Manipulation of Children...

[lunaverse]

"Have the children stand up, close their eyes, and hold hands. Take the hand of the first child in line. Lead the line of children around the room, guiding them with your voice as necessary to avoid possible injury and confusion. After several trips around the room, lead them to the picture of Jesus Christ. Explain that by following you, they were all able to find their way safely to the picture of the Savior. Ask the children to return to their seats....

"Explain that a good example could be like a leader guiding us to safety. Just as following their leader’s voice brought the children safely to the picture of Jesus Christ, so too can following the words of the prophet allow them to return to Heavenly Father and Jesus someday."

From the Primary 3 manual, "For teaching children ages four through seven", lesson 45, "I Can Be a Good Example for My Family". Link (http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Curriculum/primary.htm/primary%203%20choose%20the%20right%20b.htm/45%20i%20can%20be%20a%20good%20example%20for%20my% 20family.htm?f=templates$fn=document-frame.htm$3.0$q=example$x=Simple#LPHit1)

It would be more effective if the picture of Jesus covered a candy dispenser that the teacher used to freely distribute goodies....

Luna

[aether]

I wouldn't have such a hard time with this... except that they have to close their eyes. That makes it despicable brainwashing. *grrrr*

[sakerra]

There are activites like that for just about every age group. When I was younger, they didn't make much of an impression on me. In fact I only recall one time anything like that really had an impact. That was at Oakcrest. (An LDS girls camp that really is alot of fun) It was for Family night and our counselers, had us tie our bandanas around our eyes so we couldn't see, and it was late evening so it was getting dark quickly up in those mountains. Then they released us with the simple goal of figuring out where we needed to go. For a while it was painfully obvious. There were many leaders yelling at girls to go one way or another, and others who were whispering to go the opposite way. It got harder though, with less help until eventually I was guided by "a still small voice" to a rope and told to follow it. At the end of the rope, one of the counselers took us and to a huge picture of Jesus, I am sure most of you know it, it's the good shepherd one where he is dressed in almost yellow. By this point, it was lightly raining and dark, and the only thing lit up was that picture. They then whispered into our ear how much we were loved by our savior, and how if we would follow him, we could have eternal happiness. At the time, it felt so right, it felt peacefull.

Anyway, as a young child, they really would get farther with a candy covered picture, but I know that family night up at Oakcrest really changed many girls lives forever. (Or until they realize otherwise) Many testimonies were born that night, and many grew significantly, it was brought up time and time again at the end of camp during testimony meeting.

With young children, yeah, it is kind of manipulative. However, by the time I was old enough for it to really have an impact on me, it wasn't nearly as much so because we could have easily taken off the blind folds or never even reached the picture, some didn't. So basically, even if it is slight manipulation of the little kids, how much do they really get out of it?

[peter_mary]

There are activites like that for just about every age group. When I was younger, they didn't make much of an impression on me. In fact I only recall one time anything like that really had an impact. That was at Oakcrest. (An LDS girls camp that really is alot of fun) It was for Family night and our counselers, had us tie our bandanas around our eyes so we couldn't see, and it was late evening so it was getting dark quickly up in those mountains. Then they released us with the simple goal of figuring out where we needed to go. For a while it was painfully obvious. There were many leaders yelling at girls to go one way or another, and others who were whispering to go the opposite way. It got harder though, with less help until eventually I was guided by "a still small voice" to a rope and told to follow it. At the end of the rope, one of the counselers took us and to a huge picture of Jesus, I am sure most of you know it, it's the good shepherd one where he is dressed in almost yellow. By this point, it was lightly raining and dark, and the only thing lit up was that picture. They then whispered into our ear how much we were loved by our savior, and how if we would follow him, we could have eternal happiness. At the time, it felt so right, it felt peacefull.

Anyway, as a young child, they really would get farther with a candy covered picture, but I know that family night up at Oakcrest really changed many girls lives forever. (Or until they realize otherwise) Many testimonies were born that night, and many grew significantly, it was brought up time and time again at the end of camp during testimony meeting.

With young children, yeah, it is kind of manipulative. However, by the time I was old enough for it to really have an impact on me, it wasn't nearly as much so because we could have easily taken off the blind folds or never even reached the picture, some didn't. So basically, even if it is slight manipulation of the little kids, how much do they really get out of it?
I know that the activity you described would have been powerful stuff to most of the teenagers in the wards I've been in. It creates such a strong sense of meaning when you couple all the senses like that! All the brain systems start to line up and resonate in unison, creating a litteral "sense" of spiritual "otherness."

One of my favorite Primary experiences happened when I was serving in the Bishopric a few years ago. I was attending Sharing Time in Primary, and the new theme for that year was "Follow the Prophet." The bulletin board had been decorated with a new poster provided by the General Primary Board to all Primaries for use that year in teaching that year's theme. I can't remember all the details, but this was the gist. Jesus was standing side-by-side with Gordon B. Hinckley, high on a bluff overlooking all the people of the Church. Jesus was pointing to the people and Gordon stood their knowingly.

The message was clear. Gordon and Jesus are literally partners in overseeing the Church. What one says, the other says. They are both "high above" everyone else, and on the same level as each other. The children were clearly led to envision Gordon as having a direct, literal, in-the-flesh relationship with Jesus.

Part of what was so appalling to me was that Gordon allowed that to happen! He knows full well that's not his relationship with Jesus! He's said as much publically that revelation comes to him much the same as to anyone else...he gets strong impressions during and after pondering and praying about something, and he knows in his heart what is the right thing to do (refer to his last Larry King interview). That's a far cry from "standing side-by-side" with Jesus.

[lunaverse]

With young children, yeah, it is kind of manipulative. However, by the time I was old enough for it to really have an impact on me, it wasn't nearly as much so because we could have easily taken off the blind folds or never even reached the picture, some didn't. So basically, even if it is slight manipulation of the little kids, how much do they really get out of it?

I think the biggest problem I have with this is that some kids are going to be frightened. They're really young, they can't see, they're being lead around... Then the culmination, when the blindfold is lifted and their fear is resolved, they see a picture of Jesus.

It's a little too much like the dynamics of Stockholm symdrome for my comfort... or the principle that the bearer of the message of fear is the one people come to trust to save them from the fear (a propaganda technique).

This isn't just quoting fear-messages from the scriptures, it's giving experiential fear...

Teenagers aren't as likely to be scared by a blindfold... To them it's going to seem more like an adventure. It's still manipulative, but not as much so.

Luna

[dogzilla]

I think the biggest problem I have with this is that some kids are going to be frightened. They're really young, they can't see, they're being lead around... Then the culmination, when the blindfold is lifted and their fear is resolved, they see a picture of Jesus.

It's a little too much like the dynamics of Stockholm symdrome for my comfort... or the principle that the bearer of the message of fear is the one people come to trust to save them from the fear (a propaganda technique).

This isn't just quoting fear-messages from the scriptures, it's giving experiential fear...

Teenagers aren't as likely to be scared by a blindfold... To them it's going to seem more like an adventure. It's still manipulative, but not as much so.

Luna

That is pretty much what was done to Patty Hearst, was it not?

[lunaverse]

That is pretty much what was done to Patty Hearst, was it not?

Yeah, only obviously not to that extent. The kids weren't raped, locked in closets, and starved...

But yes, it's the principle that the person or group who scares the crap out of you becomes your salvation... and you'll do anything they say.

Now apply that concept to the government and the news media... :eek:

Luna