Airing dirty laundry

When I was growing up we did not have clothes dryers. When the clothes were washed in a tub or a washing machine or a lake or stream then they were hung out to dry on a fence or a rock or a tree branch or a clothesline or a rack indoors. 

People wanted to show how white their sheets and other items were to the neighbors who might see the wash hanging on the clothesline. Most prudent housekeepers would hang the lingerie and other underwear in between the sheets so they would not be seen by the neighbors. 

No one would be caught hanging out dirty laundry. It was not proper and showed a lack of propriety and respect. 

Now we use the term in a different sense. We refer to exposing errors and improprieties in an individual’s behavior as airing dirty laundry. 

There is a lot of that going on right now. Almost every day in the news or on social media someone feels like they need to tell some juicy bit of gossip or reveal a person's past errors or indiscretions. 

Well meaning people even reveal things about family members that are better off left unsaid. We have had to listen to sacrament talks where the speaker told about their child's sexual behavior. I could have gone an eternity without that information. Recently a father called a news conference and revealed his daughter's moral problems for everyone to be privy to. 

One of my favorite quotes from one of our favorite movies, ‘Bridge of Spies’ is "Would it help?” 

It also is very similar to a reply to me from Elder Boyd K. Packer. When I was stake president a member came to me to confess a transgression that happened prior to their marriage. They wanted to know if they needed to tell their spouse. I was unsure as to what to tell them. In those days we did not have the organization that exists in the church today. I called the church office building and asked to speak to a general authority. They put me through to Elder Packer. I explained the situation and he said, “What good would it do?"

Airing dirty laundry does not do any good and does not help. It is not proper and shows a lack of propriety and respect. 

Love,

Grandpa