Deseret News | Reader comments: Rocky is anti-LDS Church

Reader comments
Readers' forum: Rocky is anti-LDS Church

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ediddy | 6:56 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

You're obviously no relation to Rod Decker, who like Rocky, once was affiliated with the Mormons, and having found a reason to be offended, allows no opportunity for vengence to pass.

jackhp | 7:25 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I had almost forgotten why I dislike the D-News and its readers so much. Then Richard Decker had his letter published in today's paper. I bet he popped a vein in his forehead as he typed up this little missive about how much Rocky supposedly hates anything and everything about the LDS Church. He simply refuses to consider that there might be something more important in SLC than making everything conform to LDS "standards". It is a joke for Mr. Decker to talk about Rocky's supposed anti-LDS bias since he clearly believes Rocky is the worst thing that ever happened to Utah.

Gopherus | 8:16 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

LDS and non-LDS could work together for the good of the city. However, this does not mean doing what the Church wants in all cases. Perhaps part of the reason that Rocky seems, to you, to be anti-LDS church is that the Church has pressed, hard, on some positions that are not for the good of all of the cities citizens. Over time some animosity has been built up. Neither Rocky nor the LDS church are solely to blame.

Comments continue below

Sam Hofer | 9:22 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

The church should secede, take the gaudy temple and a few other buildings and create it's own version of the vatican. Then, maybe, the perspective would change as it becomes so evident that the local politicans bow first to a foreign dictator. For some of us, it's already pretty evident.

Lamonte | 10:06 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I know they exist because I've seen some (very few) letters criticizing Rocky Anderson written by citizens who are actually citizens of Salt Lake City. Maybe all you folks from Sandy and Orem and all the other cities that collect your taxes and allow you to vote for their elected officials should share some insight about your perfect communities and your perfect elected officials!! Please!

Scott | 12:31 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

The election of Rocky Anderson as the mayor of the largest city in the state, certainly puts to rest the idea that the LDS Church "controls" Utah politics.

Keith V | 12:42 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

It is unbelievable that people in SLC complain about the LDS influence. The only reason SLC exists as it does is because of the Church. People say they move to Utah because it is a great place for families and is a great place to live. Have you ever thought that the reason Utah is this way is because of the LDS Church. You should not come to Utah and complain about its culture once you are here. You also should not attack the culture that made this state what it is, and complain about its influence. It is like this wherever you go when there is a dominating group. Just like the people in NYC should not complain about the Jewish influence. People in San Francisco are suppose to allow the Gay culture to have a lot of influence because of their large presence, and the city revolves around what they want all of the time. The LDS Church does involve itself in some issues, but certainly not everything or even a majority. And the simple fact is, without the Church, SLC would probably not exist, and at best would be a struggling city. Take away the Church office building, Temple Square, the Conference Center, and the New church developments all throughout the city and what would you have. the only reason SLC has the non-Church sponsored commerce is because of the LDS presence, plain and simple.
Get rid of everything lDS and just watch the city crumble, just like any other city when its prominent economic base falters. Detroit with the auto industry, the Steel belt cities, or Orlando without its amusement attractions.

Karen | 12:48 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

yawn

Gopherus | 1:05 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Keith V,
I find your response a little silly. People who live anywhere should feel free to complain about anything they dislike about their community. I would also suggest that, because there are many places that are not Mormon dominated that are great places to raise families in, that Salt Lake just might be similar without the Mormon influence. You don't know if it would or would not, and neither do I. I do think that the city could do quite well if the Church pulled out. It is a crossroad in the West. It will however probably continue to do quite well with the Church presence. If we focus on solving the real problems (money for schools, air pollution, traffic, housing etc...) Salt Lake will do fine with or without a Mormon presence.

SLaker | 3:46 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I don't think the LDS Church is going to pull up and leave anytime soon, nor should they. They are a positive influence in many ways, but they sometime have the appearance of having too heavy a hand over the city. Like the Roman Catholic HQ in Rome, they should definitely be part of the city, but not the WHOLE city. SLC has been much more religiously, culturally diverse than the rest of the State for quite a long time, certainly much longer than Rocky Anderson has been Mayor, and the people of areas like the letter writer here need to come to terms with that, accept it, and quit their constant whining about it.

Anonymous | 7:35 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I don't know what religion our mayor is and I don't care. I love living in a city were no race or religion feels a moral or historical need to ride shot gun over the lives of others.

A friend and his wife couldn't decide between two wall papers. She had her gay hair stylist vote the tie breaker.

I go to a meat shop run by a sausage maker trained in German. There are black people here buying ham hocks and hot links.

No church blocks our main street. We have a Mormon Temple. I haven't been interested enough to see it. It uses the mirrors to save the church buying 12 golden oxen.

Mike | 12:27 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky just needs more attention, his days are numbered and he has not been the center of attention since Hannity showed him up. Picking a fight with the LDS church, wow, how original.

ediddy | 12:32 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Dear Amy,
Me thinks thou dost protest too much, or did I hit the nail right on the head.

LDS are Utah | 1:19 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Perhaps we dont own utah but we are utah. Try looking for something positive about where you live and let go of the attitude. Trust this, you get rid of the LDS influence and you won't want to live in SLC even worse than you don't want to now. You wont find a general authority statement asking members to quit telling people to leave. And seriously,if you are so unhappy in the great state of Utah, why do you stay? My company relocated to Arizona and I am still here. That's simply because I dont want to live there. I once moved into a community that had a small airport. I knew it was there when i moved in and was content with it. There were others though that moved in and immediately complained about the noise of the airplanes and wanted to shut down the airport. See the analogy?

Norm | 1:29 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

There's something about Utah that many of you have taken for granted. I've lived there for two-thirds of my life. I'm now living in another state and now I wished I didn't leave. For anyone to leave Utah because of inconveninces would be crazy to think LDS are to blame but it's really you to find a bone to chew on. It's just their way of life and you didn't have to let it contol you. You are your own destiny and embrace what Utah have given you. I love the lands and its nature that is incomparable to anywhere else. Enjoy what you have there!

navigator | 1:59 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

There's an old song from the 60's that goes something like this.... "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." The sun will rise in the morning and when it does we should all try to get along. You don't have to embrace my opinion, nor I yours, but a little respect goes along way in keeping our community from slipping into open warfare, such as we see in Iraq, Northern Ireland, and Pakistan. If we can back off a bit we will all find that everyone offers a valuable contribution to our community.

North Mexico | 1:59 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Amy,
You tell em. I think us Mexicans will move in and MAKE all you americans speak spanish once we become the majority. I like it here and im NOT going anywhere!!!

Utah? | 2:34 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

If you have problems than leave. Stop complaing about the LDS church. Rocky is Rocky...he's done a good job considering. I think he's to disgruntled about things he disagrees with but that's fine allow him that right. I just say to those who don't like the LDS church they should be thankful for the fact that this city and state are held up by the LDS church influence and what has been built here because of it. If you can't acnowledge that and be mature than stop spreading your bad attitude and energy and just leave. Go to Vegas or something...wait...that was built by Mormons too. ha. That' kind of ironic huh? ha. Happy Labor Day!

bil | 2:31 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

reading all these comments make me realize why i'm happy not to live in salt lake city. petty! myopic! Unfortunately, it seems a staple of Mormon culture not to be self critical at all. congratulations for having achieved perfection as a group while still on earth.

North Mexico | 3:27 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I think you may find that the majority of people in Utah already speak Spanish. Many are here because of the Mormon church. Even us white folks!

SCB | 5:05 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Dear LDS are Utah,

Utah is a great place and I'm glad Mormons are here. They are generally good citizens and good neighbors. But Utah is not Mormons and Mormons should have no special privilege of imposing their morals on others. Non-Mormons, both those who have spent their whole lives here and those who are more recently arrived, have every right to work to change things they don't like, even if it raises your hackles. I'm sure if you had moved to Arizona, and if you found out that teachers in Arizona had been teaching something you disapproved of to your children, you would not have felt that you were out of line raising a holy stink to get that changed. Such is your right and privilege as an American. Why should non-Mormons be forced to sit around and let you and your ilk determine the moral standards they should live by?

Trav | 5:37 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

If the LDS community think Rocky is Anti-Mormon then why is he still mayor? I don't live in Utah but I read the Deseret News on-line and come to understand that SLC has a large LDS community. I don't know how long or how many times this guy has be elceted. So why not elect a pro LDS or a LDS person? That would really tick non/anti LDS people off.

Matt | 7:06 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

LDS are Utah, Amy is right about when she says a GA in conference told members that they should stop telling people to leave. Elder M. Russel Ballard in the October 2001 conference said, "If neighbors become testy or frustrated because of some disagreement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or with some law we support for moral reasons, please donï¿½t suggest to themï¿½even in a humorous wayï¿½that they consider moving someplace else. I cannot comprehend how any member of our Church can even think such a thing!"

Sugarhouse | 7:18 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

All of you are missing the whole point. The point is that Rocky Anderson is way too divisive of a leader in this city to have a positive influence. He's a divider, not a uniter. I think he's the worst thing that's happened to this city in a long time. Just look at all these divisive comments from this one little article. This is the influence Rocky has left on our city. He makes it a fight between Mormon's and Non Mormon's. This is sick. All these coomments are sick. Can't we have elected leaders that bring us together. Rocky's legacy is a legacy of divisiveness and he is a disgrace to this city.

Grow up | 7:37 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

If these comment areas are going to become largely Mormon bashing sessions, they are heading the way of the Tribune comment areas. I couldn't care less if you dislike me because of my religion. Grow up and take care of your own life.

Penelope | 7:44 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky is an embarrassment to Utah. He's devisive, an attention seeker, and is more interested in national politics than in the city he was voted to run. Pathetic, and I'm glad he's history. I hope the good people of SLC get out and vote for someone who is interested in uniting for all that is good and will do something positive for our capital city. It mstters not to me if the new mayor is LDS or not, just that he/she cares about what is best for the city and not just in continually insulting a part of its citizens.

My My! | 7:46 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I do hate these comments. They show that too many of you have so much hate in you. I guess you have nothing more to do. I'm through reading through all this trash. Good Bye!

Jeff Anderson | 7:51 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Here's an example of Church influence. At one time Rocky wanted to demonstrate that the city has night-life. He went to a few bars and had a couple mild alcoholic beverages. In any other city, this would be a good-natured, fun event and would hardly produce a blip on the media radar. Not here. The outcry was trememdous and the fact that we do have night-life here was seen as a big embarrassment. As far as the liquor laws. The only ones it is really important to are baffled out-of-state tourists, who probably contribute to all of our salaries directly or indirectly. It is blown way out of proportion. If we are going to allow liquor here at all, why not conform to the norm. Of course the monopoly the state has must be protected.

Anonymous | 7:55 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky is a jack mormon who probably couldn't get the brethern to smoke and drink with him when he was a kid, so he's still mad. It is hilarious when he says we are a laughing stock of the world because of our liquor laws. Who is laughing, the Hindus? The Muslims? The Sihks? The Buddhists? They all have much more strict tenants.

I have lived in other states and visited other countries and wake up every day greatful for the beautiful clean city, the awe inspiring mountains and my delightful quiet neighborhood of mormons who rush to help shovel snow and other kindnesses. Their faces have a contenance of goodness and happiness. The church itself invests in the city and are generous to other denominations. Even giving money to the Springville Hindu Krishna Temple. They say everyone ends up with the face they deserve, I can just see all the snarky grumpy malcontents out there snarling like Rocky at their good karma to be here in Zion.

victim | 7:55 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

WAH WAH everyone hates the Mormons! GROW UP PEOPLE! Look, the LDS church is an institution, and thus are subject to criticism. They are not immune. Stop whining and acting like victims, please.
Keith V- I know a lot of people that have moved to Utah, and none of them, NONE, have said they moved here because its a great place to raise a family. They moved here either for employment or for the recreation/scenery. Did the Mormons create the mountains, too? I'm sorry if this is coming off as rude, but this is getting tired. There is NO reason to take what Rocky said personally.

SLCoutsider | 8:13 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I think these comments on here are all interesting. I have lived in slc for about 7 years. I work in salt lake and of the 8 of us in the office i am the only mormon. Some are from Utah and others are not, but we all get along and get together outside of work. Why don't we all stop trying to find the negative of salt lake and surrounding cities and put that time and effort working together to help things such as the less than effective and money savvy (you all know what I mean)school districts and public organizations to better our society. Also, don't just get to know and associate with your "own" religious background neighbors, get to know all of them. Have a BBQ or something even if your neighbor drinks beer or not. You never know, maybe that neighbor who isn't your religion (Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, etc.) really is a nice lady.
A hard concept for a lot of people, to invite some of your neighbors who are not your religious friends, What do you think?

Big Easy | 8:19 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

the good people in the Utah valley DO NOT know a good thing when you have it....The last of the heartland...the last of the Real America...

Go ahead sell the booze, open the strip clubs, and porn stores so you can be like the rest of us...OR you can STAND UP and preserve the vision of a great civilization. UTAH you are being overwhelmed and over run. PUSH BACK, you have earned the right to "Just say NO"

beliver | 8:20 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Come on folks. Don't you know when you are being manipulated???? Rocky has political aspirations in Washington. What better way to get attention that to bring out the ol standby issue of the Mormons. The Mormons should be used to it by now You folks all hit the end of that line and Rocky is reeling you in and loving it. You people can live anywhere you want. Love where you live or leave it. Why make an editorial about it. I wonder if some of you just want a good argument and love to fight regardless of the issue. The motto seems to be "I have already made up my mind, don't confuse me with the facts." Go at it but the intellectual level of the comments seem to be dropping.

UAkicker | 8:26 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Gopherus,

SLC is the crossroads in the West? You need to get out more. SLC pales in comparison to Phoenix these days. SLC is a wonderful little city with a unique influence that everyone should learn to appreciate. CAN'T YOU ALL JUST GET ALONG!!??

Sanity | 8:38 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Here is the real deal. The LDS people settled the valley. They created a family atmosphere that the rest of the world would love to raise their kids in. It is peaceful, relatively safe and a great place.
Those of us who moved in later who are not of the LDS faith are doing our best to bring our gang problems, drinking issues... in other words change Utah to be what we were trying to get away from.
Why do we fight against LDS values. The LDS leaders are spot on most of the time with the things that are good in our society. The things the LDS church stands for are good and wholesome and will lift our society.
I think it is time that all citizens of our state look to the LDS church as a beacon of good and realize that their intentions will help all people and society.

Non-Utah LDS | 8:44 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

The problem with LDS Utahns is that they forget that the members who live outside the state don't much care for them or about them. We love Temple Square and the Church Office Building, and Salt Lake City's pretty views, but that's about it.

Things like Main Street or City Creek have zero impact on the lives of Mormons who don't live in Utah, so we don't care.

There are two American LDS Churches -- the Utah Church and everyone else.

anon | 8:46 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I really get a kick (not)out of the mentality "I'm going to complain/change what has been to reflect my image back to me THEN I will like it" - heh heh, doesn't work that way. Being a black woman who lived in SLC in the early 90's I LOVED much about the city/state, what I didn't love was the resentment/hatred non-LDS had for the very LDS influence - "The Church" DID settle Salt Lake because they were driven out by hatred from other states, then once the "desert began blossoming as a rose" non-LDS moved in and began telling LDS how to live and run Utah -

Once he's gone, maybe... | 8:47 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Richard,
I am actually amazed that you could have possibly forgotten why you dislike Rocky Anderson so much until this moment. It is not just his blatant dislike for anything LDS that makes him such a lousy mayor. Since I have moved from Salt Lake City a few years ago to the Maryland outskirts of Washington D.C., Anderson has been nothing but an embarrassment to Salt Lake City and to Utah. From the national press coverage of his ridiculous escapades, I can honestly testify that Rocky has spent more time in the District of Columbia than I have in the past few years, even with me living 15 miles away from D.C, and with him being the mayor of Salt Lake. I hope that LDS Church members and non-members DO work together for the good of the city. However, I feel any work they have done together during his tenure is probably in spite of him and not the result of his leadership. His concern is not so much about SLC or Utah but rather about his own agenda. Maybe SLC will become a better place when he is gone.

Nate | 8:59 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rocky being a Mormon lover or hater doesn't matter. The reason people from outside of SLC hate him is because he meddles. Example - Legacy Highway. Davis County HATES Rocky for meddling in that. His antics and those of some of those more militant environmental psycho groups got the highway stopped. The one we're getting now is a joke comparitively.
So, I don't think it's Mormon vs. anti. I think it's plain old politics as usual. Those he affected negatively hate him, and those who like his policies love him. He's just like Bush in that. I loathe Bush's policies, I loathe Rocky's meddling, I loathe congress' ineptness, I loathe the Supreme Court's law making, whatever religion they despise or don't.

Quin | 9:23 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

This same discussion has been held for over a century. When will both sides grow up? No Mormon should ever be saying "If you don't like it, leave." And there is no cause or need to attack people for living and supporting their faith-based values.

It took me two months to realize my boss wasn't LDS. Knowing he was living and working with LDS people, the man went out of his way to respect the faith and culture. He drank coffee (and probably some alcohol in the evenings) and voted Democrat. But he didn't use foul language at work, didn't bad-mouth the social and political majority, and he spoke highly of the LDS church when it came up in conversation. The unique aspects of Utah he respected, not resented. In return, all of his LDS colleagues (I was one) treated him as one of our own. We socialized with him, admired and respected him, and we even had a good laugh with him when his choices in beverages, movies or candidates diverged from ours. I was terribly disappointed when a job opportunity took him out of state.

The church does not run Utah or oppress minorities or impose its faith. (If it did, coffee, liquor and short shorts would all be banned here.) Nor are non-Mormons bent on ruining Utah's 'family values' with booze and wild living. The problem here is a FEW people in and out of the LDS church, politicians among them, who won't get over themselves and stop looking down their noses at other people, be it from the church steps, a bar stool, or a computer keyboard.

Thank heavens most people in Utah aren't like that.

Voice or Reason? | 9:25 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Rather then complain about each others inadequacies why don't you people embrace the positive. I have lived in Utah off and on for 20 years and have befriended LDS, "Non-LDS" and everyone in between. I have traveled to many places in the world and I can attest, as I am sure many of you can too, Utah is a great place and we should all be grateful that we have the oppurtunity to live here and raise our children here. Until we learn to respect each other how will we ever advance as a society? For decades I have watched groups, LDS, Atheist, black, white, gay, straight ETC label the other bigots or racisits, however by continuing to spew hatred they themselves become consumed by the same!

FJ80 | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I know too many Mormons who believe the mayor of Salt Lake is also supposed to be the mayor of the LDS church. Rocky does what he believes is best for SLC, not what's best for the LDS Church.

SFC RET DENNIS | 9:38 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

This hole thing reminds me of when the LDS church first came to life, kick the mormons out and take what they created. The LDS Church created Utah and now non LDS people wont to take control of what the LDS people bilt. You know what Utah was before you moved their and now you won't them to change to what you won't and for them to live your way or move out. It seam the same-o-same-o as before, "kick the mormons out" how would any of you fill if every were you moved people would try to kick you out out and take what you bild.

Randolph S. Parker III | 9:39 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Amy Bjorge said: "Now, am I "offended" by the fact that I had to learn about fundamental facts of church history from South Park? "

BWAHAHAHAHA!!! What other cartoons do you believe are factual? What other cartoons do you use to make life decisions? Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum... It's a cartoon - get a life!!

Aaron | 9:51 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

LDS are Utah, stop with the self-righteousness. Yes, actually there have been statements released by the First Presidency asking people not to tell non-members to leave. Elder Ballard gave a talk on that subject three or four years ago. You and many others need to take a course in "Love Your Neighbor".

Amy, I make no judgment on you. But if you had to learn "fundamental facts" about Mormonism from South Park, then you apparently haven't had to look very deep into history. Everyone writes a favorable history of themselves and leaves certain weird details out. The South Park creators pride themselves on provoking and mocking all groups indiscriminately. I have seen the episode in question and I don't know what "fundamental fact" they included that isn't taught to every Primary child from about 4 years of age and up. If it's the reading out of a hat, I'd hardly consider that fundamental. Again, I make no judgment on you or your eternal soul. But perhaps Elder Bednar does "get it". If it's a matter of simply not believing the doctrine, that is a legitimate reason to leave. But honestly, he is right, that's often not even mentioned when you ask somebody why they left. And the fact that you're even bringing up some of the questions you are (South Park, the element of masonry in the temples) make you look like a doctrinal lightweight.

Cycling | 9:52 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I'm just glad Rcoky helped put in all the bike lanes around SLC, it makes it so much easier to ride my bike around, and stop and get a beer if i want to has never been easier, or bike over to Temple Square to see the wonderful building that mormons built. God Bless Rocky and Mormons....They both do good for the City. Now lets all sing "the wheels on the bike go round and round and round and round the wheels on the bike go round and round all day long...." ........wait...i don't think that is right.

James | 9:56 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Will somebody please say something on there that's actually important and means something? Why doesn't everybody agree to disagree, shake hands, quiet down and go do something useful.

me | 10:16 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Love it or leave it alone !!
We as Mormons have as many rights as the rest of you non believers. I don't stick my toes out to be tred on and I expect others not to seek them out !!
There is plenty of room in this great nation for all. If one is unhappy with the surroundings you chose, start looking for your own "Utopia" !

john | 10:30 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I think we are forgetting a few things. Salt Lake City has had mayors in the past that were not LDS and were also not divisive. By working hand in hand with everyone in the city they were able to make improvements to an already great city. Think of Mayor Corridini for example.

As a p.s. I thought I would mention that I lived in Kansas City for a number of years and like many others living here I turned down higher paying postitions and responsibilities to come back to Utah and raise my family in an area where they had choice. Here they can choose to be good or bad according to their definitions of good and bad. In Kansas City, a beautiful city they did not have the same choices, there for teenages it was be bad or do nothing.

EC PELFREY, TENNESSEE | 10:30 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

SEEMS TO ME, THIS IS "MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING", AS OLE' WILL WOULD SAY, AT LEAST TO US TENNESSEANS. THE LDS CHURCH FOUNDED SALT LAKE CITY, THE STATE OF UTAH, AND IT WILL BE THERE WHEN "THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER,", AS THE GOOD BAPTISTS SING. SO ALL YOU UTAH FOLKS WHO DON'T LIKE THE LDS CHURCH WILL JUST HAVE TO GET OVER IT, AROUND IT, UNDER IT, OR BE THROUGH WITH ALL THE CARPING. THERE ARE FAR MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS FACING SLC AND UTAH THAN THE LDS CHURCH.

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