From: slhw4@cc.usu.edu (Jason Hunsaker)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: discrimination by Utah Mormons
Date: 17 Apr 92 00:54:09 MDT
Organization: Utah State University

In article <1992Apr15.103535.1@acad3.alaska.edu>, fscdh3@acad3.alaska.edu writes:
 
> 	Ok, I have a question for all of you Mormons out there.
> Particularly the ones that were born, bred, and raised in Utah.
> I lived (past tense) in Utah for 3 1/2 years, and through all that
> time, I was consistantly descriminated against by others because 
> I was not of the Mormon faith.  Now, what I want to know is this:
> 
> 	If the Mormon faith believes that all people should be treated
> fairly, then why was not only I, but EVERY SINGLE gentile (non-mormon)
> I knew treated like dirt?  Is this a common way to get people to convert
> to Mormonism in general, or was I just in a bad neighborhood?
> (I lived in Ogden, by the way.)

Well, as a person that has lived in (Logan) Utah most of my life,
let me say that what you experinced was not Mormonism, but what
has termed by some as ``Salt Lake City Sickness.''

You did not experience anything that is taught or promoted by the
LDS Church.  In fact, the Church tries its best to teach just the
opposite, namely: tolerance and love towards all regardless of
their situation or beliefs.  What you experienced was the
weaknesses of the individual members in that aspect.  And some
members are pretty weak (ie. rude, obnoxious, jerks).

I am very upset when I find out that people-of-my-faith have been
treating others-not-of-my-faith like dirt.

May I publicly appologize for the unkind, thoughtless, and
un-Christlike behavior of some of my fellow Mormons.  Usually, when I
find out about such I will arm the offended person with rebutting
arguments such as:

What does your 11th Article of Faith state?

Article of Faith 1:11
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to
the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same
privilege, let the worship how, where or what they may.


What does D&C 121 say about unrighteous dominion?

Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-37, 39-44
34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen.  And why
are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this
world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn
this one lesson --

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected
with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be
controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we
undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain
ambition, or to exercise control upon the souls of the childrenof
men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens
withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when
it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that
man.


39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and
disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little
authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to
exercise unrighteous dominion.

40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue
of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by
gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge
the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile --

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy
Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase in love
toward him whom thou hast reproved lest he esteem thee to be his
enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the
cords of death.


Are you really being charitable the way Moroni 7 states?

Moroni 7:45-48
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and
is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil, and rejoiced not in iniquity but rejoiceth in
the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all
things, endureth all things.

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are
nothing, for charity never faileth.  Wherefore, cleave unto
charity, which is greatest of all, for all things must fail --

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth
forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it
shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray to the Father with all
the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which
he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son,
Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he
shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is;
that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is
pure.  Amen.


Such scriptural references should cause all Mormons to re-examine
their behavior.

(Come to think of it, I think I've got a few fences to mend.)

-- 
Jason Hunsaker  -|-  Logan, Utah  -|-  Internet: slhw4@cc.usu.edu