From Deseret News archives:
LDS bar guns at church
First Presidency will follow law and register prohibition
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a written statement Friday that it had mailed a letter drafted Jan. 16 to local-level leaders informing them of plans to follow "Utah law and give public notice that firearms are prohibited in the church's houses of worship, including temples, meetinghouses, the Assembly Hall, the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the Conference Center."
Utah's 50,000 concealed weapons permit holders are allowed to carry their guns "without restriction" except in previously designated places like airports, jails and courthouses, which have other kinds of security.
The law also allows churches to adopt a no-guns policy but requires those organizations to make such policies public.
Under the notification options put in law by legislators last year, churches may publish their policies in a newsletter, bulletin, worship program or newspaper of general circulation. Those that opt to do so must also register with the state Bureau of Criminal Identification, which posts the names of registered organizations on its Web site.
"The (LDS) Church will register its position with the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation and provide notice in the newspaper," the Friday statement reads. Currently, only three churches St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, Shepherd of the Mountain Lutheran Church in Park City and the Summum Church of Salt Lake City have registered with the state.
The decision by LDS leadership to register puts the church in compliance with state law while at the same time setting the faith apart from other denominations in the Salt Lake Valley that oppose the registration requirement. In December, leaders from about two dozen religious organizations, including the Roman Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church, said they believe that under the protections of the U.S. Constitution, Utah has no jurisdiction to dictate how churches must handle such policy.
The LDS Church officials did not take a stand with other faiths in December, saying at the time they had not determined their position, said Toni Marie Sutliff, a member of the Episcopal Church's statewide lay leadership.
Comments
- Raiders rally past Bengals, 20-17 6:03 p.m.
- NASCAR: Johnson wins 4th straight 6:02 p.m.
- Ex-Aggie ties CFL playoff record 5:55 p.m.
- Jazz Extra: Coming attractions 5:34 p.m.
- Jazz fans can be thankful for. . . 5:27 p.m.
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs 4:15 p.m.
- NFL to work with neurologists 4:02 p.m.
- Exhibit serves Old Masters revisions 3:21 p.m.
- Palliative medicine draws doctors 3:18 p.m.
- Relationship: Thanksgiving 3:18 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
200 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
177 - BYU records with win
127 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
I was on the edge of my seat last year during the playoffs. That would so...
when you have been eliminated from playing for anything meaningful.
to be in Seattle tonight is for the Weber State basketball game.
I'll be there when you do IT!!! You are the MAN!
Timpview.. WOW!! You made your classmates so proud to be there and cheer you...
He will melt like a snowman on 11/28. Three total picks, (two six picks)....
Utah by 14. Go UTES!!!
To those who say Glenn will take us back to the America our grandfathers knew...
BYU is yet to prove they are better than Utah. We will see on 11/28 when BYU...
IT IS GOING TO BE A HARD FOUGHT GAME!!!!!! MOST OFTEN IT IS WITHIN 3 POINTS...


You can be the first to comment on this story.