I used the F word in a short story I wrote at BYU in my creative writing class. Some were offended, others were not. The story required it, because, well, it was how it actually happened.

Dan–from a creative writing teacher–it doesn’t matter if it happened or not. I never let my students get away with that excuse, especially when their story makes me unwilling to suspend disbelief. Sometimes we actually have to modify truth so that our readers will believe the fiction. (And I always have students use “taboo” words in their stories. Taboo words serve a function in ALL cultures. And, in all honesty, if you look at any of my stories, you might find one or two.)
I have to say that if I hear Orin Hatch say “Doggone it!” one more time, I’ll either flip or fetch.

Margaret,

Normally I would agree, and don’t use swear words if I can avoid them. The incident in question was my father abusing me and cussing at me. I wrote the story of the incident, and to have him say “freaking” just would take away from the spirit of the story. It was his words, and he used them for effect.

Dan–on any other day, I would read your story immediately. Unfortunately, I have just returned from my office with an armload of student stories, which will have to come first. But I will get to your story. Did you want a grade?

Doug Thayer? The only “older gentleman” would be Leslie Norris, who sadly passed away last year.

Working with the military every day, I am constantly in the presence of, and am frequently the recipient of, f-bomb-laden tirades. I was shocked at first, having come from BYU, but I think now I’m kind of desensitized.
BTW, I wonder if Orson Scott Card gets any flak for the language in his books.

Here’s Card in an interview back in 1994 responding to a question about using profanity in writing:

It’s debatable whether it’s essential, frankly. I thought it was necessary early in my career. Then, when writing Ender’s Game, which I was dedicating to my then-seven-year-old son, Geoffrey, I realized that I hated listening to the kids in the book talk to each other, the mouths were so foul. That’s how children in such a circumstance really would speak, I think — but I couldn’t bear to write dialogue that I wouldn’t want to read aloud to my own child. So I cleaned it up — even though it wasn’t “natural.” Since then I’ve generally maintained language that doesn’t offend me — though it still offends some, and seems impossibly mild to others. The major exception was the novel version of The Abyss, where I had to keep the level of language in the movie. That being the case, I went ahead and used a level of profanity throughout the novel that is unmatched in any of my other work. Am I ashamed of that? Not a bit. I don’t think there are any bad words, just inappropriate words for certain situations. It’s not the F word, for instance, that’s bad — it’s using it to offend or hurt or degrade other people that makes it bad. (Words don’t hurt people, people hurt people . . . ). By avoiding offensive language in most of my books, I open them to a wider audience and don’t lose many people on the other end. If in cleaning up the language I thought I was harming the story’s truthfulness and power, I would simply sigh a bit about the people who would be offended — and then put the words in anyway. Most of the time, though, offensive language can be left out with no harm to the story. One thing I don’t do is use silly euphemisms. The way NYPD Blue is using “hump” in dialogue as a substitute for the F word is ludicrous. Better to avoid the word entirely rather than to put pathetic substitutes in its place.

http://www.hatrack.com/research/interviews/1994-01-aol.shtml

“Better to avoid the word entirely rather than to put pathetic substitutes in its place.”

I couldn’t agree more. The intent is exactly the same, and the mind is equally feeble. What’s the point in saying flip or fetch.

Ben: Spencer W. Kimball: “Swearing is the act of a weak mind trying to express itself forcibly.”

I can’t count how many times I’ve said f*ck today. For some reason, I don’t say sh*t as often, but still daily for sure. I suppose that means that the prophet counts me among the weak-minded. Oh well. I guess I’ll just have to stop relying on platitudes to prop up my self-esteem.

As a relative newcomer to the world of mormon blogs I have to say that this is by far the most entertaining post I have yet read. Big smile, all the way through. It raises some questions for me. Anyone know the answers?

1. I recognize a ton of unofficial support for the “though shalt not say bad words” campaign, but it’s not one of “the” questions in the temple interview. Aside from the President Kimball quote, where is cussing officially banned in the Church? (like scripturally or soemthing — maybe they should publish another section of the D&C called “Words of Wisdom”)

2. I have often wondered if the “don’t take the Lord’s name in vain” commandment is really about cursing, as is commonly taught, or if it is about more serious things like abusing other people in the name of the Lord (ie unrighteous dominion). Does anyone know if there is any historical or linguistic merit to that?

Profanity may be a way to get a hold of a person’s attention and create motivation – but I believe Christ would find a different way to create that motivation.

danithew,

Sure, he’d walk on water or raise someone from the dead. Since I don’t have that kind of faith, I’ll go ahead and keep swearing.

I feel like there are a number of snafus in this blog. Don’t know what a SNAFU is? Not really sure? Look it up.

I am stunned by the number of times you used the “f” word in that post, Tagore. Didn’t you look up SNAFU?

And I love anyone who can give some good literary criticism. (I met my husband by taking his class in literary criticism. I agreed to marry him, so he gave me a good grade. And then I got free tuition, too.)

My dad the linguist (an appositive SHOULD glow) always talked about the uses of taboo words, often referring to the first time he heard his sister swear. She had left the house and told him to not touch her new car. (He was twelve at the time.) She said it three time, “Bobby, you leave that car alone!” Well, of course as soon as she was gone, he got in the car just to test it out, driving it out of the driveway and then back into the garage. And of course, he lost control and smashed into the garage wall. When his sister returned, she met him with the words, “Damn you, Bobby!”

Every language has those words. They carry a certain power.

Tagore, snafu = situation normal; all f*cked up.

Tagore, I love both pronunciations of “son of a b*tch” at Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary. But the pronunciation of the plural “sons of b*tches” is better than either of the singular ones.

Years ago in highschool (AZ) I got in trouble for performing a “Church Lady” skit to introduce the homecoming nominees. At one point I introduced a “mixed” (is that an offensive way to put it?) couple that were actually dating, Tonya and Manny, and I asked — or I should say “The Church Lady” asked — “so, Tonya, does your mother know that yo’re going to homecoming with a big fat Mexican?”

I am still amazed by the intense negative reaction that generated. People were so offended. Petitions were passed around for my expulsion (rumors abounded that I would lose my “prom privelages” — ha). You know, Manny was a guy had been a good friend of mine for a long time, who called himself “beaner” and “spick” and “wetback” privately among friends all in jest. But as soon as I said what I said publically over the microphone for all to hear, it was a big big issue.

I had never realized that the word “Mexican” was so pejorative — which is why now, my favorite ethnic food of choice is “south of the border” food — where I order en-chi-LAY-dus and TAY-kos (got to beware of any M*xic*n sounding dishes.)

So yeah, good idea kp, let’s always be senitive to those around us and use our language accordingly. And if they don’t like that, then let’s be even more sensitive. Then maybe at some point we should just stop talking at all.

Mac, I disagree with you. I love Orson Scott Card.

I’d like to add a response to Glenn’s questions (no. 19 in this list). I know I am posting this almost a year after this thread started and finished, but I came across this page while looking for information about a specific quote. I didn’t think I’d find an LDS-related Web site in my search. I never even knew about this site, and I’m glad I found it.

You’ll probably never read this, but here is what I’d like to add:
1. There is no official Church “ban” on profanity, vulgarity, and bad language, per se. We do know that using the God’s name in vain is a violation of a commandment, but doing it, and using other offensive language, though strongly discouraged, won’t keep a person out of the temple. General authorities have counseled us numerous times that we should not use such language, and that it is offensive to God (even if it is not using His name), and insults the intelligence of the person that uses that kind of language.

2. I fully agree that abusing people in the name of Lord is using His name in vain, and I personally believe that is what He was referring to when He gave Moses the ten commandments. However, I cannot refer you to any specific record to support my opinion. It’s too bad for us Talmage and Bruce R are no longer around, because I’m sure one or both of them could answer that question.

Also, I hear people of other faiths (or of no faith) regularly and constantly say “Oh my God”, even though they would never use His name in the profane way it is so often used.

In my opinion, it is also using His name in vain every time a politician closes a speech by saying, “God bless America.” It is so obvious that it is said only as a political tool and has no meaning to the speaker, especially to ones that don’t even attend church regularly.

I have a cussing problem. I learned how to cuss in two languages from my parents. However, I seldom (in the last 33 years) take the Lord’s name in vain.
Once in awhie when I get really mad, I rattle off cusswords and I always regret it. It’s like I have an alternate personality.

However, when they told me my son was dead, I said, “Oh my God,” over and over and over. It didn’t seem like cussing.

I heard Meryl Streep say on some show that saying “Oh My God” was her biggest fault. She really felt bad about it.

There’s a difference in saying “Oh My God” when an asteroid is coming toward your spaceship and you know you’re history and consistently using those words in conversation.

I haven’t found a substitute yet, though. Sometimes I say “Holy Crap!”

I’d tell you what Joseph Smith said, but I’m pretty sure I’ve said it a million times, maybe even on this thread

“Oh my stars” sounds like Samantha Stevens (Bewitched)to me. Although I too enjoy using silly euphemisms for swearing. My dad always used to say “Criminelli!” Sometimes I like to say really lame ones like, “Well, fiddle-dee-dee!” or “Doggone it all to heck!” The worse, the better.