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Show A-12 The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, August 4-7, 2018 Hunger strike puts more scrutiny on interviews Houstonian camps out across from Salt Lake Temple www.meyergallery.com 305 Main Street Park City, UT 84060 | 435.649.8160 Visit Meyer Gallery during Arts Festival weekend and take in exhibits by David Riley and Mary Sauer — new work by two of Utah’s finest artists. BRADY MCCOMBS Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — A Mormon man has launched a hunger strike to bring attention to a campaign calling on church leaders to bring an end to closed door, one-on-one interviews where youth are asked by adult lay leaders if they are following the religion’s strict rules on sexual activity. Sam Young of Houston said he started his hunger strike on Friday and is in Salt Lake City holding nightly chats with supporters across the street from the Mormon temple. It marks the latest protest taken by Young and his group over questions asked during the interviews about whether young Mormons are following the religion’s law of chastity. He said he’s prepared go without food for three weeks to spotlight what he and his supporters think are interviews that include inappropriate questions that can lead to shaming of youth. About 1,000 people marched to the headquarters of The Church of Je- sus Christ of Latter-day Saints in March demanding change. The church changed its policy earlier this year to allow children to bring a parent or adult with them. Parents were only allowed in a hallway or adjacent room under old rules. Youth can still go in alone if they choose. The church also for the first time last month posted a list of questions lay leaders are supposed to ask during the interviews, which usually happen twice a year starting at age 12. One of the questions asks directly: “Do you live the law of chastity?” Mormons are taught under that code not to have sex before marriage, engage in passionate kissing, touch another person’s private parts or arouse “emotions in your own body” that are supposed to be reserved for marriage. Church officials say the interviews allow bishops to get to know youth better and determine their religious habits and obedience to God. The bishops are instructed how to handle the meetings and swear to keep the conversations confidential. The church noted in a statement Monday about the hunger strike that it had taken steps to improve relationships between young people, their parents and leaders. The religion said it shares a desire to protect children and that it’s familiar with Young’s position and noted leaders have met with him. Young said the changes made so far don’t go nearly far enough to protect children from being asked inappropriate sexual questions. Despite the rule change allowing parents in the interviews, most youth are still choosing to go in alone, he said. “The changes they’ve made are minimal and meaningless in most wards (congregations) around the world,” said Young, a 65-year-old father who said his daughters were asked inappropriate questions when they were young. “What kid is going to say they want somebody in the room? It’s accomplished nothing.” The movement to end the interviews comes as others push the religion be more accepting of LGBT members. The Mormon church has shifted its tone to be more welcoming and compassionate toward gays and lesbians but hasn’t changed its doctrinal opposition of same-sex marriage and belief that homosexual relations are a sin. Dan Reynolds, singer of the rock band Imagine Dragons, recently held a concert in Utah to raise funds to support LGBT youth in the Mormon church. Amazon begins hiring at Salt Lake City facility Distribution center’s wages start at $12.50 Associated Press “Yellow Bellied Marmot” Oil on Canvas 48” x 36” David Riley applies a modern eye and classical training to the genres of traditional wildlife and western painting. The artist will be demonstrating live in the gallery Saturday, August 4th between 12 noon and 4:00 pm. SALT LAKE CITY — Amazon has started the hiring process for its new distribution center in Salt Lake City expected to open later this year. Amazon spokeswoman Lauren Lynch said in an email that Amazon has already begun accepting applications online and has in-person hiring events scheduled for Wednesday and throughout the month. The company is looking to hire about 1,500 full-time employees for the distribution center. Most of the positions open come with a starting wage of $12.50. Lynch says the company typically grants wage increases for new hires “every few months, even in the first year.” Amazon employees are also eligible for 20 weeks of paid maternal/paternal leave, health insurance, 401(k) and Amazon stock options immediately upon start of employment. “Soda Shop” Oil on Canvas 30” x 30” Thirty-two year old Mary Sauer’s fine figurative paintings have been featured on the cover of American Art Collector magazine and she has earned several coveted awards across the United States. Come see what she has created. 48th Annual Kimball Arts Festival Park City Historic Main Street Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 5 Member of Post your best shots on Instagram with the hashtag: #ParkCityPics and we’ll put the best ones in The Park Record! |