I Went to the Precious Moments Chapel

[@JenTheTech]

"If you're not real, then how come I feel this way, lil babies." - Linda Belcher to her porcelain babies.

[@heavenj7]

Omg I love her!! I was her for Halloween ha and my cat is named Bob belcher

[@hellomello258]

This seems like the realest manifestation of "grief is unexpressed love"

[@joanodom2104]

When my son was killed in 2020, I blurted out to my mother, "Oh, Mother, I have all this love with nowhere to go!" The reality of the finality of his leaving, absolutely brought me to my knees.

[@Grooveedood]

I just watched the Veggie Tales video yesterday and now I'm seeing this one. Jen, I really appreciate your ability to showcase the positivity that can exist within Christianity. Developing a more neutral attitude toward faith while still being able to be critical is an important part of my healing.

[@allycinwunderland]

I couldnt have said this better

[@coll4455]

Amen

[@lambs5258]

Very well put

[@andreareddorkinghood1371]

You said nearly exactly what I was going to say. ❤

[@PurpleProjectsPDX]

Absolutely-

[@GroceryGurl87]

You should call the shows where you go to these fundie places “Fundie Field-trips”

[@hoorayitsjackie6166]

I’m 40, from Utah. When I was in 6th grade I used to sell Precious Moments drawings to classmates. I would just trace the original, transfer the tracing, go over it with marker and then add bubble letters with whatever they wanted. I had no idea they were religious. I’m not even sure where I got the coloring book I used. The girlies loved them though.

[@FundieFridays]

OMG this confession

[@seannanana84]

They were/are pretty cute so I get the appeal for young girls. That's hilarious though and way to make that $$$

[@rotisseriepossum]

omg i did the same thing w yoshi

[@liesel16]

I remember there being coloring books and pages when I was in preschool and elementary school. Fun times coloring.

[@Exiled.New.Yorker]

50, and in my decade it was the stickers.

[@catgrrr1]

My family was very atheist but I got a precious moments ornament every year from 0-18 years old, and my mom LOVES them. She has even more figurines than just my ornaments.

[@koda_dawgg]

thats so sweet! i own a few precious moments figurines because i genuinely love them.

[@CoronaViolet]

Religious or not, they're adorable!

[@Lasagna_Garfield_]

Atheist too and I love them! I had a Precious Moments bible as a kid that I absolutely loved

[@solarsatori]

Sad story warning: My grandma has a glass cabinet full of these and i always thought they were so cheesy. Until my aunt (who is from SW Missouri) took her best friend to the chapel. Her friend was dying of cancer and they really loved the chapel and felt some tiny sense of acceptance while visiting. They were lesbian girl bosses who make fun of everything but they genuinely loved precious moments. This video totally made me cry and think of her friend because she passed away a few years ago and now I want to visit and write in the guest book.

[@coll4455]

❤❤❤

[@seannanana84]

I always saw the figurines but had no idea of the concept/reason behind them I just thought they were cutesy kitsch for Christian church ladies and little kids. Knowing now that they were so death positive and for memorial purposes and people found comfort in them is eye opening. I am so glad they bring comfort to those who need it. I hope you have a chance to visit and write in the guest book.

[@LlamaLlamaMamaJamaac]

You should!! 🥹❤️

[@SR-wq3pi]

I always found these statues/figurines annoying growing up. I hated their dumb little sad eyes, and even as a child who spent their allowance as soon as they got it, felt they were a waste of money. I've gotten older and realized the meaning of the phrase "different strokes for different folks," but... learning all this has left me feeling ashamed for how ignorant I was. I had no idea how much they meant to those who purchase them/enjoy them. I also had no idea the creator was a man with a heart of gold. I had assumed these were yet another product of old white men sitting around a boardroom table, wondering how to prey on the pocketbooks of vulnerable people. Jen, thanks for taking this journey and for your unbiased look at the Precious Moments franchise as a whole. I hope that Sam finds peace in his life and I hope all Precious Moments enjoyers keep on supporting this art.

[@myerklamb8529]

True story i got left at the Precious Moments Chapel when I was 7 years old! We were having a large family reunion at my grandparents house in Joplin, Missouri, and we drove in 4 different vans to the chapel. It was the week of Christmas and the place was VERY busy. When my van and its occupants left a little early, i chose to stay behind and go home in another van. Somehow, i ended up getting lost in the shuffle and remember walking through one of the long hallways looking at artwork and paintings and realizing I was the only person there. I started running around looking for any of my family, couldnt find anyone and ended up just sitting down and crying. A nice worker came up to me and asked if i was alright and i told them I couldnt find my family. This was also in 1992 well before cellphones were a thing. They took me to the office and we tried to look up my grandparents phone number in the phone book but I didn't know my grandparents actual names lol. As soon as the last van arrived back at my grandparents, my Mom realized i was nowhere to be found and then they had to drive the half hour to go back and pick me up. Meanwhile the workers gave me chips and soda and it ended up being a pretty fun and memorable night

[@lcwinablackdress]

Your own version of Home Alone…

[@TheSkepticalCat]

Omg, Jesus-in-the-temple moment! (like the bible story)

[@coll4455]

Oh man the 90s and being forgotten places ❤

[@CarysCreatesThings]

Sounds like Home Alone! And it happened at Christmas too! I’m glad you were safe and looked after!

[@mothersgauri4137]

Wow..that is a great story !!!

[@Kytheguy]

I work at goodwill and we must get at least a metric ton of Precious Moments donated every year. It was interesting to learn about this chapel! It would be interesting to see more videos about Christian themes figurine lines. Willow Tree is another one I see a lot of

[@lindyloohoo]

They make a lot of them, and they don’t resell for good money sadly :(

[@arozeisarozie]

I had forgotten about Willow Tree!

[@AbigailGrayse]

The Willow Tree Nativity set is beautiful, but sooo expensive. Thankfully I have a supportive partner. 😂

[@Annie_Annie__]

I have a few Willow tree figures. I specifically got ones that aren’t angels, and I got ones to mark important milestones in my husband’s and my life. There’s one for when we got married, one for when we got our dog, one for our 5 year anniversary and one for when our kid was born. After I couldn’t get my hands on the one I wanted for my kid’s first birthday, I kinda lost interest in them. They’re still on a shelf in our living room and I’m kinda tempted to just make one myself to look like our cat.

[@lolztina13]

Omg i didnt know they were called willow tree my mother adores those figures was always upset there was never a single mom with 2 daughters tho i realize they are Christian figurines so that's probably why!

[@rayay248]

As someone with a fair amount of religious trauma, Precious Moments still fills my heart with nothing but warmth. It’s the same way I feel about Christmas carols. I don’t care if they’re songs about something I 100% don’t believe in, I’ll still tear up at O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, etc. I’ll still take them over modern/secular songs all season long.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Same with trauma + carols. I have a relative in a Choir at a protestant liberal church but I had to drop "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel" this year from rotation for what I hope are obvious reasons. I don't know if I can ever come back to that one.

[@MissaBrevis]

​@@picahudsoniaunflocked5426 See if you can find a version with the UU rewritten lyrics! I'll paste the first verse below, and the rest follow the same pattern. Because yeah, while I love the tune, the traditional lyrics are extremely uncomfortable. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell. Give comfort to all exiles here, and to the aching heart bid cheer. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Love to dwell.

[@EmiSuess]

This is how I feel too, and now I need to make a pilgrimage to the chapel. Lol And also buy the gay precious moments shirt

[@rayay248]

@philbyiasgair133 you want me to explain why those things fill me with joy?

[@DLGowan]

Going here as a child healed some religious trauma. I was terrified of dying young, as I had a family member die at 4 years old and my little brain decided I would also die young. I used to lay in bed and hug my stuffed animals tight because I was worried I would be lonely. One of the pictures had a little kid in heaven surrounded by their toys. I can see it clearly in my head. It gave me so much peace and once that fear was gone I was able to process the death and the fear diminished. I think about that place a lot.

[@SpecialBlanket]

i remember my mom telling me that in heaven you have everything you want so if a little kid died they would have a ton of toys etc, but i also heard that you won't want anything, and i didn't want to not want anything...

[@MalenkyGoblin]

Hearing about Sam Butcher hiring factory workers in Thailand and the Philippines because it was cheaper labor costs rubbed me the wrong way, to be honest. Both countries have very poor labor protections, are notorious for worker exploitation, and were run by brutal authoritarians when Sam came into the picture. Thailand had a terrible fire in a toy factory in 1993 that killed 188 people, injured 469, and was compared to the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in NYC back in 1911 because the building was poorly designed and had locked fire exits. The Philippines also had a terrible factory fire in 2015 that killed 74 people due to the windows being barred. I have to wonder as well, when Sam complained about "communism" halting his work in the Philippines if he was referring to when their brutal dictator Ferdinand Marcos (whose wife Imelda famously owned 2,000 shoes) murdered the pro-democracy activist Benigno Aquino Jr. and it caused a huge political uprising in the country.

[@ultraboombean]

You have a good point.

[@louhortonsculpture]

Thank you for sharing this context. I’m always stunned at how much I wanted to know the truth, but couldn’t get it before the internet and also these algorithms and the systems curbing hateful comments. Also late night comedy shows have been giving context to world events that I don’t know how I would have found before.

[@FernandoTorrera]

I can appreciate on one hand you are forced to make these kinds of decisions or go out of business but the anti communist plaque is too much. You would think a man who grew up Poor and struggled with it as an adult would know better.

[@twistysunshine]

Sounds like Jen's red flag sensors were correct

[@statusdisarray9598]

Exactly. well said

[@katrinapetersen2874]

Not to burst the precious moments bubble, but many, many years ago when I was getting married i wanted to have a Precious Moments cake topper topper for my wedding cake to honor my mother who when I was a little girl, we collected the figurines together. I reached out to the company because I wanted to order an interracial couple for my topper and I was told by the company that it wasn't possible and that they do not have them. I stated I thought these were custom made to meet our specific hair color, race, etc, and I was told they absolutely have all of those options, but not together as a couple. I was still confused so they very bluntly told me they would not be creating an interracial bride and groom set for me under any circumstances. We're divorced now so thanks a lot Precious Moments.

[@ciarancooper394]

What an awful experience. Thanks for bursting the bubble though, I was getting too weepy 😊

[@loreli6052]

Wow. That's terrible.

[@britanyhayes85]

Wow. That’s crazy.

[@abigruber]

Yikes!! Also, I can't tell if you're being cheeky at the end. If so: lol! If not: that's sucks, hugs.

[@katrinapetersen2874]

@@abigruber we're divorced now but on friendly terms so it was for the best

[@Leitzeh]

I remember my nana having to beg to get me to accompany her here as a teenager. She was a Pentecostal preacher’s wife and this was around the time I was trying to discover my own path regarding my religion and I was angsty and thought this stuff was stupid. I’m now bawling because I’m connecting the dots that me being with her as her granddaughter would provide her comfort when she suffered multiple miscarriages that I’m sure she remembered while we visited this place. She unfortunately passed away couple years later from brain cancer. Jen, as an atheist now, I think I might take that hour and a half drive (I still live in the area) and maybe let my kids see the Precious Moments place. At least in memory of my nana.

[@cringedesu]

I think that would be a beautiful circle back to the trip you went on with your Nana, see it from her point of view now that you're the adult. Maybe even leave a little message for her in the memorial books. I know you said that you're an atheist, but those moments are important for ourselves too, y'know what I mean? Who knows maybe your kids will think it's magical! (you obviously don't have to do any of this lol, your comment just really jumped out to me for some reason 😂😅 have a nice day!)

[@joybailey2776]

In 1990, my husband and I were looking for wedding invites, we fell in love with a Precious Moments one with a couple of littles wearing oversized wedding apparel and holding hands. Totally not our style but we kept going back to it. So, that was the one we got. Fast forward 33 years...3 kids and a grand baby later never another Precious Moments anything in our lives but it just made us feel some sort of way.

[@jessyk4101]

My parents also had this wedding topper!

[@AmSpam]

33 years is incredible!Congratulations to you both 🥰

[@labor_mel]

this is the cutest story omg 😂❤ i love that you went with your gut as a team!

[@hellygeer]

"It's very Christian; but it's not mean." Good to know! You are opening my heart to Precious Moments.

[@megleland6320]

I have seen dozens and dozens of Precious Moments angles/images carved on children's headstones in Indiana cemeteries. It is obvious how much these characters have meant to some people over the years, I think they have brought peace to a whole lot of families.

[@iheartjonghyun]

i am mexican american baptized in the catholic church and latinos LOVE precious moments!! though not official im pretty sure, i’ve seen lots of precious moments figures depicting our saints lol 😭 they’re popular in catholic revival aesthetics w teen/ya girls hehe

[@seannanana84]

I totally went and got the lesbian Precious Moments shirt. Also I am happy to know the man behind the art seems like a legitimately sweet soul. It always feels like such a relief when someone behind Christian media of any kind is actually behaving like a Christian by doing good.

[@ruththecatlady]

Jen, I’m Christian and I’ve watched and supported you back from the days where you did your makeup at the same time. The thing I respect, admire and appreciate the most about you - along with your kindness and intellect - is you approach every experience and encounter with the possibility you may also be changed. You are a beautiful person. I learn a lot from your videos. Thank you. X

[@osteophagus]

This is small but it's really sweet for me to see the Oklahoma City memorial. My father was in the first wave of responders. He was part of the team helping to recover bodies (unluckily he ended up seeing a lot of the kids...) and hiding so the rescue dogs could find a living person. All while he had little infant me back home. There is a photo of him right after he got home, still in his agency clothes and holding me with this look of very sad wonder on his face, like he'd almost forgotten what a living child looked like. He and the other responders and of course the victims suffer such trauma to this day and it's touching to see a tribute to them.

[@emmelinesprig489]

This made me tear up 😢 Such a tragedy

[@brittanyblue4495]

My great grandma loved Precious Moments. She was the sole survivor of her family, the rest of whom died in the Holocaust. While its a clearly Christian company, their subtleness and broad appeal made these (albeit charming) wierdly sad figurines something she could find peace in. So many of them reminded her of a time before the war. Even if they're not for me, I smile when I see them, because I always think of her collection, and the happiness she derived from it. She would have loved this episode. ❤

[@mi-no3wk]

I've had tears in my eyes this whole video. As a fellow Missourian who is also often surrounded by a very toxic version of Christianity, this warms my heart to no end. The world could heal if every Christian was this way.

[@coll4455]

I had tears in my eyes the entire video as well!! ❤

[@NM-vp4ql]

I currently am in bed with a fever and I'm CRYING LMAO

[@dovahqueen4607]

Oh my gosh, this video had my eyes welling up every other minute, I swear! It really is touching to see the kindness and comfort aspect of Christianity these dolls are meant to put forth.

[@aazhie]

Agree. My parents were very casually xtian and brought us to church in a very noncomittal way, but this stuff is definitely the good side so many whinge at FF fans to consider. I am well aware there IS a good side, but far too many "good Christians" do not really put in much effort to actually improve lives for those who are hurt and needy.

[@twistedsufiwanker]

@@NM-vp4qlno way me too !

[@shaymiss_sardini]

Precious moments has always been a very important part of my life, as a queer Christian who's faced discrimination from the church, and as someone who has lost someone very close, precious moments represented to me the "tender and mild" parts of Christianity that all too often seem to be forgotten about. My grandmother and mother collected them and I do too, my first bible was a precious moments children's bible. I think we all need a more precious moments in our lives 💞

[@jadelinny]

Oh man, my first bible was precious moments too! I had totally forgotten that until you mentioned it.

[@TheVampop]

My first Bible was precious moments as well!

[@geekcollage]

I have a precious moments Bible too! I got it for Scripture Memorization at 10 or 11. I still have it, a few decades later.

[@oliverperkins4537]

Okay so I haven't finished this video yet but I just need to comment on them naming the company "Jonathan and David" after the Bible characters. I don't know if you're familiar with their Bible story but they were described as loving each other with such a deep love and a lot of people interpret it in a gay way.

[@blumoon187]

It's as close to canonically queer as you're going to get in the Bible.

[@brittlebricks10]

Blessed be the Jennonites!

[@Mama_Bear524]

They were just roommates 😂

[@annaf2091]

It says in the Bible that their love was exalted by god. Their love for each other was held in high regard by god. the love was blessed by god. Which is what church weddings are. A love being blessed by god. Jonathan and David were absolutely gay. 😊

[@mielimedina3146]

Yes, they were sooooo gay! ❤

[@pearlkennedy9446]

I lost 4 littles to miscarriage this past year and a half, this seems like a healing place to go after all this.

[@Axqu7227]

It seems schmaltzy on the surface but she’s right, this place is deeply sincere. There’s not much to do in Carthage otherwise but there’s a decent Chinese place near where the steel mill used to be.

[@maggiephilson1667]

I’m so sorry.

[@Char10tt3_]

I was holding it together until you showed the unfinished angel painting. Reminds me of the semi colon symbolism. My dad took his life and my mum passed on Christmas so this time of year is always really rough. This was a lovely video, thank you 🥰

[@maryswanson9982]

🌹💖

[@MLiesel]

Sending encouragement and support to you; I’m sorry for your losses, and hope that you find moments of comfort and things that bring you warmth and happiness in this difficult season!

[@afn6224]

I’m so sorry for your loss. May the memories of your parents be a blessing.

[@shai2121]

I think I always associated this company with a cynical cash-grab, because to me the design of the figures seemed so commercialized and made for mass appeal, and because I and my family were always so irony-poisoned that we couldn't have imagined them being genuinely meaningful to anyone, much less being designed with care by a passionate artist who deeply connects his work to the human experience. I'm so glad I know now that despite the success of the company that's far from being the truth. The chapel sounds amazing.

[@josephinedykstra3383]

Same here! I had a Precious Moments Bible as a little kid, but I honestly think my folks thought it was stupid/ corny/ a cynical cash grab with bad theology (the Bible was almost certainly a gift). I'm glad to know they're mostly sweet!

[@sdelong74]

You don't have to Christian to appreciate Precious Moments. I collected in the late 80s and early 90s. Not all Christians are crazy and Sam is proof of it.

[@lorenjorgenzzz]

Growing up in the church, I have found memories of these! My local church used to have “quiet bags” for little kids in service to keep them occupied and entertained. I used to always want the Precious Moments coloring book! ♥️ I still think they’re such a staple of southern charm and churches.

[@PeggyKoneko]

I grew up in the Caribbean in the 90s and my mum was an Avon lady on the side (not am especially good one but still). She would sell loads of these because the Caribbean is quite Christian. Lots of older Caribbean women have these little white babies in their homes😅 this is really taking me back!

[@Dusty_Den]

That is so funny and cute. They really are just universally cute 🥹

[@y.m.or.4053]

Oh yeah, these are VERY common in the homes of Cuban grandmothers

[@anniebell6846]

The humanity in this episode made me teary what a beautiful well researched episode.

[@taylorg2320]

Your makeup goes SO HARD this video, you look GORGEOUS (respectfully)

[@MrL1O1V1E1]

I have a precious moments lamb tattooed on me to really respect my own fragility and how sensitive i can be. I see and respect that in you as well jen. This was a beautiful vid

[@rayannaandrade6337]

Beautiful make up today Jen!! 45 year old from Southern California. Precious moments were actually very big in the California prison subculture and artwork in the 90s. That was my experience, growing up with precious moments. Inmates in the 90s used to love to draw these on cards.

[@starparodier91]

This sounds incredibly interesting and I’m dying to hear more!

[@annikkirahko6714]

That’s wild I wonder why that was

[@matnolia]

THIS is what art is about, reaching people and making them feel something, communicating a shared emotion through the artwork and providing comfort to people. His art does that for people, people who were hurting or grieving especially, and that is so insanely beautiful

[@lanem4091]

I went to high school in northwestern Missouri. I was very good at hiding the fact that I was a queer kid whose secret passion was sneaking into punk and/or drag shows. When I graduated (mid1980s) I was given several precious moments figurines by family friends and one teacher in the hopes the would guide me to my best life. Yeah, nope. Though the teacher also gave me a collection of the complete works of Emily Dickinson (including all the sapphic love letters) so maybe she was just covering all the bases.

[@oligrace7222]

This is a special place to me. I went here a couple years ago with my wife and her family after Thanksgiving and it was a somber time in my life because I had made the decision to put my elderly cat down days before the holiday and I got the call from the vet while I was in the lobby that his ashes were ready to be picked up. Before we left, we stopped by the gift shop and my wife picked up a grey tabby plush and bought it for me to use as a physical remembrance that I can hold and hug if I start missing Toby too much. It has come in handy so many times.

[@TheJoyGirardShow]

For most of my life I thought I had been to the Sistine Chapel. I had not. I had been to the Precious Moments Chapel.

[@JulieMarcum-zs1pz]

I absolutely loved this video. My first Bible and diary were Precious Moments. As a progressive Christian, it warms my heart to know that this place projects love, not judgement. Christianity is not about hellfire, brimstone, and bigotry. Fundamentalists have turned the faith I love into something twisted and ugly. Knowing this place exists helps heal some of the sadness I feel when I see Christians being hateful and judgemental. Thank you for all the hard work you put into making content for the Jennonites 🥰

[@kylee7596]

Mine as well!! I always loved the artwork and thought it was so beautiful 🥰

[@xSaucySirenx]

My mom was a lifelong drug addict and the only thing she ever collected and never pawned or sold was the precious moments she received when I was born. I asked my mom for a sign and you posted this and I can’t help but think that was her through you. Thanks for that 🩵

[@espeon871]

Aww this is so sweet

[@caitlynwinkler4189]

Sheesh you got me crying. ❤

[@hopefulmonsters4407]

Got me crying too. Wishing you the best.

[@maggiephilson1667]

That’s touching.🥺 I’m sorry for your loss.

[@AmyWebster-u6l]

Be good to yourself.

[@rainbowiam]

The landscape designer that designed Jon Baker's penthouse Japanese garden also designed Portland's Japanese Garden. He is world renowned. Priceless, In some people's opinion.

[@rgf11235]

This is why I love your channel. You don’t profane the actual sacred. This was a really moving video to remind me that “not all Christians” this Christmas.

[@Stefalilly]

Growing up in the UK and Catholic but with most of my family in Italy, we as a family don’t see death as this sad thing. This summer we went to see our deceased family members and it was just a joyous time to say hello and for my parents to say a prayer as they are still religious. It’s sad but religion doesn’t have to be this scary thing. It seems like a nice chapel really colourful and positive for people to come and say a prayer. The church where my family live in Italy is really small but colourful, full of plants and noise. When my partner and I travel I like to pop into churches to see the architecture but I taught him about the candles that you get in Catholic Churches. For like £1/1€ you can light a small candle and say a prayer. He lost his dad 6 years ago and now he lights a candle for him wherever we go - we aren’t religious but gives him a small quiet moment to say hello to his dad.

[@helenr4300]

Mnay Anglican churches in UK (varies with area) are also open and can light candles in prayer. It is great to have space available for those wanting somewhere quiet to be and ways to engage with prayer away from the formal services.

[@anitacrumbly]

it's mainly in the USA throughout it's history, that religion (mainly christian which is the majority religion with Catholicism being the runner up) is used as a weapon of prejudice, and politics. It's also used against kids to control what they see hear and do in an attempt to control what they think but fortunately majority of kids escape because thinking is something that can't easily be controlled. So that's why religion is a scary thing here in the USA.

[@ipacarrollread]

⁠​⁠@@anitacrumblyI agree that Christianity is an issue in the United States and is becoming an even greater issue since a vocal minority of evangelical Christians feel that they can decide for everyone how/who/what to believe. Protestant sects like the Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Church of God, nondenominational and/or evangelical groups, etc often miss or misstate something incredibly fundamental when talking about Christianity. You can’t say Christianity OR Catholicism because they aren’t separate. Catholics are Christians. In fact, Catholicism is the source of Christianity. It drives me nuts when people say that Catholics aren’t Christians because there would be no organized Christianity if the Catholic Church hadn’t existed. My rant isn’t really that important but I do think it shows how little many know about their own religion/faith. Knowing the history/precepts of your beliefs seems to be very unimportant in the United States. Knowing context doesn’t impact faith.

[@malloryr4883]

This was so great to watch. I have religious trauma deep, deep in my bones, but I think this healed me a little bit. I'm so glad you went to this place and that it was unironically beautiful and spiritually touching. Love you guys SO MUCH and Happy Holidays!

[@klynne8410]

I feel the same!

[@morganwentworth2041]

This man has one of the most artistically productive lifes I have ever witnessed. I'm glad he's cool

[@acoelomate2984]

Precious moments is the epitome of white melancholy, which is so cathartic and something I think we don’t get enough of in culture compared to in the past

[@skylarandmoose]

What is "white melancholy?" I've tried and failed to find a definition. It's a new term for me.

[@acoelomate2984]

@@skylarandmoose it’s essentially the Renaissance idea of there being two types of melancholy; black melancholy which is despair, and white melancholy which is the pensive peace and solace in isolation if that makes sense. There’s a sense of melancholy but it’s positive and not just about being sad

[@middlemuse]

I’m a white American who lived in the Philippines for a couple of years and I’m not at all surprised that Precious Moments caught on. The earnestness and sincerity feels like a really good match for the values and culture of the people I knew there. Kind, sentimental, and completely unashamed of it. (Agree, though, the Bible college factory story is all kinds of fucked up.)

[@abbey_s_world]

When I was about seven, my grandparents took me to the precious moments museum because I was absolutely obsessed with them

[@middlesismonica]

I had no idea there was a museum. My mother-in-law used to collect them. She thought they were going to increase in value 🤦

[@crxzycxctus2901]

My grandma, who has been gone for many years now, hand embroidered me a precious moments blanket when I was 8 for my birthday (1992). I have the blanket 31 years later and it's one of my most treasured things.

[@theob.6588]

i grew up with a dad that we knew wouldnt live to my adulthood, and i was always obsessed with precious moments, my bedroom is the same sort of style now and im suddenly realizing why. precious moments has really been here for death-touched kids, worth saying.

[@KelseyDunlevy]

It's kind of a breath of fresh air listening to you gush about how wholesome and wonderful this experience was for you. I used to be a Christian, and I've enjoyed your videos picking apart the negative aspects of Christianity and Christians, but this video was really nice, Jen.

[@middlesismonica]

Jen and James, this was awesome. I had no idea about the history of this. Well done.

[@Itsmechelsea13]

My aunt collects these and now knowing they have a lot to do with grieving the death of children this means something different to her collection. She lost a baby to a rare disease and now her collection means something different ❤

[@DoNotFeed_AfterMidnight]

My late grandma collected these and I always enjoyed looking at the figurines and imagining their stories. Watching this brought back a lot of good memories.

[@starparodier91]

I have some of these! I never associated them with Christianity (though looking back it’s obvious why I got one for my first communion, etc) and I was so nervous to click the video! I was raised Catholic but I’m not religious and it’s great to see how wholesome these little figures truly are. Edit: I’m now realizing why my mom was gifted one… I’m an only child but lucky number 8. 😢

[@omnichrome9784]

Precious moments figurines, cards and ornaments sold in Halmark stores some all year round and some specially for Christmas, for many years during my childhood. So, even though no one in my family collected them, I was very aware of Precious Moments.

[@whiskerssonkittens]

That blue lamb unlocked so many memories I didn’t even know I had about these tv specials omg

[@Wethepurple77]

You know when someone’s is telling a story and as they are telling it you start to notice the storyteller has been transformed by their story to the point that you hardly recognize them. That’s a bit extreme but you’ve done such a great job on this guys and a glimpse of your mushy heart Jen is lovely to see.

[@skylarandmoose]

I think this is my favourite episode ever because of just how wholesome it is

[@sarahshaw-sehgal1146]

I went to the Precious Moments chapel about 15 years ago and as an atheist, i was expecting to scoff and cringe but everyone was so nice and it felt warm and sweet and sad just like you said. Was very surprised!!!

[@PotatoCandyDarling]

Hey, I unusually don't comment on videos about this kind of stuff but I have to say how touched I am by this story. To be honest, I had always assumed that Precious Moments was created by a company to be a brand and did not know anything about Sam. His story as you told it made my heart go out to him as an art person who struggles with mental health. Maybe I'll get a cute one next year as a treat for myself, and now I have a reason to visit Missouri. I used to have the doll that prayed. I now wish that I could bring Tammy Faye back to life so that she and Sam can have a bible study video for us to enjoy :)

[@BernicePanders]

When I was about 6 (1991-1993) & my mom kicked my dad out before they divorced, I was so distraught & traumatized by the fight & break-up, she gave me a tiny ceramic white kitten (appx 2" tall) from this line, unpainted chalky white porcelain w/ black eyes. I kept it for 14 years, one of my priceless possessions. Then I did something really stupid, I gave it to my first girl crush, who shortly after that broke off our friendship. I've lost most of my sentimental things that way. I've tried dozens of times since then, trying to find the same kitten figure literally ANYWHERE, and can't find any evidence it existed... 💔💔💔

[@solarsatori]

Was it a Homco kitten?

[@BernicePanders]

@solarsatori No idea, I just know it was a Precious Moments figure, about 2" tall at most

[@Kara-b5u]

What year was it? There’s a small kitten from 1982.

[@katelynw3213]

aaaaaa I hope you find it

[@rgf11235]

Engaging to boost this post in the hope that someone on here can help you find it.

[@Meg-h]

I’m a devout Christian who silently watches your videos and I’m so happy to see a positive video on something Christian… my family never collected them but we had a Christmas one with just Jesus Mary and Joseph and I adored it as a child! You used to really only be able to find them in hallmark stores back in the day. I would always beg my mom and dad for more but we had no money back then! I now have the nativity in my home! Such sweet memories… but I had no idea the story behind all of it… I’ve cried several times in this video

[@BarbaraJackson-d3n]

I had a coworker friend who was married at the Precious Moments chapel. The photos were the typical wedding photos so I am very excited to see more of it. i don't think there was anything other than she just loved Precious Moments.

[@Treppy_Gecky]

Do they allow gay weddings there at all?

[@sjbloop]

I went to Catholic school. When I was in junior high, every year a class made a quilt to sell at an auction to fund raise for the school. Each student made a block, that focused on learning a skill that was then sewn into the quilt. Ours was precious moments cross stitch. Most of the community didn't know what they were. We were excited since they were so cute. It ended up being controversial because some families were angry that it was "Baptist". This ended up being discussed in class. The teacher admitted that her familiarity with the brand had to do with child loss. We were a little creeped out that the appeal of the quilt we were making was dead baby angels made by real children, but as a class decided it was worth finishing. It was the highest auctioned quilt up to that point. It was actually a very fun project because we all worked together. Some kids were just terrible at cross stitch. I was pretty good so we would sit together and work together. Some kids only worked on untangling knots. Overall a positive experience. The teacher repeated the theme years later, and again the quilt sold well.

[@mikeymullins5305]

That's lovely. Also so on brand that the sticking point was the Baptist ness lol

[@ellicia_elliott]

The Catholic school I went to, and where I received my First Communion, was very aware of Precious Moments. That's odd/funny that it seems like it depends where people went to school/church/what the viewpoint was. he only two Precious Moments I ever received was for my First Communion, because they were so expensive. (This is early 80's.) Both are still in my mom's china cabinet, but I hope to bring them to my home sometime soon. ❤

[@madimoet125]

Before she passed 20 years ago my great grandmother bought my sister and I precious moments figures up until age 25 with graduation figures and marriage figures. I just turned 25, and am so sad for the birthday tradition to be over. I have them all lined up in my room and it’s truly a beautiful thing.

[@mads625]

This whole video had me on the verge of tears but the image of sam clutching the first figurine and tearfully saying “look, bill, look” made me start sobbing. What a gentle soul. I love this video so much

[@jesscorner6381]

I don’t know what I was expecting but I certainly feel a lot less alone. I lost my dad almost 4 years ago and then my best friend just over a year ago. Grief is so heavy. I’m very glad he turned his grief into something productive and meaningful for SO many others as well

[@ellicia_elliott]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is an indescribable feeling if someone hasn't experienced it. Both of my childhood best friends have passed as well. Sending love your way! ❤

[@FranklyRanunculus]

❤

[@emmag.12]

im an american living in japan for several years now. my sweet elderly neighbor has tons of these figurines around her home & a few in her garden. she is so kind & loves my two young children as her own grandchildren. we try to get her precious moments figurines for christmas/new year. precious moments brought together this friendship so i love this video!!! thank you!

[@cordelia0103]

I was given the birthday statutes every year on my birthday from 1-18 years old by my aunt and uncle. I always enjoyed them and thought they were beautiful!

[@jennifersavoy847]

I have been watching your videos so that I can learn more about how religion and religious leaders have caused harm so that I don't make those same mistakes (I am a pastor). This video gives you even more credibility and makes me so glad I follow your channel. Thank you for showing us this and for your feedback. THIS is how Christianity is supposed to be... Sam Butcher got it sooooo right!

[@astronokia]

i was one of the choir groups that sang there when i was in high school. after we sang, we had time to explore and i remember just crying several times because it is a very grief filled experience in the most positive way.

[@koc4787]

Jen, my mom collects Precious Moments, I had one on my wedding cake when we got married 34 years ago, and my hubby just bought me one that resembles us now. I am not a huge collector but I have a new appreciation. Thanks again for a wonderful video!

[@NihilisticJawbreaker]

My cousin tragically lost her daughter (a driver ran the school bus stop sign) and has a collection of PM figures that look like her in various stages of life and beyond.

[@almondjuicer]

I am a newly converted jennonite and my friend told me that I HAD to see this vid, and I am so glad that I did 🫶 they convinced their family to drive from Kansas to the chapel and they loved it. I think that the precious moments figurines will always have a special place in my heart, my grandma collected them and after she died, I found out that she left me a limited edition one from the year I was born with a note that she wrote shortly after I was born. This video reminded me of that small precious moment of my own and I’m so glad to know that their legacy is wholesome in this world of corrupt Christianity 💗

[@AnxietyOpossum]

I can't see these without 'old people funko pops' immediately entering my head.

[@asiener1807]

When I was little, we went to a precious moment gathering because my mom collected them. I was asked to present flowers to a dude. I didn't know who he was but everyone else seemed to. I am now assuming it was the Yasuhei Fujioka. It was a very memorable experience.

[@amberwebster83]

So my granny used to get me a precious moment doll for Christmas every year for Christmas. I still have them in a box in my garage and now I’m happy I have them. Thank you for doing this video.

[@Sbunch363]

My dog passed away last November and a neighbor gave me a little dog version of these. It's next to the chair my boy and I would cuddle in and watch videos in the living room. I always smile when i see it. So yeah, there really is something about these little dolls.

[@poisonpetitfour]

This was wholesome AF. I bought my mom some Precious Moments figures when I was a teen-ager. Once was after she had my baby sister who is 18 years younger than me. Being a former fundie kid can be werid like that

[@jacquelineperry5752]

This man's work ethic my word. Very refreshing to hear of a Christian man who seemed to really care about children and grieving parents and those with loss. Im not to the end of the video but am inspired like you mentioned. Seems like a beautiful place where alot of people get comfort. What could be better than that in today's world.

[@haley166]

My dad’s cousin gave me a precious moments jewelry box after I read a verse at her mother (my great aunt’s) funeral. It sits on my display shelf to this day. I didn’t realize how connected to death the line of figurines was, I thought it was maybe just a personal thing

[@izzycook5690]

My first stuffed toy was a pink Precious Moments baby doll, given to me by my Grandma. I took her everywhere with me and of course still have her today. She still makes me feel like my Grandma is close by and watching out for me, even since she passed away 💗

[@kathrynbassett1535]

Thank you for treating this so respectfully and with kindness. Sending love to all who read this ❤❤

[@aydenhowell2308]

This is truly moving. I didn't realize the symbolism and comfort people got from these. Didn't realize my grandmother's sentimental value she had attached to hers, especially ones I've theorized remind her of her estranged daughter.

[@Olivia-pj9wy]

My grandma always gave us precious moments ornaments for Christmas, and she used to put around her house during the holidays.

[@Meagpas]

What a gentle and kind man. It’s easy to forget people like him exist. Jen you taking about feeling touched by the book made me tear up.

[@anxiety4daysmusingmedic891]

Thank you. I know what to give my mom for christmas. The paramedic figurine. Im grieving the loss of my career, she looks like me and it represents my most precious moments. Couple it with a letter, literal perfection. ❤

[@genevieveelkin2316]

I have a baby blanket that I still sleep with at night with a precious moments teddy bear sitting on a balloon. My twin has one with precious moments angels. There's something unique about precious moments, even though it's so cutsey and saccharine. This was a very interesting video- thanks Jen!

[@Izzy-cp8yt]

Oh I'm EXCITED FOR THIS. My childhood was HAUNTED by these things. We have a china cabinet full of them, 99% of our Christmas ornaments are these (despite years of me begging for something else), and I had a wall hanging of one that loomed over my bed for YEARS until sometime around 6th grade that I was fully sick of it and took it down, repercussions be darned lol. Here's to another great episode!!

[@Emcatastrophe]

I remember thinking they were so dumb and lame as a kid, now I want to collect my own.

[@bongmilk6434]

I know this is a bit unrelated so I’m sorry but I am obsessed with the blue eyeshadow and pink lip look and this is the best I have ever seen it done. never stop slaying, reverend Jen.

[@allie37618]

My mom used to collect precious moments. I don’t know why, but they always stuck with me, and I get emotional thinking about them. I think I’m going to convince her to give me the collection because they’re just sitting in the attic somewhere. Such a nice video -Thank you!

[@MainexManda]

My mom passed away a little over a month ago and I really needed the hope and positivity in this video. Thank you very much, Jen.

[@allymander]

"It's giving mormonism" is how I always felt about these...grew up in Utah and literally thought these were mormon art until this video

[@pr0v0cative4pple]

This is such a special episode/ It genuinely recontextualizes my entire outlook on the whole saccharine porcelain operation. I think that the reason this chapel's atmosphere is so different is because it's all _about_ embracing the vulnerable and hurt and weakened. Everybody is humbled because everybody has had some kind of misfortune pertain to them.

[@helenhettinger-hayes]

I love fundie fridays. I never thought this would be in an episode. I didnt realize how much prescious moments graced my childhood at my grandmothers. She had a few children Die before she passed. Happy holidays everyone! 🎄 🎄

[@GlamourSmashedFace]

This is amazing! I was born in 1979 so Precious Moments was a big part of my childhood. When I was 5 these were soooo popular! There was a card store down the street from us that sold them and there would be a line out the door when new designs released. My aunt still has a bunch.