with unperfect people until WE parents get it right ; and I don't know that it is possible to raise the perfect child."

That is ALOT of pressure on parents to raise a "perfect" child. I'll tell you right now it IS impossible. When my oldest child was around 7 and being disobediant I prayed about what action to take. I got a very clear answer of what to do, I did it, and...she still didn't listen! I was shocked.. then I realized that Jesus Christ could come down and be her parent and she would still make mistakes because..She's not perfect! I just had to do the best I could and realize that parenting was an ongoing process. This child was a challenge but she's turned out great- because I was patient and forgiving, and down deep she was already great.
This was a great story- obviously the people involved didn't take a "Oh boys will be boys attitude" They took it seriously enough- but not so seriously that it drove this boy away. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Thats all of us baby. Oh and Mother of 3? the more outrage you show at things like that the more your kids will see if they can get that reaction out of you.

jody | 12:34 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

One thing that has not been mentioned is that this happened in a ward building, a place that was dedicated to the Lord. I think everyone involved should put their actions and behavior in that perspective. It appears that no one involved gave a thought to it at all. It was just a recreational room. RW's comments shows people who are acting as they should in the Lord's building.

Wenmmers | 12:37 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I find it interesting that people are calling for forgivness of the teenager but not the RS. We know nothing about this sister; was she old, young, working outside the home, dealing with a sick child, frustrated with not enough people showing up to make quilts? Did she have to set up all the quilt frames by herself?

For those of you insisting it wouldn't be hard to move, have you ever set up quilt frames? On user-friendly frames (which are not everywhere), with experienced assemblers it takes atleast 5 minutes to properly set up the quilt. To fit through the doors, you would have to almost completely take them apart. If they had 5 quilts, relocating could easily take 1/2 an hour with announcing, deciding on other rooms, and other necessities. They probably were trying to finish so they wouldn't have to repeat the logistics another night.

Yes, those sisters were less than flexible -- and moon-boy was less than flexible in his reaction. They aren't perfect and neither is he.

Judge not . . . | 2:50 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I heard a great quote once, attributed to Henry Eyring (the scientist, not the apostle). It goes something like this:
"Lord, please grant me the tolerance to accept those who sin differently than I do."

NJ | 3:40 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I agree with the sister who saw a future drunk driver in this disgraceful moonshine incident. We can all learn from that inciteful conclusion.

My friend told me of 2 sisters swearing at each other at her Enrichment Night in an angry fit. They could end up as drunk quilters...applying this mode of thinking.

Relief Society is not to be trifled with. It is to be respected from the bottom up.

Raymond, Raymond, Raymond... | 3:51 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Lighten up dude -

Following are your questions and my responses

What if he had used an obscenity instead?
HE DIDN'T

What if he had acted violently, bouncing the ball against a Relief Society sister's head?
HE DIDN'T

Let's suppose that one of the ladies who was there was so offended that she stopped coming to church.
THEN IT WOULDN'T BE THE 1ST or LAST TIME SHE WAS OFFENDED AND STOPPED COMING.

What If another youngster reads this, the lesson he or she hears is that you can get away with offensive actions in your teenage years and still be OK, and people should tolerate such offensive stupidity--in a church!
OH NO, COPY CAT CRIMES IN PRIMARY!!! WE'LL HAVE TO CHANGE HIM FROM A SUNBEAM TO A MOONBEAM.

NJ2 | 4:02 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

What a disgraceful incident! And followed by such inciteful comments! I have to agree with the fellow who said teens mooning the Relief Society can lead to drunk driving. A friend told me 2 sisters in her ward enrichment night who got into a fighting, swearing angry fit with each other. Using the same kind of thinking, this could lead to those sisters becoming drunken quilters one day. We must laud those brave humorless members who stand forward to defend the Relief Society, an august organization that should be respected from the bottom up.

3RD DRAFT | 4:13 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

What a disgraceful incident! And followed by such inciteful comments! I have to agree with the fellow who said teens mooning the Relief Society can lead to drunk driving some day. A friend told me two sisters in her ward enrichment night got into a fighting, swearing angry fit with each other. Using the same kind of thinking, this could lead to those sisters becoming drunken quilters one day. Paraphrasing an old song from my Primary youth, the good Lord wants us for sunbeams not moonbeams. The youth should be taught, by hairbrush to their moons if necessary, that the Relief Society sisters belong to an august organization that should be respected from the bottom up, even if they swear and threaten each other between the opening and closing prayers.

Really? | 4:45 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Freinds, Christains and countrymen lend me your ears....I wonder if the harsh and unkind words used on this form would be used if we could all look at each other in the face. Particulary, I wonder will we be held accountable for our misdeads on the web.

I don't think Raymond said that much out of line, I would have also prefered to hear more of the change of heart. The story was of little value without it. It was a story of misdeads, nothing more, nothing less. Just my opinion.

The way we all so easily can find fault in one another (mooner, Raymond, Nancy, RS, each other) helps me realize how easy it is to get caught up in gossip and ill-spoken words. Its like mamma said, " if you can't say something nice don't say it at all"

I like to beleive that we are all basically good people with differing opinions. We are all children of the same God. Why don't we allow people to have their own opinions and respect them.

Different strokes for different folks

I hope I have offended no one. If I have I would be happy to appoligize in advance

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