By An Anonymous Bishop in Las Vegas

More years ago than I care to remember, Primary was held on Wednesday afternoons. This was before the 3-hour block program was implemented. We lived in Henderson so long ago that I do not even remember the location of the building we attended.

We had very little gospel teaching at home, so I didn’t retain a lot of what I was taught during those Primary years. Recent experiences have, however, brought to mind one facet of that particular Primary organization that I feel I should describe to you.

If memory serves, our building had only one set of doors from the foyer into the Chapel. That meant that everyone entering the Chapel had to pass by The Gum Lady. I’m sure I did not even know her name, but I clearly remember that she stood just outside the Chapel doors, with a big smile on her face, and a tin can held out in both hands. This can was decorated nicely, and had the word ‘GUM’ written in big letters where all of us little ones could clearly see it.

The Gum Lady may have had other assignments, but this is the one that remains in my memory. Everyone who entered the Chapel was expected to take their gum out of their mouths and place it into the Gum Can. I’m not sure whether we were allowed to reclaim it after the meeting.

At the time, The Gum Lady seemed like just one more adult trying to spoil our fun, but I now see how important her job was. There might have been some slight problem with a few of the kids leaving their gum where it did not belong – under the benches; on the seats; in someone’s hair – but the more important objective was to teach reverence in the Chapel. It seems that we could use the influence of The Gum Lady again today.

I have nothing against gum in general; in fact, one of my favorite people made his living selling gum. It’s just that gum-chewing has its place, and that place is not in church meetings. Maybe I’m too picky, but I think chewing gum and blowing bubbles – yes, blowing bubbles – in Church meetings or in the Temple – yes, I have seen people blowing gum bubbles inside the Temple – is not appropriate. Am I completely off base on this one?

I can’t think of any commandment against gum-chewing; I wish I could. It does not seem to hurt anyone. I guess it’s like folding your arms or bowing your head during the prayer: it shows reverence.

Gum chewing and bubble-blowing may not of themselves keep anyone out of the Celestial Kingdom, but they are a distraction. Can you picture President Hinckley blowing a nice big bubble during General Conference? Neither can I.