Mormon Church Responds to Bundy-led Oregon Occupation

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has now officially condemned the actions of a group of armed militiamen in Oregon, led by Ammon Bundy–a Mormon–and fueled by right-wing ideology, mixed with a unique brand of Mormonstyle American exceptionalism. Here’s the statement:

While the disagreement occurring in Oregon about the use of federal lands is not a Church matter, Church leaders strongly condemn the armed seizure of the facility and are deeply troubled by the reports that those who have seized the facility suggest that they are doing so based on scriptural principles. This armed occupation can in no way be justified on a scriptural basis. We are privileged to live in a nation where conflicts with government or private groups can — and should — be settled using peaceful means, according to the laws of the land.

And see, here I was all ready to write a scathing piece about how the Church’s silence is a moral failure, blah, blah, blah. I’m not going to run around really celebrating this statement though because it is kind of a no-brainer.

Personally, I think some stronger, more poignant language could be useful, like capping off the paragraph with a nice “anyone who tries to overthrow the government while identifying as Captain Moroni is a real doofus,” but will concede that this statement is limited by the constraints of PR-speak. Which is kind of a bummer, isn’t it?

I would like to point out that as of yet the armed occupants of the Malhuer National Wildlife Refuge (so badass) have not responded to the Church’s statement, but there are rumors they’ll go home if the nearby town asks nicely. I’m sure they’ll make a pit stop for donuts and hot chocolate on the way out as well, because this thing isn’t really weird enough.

And then I wonder, if they did make a big show of standing down because of the Church’s statement, wouldn’t that kind of look worse for Mormonism? Then it would prove they really are devout. I’m probably stretching here.

Anyway. To wrap up, I think pointing out the disparity in treatments from law enforcement between this incident and Ferguson or Baltimore is actually really important, as long as we recognize that so far Oregon should be the standard for how law enforcement engages with potentially volatile situations. However, as far as I know, this is the jurisdiction of the FBI, an arguably more elite force that already had to learn tough lessons with Ruby Ridge and Waco. Whereas the Ferguson police department was an already problematic institution, overmilitarized, and sitting in a tinder-box of civil rights issues and years of street-level bureaucratic mistrust. Basically, it would be nice if every major protest was given the respect and breathing room that these petty, entitled, whiners received, but there are still a lot of steps to take in urban areas where tensions are rising every day.