Birds need no 'harvesting'

How could one best describe the reaction of any serious student of LDS history and doctrine to the July 8 article "Westlake Wildlife," regarding the missionary couple operating a hunting preserve at Utah Lake?

Choose from these: incredulous, unbelievable, unfathomable. The article makes it clear that missionaries Clair and Beth Huff have been called to "plant corn, rye and other grains" to entice habitation of "pheasants, geese, chukkars, doves and ducks." Hunters then pay to "harvest" or kill the birds, thus turning this piece of desert into a "revenue-generating" hunt for sport preserve. So what's the problem?

Careful consideration suggests that this "enterprise" and other similar church operations around the world are in direct conflict with scripture and teachings of early LDS leaders. Doesn't our stewardship of God's creations direct us to be their caretakers, rather than their predators? Should animals and birds be "harvested" if there is no need? How does killing for sport in order to raise money promote one's spirituality? Doesn't the principle of respect for life extend not only to birds, but to all animal life? By what rationale did it become necessary and reasonable to sanction such a missionary calling when it appears to sacrifice principle for profit?

Mac Madsen

Ogden