Class- Week 3 (1/21- 1/25)

Week 3

This week in class we learned about 4 different theories dealing with the family the theories are as follows:

• Systems Theory: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Boundaries- there are the open, closed, and random family structures.

• Exchange Theory: If we don’t feel like the relationship is balanced then we will start to disconnect

• Conflict Theory: With 2 capable people, there will be a sort of contest for how things will be done

• Symbolic Integration: Influenced through our experiences. We are constantly communicating with people through our symbols and our words.

All of these theories are have been illustrated to me in my own relationships. I feel that I have tended to follow the exchange theory- especially when it comes to dating. I always start to disconnect from relationships where I feel like the other isn't contributing equally to it. This may be a bad thing and I look forward to learning more about this theory and when it is correct to put it into use.

Towards the end of the week Brother Williams did a demonstration for us in which he had a group of students stand in a circle and hold hands. He then went up behind each student and pulled on them- causing a lot of pressure on the other students to hold them tight. He would say statements depicting the imaginary thoughts of what the students were thinking concerning their individual and family lives. This was insightful to us because we say a visual of how our individual stresses and worries will always have an impact on the other family members. The most important thing is that when a burden is being placed upon one family member, it is crucial that the others stand firm and do not let them go. The closer knit a family is, the harder it is for one to get pulled away. 

Class- Week 2 (1/14- 1/18)

Week 2

This week we discussed the many trends associated with families in our culture. Some of these trends include:

• fewer marriages
• more pre-marital sex
• cohabitation
• fewer children
• more living alone
• more births to unmarried women
• less social time with extended families
• less social activities

These are just a few of the trends, but it sure does scare me to attempt to raise a righteous family in such a world where the norm goes against everything that I believe. To me, every single one of these trends is extremely significant when it comes to its affect on the family. All of these trends go against what I believe as a Latter-Day Saint and I can't help but wonder just how off course our society can get before it collapses. The family is the foundation of our society and if that is destroyed then we will have nothing to stand on. 

Despite these alarming trends, I have determined to have a strong family that loves the Lord. Aiming way above the world's average, I plan to have at least 4 children and to hopefully adopt two more. My family will come first- even before work. In my opinion, it is better to starve or be economically uncomfortable then to leave my hope and risk losing my children to the temptations of the adversary. I will do all that it takes to be a stay at home mother when the time comes. 

Class- Week 1 (1/7 - 1/11)

Week 1

This week we were introduced to the course and its material. We went over the syllabus and I can't hep but look forward to all of the fun and insightful things that we will be doing throughout this semester. 

One thing that we did as preparation for class was to engage in a search for bad research. This assignment was interesting because usually students are encouraged to look for just the opposite! The research that I deemed bad revolved around anti-mormon literature. The things that make it bad research are things like taking quotes out of context, bias, only telling part of the story, using multiple fallacies,  and not citing resources. This research could easily be mistaken to be correct if someone were not paying too close attention, but it becomes obvious as you start to see the similarities in the arguments. 

I've noticed that most anti-mormon literature has a certain negative tone to it and it tends to sound less educated than other articles. Wouldn't it be nice if people could only see it for what it was and turn to the real research for their knowledge? The Book of Mormon is the best form of research when it concerns my religion. The best part is that it is all true and one can receive a spiritual confirmation from God to back up its validity. No anti-mormon literature could ever promise that.

Welcome to my blog! My name is Bria from New Hampshire and I am currently a student here at BYU-Idaho. My major Currently University Studies with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Studies, Spanish, and Music Education. This Blog will outline all of the wonderful insights that I gain throughout this course. I hope you enjoy my posts!