Jeffrey Holland's recent address to faculty and staff at BYU

Public forum for those seeking support for their experience in the LDS Church.
User avatar
DarkJedi
Posts: 8050
Joined: 24 Aug 2013, 20:53

Re: Jeffrey Holland's recent address to faculty and staff at BYU

Post by DarkJedi »

The Deseret News article on the guy no longer being a student at BYU. (No mention of Holland.)

https://www.deseret.com/faith/2021/9/14 ... rsity-says
In the absence of knowledge or faith there is always hope.

Once there was a gentile...who came before Hillel. He said "Convert me on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Hillel converted him, saying: That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it."

My Introduction
Roy
Posts: 7183
Joined: 07 Oct 2010, 14:16
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Jeffrey Holland's recent address to faculty and staff at BYU

Post by Roy »

Long story short, I believe that BYU has the legal right to clean up the chalk art.

I remember some cases where a private institution owned a sidewalk with public access and attempted to restrict access to certain individuals (protesters etc.)

One case was a casino in Las Vegas that owned the sidewalk in front of the property. They attempted to ban individuals from passing out pamphlets advertising private strippers/escorts. The pamphlets were trashy in more ways than one and were a nuisance for the casino and the type of family friendly environment that the casino was trying to portray. Unfortunately for the casino, the issue was interpreted as a free speech issue and they could not restrict access.

Another case was whether the LDS church could restrict protesters access to the sidewalk that they own near temple square. The church, like the casino in the previous example, was thwarted in the attempt because of free speech issues on public access space (even if privately owned).

However, I believe that if anything was left behind by groups using the public access (whether it be litter or expressions of support through chalk art) the owner would have the right to clean it up at their discretion. I do believe that this would mean that BYU could choose to leave a piece of sidewalk art exclaiming, "Go Cougs!" while removing an adjacent piece of sidewalk art.
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood

“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223

"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
User avatar
SilentDawning
Posts: 7602
Joined: 09 May 2010, 19:55

Re: Jeffrey Holland's recent address to faculty and staff at BYU

Post by SilentDawning »

I teach at a higher educational institution. We did away with the student speaker at graduation entirely due to problems with student speakers coming out with things that were either derogatory toward the school, off-topic, or otherwise embarrassing or unfitting for a graduation ceremony.

I know this isn't the case with this particular student. His speech was approved, so it doesn't apply, but I wanted to share the problems other schools face with student speakers, and not on gender issues. It seems that Holland made a mistake in assuming that this student's talk about his sexual orientation was an ambush of his use of the podium, similar to what other schools experience on different issues.
"It doesn't have to be about the Church (church) all the time!" -- SD

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. No price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."

A man asked Jesus "do all roads lead to you?" Jesus responds,”most roads don’t lead anywhere, but I will travel any road to find you.” Adapted from The Shack, William Young

"The wise man has the power" -- adapted from What A Fool Believes -- The Doobie Brothers
User avatar
DarkJedi
Posts: 8050
Joined: 24 Aug 2013, 20:53

Re: Jeffrey Holland's recent address to faculty and staff at BYU

Post by DarkJedi »

Roy wrote: 16 Sep 2021, 09:52 Long story short, I believe that BYU has the legal right to clean up the chalk art.
Of course you're right Roy, just as I would be free to remove any drawings on my own sidewalk. And as you point out, I would also be free to leave it. I guess the real question is what message is being sent by either?
In the absence of knowledge or faith there is always hope.

Once there was a gentile...who came before Hillel. He said "Convert me on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Hillel converted him, saying: That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it."

My Introduction
Arrakeen
Posts: 266
Joined: 25 Aug 2018, 18:49

Re: Jeffrey Holland's recent address to faculty and staff at BYU

Post by Arrakeen »

The other day I brought this up with my sister who is still studying at BYU. She said the topic came up in her Sunday school class. Apparently all of the students were voicing their disagreement with Holland’s talk, while the bishopric member sitting in the class appeared very uncomfortable.

This is going to be a huge issue for the church going forward. If the leadership keeps pushing this issue they will end up driving away all of the younger membership.
Post Reply