Deseret News | Reader comments: MormonTimes.com: 'Will you ever make something of yourself?'

Reader comments
MormonTimes.com: 'Will you ever make something of yourself?'

27 comments | Read story

oldman | 5:39 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Wow - what a great statement - not.

RE: oldman | 8:24 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Editor,
Please remove this comment as being offensive.

Re:Oldman | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

oldman must be bitter he did not make something of his life or do any GOOD in the world today.

Comments continue below

North West resident | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

We came home from church expecting to listen to this broadcast on the B Y U channel, only to find that we were receiving a Spanish translation. Checked with my neighbor they had the same thing.

Tina | 9:35 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

I made something good of my life. What good did it do? Hummmm.... I don't know? No one ever says anything to me about my life. I do however, get told off now and then.

Illuminated | 10:06 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

As a young man, I was very grateful to have been raised as a Latter Day Saint. I have never seen an organization that tries as hard to bring up young men the right way, as the church does.

I was taught early to honor the Priesthood, and was given responsibilities, such as passing/blessing the Sacrament and leading Priesthood Quorums. I was involved in Cub and Boy Scouting early in life, where I was taught the Scout Law through example. As a Missionary, I learned humility, respect, patience, and kindness. Now, as a husband and father, I try to pass on what I have learned to my own boys.

Some ask may ask why so much pressure is put on young men, at such an early age, in the church. I believe it is because it is important for men in this time to stand for something. We need to be stalwart beacons in a world that continues onward down a path of sleazy idolatry, and infidelity.

The Book of Mormon teaches that "the natural man is an enemy to God". I'm thankful for the Savior and his example of what a man of God should be.

OH, happy day! | 10:09 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

I think it is quite sarcastic for anyone to ever ask someone else if they will make something of themselves and their lives..GEEZ! Some people out there just need to learn to mind their OWN business and not try to destroy the self image of someone else. I certainly get tired of judgmental people.

Hey, holier than thou super wonderfulness's!!..get a life!!

Re: Oldman | 10:34 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Editor please remove the comment of close minded people who are so scared of any criticism of church leaders that they ask for censureship of others. (I find that comment offensive)

Repulsive | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

This article just goes to show you how rude and arrogant some members are. Very sad!

aaron | 1:28 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Funny how such a positive message can evoke such negative comments.

KING KONG KNOWS | 1:44 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

I don't think it is anyones right whatsoever to ask someone else what they will make of their life. They should ask them self that very question. And perhaps hope that they them self can be worthy of making something worthy of their own life. None of us have the right to push all our weight upon someone else because we personally think we are so superior then someone else. Maybe their best is their best...so back off!

Sireofmany | 1:55 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Anyone offfended by the beautiful and uplifting message of Bishop Burton's talk reminds me of the adage from the Book of Mormon that the wicked take the truth to be hard.

NMP | 2:16 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Sometimes people say things because the are already hurt inside and feel that the remarks made are meant to put them down. They maybe unsure of themselves and do not feel as if they belong to any-thing or anybody. The talk was very good. We need to learn from others so that we can progress. I think if we can show kindess to other people it will help to teach them that they to can progress in the right direction. I think Illuminated has the right thoughts on this, but, not everyone has the opportunity to be taught the way he was. I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because it is the true church of my Heavenly Father restored in these latter days.

Bill | 2:23 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Looks like the rest of the unemployed are busy (like me) writing in their bitter comments to all the online newspapers today, looking for a chance to be offended.

Matt | 3:00 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Sireofmany -

We're not talking about so-called 'truth'. We are talking about one human being (no better than anybody else) telling other human beings "will you ever make anything of your life".

Hubris is what it is.

The golf man was wrong to say it to him and he was wrong to say it to others.

DennyG | 3:02 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Bishop Burton was my ward basketball coach as a teenager. I can sincerely say he is the "ONLY" church authority I would let in my home. I love the man dearly and always have.
A kinder hearted man I have never met.

If all else fails, try truth | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

The church has white washed so much of its history everything is made to seem so smooth, it makes one such as me to think, how could I ever measure up?

Faith promotion is the reason given for this, but actually a story such as this, where at times one of the exteemed leaders didn't measure up, then went on to be successful, is more faith promoting than the white washed version of history being put out.

Kevin | 5:39 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

A coach huh? That makes a lot of sense that those particular lame words he expressed to this young man and where he was coming from. Good Grief! I hope his language is better then his ridicule.

Anonymous | 5:49 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

I grew up in the Mormon family that entered Utah in 1847. My mother's sister left the church and married a Catholic. I can honestly say Gene, her husband, was a much greater moral example in my life than, my uncles who have held high positions in the LDS Church. Gene, accepted you for who you where. He lived through example and he even tried to sell his beliefs to you.

Re: if all else fails | 6:42 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Your accusation that we have "whitewashed" our history is nothing but your attempt to re-invent or re-define our history according to your bias! I am proud of the history of the LDS church. I have studied the doctrines, scriptures and history of the LDS church and find it all deep, rich and powerful. I have taken some time to read what you critics say as well. I find their arguements weak and easily dismissed as just another attempt to re-define. I know we have critics, like you and I suppose we always will. The only people who never get criticised are those who do nothing, produce nothing and stand for nothing good or honorable. Winston Churchill said it best, "Truth is incontroverable, malace will always attack it, ignornace will always deride it, but in the end, there it is!" The caravan moves on! What does it matter if a few dogs come and bark at the wheels (and they always do), the carvan moves on!

SteveInAZ | 8:09 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Those of you who are criticizing Bishop Burton for the rhetorical question, "Will you ever make something of yourself?" obviously did not read the article, and are taking the question out of context. He relates an experience when someone asked that of him, and later in the article he says basically that he does not have all the answers. I don't see what's rude, arrogant or holier-than-thou about this. Bishop Burton is basically a preacher, doing what other preachers of ALL faiths do, and doing it better than most, LDS ones included. Some people really have an ax to grind with the LDS Church and will find any reason to do.

Beekind | 9:59 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

Exactly he was putting his self out there to make a point to help us be better prepared in our lives. It is interesting that the drop out rate in high school is higher than it has ever been among the male youth. There are more girls going to college than young men. There are an incredible amount of outstanding young men out there, but the fact is, there is a problem. And, all that the church leaders ever want for any of us members or not, is a happy productive life. There is happiness in doing what is right. I know many many people who are good and wonderful in and out of the church. A chuch is to help us be better, by some of the comments made, possibly, it wouldn't hurt you to look at what being critical of others is doing to your own happiness. I would not want to be one that critisizes Bishop Burton. Mother Teresa had the same motives he does.

worthless people | 10:28 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

JUST STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!!

Matt | 11:33 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

That's actually what we HAVE been saying.

(But I think we were talking to different people than you are.)

DDH | 12:37 a.m. Nov. 4, 2008

I love all these ridiculous comments from people that didn't even read the whole article. LOL. Priceless.

talking to same people | 8:21 a.m. Nov. 4, 2008

I read the article and I think it's sad that there are sick people in our world who get lost in life.

DennyG | 9:56 a.m. Nov. 4, 2008

re: talking to the same people-----Not all people who are lost are sick.
Not all people that are sick are lost.
Mormonism has more than it's share of both.

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