Even though I began college elsewhere, and even though I eventually got my bachelor’s degree from another university, I did attend BYU for one academic year (1979-80). When I think back on that time, the best way to describe it would be special.

My roommates were special. I lived off campus. Two of my three roommates weren’t BYU students (one wasn’t even a member) but they were special. Every place I walked on the campus was special. My classes were special. The devotionals and firesides were special. The way my religion professor described Lehi’s dream was just special. And speaking of religion professors, the way every Sunday School and priesthood lesson was a rehash of what the teacher had heard in religion class heard that week was special.

Yes, everything was…special.
Class lectures weren’t thought provoking, they were “special.”
Sacrament Meeting wasn’t uplifting, it was “special.”
Friends weren’t supportive, they were “special.”
If everything is f’ing special, nothing is special.

The word “special” (pronounced “speshul”) had the fingernails on chalkboard effect on me. It’s certainly not the reason that I decided to continue my studies elsewhere, but I certainly didn’t miss it.

That's how it was pronounced in heaven when God told the most valiant they were speshul.

just like with cursing / swear words, the overuse eliminates any impact or significance that might have been intended.

Yep, it’s a code word for Mormons.
It signals that they’re all in without having to say anything meaningful or significant, or even to learn or know anything.
And it’s never subject to question.

special post was special ~



thx OPie ~

That was the era of Especially for Mormons- an especially special collection of sentimentality that every respectable Mormon home was required to display at pride of place in their living rooms. Probably next to their plastic grapes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/12/2020 06:56PM by slskipper.

Resin grapes. Not plastic. Quel horror.

They nearly achieved the status of religious symbols in Mo-dom. Perfect spheres, zero personality, identical beyond rational expectation. In other words, very Mormon.

Lots of speshul sweet spirits at BYU too.

BYU is short bus speshul.

So when your TBM sister gushes "oh, you two are so speshul" --- what does it actually mean!? :-0