OCR Text |
Show Fortune in the Face of Faith Editor: I was disappointed to read about Michele Burchett's experience with an Innovation party member who told her to remember "the Mormon Church is true." This is another sad example of Mormons using their faith to gain secular advantage. I was raised Mormon and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints in Paraguay, an experience which I thoroughly enjoyed. But when I returned home, I was saddened again and again as I saw Mormons trying to make money off each other. Everywhere I turn I see Jack Wey-lanKurt Bestor. Janice Kapp Perry, Living Scriptures videos...the list goes on. It appears that Mormons will buy any product, no matter how inferior, if it is marketed to them by one of their own. Of course the process also works in reverse. In a recent election, State Representative Jackie Biskups-k- i, who is openly lesbian, was attacked by her Mormon opponent who sent letters to Mormon families in her district warning them not to d, vote for her because she did not represent their values, (Biskupski went on to win the election in spite of this.) For myself, I have stopped attending Mormon meetings because they offer so little to me spiritually. is a social organization, a Mor-monis- m political organization, an economic organization, but, sadly, it has ceased to be a spiritual organization. Sure, they talk about Jesus, but this is the Jesus who discriminates against women and gays, demands ten percent of your income, and wants to talk with you about a great multi-levmarketing opportunity. All of this discourages me even more because my faith burns bright. Mormonism used to be a vibrant, liberating- religion. It used to include women and encourage scholarly inquiry into gospel principles. Missionaries all over the world continue to sign people up, but the faith (which, as LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley himself titled his book, is "the essence of religion") is gone. So this is my message to the Innovaunnamed tion party member: Show some respect for your own church. Don't throw your .faith around the political arena or the marketplace. ' There are a few people out there for whom Mormonism is more than a great way to make a buck. EDWARD JONES el - name-droppi- ng Senior, Classics B, apples page 6 ment had the same effect on me, and Saints on numerous other Latter-da- y who were walking the streets that morning. But beyond votes and politics, I want to offer an apology to Michele on behalf of the LDS Church. While members of the LDS faith do believe that theirs is the true religion, our leaders counsel us to be tolerant and humble when expressing tur beliefs to others. LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who himself attended this university, is constantly reminding members of the church to find common ground with people from different walks of life, and chastises those who put themselves above others "because they are Mormon." In many ways, Mormons are the ones who have the most work to do. To Michele, thank you for being objective in your comments Monday. You appear to accept the fact that the LDS Church has an influence in this community because of its concentrated membership. But I agree with you that the church itself should stay out of the political arena, and I want to emphasize that it does. The Innovation party, and particularly the member who made those comments this week, does not represent the LDS Church, and I Hip Local Scene Do Editor: I just have to teil ycu how happy I was to see the story that was published on March i in Red Magazine titled "Locals Only." I moved 7 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2001 THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Feel full shortly hope this experience has not left you with a negative impression of the church. Most of us are good people trying to do the right things, just like you are. To the young man who made the comment in the first place, I would encourage him to get his nose back in the scriptures; 1 Peter 5:5 might be a good place to start. DAVID OLSON Business Junior, Management Applications for the opinion columnist position will be accepted until March 19th. Drop off yours at 240 union ri "T 2002 Entering Class Medical School Application Workshop Thursday, March 8, 2001 P.M. inJTB 5:30-7:3- 0 a 130 Details on: MCAT, Recommendations, AMCA5, and Interviews Now is the time to begin preparation! of Utah Preprofessional Advising Office University it ' (Plus - Marilyn Hoffman, premedicol advisor Drawing lor FREE KAPLAN COURSEI) All Interested Premed Students are Welcome! .. you feel Bloated? after eating? Stomach pain? Nausea? Vomiting? here a fev months ago to be the night BJ far 103.3 The Blare, and I need to tell ycu how impressed we are1 with the quality of music that trie local Salt Lake City music scene has to offet ' I have lived and worked in - . Sacramento, Boston and Memphis, and I have beard better bands in the four month that I have lived here than in all of the cJtif s that I have worked in, in a!i the years combined. Bauds like Clean, Ctptoby-oti- c, 13th Ave Sand, Band, an4 Dead Man's Hand, just to name a few; work 'so We are looking for volunteers to participate in a clinical research study to treat these symptoms. Contact us today for more information about how you can find relief. d Qualified participants will receive physical exams, study medication and compensation for time and travel. study-relate- Vel-Kr- o, " ' hard to get their music out. Our local bands are scratching arid clawing to be heard, and Salt Lake City, you need to listen because you will love it. Why buy & $20. CD from 2 hand that you have heard over, and over and does not give a damn about you, when you can spend $8 and buy a CD from a local band and enje-- a new sound and support a band that is coming up. I can tell you this: The music will be heard Here at the Blaze we will be starting to play some of these bands, not because they are local and it would look go to do so, but because the music is too good not to play. I would like to say thank you to Jenn Henry for one hell of an article. I would also like to thank The Daily Utah Chronicle for supporting the scene. But, most of all, mad thanks goes out to all of the singers, guitar players,' ;bass "players and drummers, who work theii asses off not only to " make music. but to inspire others to do the same, Thanlrs Salt Lake City, you truly Call us today! 801-944-31- 6360 South 3000 East Suite 310 Salt Lake City, UT 84121 54 . T rt j J1lBnnil1' Trmw ii urn iiiiiim miiiiibi iiiiiWBwmhhiiiimiii iiiwmibi amiElijuiiail minaijyji y - i ROCK! ' ' : . . - Utah ' T&f l&m Ifif ten 7 .; ! March ' FATOUY City, ij - ' DJ, THE BLAZE Salt Lake r r .?v ri v Jr " " ' 8-1- 0, 2001 7:30pm Sat Matinee - Marth 10 dt The Marriott Center for Dance - 'f . - J Wj j. V $8 General AdmIs$lon $5.50 Students V V--f CuuadLudhw iff' information, contact Kingsbury Hall at 581-710- 0 or .YrwwHngsburykall.org f N Sponsored by the Department of Ballet and ASUU : .'-- 'A V " . . . . , ' b U Faculty, Staff and " V i Y. . - For tickets or more Artistic Dhrcton - - ' plp fffl r "' C g f)S SI Wr t |