People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is citing Mormon scripture in its latest effort to promote vegetarianism, as well as a more humane handling of animals.

On a new billboard, located in Salt Lake County along the south side of 3900 South at 279 West, PETA quotes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Word of Wisdom: "And (animals) hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger." (Doctrine and Covenants 89:15.)

PETA's billboard then states: "Go vegetarian."

The group, known for its occasional picketing of stores that sell fur, says the scripture states it is a divine commandment not to eat animals. The billboard, also pictured on the group's Web site, shows God holding a staff in one hand and carrots in the other.

"Animals raised for meat on factory farms live miserable lives and die bloody, violent deaths," said Sean Diener, PETA's campaign coordinator and an LDS Church member who grew up in Salt Lake City. "Anyone who thinks that Jesus would approve of the way that these animals are raised and killed completely misses the gospel's greatest message — compassion."

But LDS Church spokesman Coke Newell said Monday, "Latter-day Saints do not interpret (D&C) Section 89 as a call to vegetarianism."

The "Encyclopedia of Mormonism," in an explanation of the Word of Wisdom, says: "Additional advice was given permitting the use of meat, but suggesting that it be restricted to winter or times of famine."

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote in "Mormon Doctrine" that meat is not prohibited by the Word of Wisdom:

"As a matter of fact, those who command that men should not eat meat are not ordained of God, such counsel being listed by Paul as an evidence of apostasy," McConkie wrote. "God has created 'meats' to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3.)"

PETA's press release further states: "Factory farms and slaughterhouses are 'hell on earth' for animals. Cows are branded and have their horns amputated — and bulls suffer castration in addition to these ordeals — all without painkillers.

"Chickens are crammed into filthy sheds by the tens of thousands and forced to live among the corpses of birds who died of heart attacks or stress. Some even starve to death because their legs can't support the weight of their bodies — genetically engineered to grow abnormally fast and large — which prevents the birds from reaching food. Baby pigs have their ears mutilated, the ends of their teeth broken off and their tails amputated."

PETA is an international organization, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., dedicated to "protecting the rights of all animals." More information on the group is available at: www.PETA.org or www.GoVeg.com.

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