I read this from the other exmo site. A quick synopsis: David Bednar presided over a multi-stake devotional in Provo UT recently. Prior to singing the closing prayer, Bednar advised those in attendance that there would be two closing prayers- one in the form of a song and the other in the traditional spoken prayer.

The op of the reported incident is a RM, substitute teacher at the MTC and a devout TBM. In true Mormon fashion, he is oblivious that his faith promoting experience with Bednar is a major embarrassment and not a LEARNING experience.

What happened?

Young men and women felt the spirit while singing hymn "Hope of Israel". They stood up to sing and others soon joined those who were standing to sing. Bednar wasn't having it. He stopped the singing and the organist and approached the pulpit.

Bednar reminded those in the congregation that the members need to do what the presiding authority does. If he's sitting, then everyone needs to be sitting. If he stands up then the congregation needs to stand up. Bednar continued "Certain incorrect religious practices started out innocent and with good intentions, but over time such practices got out of hand and distracting from the original intention."

The closing song was restarted with everyone in the congregation sitting. And there was a funny moment after the prayer- No one dared to stand up until Elder Asshole Bednar got out of his seat.

Messy adds: This is what I experienced over and over in the LDS church. Way too many Do this and Don't you dare do this!!! Sometimes, in regular LDS services you would F--- up. Many of us deacons would serve the sacrament to the wrong church leader. Then we would have to go the Aaronic priesthood room after sacrament to be corrected and chastised for screwing up.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2024 02:25AM by messygoop.

You will respect my authoritah!

Bednar is so full of himself.

I wonder if he at least first thanked the attendees for their enthusiasm. That would at least show them some respect. Based on his reputation, my guess is he did not.

IMO he thinks he's the only one in the room who is due respect.

I was evaluating this incident from a teacher point of view. Teachers know that if you want a given behavior to happen, you give instructions in advance. So a simple, "Please remain seated for the hymn" would have sufficed, along with a "Please rise" when Bednar stood up. Or even better, someone could have given a heads-up before Bednar even arrived.

So a lack of all of the above tells me that Susan's husband *wants* people to mess up simply so he can have the joy of chastising them. He's a very self-important and twisted dude.

Wow. Simon Says with a cult vibe.

That isn't about respect. It's about obedience. Those people are so whipped. They are being used.

It's about brainwashing. Which requires complete obedience. Plus, you get to give up your Sundays and at least 10% of your income for the privilege of being treated like shit.

I don't think that there's been a leader that insolent since Brigham Young.

I don't know how his wife can tolerate him, or not be afraid of him: Both he and Oaks look like aliens that just stepped out of their flying saucer.

His wife never looks happy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s verbally abusive. She doesn’t seem like the type who has the self-confidence to get out of a toxic relationship.

There is a video of him and his wife allegedly team-teaching. But when his wife went to make a comment, he shushed her in front of the audience and on camera. It was incredibly rude. He is a guy who loves control.

Reminds me of a quote of " . . . what can happen if you lose yourself to success becoming something that never gets tired of devouring."

I did see the video where she started to stand before he did. The look on her face when she realized what she had done told the story. He is her lord and her god and she fears his wrath.

We should send Bedknobs & Hoax tin hats & scepters.

I hear Bednar has problems retaining people on his staff. Nobody wants to work for him. There’s always a few apostles everyone can’t stand including the other apostles. It used to be Bod K Packer but Bednar is the hated one now.

You can tell just looking at him he’s an asshole. His wife never seems happy.

A puzzle for me is that two of his boys were decent guys when I met them early in their academic careers and they were stand up decent guys back then. Night and day difference from dad. Must be their mom’s doing. It has been a few years since I’ve talked with them.

>> Must be their mom’s doing.

Susan seems decent enough. I feel sorry for her. No decent woman deserves that man. If I were her, I'd take half of the family assets and run for the hills. Literally anything has to be better.

Such an opportunity was lost by one who was considering being a malcontent.

Stand up whilst holding a hymn book in hand. Walk to the front, close the book with a snap, set it on the bench, look at him, and walk out without looking back.

Think of the dead silence that would take place. Just like being in the temple (pun intended).

For an apostle, he sure is a prick.

I would have worded it differently. "Even among apostles, he stands out as a prick, which is not an easy feat to accomplish" is what I would have written. Then again, you may have a higher opinion of apostles than I do.

lol

Your version sounds better. Of course, he is a prick, and he wants all the attention. I guess he thinks he's all that a Godly figure should be. For a calling that's made sure, it's an interesting way to be acting.

Hopefully he disintegrates. *smirk*

It would be so satisfying to call him out and tell him to FO to his face. Bullying is not to be tolerated.

First bring your arm to the square.

So church leaders continue to bully the youth when they are at BYU or the MTC. However church leaders are somewhat more sensitive to the youth when gathered outside of the Morridor.