Mormons Getting Called Out
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Not that many outside Utah would care, but here in the Beehive state, but there may have been a little tremor felt in the valley when this appeared. I'll post it here for anyone interested.
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2020/06/12/tasi-young-time-cha...
Op-ed piece in Sunday's Salt Lake Tribune by a BYU alumni, Tasi Young, calling for the church's university in Provo to change it's name from Brigham Young University.
It is time to change the name of Brigham Young University.
I earned two degrees from BYU, the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brigham Young was the founding leader of Utah and iconic pioneer of the west.
However, arguably, there is not a more successful white supremacist in American history when considering his impact on keeping his church, his community, and his state “white and delightsome” for nearly 200 years.
Young single handedly created and ingrained teachings of racial violence, segregation and white moral authority that enabled a social norm that not only oppressed black lives, but taught his followers that white supremacy was a mandate from God.
In a speech to the Utah Legislature on Jan. 23, 1852, Young said:
“In as much as we believe in the Bible ... we must believe in slavery. This colored race have been subjected to severe curses ... which they have brought upon themselves. And until the curse is removed by Him who placed it upon them, they must suffer under its consequences.”
The LDS Church doubled down on his teachings through the Civil War and the modern civil rights movement and only generally repudiated them in a little-known historical essay in 2013.
I learned Young’s teachings in high school seminary when I was taught that my parents’ interracial marriage was a disappointment to God and that my black friends’ skin was a curse due to their actions in a premortal realm.
I witnessed Young’s teachings as a missionary when my Utah-raised trainers yelled from our church-owned vehicle “[racial slur] doggy dog” every time we passed a black man on the street, and when my white BYU classmates disrespected and heckled an LDS Latino professor who was visiting to share minority perspective.
I acknowledged Young’s teachings when I left BYU having never had a black professor after eight years of classes, and the only two black faculty I knew of were being pushed out of their positions.
I felt Young’s teachings when I stood shirtless, hands in the air, under a police spotlight, on the side of a Utah highway, being unlawfully searched as my children looked on from our minivan.
Today the LDS church calls on others to look inside and find racist practices and “root them out.” However, this hypocritical call comes from a religious empire and financial behemoth that, in part, stands as a monument to the actions and teachings of Brigham Young and white supremacy.
With calculated campaigns and flashy photo-ops, the LDS Church uses the words of racial justice but has completely and utterly failed to look at its own roots and repent and atone for the violence and oppression in its own history, especially the effects of the teachings of Brigham Young.
It is time for the LDS Church to take demonstrative steps to look to its own roots and eradicate the teachings, philosophy and structures of white supremacy that were started by Brigham Young, and which are blatantly practiced and espoused by many at my alma mater.
Brigham Young has had his day. It is time for a new day, where black lives are not subjected to ingrained white morality, whispered doctrines of whiteness and white-washed perspectives on all things from biology to jurisprudence.
The LDS Church can start this process and clearly show students, faculty, alumni and the larger faith community that it is serious about rooting out the racial injustices in its own body.
It is time to change the name of BYU.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
I'm sorry but if anyone
I'm sorry but if anyone believes in Joseph Smith you've got a screw loose!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
You'd do well in Utah, Doctor
You'd do well in Utah, Doctor D. LOL 16 million and half people world wide, and they're constantly sending missionaries all over the world.
Report from the church last April.
And according to the Washington Post in December, https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/mormon-church-has-misled-m...
A former investment manager alleges in a whistleblower complaint to the Internal Revenue Service that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has amassed about $100 billion in accounts intended for charitable purposes, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by The Washington Post.
The church did not respond to detailed questions from The Post about the complaint and said in a statement Monday that it does not discuss specific financial transactions. On Tuesday, after the first version of this story was published, the church said it takes seriously its responsiblity to care for members’ donations.
“Claims being currently circulated are based on a narrow perspective and limited information,” said a statement attributed to the church’s First Presidency, its top governing body. “The Church complies with all applicable law governing our donations, investments, taxes, and reserves.”
The complaint provides a window into the closely held finances of one of the nation’s most visible religious organizations, based in Salt Lake City. It details a church fortune far exceeding past estimates and encompassing stocks, bonds and cash.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
Mormonism isn't any weirder
Mormonism isn't any weirder than many other Christian sects and monotheistic religions. But if the shit ever did hit the fan, those people would be all set to go with their own Deseret country.
Take one Mormon fishing, he will drink all your beer. Take two Mormons fishing, and they won't touch a drop.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
I went to high school with
I went to high school with lots of Mormons. The girls are freaks.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
Love Utah. Don't like the
Love Utah. Don't like the freaks there.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
They admittedly are "a
They admittedly are "a peculiar people", as they say, but let me also say that just as with any philosophy or religion, there's some mighty fine humans in the bunch.
Some let their lives and generosity be an example and don't preach. Good folks.
What saddens me is when you see some elderly person living on $800 a month giving 10% to a church that has abundant wealth. Their choice, and if it makes 'em happy....who am I to say? MYOB.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
Not a “choice”, per se. it’s
Not a “choice”, per se. it’s a requirement if you want to remain a member in good standing with god. Gotta submit tax returns to the church annually so they can verify you’re paying your part. That said, they definitely do take care of their own when ill or out of work.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: (~)};)StealYourFace
that other Young
that other Young
(Super bowl champion alumnus)
Steve Young University...
(Andy Reid University or Jim McMahon University ,not so much)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
There ya go, WALSTIB. Only
There ya go, WALSTIB. Only have to change the B to an S in BYU. And he sees like a nice guy and a good example.
BSS, working in social services I might take some issue with "taking care of their own". I've seen some good, but lots of abandonment also, especially if they don't tithe. They could do a lot more.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sound and Vision
Mormons seem like a different
Mormons seem like a different breed. Many religions also tithe.
off topic- Book of Mormon was one of the best plays I've ever worked. Absolutely hilarious!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Speaking of plays, there was
Speaking of plays, there was/is a church-sponsored play called "Saturday's Warrior".
In Salt Lake, one of the don't miss plays of the year for us heathens is "Saturday's Voyeur", a irreverent and hilarious send-up of the year's past events in the church and the legislature.
First time I saw it, I gagged on my drink from laughing so much. Lots of material to choose from.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
If I recall correctly, the
If I recall correctly, the Mormon church paid up to 90% of the funding for the anti gay marriage ballot measure in California recently
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
The church off the Beltway in
The church off the Beltway in Maryland is impressive when you drive by.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
All their churches are
All their churches are impressive - when ya have the money they have. You could be in a drought in Utah and every damned lawn is green as can be.
And yeah, they were / are the money behind a lot of the BS. Here's when they made some changes on the gay issue in February. https://vivalazone.org/other-stuff/i-didnt-feel-earth-shake-utah
But they seem to have retreated a bit on that on the behavior rules. It's OK to be gay, just don't act on it, like having a sex life.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
I got to walk through the one
I got to walk through the one in Maryland when it was built. They allowed the public to view it, then they sanitized it and you had to be a member to get in. Everybody called it the Wizard's Castle because it looked straight out of The Wizard Of Oz.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
Anyone ever see SLC Punk?
Anyone ever see SLC Punk?
Funny LSD scene from the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpNHbg-PZyw
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
My friend and her husband
My friend and her husband were both raised Mormon - nicest people you could ever meet, and both are brilliant. They both left the Church a long time ago. She told me about the special underwear and secret heavenly handshakes. They struggled leaving the religion because they wouldn't see their parents in the afterlife, well - it was hard on their parents. Some folks need something to believe in, and religious groups are really capitalizing on people who fall for the cult like tactics to recruit and maintain believers. And yes, there are some really good religious folks, who would be doing great work regardless of their cult affiliations.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: (~)};)StealYourFace
Have you been to/heard of
Have you been to/heard of Colorado City, Az or Hildale,UT?
some freaky FLDS happening there...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
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Keeping it Weird
Nancyinthesky on Sunday, June 14, 2020 – 03:32 pm
My friend and her husband were both raised Mormon - nicest people you could ever meet, and both are brilliant. They both left the Church a long time ago. She told me about the special underwear and secret heavenly handshakes. They struggled leaving the religion because they wouldn't see their parents in the afterlife, well - it was hard on their parents. Some folks need something to believe in, and religious groups are really capitalizing on people who fall for the cult like tactics to recruit and maintain believers. And yes, there are some really good religious folks, who would be doing great work regardless of their cult affiliations.
I agree!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
>>>Have you been to/heard of
>>>Have you been to/heard of Colorado City, Az or Hildale,UT?
When we got down that way, we used to stop in for supplies at the Mom and Mom and Mom and Mom and Mom and Mom and Mom and Mom and Pop store.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sound and Vision
^ lol
^ lol
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
hilarious
hilarious
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
That's pretty slick man !
That's pretty slick man ! hahahahahaha! Good one!!!! Rock On!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Utahjim
When I lived in Utah this
When I lived in Utah this book, Secret Ceremonies, was suggested as a read since I was not club. It is a woman in the late 70s or early 80s trying to figure out place as she moved to Utah for college after being converted by missionaries.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252624.Secret_Ceremonies
I agree with Slickrock, there are a lot of really good people in Utah. I do miss living in the mountain west, but do not miss the Utah politics. They have their grip pretty tight on most things there. I did hear they opened a couple medical dispensaries and have done away 3.2% beer. Maybe it is getting a little easier to live there now?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: good at drinking water
Several of the kids i went to
Several of the kids i went to high school with in Summit County were from polygamist families.
Seemed normal people to me, I later got to know a couple of Alex Joseph's family,no weirder than anybody else (but that was the late 70s in a ski town).
My polygamist appliance repairman (John Singer) was shot by a Summit County sheriff's deputy - in the back - after the Sheriff's wife joined Singer's marriage...a little later Singer's son-in-law bombed the Kamas LDS church.
good times.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
Still waiting to see those
Still waiting to see those golden plates!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
Hilarious scene from SLC Punk
Hilarious scene from SLC Punk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKHDVt9UDnE