Let Me Explain

Those of you who haven’t entirely given up on my blog are apparently wondering, “Hey Kev, what’s up with the previous post?” I didn’t think this would be so enigmatic, but I guess I overestimated my audiences knowledge of old sci-fi films/books.

The reference is to “Logan’s Run.” (1967 book, 1976 film).

In the future people live in a peaceful, utopian society. Life is full of pleasure, but it is required that your life end at a specified age. (21 in the book. 30 in the movie.) Your age is shown by a jewel implanted into your palm at birth which changes color as you age. When you reach the specified age the jewel begins to blink. Most people voluntarily report to the authorities to comply with the law.

But some people try to run from their doom. Logan is a Sandman. His job is to hunt down the runners and enforce the age limit of their society. Logan eventually becomes a runner himself.

So why is this on my mind, you ask? What does this have to do with anything?

I attend church in a Young Single Adults ward. YSA wards are strictly for unmarried people between the ages of 18 to 30. YSA wards are a lot of fun. The YSA community here in Omaha has more activities in a single week than most wards have in an entire year. (Family Home Evening, Institute classes, soccer, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, potluck dinners, CES broadcasts, parties, etc.) You are surrounded by people your age who share the same values and are likely in the same stage of life, going through similar trials, and celebrating similar triumphs.

The ultimate hope is that you will find that certain someone and get married. Some refer to this as “graduating from the ward.” Of course once you are married you cannot remain in the Young Single Adult ward because you are no longer single.

Then there is the other way to become disqualified from a Young Single Adult ward, and that is when you are no longer “young.” A line must be drawn somewhere, so it is drawn at the age of 31. At that age you are sent back to the regular “family ward.” If marriage is “graduation,” this is “flunking out.”

I am the clerk in my ward. One of my responsibilities is to maintain the membership records. When people move out, get married, or exceed the age limit I am the one who sends their records to their new ward. I am the one who enforces the rule and officially removes them from our midst.

And in about 4 months I myself will be turning 31.