Deseret News | Parish angered by 3 LDS missionaries

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Parish angered by 3 LDS missionaries

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BellaMia | 9:15 a.m. March 10, 2008

People may not know that in our LDS faith, young people preach from our pulpits. It is not just reserved for our "bishop." I am a former catholic and convert to the LDS church and served a mission in Guatemala. While it was a familiar site for me to see people praying to statues, it must be difficult for some people raised in LDS homes, who have never seen this to understand it. In the old testament it was considered idol worship, but in today's modern theologies, it is accepted and must be respected.

Clearly, young men must be taught specifically to avoid this type of "prank" because to outsiders it is seen as malicious.

johnboy | 10:25 a.m. March 10, 2008

Just plain stupid and moronic. If these offenses are criminal then they should be brought up on charges and prosecuted. The fact tht the church will "discipline" these guys or the fact that one of these idiots apologized is of no relevance. Its amazing to me how an apology AFTER someone is caught holds any water. Most criminals apologize when they get caught but how many apologize BEFORE they get caught? This just emboldens all those who hate and mock the LDS church to do more of the same. Rightly so in this case.

Craif | 9:30 a.m. March 10, 2008

You people are way over-reacting...almost to the point that it sounds like you are pretending to be "outraged, appalled" and whavetever else.
Oh well, I'm not surprised.
Oh, go ahead and bash me all you want. And be sure to make up stuff that I said that I didnt' say...

Comments continue below

Catholic married a Mormon Family | 10:37 a.m. March 10, 2008

This is sad. I have read the bogs from above. I agree that Missionaries shouldn't be attacked or harmed in anyway. However, the comment of boys will be boys is wrong. I was brough up with the respecting the Lords house.
It doesn't matter what you think about someone elses religion, you respect their traditions and places of worship.
When the LDS Church teaches its missionaries that the LDS Church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased" (D&C1:30); when it indoctrinates them that all other Churches on the face of the whole earth are "all wrong; ...all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." (Pearl-of-Great-Price, JS-History 1:19.) This is a free token to do what you will. The church NEEDS to teach tolerance especially if they want their converts to see they are true believers.

Ray | 10:38 a.m. March 10, 2008

Sadly, we are a society profoundly infected with political correctness, a malignancy bent on destroying any opponent. These boys seem to have borrowed this PC mindset.

This Catholic doesn't for a minute believe that Mormons in any way endorse this adolescent behavior.

What to do? The disrespect should be condemned;
the alleged vandalism prosecuted. If guilty, restitution must be made. When sentenced, justice should be applied with leniency. There is no point in destroying their lives. Then forgive and forget!

Re: anonymous | 10:38 a.m. March 10, 2008

Anonymous is right. Stuff like this does happen every day. Stuff like this happens every day to LDS missionaries and to the LDS church. The missionaries in this story are obviously wrong and there is no excuse for what they did but that's not the point of the story. The point of the story is to make the LDS church look bad. A majority to the 60,000 LDS missionaries would never do something like this so don't blow the story out of proportion.

I care | 10:41 a.m. March 10, 2008

As a devout LDS Member. I care very much. This is a sad moment of intolerance during a time when the Prophet has expressed absolute need for understanding of others. It belies some of the most passionate of his council over the past 5 years. There is not a Catholic in the world I would not want to send my condolences and apologies.

If as others suggests this stuff happens all the time and is not newsworthy, I am even more saddened. But I doubt this view is valid.

I remember when the Statue of Christ was vandalized at Temple Square. I remember in our history having a Temples burned down. I grow tired of people's mockery of the Brigham Young Statue downtown.

Reverence for all people and faiths should be restored and LDS Members must lead that charge.

Tyler | 11:00 a.m. March 10, 2008

Yes boys will be boys but then again they were atleast 19 years old and should have known better. It is terrible what they did and they should be punished for it. What they did was wrong. They vandelized someone else's property and they should be punished according to the law. I am a returned missionary who served in a very Catholic part of South America and a member of the LDS church but that doesn't mean I am on their side. I agree with the parish. No one should ever do what they did. Charge them according to the law and punish them for their terrible acts.

whew | 11:01 a.m. March 10, 2008

I saw a similar picture of a missionary "confessing" in a Catholic church when I was serving my mission in 1993. I thought to myself, "What a great picture. I would like to take one just like it." Years later I was in Brazil and we were touring a city and its sites. We went into a Catholic church and I went up to the confessional booth to take a look inside. Our tour guide (who knew I was LDS) offered to take my picture inside of it. Though tempted, I politely declined (more out of fear of getting caught than anything). Looking back I am now glad that I declined taking that opportunity to mock another's religion. It is wrong, these young men should pay for it, and there's a lot of work we all have to do to restore our good name in Colorado. God bless the victims of this crime.

Raymond Takashi Swenson | 11:04 a.m. March 10, 2008

Some years ago, two missionaries in Thailand were prosecuted for sitting on a statue of Buddha for a picture. I thought that one incident was enough to ensure that the month or two that missionaries now spend in the Missionary Training Centers would include instructions on acting responsibly as representatives of the Church and of Christ. I hope that the Brethren are examining the curriculum at the MTCs to ensure this is still being taught, and that all mission presidents speak with their missionaries to advise them about this issue in general and specific sensitivities in their areas. We require a lot from 19 to 21 year olds, asking them to behave atypically for their age, including avoiding contact with those of the opposite sex, dedicating their full days to their mission service, and dressing and acting in a mature fashion all the time. Every missionary has stories of himself or another missionary acting silly or stupid, without thought about how it could embarrass the Church and hinder the work that they and their families are sacrificing so much to carry forward. And every mission president has "problem kids." Let's not teach negative things about Mormons by example.

JD | 11:07 a.m. March 10, 2008

As a Mormon, I want to express my condolences to the members of the Sangre de Christo community. What happened is appalling to me, not only because of the religious disrespect itself, but because juvenile, imprudent "representatives" of my Church are apparently guilty of that religious disrespect. Please know that their actions do not reflect the views of the Mormon community at large. Mormons truly do respect Catholics, with whom we have participated in many humanitarian efforts.

Relocated Southerner | 11:24 a.m. March 10, 2008

They were stupid, foolish, impulsive young men (adults-in-transition). The first thing my recently returned missionary son said was "that's part of the white handbook", indicating you never disrespect another's religion. Common sense should have dictated to these young men that it was wrong. While I find the "preaching from the pulpit" photo very disrespectful, I don't think it was criminal -- just foolish and arrogant. If the young men did "decapitate" the statue, however, that is criminal vandalism, and they should be punished accordingly. How outraged would most of us be if someone went on Temple Square and "decapitated" a statue of Joseph Smith? I think they should also be required to make a public apology and provide some sort of service to make restitution for their crimes. I don't think their lives should be ruined, however, by becoming convicted felons over this young and immature act. I'm sure they won't forget the harm they have done once this is all said and done. Very, very foolish on their parts, and what embarrassment they have brought upon not only the Church, but their families and communities, as well.

2 what if 9:38... | 11:40 a.m. March 10, 2008

No one is saying, "What they did is all right", so to keep saying, "What would you Mormons do if this happend to you", seems irrelevant.

I think everyone knows what happend is terrible (including the ones who did it). Anyone defending it is crazy.

Ron 5:19, saying this is general practice for Mormon Missionaries can speak for himself but I don't think he speaks for all Mormon Missionaries. I think this kind of immature disrespect is rare, but obviously it happens.

I'm not saying it's OK. I just hope we can all learn to be more respectfull from this terrible incident.

As LDS members | 11:41 a.m. March 10, 2008

We know that Elders are held to a higher standard than your normal 19 year old. For 2 years, they are representatives of Jesus Christ on this earth and should therefore act like one at all times. Admitedlly, this doesn't always happen but the expectation is there. Even though it is tempting to discount their actions because of their age, their actions were not aligned with their calling. If they were 19 year old colledge students, blame it on "boys will be boys". However, it is completely unacceptable behavior and hypocritical in their calling as Elders.

One more thing, the story isn't very clear but these actions took place in 2006, not last week. These missionaries are all likely home and should be embarrassed and need to make amends. I am all for forgiveness but the mercy can't rob justice.

Jay | 11:36 a.m. March 10, 2008

These men should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Their actions were reprehensible. As a faithful member of the Church, I am embarrassed.

John Lambert | 11:41 a.m. March 10, 2008

I have to agree with KE that these missionaries should be sent home. However if the incident occured in 2006 it is quite possible that not all the missionaries involved are on their mission.
I think people in the church also need to teach their children to have more respect towards those in other churchs. Such actions are reprehensible and unexcusable.

mom | 11:39 a.m. March 10, 2008

Though this incident was rude and distasteful, I doubt that there are any felony charges to be brought for "blasphemy" They certainly need to be taught a lesson and for their thoughtlessness and the pain they caused to others.

Relocated Southerner | 11:48 a.m. March 10, 2008

An earlier post said two of the young men were already home and the third was sent home as a result of this incident. I don't know the accuracy of the source, however.

Mona | 11:53 a.m. March 10, 2008

Spanky, you said "This is what happens when a church sends out 19 year old boys who have no understanding or experience in life and expects them to be mature representatives of their religion."

Well, this is not what happens when you send out 19 year old boys, etc. We rarely read about trouble w/ LDS missionaries. Actions such as this are also done by 19 year olds who don't serve a mission, and 19 year olds who aren't LDS, etc. etc. When you consider that tens of thousands of young LDS men are out serving at any given time and an occasional incident makes the news, they're likely causing far less trouble than they would be if they weren't serving. So please don't generalize and make this a problem for the entire 'crew' of Mormon missionaries. Don't be ridiculous.

By the way, 8 of our local LDS chapels here in Oregon were vandalized one night (including the one I attend)--fire extinguishers set off, doors and windows broken into, computers destroyed, etc. It was done by some guys in their mid-20s, at least one of whom was married w/ a baby at home.

catmom | 11:56 a.m. March 10, 2008

It's an interesting discussion, even though nobody can change what happened now. Maybe it would be good to talk about preventing this in the future? Someone mentioned sensitivity training. Other options? If you think you can't count on young people to behave, send older people. Or, refine your selection process a little more, so only really trustworthy young people get sent.
Whether or not it is a hate crime, whether or not people should have thicker skins, all that misses the point. The point is, these missionaries mocked the people they were sent to mission to. They hurt both the people they are trying to reach and the cause they are trying to serve.

John Lambert | 12:08 p.m. March 10, 2008

I agree that we should be outraged by such outright mockery of other religions. I knew a lady in one of my wards on my mission who told us when she was a teenager her and her friends would go to the local Catholic parish and confess the most outrageous sins they could think of.
Even then I thought that was total sacrilige. I think that mocking confessions is an outrage.
However I am now convinced that these actions go beyond the level of mere sacrelige. To destroy propery is a criminal offense. To me the most outrageous is the mock human sacrifice.
Maybe I am being narrow minded and a spoil sport. However I think that missionaries need to appreciate the dignity of their office. If a man does not realize a mission is a serious undertaking, he should not go on one.

@Father H | 12:07 p.m. March 10, 2008

I am LDS and actually I served in Colorado and spent a month in the San Luis Valley not too far from where this happened. I am horrified as to these missionaries actions. These missionaries deserve whatever punishment that the courts decide on.

What I have to say is this though. Would you stop believing in something that you knew was direct revelation form God even if it is inflammatory toward other churches?

Daryl Tanner | 12:10 p.m. March 10, 2008

I am making a make a small ($25) Donation to the parish to help them meet their restoration expenses. I would urge you all to do something similar.

To Ron & Boo Hoo | 12:07 p.m. March 10, 2008

You disgust me with your casual attitude towards this. If these young men where in another country they'd be sitting in jail still.

I served a mission to Mexico City and never saw or heard of any missionaries doing stuff like this. There where some of us Americans that sought out opportunities to vist cathedrals and take pictures becuase they were very beautiful buildings but none of us did anything to show disrespect for someone elses religion.

Dissaponted Mormon | 12:07 p.m. March 10, 2008

I know that this is an exception of the rule, but it is 100% unacceptable, if they did do this. I do not condone any attacks be it physical, verbal or whatever towards any religion.

what | 12:09 p.m. March 10, 2008

would brother Joesph do? Boys will be Boys? Don't generalize, deflect but must reflect. by doing this , you endanger others out there also! Respect to get Respect!

Angry | 12:14 p.m. March 10, 2008

I worked on that Shrine, and I know how important it is to the people of San Luis. This was more than Statues and a shrine. It was a remembrance of people who died for their faith, in the face of incredible odds. Now the Missionaries are hiding behind their presidency? The LDS church is refusing to release names? Nothing but continued cowardice by cowards. A cowardly act committed by cowards, and obviously, based on your failure to stand up, raised by cowards. The LDS Church, that supports these "young men" must also support their cowardly acts. Heavenly Father must be SO proud, that those called to preach His guidance and bring his words to the masses would do something so reprehensible.

A Catholic | 12:15 p.m. March 10, 2008

As a Catholic, I am appalled by the behavior of these men, but in no way do I feel it is representative of all members of the Mormon Church. It is disturbing to see some people claim that missionaries engage in this type of sport all over the world.

I find it very difficult to believe that BellaMia (9:15) has ever been a practicing Catholic. That post speaks volumes for the ignorance and minimizing of our beliefs. Catholics do not engage in idol worship. Statues are not literal objects of worship, but representations of our faith, much like pictures of Joseph Smith or Mormon undergarments. We pray to God, the same as you, but often ask for intercession from the saints, which I suppose you could say is similar to a ï¿½prayer chainï¿½ where a community of believers pray for a singular reason. It is insulting enough for some poor misguided missionaries to make a mockery of our beliefs on national news. Why would you want to continue doing it here?

GE | 12:23 p.m. March 10, 2008

Where is the apology?

Where in the letter does the one missionary even say he is sorry?

He says "I realize that my companions and I have made a mockery of that which is most sacred to many of the residents of San Luis and the rest of the world. I should have known better because I have seen many of the same types of blasphemies made against my own church and I have been appalled,"

I thought it very tasteless he didn't simply say "I'm sorry." I also thought it was a bit tasteless to use it as a forum to say the church is persecuted too.

Who wrote his "apology" Chris Buttars?

Catholic In Utah | 12:23 p.m. March 10, 2008

I am a Catholic living in Utah for over 20 years. On more than one occasion I have witnessed missionaries attending services at our Cathedral in down town SLC. They sat listening to the rites and later asked intelligent questions. At no time were they disrespectful. I felt our exchange of ideas helped these young people gain a better appreciation of other religions. It is disturbing that on more than one occasion news of missionaries astride Buddha or faux confessions has cast a cloud over a missionary program intention. It takes but a few bad apples to spoil the bushel. Most faiths are forgiving but the taste lingers long after the echo of objection and apology has dwindled. Three step back for this event.

this is what you get | 12:26 p.m. March 10, 2008

when you have been never taught tolerance, but you put others and the church at risk! Send them home with full honors! Some parents send their kids out there who aren't ready and they know it! Some change others don't. these guys went overboard for sure!

Cecilia | 12:34 p.m. March 10, 2008

What are we doing allowing such immature, non-law biding people to go out and preach the gospel as missionaries?

Judge | 12:35 p.m. March 10, 2008

It appears that the jury has deliberated and the verdict is guilty on all counts with the maximum punishment be issued...

Double Standard | 12:35 p.m. March 10, 2008

Is it against the law in Colorado to make fun of the Catholic church? Is sacrilige now part of the felony criminal code?

If the missionaries were responsible for the actual vandalism, then it seems there might be some legal recourse for the Catholic parish. But how can the missionaries be charged with "criminal mischief" for mocking a Catholic shrine?

I would not feel so alone! | 12:35 p.m. March 10, 2008

every since the christians hit the shores, they destroyed anything and everything considered sacred to the natives. Even here in Utah the Anazasie got plundered long ago and ended up in somebodies living room as a conversation piece.

Anonymous | 12:43 p.m. March 10, 2008

This is to be expected from a cult that has been told that Catholicism is "an abomination."

Capt. Nemo | 12:41 p.m. March 10, 2008

Where there is much given , much is expected. These guys aren't representing thats a given!For every Buttars, there's Anuttars!

Anonymous | 12:46 p.m. March 10, 2008

to What If? I believe that the Christus statue in Salt Lake was actually damaged by a guy who had issues. I also believe that the Church made a quiet statement that the guy had issues and then they fixed the statue.

Hopefully wise judges (ecclesiastical and temporal) will impose a fair sentence and we can move on.

Can't put a 40 year old mind in a 20 year old body...
Elder LeGrand Richards (apologies if memory has garbled the exact words)

You can bet | 12:42 p.m. March 10, 2008

that if somebody broke Moroni's head off and had their pic taken with it like some kind of tropy they would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I hope the same happens here.

Coloradan | 12:50 p.m. March 10, 2008

Might as well shut down the mission and send them all somewhere else until all this blows over. Maybe in a decade or two.

Nola | 12:54 p.m. March 10, 2008

What they did was wrong, and need to make right the wrongs. Not just one but all three need to correct this. If charges are filed then they need to deal with it. I am sorry that this happened. Our Missionaries know better, we have had so much done to us through out the history of the church,that we should know better.Please forgive them their transgression.and do not judge us all by a few who made mistakes.

Relocated Southerner | 12:59 p.m. March 10, 2008

"Send them home with full honors!"???? You must be kidding!!! Why in the world would the Church want to do that? They should be punished for this blatant disregard for others. I agree; there was no apology, only a shifting of responsibility by saying "blasphemies [were] made against my own church".

I do agree with an earlier post in that this represents only a minute fraction of the missionaries who are honorably serving all over the world at any given time. If this were the norm among LDS missionaries, we would not be welcome anywhere but it also would not make the news either as it would be commonplace. Thankfully, that is not the case, but I still feel restitution and an apology should be made by all three missionaries.

Again, stupid, immature choices made by all three, and I hope they have not set back the progression of the Church too badly in that area. I also hope others will not judge all Latter-day Saints by the ignorance and immaturity of these three foolish young men.

I am appalled and saddened, and I express my apologies to all those who were victimized by this careless, reckless act.

Meri | 1:07 p.m. March 10, 2008

I've only read a few posts but had to stop and post myself. No--these are not MUST photos for missionaries. I served a two-year mission in a Catholic country. I never heard of any of the missionaries in my mission doing anything like this! They should be really ashamed. They did more damage to the church than all their missionary work did good! It will take years to undo the negative impact of their fun. Think how the other missionaries in that mission feel! Think how their parents must feel! I would be horrified if this were my son and would insist on some type of recompense to the church there beyond anything that the LDS church or the mission might do. I am outraged about this. I thought that the bar had been raised. Apparently not high enough. It is about time that people stopped to think about the long-range repercussions that result from this type of behavior! It was even more ridiculous to post it on the web. The one who did that obviously has not learned anything if he thought that this was something to "brag" about.

ds | 1:12 p.m. March 10, 2008

"...Let him who is without sin cast the first stone..."

Unfortunate | 1:50 p.m. March 10, 2008

This is sad. These missionaries should be held accountable. I only hope other missionaries will take a lesson from this and have more respect for religious sites. This incident merits at least a new paragraph in the white missionary handbook.

Anonymous | 1:50 p.m. March 10, 2008

The vandalism is inexcusable and I hope the guilty parties face justice for their actions; I'm not quite as appalled at the pictures inside the church. I think they're juvenile and disrespectful, but I also remember as a missionary being told by a devout catholic that my companion and I should take similar pictures in the Papal throne at Newark's Cathedral Basilica. We chose not to, but the idea was theirs not ours. Were it not for the charge of vandalism this would only earn an eye roll from me.

Felony charges? | 1:51 p.m. March 10, 2008

Do you people realize what it will do to these missionaries if they are convicted of felonies? I hardly think that punishment fits the crime. I find it hard to believe that so many people are totally okay with the possibility of ruining their futures. They were wrong, it was immature, and offensive and makes the church look bad. I forgive them, I just wish some other people would too.

Return Missionary | 1:53 p.m. March 10, 2008

I am very saddened to hear this. I know those young men have been instructed to respect the beliefs and properties of others. It is in the white handbook which they should be reading daily.
Just like a few Marines acting out can taint the whole Marine Corp, these missionaries cast a bad image on all missionaries.
They have a great burden to pay for their mistakes and to try and restore what they have done. It is called repentance.

Spanky | 1:59 p.m. March 10, 2008

What do they teach these guys in the MTC? Obviously it isn't to have respect for other religions.

Geraldine | 2:00 p.m. March 10, 2008

I keep reading about 3 missionaries doing all of this. Where was the 4th? Don't they go out "two by two". Or, was the 4th missionary the one who was taking the pictures? If so, he is as guilty as the other 3, and yes, they all deserve punishment, both from the courts, and ecclesiastically. But who am I to judge? Please, parents, have talks with your sons before you send them out, and make sure they understand about manners, and sensitivity, and tolerance for others!

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