Mormon? Mormon? No! They’re Not Mormons!

The story is unfortunate but the timing could not have been better for readers that are Mormon AND hold the position that Islam is a terror-laden faith across the board—those that subscribe to the idea that Muslims are generally prone to be “radical” or “terrorists.” Well, the following story may cause you to reconsider your position.

As you know, Donald Trump has proposed that if he were elected president he may shut down mosques across America to alleviate terrorist threats. Well, yesterday, his national spokeswoman, Katrina Pierson, provided a precedent for this rationale. She said: “You’ve had the DOJ [Department of Justice] investigate Mormon churches and shut them down . . .”

Of course, she was referring to DOJ investigations of, and suits against, the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints (FLDS) located in the cities of Hilldale and Colorado City located on the Utah-Arizona border. The charges hover over discrimination.

Did the Trump camp get it right? Should FLDS communities that have been investigated and sued for discrimination be identified with Mormons who are headquartered at 50 E. North Temple in Salt Lake City? If not, then why not? Both are Mormons. The name “Mormon” may be used by any group that desires to own it.

You might respond by saying, “Yes, but FLDS have absolutely no affiliation with the world-wide movement of Mormonism whose world headquarters are in Salt Lake City. Furthermore our prophets have, in a variety of explicit ways, denounced the FLDS and their practices. And our leaders (especially Gordon B. Hinckley) have taught that they are NOT Mormon. So it would be wrong to believe Trump’s national spokeswoman who lumped us with them as if we were the same religion!”

I can only guess what you are saying is that it is misguided to lump Mormons (50 E. North Temple) with others who claim to be Mormons (Hilldale, Colorado City). I guess you are saying that you can’t paint 15 million Mormons with that broad of a brush. It is just more nuanced than that.

Hmmmmmm, I wonder if a similar nuanced approach is necessary when thinking or speaking about 1 billion Muslims? I’ll leave you to consider this and draw your own conclusion. However, if you persist in the claim that Muslims are largely terroristic in nature when they are not, then it is only intellectually honest to also maintain the idea that Mormons (50 E. North Temple) are largely Hilldale/Colorado City fundamentalists in nature. Spread this case study through social media and let the discussion continue. Civilly, of course.

Here is the link to the Tribune article should you like to read it.

http://www.sltrib.com/home/3201632-155/did-trump-spokeswoman-misspeak-she-says