Scuttle

I really like this framing. The idea of scaffolding is helpful in keeping the focus on what matters most. One thought I’ve had with this is that while the Church clearly supports individuals and families, it also seems designed to build something collective, Zion as a people. Especially in a world that’s becoming more individual and disconnected, that kind of covenant community may be more central than this framework alone explains.

As I have been pondering the changes made within the church over the past decade, I thought of something that Neal A. Maxwell said about the Church being "scaffolding", that would one day be removed. As I was looking to find the exact quote, I was given more insight from a grok search.. "Several LDS leaders have addressed the idea that the scaffolding (representing the Church's programs, aids, organization, or administrative functions) is TEMPORARY and will eventually be removed or taken down once its purpose-- building strong individuals and eternal families-- IS FULFILLED." Harold B. Lee originally said: "Much of what we do organizationally in the Church is scaffolding, as we seek to BUILD the individual, and we must not mistake the scaffolding for the soul." From L. Tom Perry “There are two principal reasons why I appreciate President Lee’s metaphor for the Church—as scaffolding for our eternal families. First, it helps me understand what the Church is. Second, and equally important, I understand what the Church is not.” That’s an interesting perspective, isn’t it? Although the Church plays a pivotal role in proclaiming, announcing, and administering the necessary ordinances of salvation and exaltation— all of that, as important as it is, is really just the scaffolding being used in an infinite and eternal construction project to build, support, and strengthen the FAMILY. And just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to REVEAL the final completed building, so too will the mortal, administrative functions of the Church eventually fade as the eternal family comes FULLY INTO VIEW.” Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught: “The true believer... sees that some Church aids are, in a sense, scaffolding for the soul, which scaffolding one day will be REMOVED— like water wings or training wheels.” Again from my grok search—Teachings on "home-centered, Church-supported" gospel learning (from the 2019 Come, Follow Me adjustments and related addresses by President Russell M. Nelson and others) reflect the same principle: The Church provides support that helps families increasingly STAND ON THEIR OWN, reducing reliance on centralized programs over time. The metaphor underscores that while the Church remains essential for ordinances, covenants, and community, its organization "scaffolding" aspects are means to an end- NOT the end itself. As individuals and families GROW STRONGER, some administrative elements naturally become less central." Home CENTERED, church supported. As I was walking around the temple grounds, I noticed one small piece of scaffolding remaining on the north side. Just one small piece remained. I thought of how we rejoiced as each piece of scaffolding came down, revealing more and more of the beautiful temple we love. We appreciated the restored beauty even more, as we had to wait so long to have it revealed to us. So it is with our own individual lives! The scaffolding of the Church is being slowly removed, a little at a time, and will eventually reveal to us the beautiful work that God has CREATED in EACH of our lives. He knows what He is doing! So as the changes come, as prophets continue to lead us, we can TRUST that God is creating something more beautiful for us than we can imagine. Through His prophets, He is preparing EACH of us for GREAT THINGS ahead… and in His own time He will reveal it to us. And we might just be surprised at how beautiful it is! We can TRUST HIM! #SaintsOnX #HearHim

@DerwinLGray @CriddleBenjamin @BYU @DaveMcCannTV Incredibly well-deserved!

Grateful and humbled to receive the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award from @BYU. This honor reflects God’s grace, the love of my family, and the faithfulness of so many who have walked this journey with me. I pray my life continues to point people to Jesus.

@EricCMeadows Totally works… as soon as bishops get rehearsals and can review every talk in advance like General Conference 😄

Note to bishops everywhere. General Conference never goes long. It occasionally goes short. This is the pattern to follow for sacrament meetings, especially with the new schedule.

This is kind of all over the place, but I’ll concede your point on the current women’s competitive landscape, even though that’s not what I’m talking about. Broadly speaking though, more access brings more investment, more engagement, and ultimately more talent. Less access just concentrates everything at the top. That’s true in markets, and it’s true in sports.

@scuttlebutt1 @TheRealCruzOx The other argument I would make cause plenty have complained about this is I think nil and the portal are making this more top heavy, less parity/mid majors friendly, so what is making a bigger draw doing when many are fearing those days are numbered or over anyway?

There was nothing wrong with the tournament the way it is. Stop trying to include everyone

@NYfballgiants42 @BarstoolReags There’s a reason the first weekend is widely considered the best part of the tournament. It’s the matchups and the unpredictability. Those teams play each other first, and those are some of the best games. And it doesn’t even add any days. That’s not watering it down.

@scuttlebutt1 @BarstoolReags And that part’s perfectly fine as is

The dumbest decision in sports, America, life and the world. Can’t stress how much of a loser you are if you want this

@NYfballgiants42 @BarstoolReags You’re still framing it around who “deserves” a shot based on title odds. That’s never been the point. The best part of this tournament is the access and chaos. Especially in the first weekend.

@scuttlebutt1 @BarstoolReags The sport is doing just fine. Why are we watering down a tournament for teams that don’t deserve it?

So your issue isn’t expansion, it’s that too many teams get a shot. That’s a completely different argument and one that cuts against what’s made the tournament great. If your standard is “only teams that can win it all matter,” then cut it to 16. But that’s never been March Madness. What makes this tournament the must-watch event it is, especially the first weekend which most people think is the best part, is the access and chaos. Nearly all of the best first weekend games feature teams that have zero chance at making the Final Four. The tournament isn’t built around title equity, it’s built around access and chaos and teams from coast to coast driving fan engagement.

@scuttlebutt1 @TheRealCruzOx Than 300, just because d1 basketball is 360 teams or so doesn’t mean let’s let in 25 percent. Theres a lot of weak teams, or teams that can’t win the title. The last two years those top 4 teams have been historically dominant too, what’s not to say that doesn’t continue?

@ChampionshipCo @chrisfallica Lol based on what? Every expansion has grown the sport and engaged more fanbases.

@scuttlebutt1 @chrisfallica Lol, this won't grow it

Terrible.

@boln247 @chrisfallica If only title contenders matter, cut it to 16. But March Madness has never been about just crowning the best team. It’s about the chaos, the access, and the games that pull everyone in. That’s why it’s one of the most popular sporting events in the world.

@scuttlebutt1 @chrisfallica So why bring in more?? NIL rules the day. These extra teams have zero chance of a title.

@crookedsob @TheCinesthetic 💯 Give Brosnan Craig’s scripts and he’s the GOAT, no question.

@TheCinesthetic Then quantum of solace dropped and they see! Then skyfall dropped and they shut up. Then spectre dropped and they were like see! Then no time to die dropped and they were all meh or this is terrible. Craig is a good actor he’s a meh James Bond. Brosnan is still the goat.

Daniel Craig faced heavy backlash when he was cast as James Bond then Casino Royale dropped and shut everyone up.

@LloydColezone Why is it horrendous? What actually gets worse when more teams have something to play for and more fanbases are engaged?

March Madness expansion is a horrendous idea…Very excited that college athletics will continue to be ruined.

@BYUTracker Is that Weirsy’s OG bag from when he played? Incredible.

Love these modern bags, but imagine a modernized powder blue throwback bag with that beautiful script 😍

@ChampionshipCo @chrisfallica Yeah, definitely no other reason… except growing the sport, engaging more fanbases, adding meaningful games without extending the tournament, and still being more selective than the “perfect” era you romanticize.

@scuttlebutt1 @chrisfallica It's perfect mathematically. It's perfect for the amount of time it gives a larger number of people to fill out a bracket. It's perfect for allowing the tournament to run Thursday to Sunday the first week. There's literally no reason besides $$$ to expand any more.

@boln247 @chrisfallica Those games already exist. And you’re neglecting that the expanded teams will play each other first, which will be some of best games of the first week.

@scuttlebutt1 @chrisfallica It will be so fun to watch sub 500 teams get beat by 40 in the 1st round

@BYUSportsNation The Walsh years don’t get talked about enough. One of the most underrated QBs in BYU history. That Oklahoma bowl win is absolutely one of the best postseason wins we’ve had.

John Walsh on playing after Ty Detmer, and why he personally believes Detmer is the best Cougar of all-time

@Mitch_Harper Absolutely love seeing both of these guys back in Provo and on that field.

Norm Chow coaching up John Walsh in the BYU football Alumni Game.

@Utah_AM @WillyFoosball @MUSSemeritus Agreed.

@WillyFoosball @MUSSemeritus I’m not saying it’s not a big deal but don’t expect what you see online to happen in person. You’ll be shocked by how many U and Y fans are interacting with each other at the games because we’ll all have friends and family on the other side

Since BYU and Utah joined the Big 12 I have found myself deeply ingrained in the State of Utah and it’s culture because of the Holy War. I genuinely need to go out to Utah at this point, preferably for the Holy War

@chipperwhatcott @WillyFoosball Fair take here.

@WillyFoosball It’s more bitter online than IRL, mostly cuz the online yappers are just that — yappers. The in-person rivalry is akin to a fierce sibling rivalry. Which I really enjoy, tbh.

@smellurfingers @TheWildUte This “we know the value better than the market” thinking is exactly what killed the Pac-12. Utah was leading that charge. Not surprising their fans are just as delusional as the leaders who drove it.

@TheWildUte Now we're supposed to believe some ding ding on twitter knows more about the value of TV and brand markets than Fox, CBS and NBC.

Big 12 survival hinges on one truth: 
Unequal revenue sharing. Not every program drives value—and pretending otherwise drags the league down. Big 12 must reward the brands that move the needle to compete.