An unpleasant youth conference experience — 1988
I learned a valuable lesson during a summer youth activity in which we took all of the youth from our ward to Mayfield, Utah, and renovated their small city cemetery. We straightened headstones, weeded, painted, and installed sprinklers. It was a very gratifying experience and the townspeople were so accommodating and appreciative. Unfortunately but predictably, we had a handful of recalcitrant youth who refused to work or exert themselves in any way. They drifted around the periphery of the cemetery, talking, loafing, trying to sneak to the town store, etc. The leaders first ignored them, then coaxed and pleaded with them, and finally threatened them, all to no avail. It was distressing and annoying for the diligent youth who were breaking their backs in 90-degree heat to see these loafers lounging all day in the shade. Our great bishop finally approached the three ringleaders and told them to participate or risk being sent home. Two hours later they were on their way home. All was well until we returned home and discovered that several ward members were absolutely incensed that these youth had been sent home. Some grudges were maintained for several years after this event. Did our bishop do the right thing in sending these youth home? Probably, but this experience reemphasized to me the importance of treating church members and their children with kid gloves. Standards should never be compromised, but short of that we should probably be lenient and tolerant of juvenile attitudes and behavior.
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