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I'm a freshman at a Utah university (not BYU, thankfully), and I've been asked to give a talk on families tomorrow. I don't really think I believe in the church right now, but I'm still attending for some personal reasons.

Anyways, I've been asked to give a talk on families tomorrow, and most of the things I've found on LDS.org reference how a family/marriage is only between a man and a woman. Basically saying that it's not okay to be in a gay relationship. I don't agree with that, and I don't feel comfortable talking about that issue in church. Does anybody have any ideas on what I could talk about for 10 minutes instead? Thanks!

By the way, first post... I made this account a while ago to post about something, but it kind of worked itself out.

Welcome to the board.

You could talk about how the history of families doesn't match the church's agenda ...no, probably not a good idea to go there.

You could talk about the Fancher family... no, probably not a good idea to go there.

You could talk about Joseph and Emma... and Fanny, and all the others... no, probably not a good idea to go there.

You could talk about Brigham's concept of families... except Brigham's concept of families included not finanically supporting all of his wives/children equally and not even knowing all his children's names, so probably not a good idea to go there.

I know! You could talk about your own family, and how it has strengthened you and supported you through some of life's most important challenges. And I hope they have.

Anyway... welcome to the board!

bu2b wrote:I'm a freshman at a Utah university (not BYU, thankfully), and I've been asked to give a talk on families tomorrow. I don't really think I believe in the church right now, but I'm still attending for some personal reasons.

Anyways, I've been asked to give a talk on families tomorrow, and most of the things I've found on LDS.org reference how a family/marriage is only between a man and a woman. Basically saying that it's not okay to be in a gay relationship. I don't agree with that, and I don't feel comfortable talking about that issue in church. Does anybody have any ideas on what I could talk about for 10 minutes instead? Thanks!

By the way, first post... I made this account a while ago to post about something, but it kind of worked itself out.

Welcome to the board :-)

If the talk is supposed to be about families, then concentrate on the positive influence of family relationships. You can use your own family as an example. If you are in a situation where your family is at odds, take examples from another family you admire.

Concentrate on how families should be supportive of each other, and how helpful and comforting that is. You can tie that into how we should relate to each other as a Church family.

You don't need to get into the controversial side of what you have read at all.

If you want to be a bit of a rebel, you could talk about what constitutes a family. Were I giving the talk I might talk a bit about how a family is not established by legislation but by personal relationships.

Ha! Harmony...great minds! LOL :D

harmony wrote:I know! You could talk about your own family, and how it has strengthened you and supported you through some of life's most important challenges. And I hope they have.!

My family has been awesome to me! I really do have a great family. That's pretty much what I'm going off of right now, my own experience with my family and the difference they have made in my life. Only problem is I don't think I can stretch that to ten minutes. I'm a pretty concise speaker... I'm also going to talk about how we (my fellow ward members and I) are away from home for the first time and how that can be tough, and we need to be "family" to our fellow ward members, classmates, and roommates.

bu2b wrote:

harmony wrote:I know! You could talk about your own family, and how it has strengthened you and supported you through some of life's most important challenges. And I hope they have.!

My family has been awesome to me! I really do have a great family. That's pretty much what I'm going off of right now, my own experience with my family and the difference they have made in my life. Only problem is I don't think I can stretch that to ten minutes. I'm a pretty concise speaker... I'm also going to talk about how we (my fellow ward members and I) are away from home for the first time and how that can be tough, and we need to be "family" to our fellow ward members, classmates, and roommates.

I think that is the right direction to take. :-)

Have you looked at the Topical Guide for scripture references?

liz3564 wrote:

bu2b wrote:My family has been awesome to me! I really do have a great family. That's pretty much what I'm going off of right now, my own experience with my family and the difference they have made in my life. Only problem is I don't think I can stretch that to ten minutes. I'm a pretty concise speaker... I'm also going to talk about how we (my fellow ward members and I) are away from home for the first time and how that can be tough, and we need to be "family" to our fellow ward members, classmates, and roommates.

I think that is the right direction to take. :-)

Have you looked at the Topical Guide for scripture references?

Whatever you do, do NOT use GA quotes. Either use the scriptures or use your own experiences. And the idea of a ward/classmates/roommates family is great.

Hey bu2b

bu2b wrote:
My family has been awesome to me! I really do have a great family. That's pretty much what I'm going off of right now, my own experience with my family and the difference they have made in my life.

If I may, do not underestimate how significant and extremely precious this is (To be clear, I am not suggesting that you have underestimated this).

As I am a never-Mo, that's all I have for you. :)

Peace and welcome to the MDB.
Ceeboo

Ceeboo is a member of this internet family. I love Ceeboo. I cycle on my beliefs, and yet I think Ceeboo considers me a brother, in Christ (what is it to be in the adopted family of Christ). Your extended family, friends as you have mentioned ... and forefathers (avoid foremothers of course) all all possible sources of very interesting and inspirational sources.