Comments on: Ninety one words

By: Ian R

Ian R — Thu, 17 Feb 2005 01:03:47 +0000

I stuttered until the age of 10, but I do not think that is what made the post so moving.

Thanks Wilfried.

By: Breyers

Breyers — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:26:06 +0000

Tears in my eyes… Thank you.

By: Lisa F.

Lisa F. — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 04:39:06 +0000

Thanks, thanks. My parents are headed to the Brussels, Belgium mission soon (awaiting a French visa). After reading several of your posts, I am already in anticipation of the remarkable people they will meet.

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 03:39:12 +0000

Wilfried, what a gift…thank you.

By: Sheri Lynn

Sheri Lynn — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 03:29:14 +0000

Some of the things I’ve been reading here lately aren’t uplifting and some make me feel just plain bad. That essay made me cry for joy. Bless you, Wilfried. Please send it on to Ensign.

By: annegb

annegb — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 02:34:07 +0000

Yeah, lovely. Thanks for sharing that. I, too, think you should submit it to the Ensign.

By: Heather Oman

Heather Oman — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 02:05:47 +0000

Saying the sacrament prayer I imagine is stressful for the fluent speaker, let alone one who stutters. I am a speech language pathologist, and although my work with people who stutter has been limited, I can only imagine the torture this poor youth went through in this situation. No compensatory strategies to come to his aid! A high tension, high expectation, solo experience–nothing short of a nightmare for the person who stutters. Certainly there was no way out–he just had to plow through it. I’m glad it didn’t end with a miracle, too. So many times our trials don’t. We just have to get through them.

By: Wilfried

Wilfried — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:57:44 +0000

Thank you so much for your participation, Christie Frandsen. That was a revealing and needed addition to my contribution. Also gratitude to you, Marta, for your touching words. There are vital leadership lessons to learn from such experiences.

Thanks to all, of course, for your kind words. It’s getting embarrassing, but I appreciate it.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:33:42 +0000

Best blog I have ever read. Thank you. This should be subitted to the Ensign for the the old-timers to read! :D

By: marta

marta — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:08:37 +0000

Thank you Brother Decoo for this beautifully written post.

David H., I am sorry that the young man you mentioned did not return to church.

Thank you Christie Frandsen for persevering and finishing your story.
In my family we don’t stutter but are pathologicly fearful of speaking in public.
Years ago when primary children were giving two and a half minute talks in Sacrament Meeting, my sister tried twice. She never said a word; just stood there silently sobbing. I don’t think she has given a talk in the 40 years since.

More recently my teenage son was asked by the bishop to speak and he told the bishop no, thank you. When we got to church the next sunday, his name was on the program. When it was his turn he stood and said that he had told the bishop no when he had been asked to speak and he would not be giving a talk, and sat down. The bishop stood and apologized to him for misunderstanding, and the meeting proceeded. I was proud of him for dealing with the situation head on, rather than hiding as I might have done.