Hunger Games romp leaves newly returned missionary paralyzed

This is sad! Why the heck was a church event mimicking Hunger Games? I have not read, nor do I want to read, the books due to what others have reported is the content. Based on what others have suggested is the content of the book would mean it is not material to put into our heads. We are taught to read and gain knowledge out of good books. Evil things start as a thought, so if we guard out thoughts we will not have to worry about acting out the act. I am just in awe how many members of the Church allow their kids to read such books. My kids tried to use an excuse that other members were reading them, but we told them no we prefer you not read those books. I expect to get some sort of flame responses to to this, but feel it is my duty to warn other people who may not have looked into the books to look into them. Kids killing kids as a sport is not something I want my kids to feed into their heads.

For anyone interested in getting involved, here are a few ways you can help out Tere: Donation Page: http://fundly.com/btereslegs 5K Run & BBQ: http://btereslegs.eventbrite.com Dance: http://www.facebook.com/events/462772273763128 General Info Page: http://www.facebook.com/btereslegs Thank you so much for any support you can give - it means so much to Tere and her family! Re: concernedmember - this was not in any way a sanctioned church event, just some friends having fun.

@concerned member: I would not be too worried about the fact that they were playing fake hunger games. #1 if you actually read the article, this wasn't a church event. It was a group of church members who got together to play. We used to play Survivor all the time when I was at BYU-Idaho. I doubt that these young adults were actually shooting arrows at each other. It was probably just a step up from a paintball game. So I would keep your kids from playing capture the flag or paintball if you are that worried about putting things in their head. #2: Being a great follower of the Hunger Games (actually having read the books) you obviously don't know what the books are about. They talk about a society that has fallen off the moral path and is using fear to keep the people doing what they should be doing. It is just one of many books that are based on what could happen if we as society allow certain laws to be put into place and the constitution to fall. I can't take your comment seriously, since you don't have a clue about what the books are REALLY about. If you would like to make a statement based on fact, I'd be more that happy to listen. You should read the books for yourself then you can make your opinion known based on fact, not just heresay. Isn't that what members of the church are always saying, read, find out for yourself, and then have an opinion?

@altorock13 I knew the flames would come. I don't have to touch fire to learn it is hot. We based our decision to NOT look into something based on what other people have reviewed. So should I watch a porn movie or read porn material to conclude whether it is not good for me and my relationship with my family? Sorry your comments are just a dumb as you state mine are. All I can say is I listen to the prophet and try not to get off the strait and narrow. I am not perfect, but I have a responsibility to care and nurture for my kids. I will take the heat for your opinion on the subject as I feel it is in the best interest of my family. Of course when you say what could happen in society, doesn’t this type of content put the ideas in the heads of people to make it happen? I understand Satin will find a way to introduce ideas and is all part of the plan, but as for me I am doing my best to help guard my kids from as much (in my opinion) bad material as possible. I believe in NC there was a youth event that was sponsored and it was based on the same theme. So yes I did not read this clearly to see if was not a Church event, so I apologize. My thoughts and prayers to the women and her family and my opinion on the book remains the same.

@concernedmemember & @ altorock13 You both make good points. altorock is right about this not being a "church" event. Concerned member, you have every right to do what you think is best for your family. I do the same for my own children. I'm of the opinion as well that you should monitor what your children listen to, hear and read through media and books. But I also feel there should be enough open-mindedness to not hear a few statement about a book and then immediately brand it as evil. This is not porn, not touching fire to read. Your statement is misguided that the book is about "kids killing kids as a sport", but is a but one of fighting against a tyrannical rule that would murder innocent children in an arena for fun. Everything about the book denounces such an atrocity. It is about a girl trying to save her sister. Much as ancient Rome, historically there have been events that have come of evil rulers such as Hitler destroying nations and people, and causing horrific wars. The man was evil, but that doesn't mean I won't read books about the time period. If every book with hard topics in it were banned, we wouldn't have such classics as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I feel there is much to learn from history and past mistakes, and even much to teach our children about loving everyone, avoiding racism and not judging anyone. It is one thing to try to keep your family safe, and another thing entirely to brand a book as evil. You should not judge other people for allowing their children to read them. Your statement about "being in awe that so many members allow their kids to read it"...That's just plain judging. Live and let live. If you don't want to read them yourself, then that is your choice, and I respect that. I myself, will not allow my 10-yr. old daughter to read it, and she is telling me the same thing about all of her friends having read it or seen the movie. I tell her when she's old enough to understand that it is actually not about sport, or violence but about much harder to understand political control, I will definitely allow it. Much as I'm waiting on harder topics such as found in "To Kill a Mockingbird", I will definitely allow them to read it, when they're old enough. How other people choose to parent their children, is their choice and I will not look down on them for allowing their children to read such books. Before judging others for their parenting, you really should read it. If you don't want to read it, that is fine, just stop making critical statements about what others do.

Thanks for the run down on your synopsis of the book. I have many friends at work that read them, not members and they had a difference of conclusion and said they would not recommend anyone younger than 16 to read. I have an 11 year old very avid reader that really wanted to read them. I even had feedback from nonmembers who watched the movie and said how disturbing it was. So for me and my household it is a no. Thanks for the feedback. I would much rather my kids put things from better reading. I am still not convinced it is something I would want to read. I was not trying to say the book was porn, but more making the point there can be some interest to learn what that is about to try and understand why people get hooked, to only perhaps find themselves hooked after trying out the waters there. I am done with this topic. May we all strive to set good examples for all and spread the gospel from out good examples as there are many watching us.

Well my last post had some typos due to autocomplete from my phone. I also wanted to say I know I cannot guard against all violent books as the Book of Mormon has many wars, but we read that as a family and explain the situations. I know my kids will have to stand on their own when we are not around as parents and there will be mistakes made, but we know we are all imperfect. Thanks for your time and I hope that Tere and family have the blessings they need right now.

Again, you must use your judgement in deciding what to do for your own family. My only point is that you shouldn't be expending your time and energy trying to convince everyone else to do the same as you. Maybe be a little LESS concerned about what others are doing and more concerned about you and yours. I find it very narrow-minded to denounce a book you've never read. And clearly you shouldn't read, just don't judge others who decide to read it. They're not being "bad examples" as you imply. I think you'll live your life constantly looking through that dirty window, wondering why the neighbors aren't doing things the same as you.

Dear Daysi5! What about our admonition from the prophets to "avoid the appearance of evil?" I HAVE read the books, and my children will not, at least not as long as I can prevent it. I found them to be disturbing, artificial, fearmongering, and left a bad feeling in my heart. That you CHOOSE to immerse yourself in such is your choice but why would you in any way castigate a worthy family who is trying to do the right thing by protecting the minds of their young children? You denounce her as being "narrow-minded" but mayhap you should check out your own "motes" before you backhand someone else!!

@Moxie Yes, I realize I have many motes. And my intent is not directed at a simple book that I strongly feel people have the right to read or not read as they choose or see fit for their children. That is not the real issue. I feel that when "concern", however heartfelt, trickles out into the workplace and friends that are being judged for having read a book or allow their children to read it, such as this statement: "I am just in awe how many members of the Church allow their kids to read such books."(concernedmember). Statements such as this imply judgement against other members who choose to parent differently. My intent is not to put down those who are protecting their children from what they deem inappropriate, but to stand up for those being judged by such statements and similar implications. I respect what you (Moxie) said, because you've read it, and find I could have an interesting conversation with you about your opinions, which are justified by the fact that you've actually read the book. And just as you read it and will never let your your children read it, I find that to be admirable. Read a book, don' read a book, watch a movie, or don't watch a movie, but I draw the line when people decide that they know what is best for others and their families and stand in "awe" when others don't do the same as them. As for the admonition to avoid the appearance of evil, that is very valid for what you do within your own home, I agree. But while we should guard against bad media, nowhere have I ever heard the teaching to publicly denounce books you've "heard are evil" nor to judge others that have read something you think is wrong, whether you've read it or not. Aren't we all entitled to our own opinion to the degree of not judging one another for having an opinion of their own? Are you and I now sinners because we've read a book? Do we deserve to be judged based on that criteria? It was refreshing in your post that at least you're not implying that other people should follow in your footsteps. Instead, you said, that it is "a person's choice" to read such books. I agree wholeheartedly and couldn't put it better. And I would add, it is a person's right NOT to be judged by what they read, or allow their children to read. I love a person who can read a book and even hate a book or a movie and still allow others to parent the way they see fit, without judgement, without looking down on them for having a different way.