Comments on: Building Your Own Green Hill

By: Dane Laverty

Dane Laverty — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:35:36 +0000

Bob, I’m new to this admin thing here. I apologize if any of your comments aren’t making it through — I don’t think they’re being blocked intentionally. You are certainly welcome to contribute here, I appreciate whatever insights you have to bring.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:18:25 +0000

To T&S staff: I can’t imagine what I have said to be tossed from Dane’s New community before it even is opened. Please remove my comment #9.
Best of luck to the community.

By: JC

JC — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:12:19 +0000

Thought-provoking information. What was once an idea has matured into a network of ideas. Thanks for thinking.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:27:28 +0000

Dane, I enjoyed the post. But I believe in fixing broken communities (like New Orleans) over staring new ones.
#6: Sl, “men defer to women in social things”. I don’t think so. For every women’s group, there are 50(?) men’s groups. Think of all the Elks clubs, poker games, pick-up basketball games, Rotatory Clubs, etc.

By: Dane Laverty

Dane Laverty — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:34:33 +0000

Also, I’d love to see a priesthood equivalent to the Relief Society’s enrichment meetings.

By: Dane Laverty

Dane Laverty — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:08:59 +0000

sl, I’ll write more on this in a future post, but I believe it’s because we take for granted that everyone learns how to reach out and make friends as children. But the truth is that friend-making is a learned skill, just like playing the piano, and it has a theory and technique like any other skill. Unfortunately, signing kids up for “friend making lessons” just isn’t as socially acceptable as signing them up for piano lessons, even though it’s an arguably much more applicable and rewarding skill to have.

By: sl

sl — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:21:43 +0000

Thanks for the series. It’s too bad wards don’t function more like this. The geography and infrastructure is already in place, but most wards I’ve been in are made up of nice people who deep down want more community, but somehow we end up with little more that “hi” on Sundays and “call me if you need anything.” I know some wards accomplish more than this, but they are the exception. Not criticizing…just wishing. I know I should be the change I want to see, but I’m not very good at leading out on these sorts of things. The posts have been encouraging, however.

Which bring me to something else. To what extent do you think, beyond the logistical and practical difficulties, does a desire to maintain a sort of manly image of quiet independence get in the way of intentional community? There is something in our American culture that admires the tough, silent sort…not the one to be organizing the next dinner or game night or book club. I think men defer to women in social things, not because they have less need for it, but because it’s contrary to a manly self image of someone who keeps to themselves.

By: Tod Robbins

Tod Robbins — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:42:07 +0000

We’re trying to do something like this… physically and not, in Provo. Communitarian type stuff. We should be our brothers and sisters keepers. Cheers Dane.

By: MarenM

MarenM — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:14:00 +0000

That, plus this idea doesn’t stir up much controversy and that’s where the truly lengthy discussion happen. :)

My husband is one of those who would like to do “forty acres and my friends”. He saw the really cheap land in North Dakota- whole towns, almost- for sale a few years back and it was all I could do to keep him from flying out there to buy a deserted town and remake it into a gathering place for all his favorite people. Not because I disapproved of the idea, per se, but for more practical reasons. Maybe someday….

I really like this series, Dane. It is a well thought out idea and your posts certainly have made me think about how and why I both value and shy away from “green hills”. It has made me reconsider my social goals and has made the “building of Zion” take on more meanings and possibilities than before. Thank you!

By: Dane Laverty

Dane Laverty — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:20:42 +0000

Thanks Catherine and Adam, that’s all I can ask. I don’t expect the same depth of discussion we see on other topics here at T&S, since I don’t imagine that community building is the sort of thing many of us have considered in depth. If this series only serves to start some people thinking about what it means to physically build Zion, and how we can practically engage ourselves in that pursuit, then I am satisfied.