Deseret News | LDS Church issues apology in missionary vandalism case

Reader comments
LDS Church issues apology in missionary vandalism case

134 comments | Read story

Page:
< Previous
1
2
3

Mickie Ortiz | 11:51 a.m. March 11, 2008

This is my letter to the Parish

I was saddened when I read about the Mormon Missionaries who ridiculed your faith at the Chapel of All Saints. As a lifetime member of the LDS Church born and raised in the San Luis Valley, I can assure you that these three young men do not represent the feelings or sentiments of me or the members of my church.

With a family connection to the Spanish Catholics that goes back to my earliest ancestors, this hits me in a personal way. My husbandï¿½s grandmother often told stories of the Mormons and how both cultures helped each other.

On our most recent trip to San Luis we stopped at the beautiful Church where my mother-in-law was married and where her fatherï¿½s funeral had been. We felt the sacredness of these special places.

Although I do not bear the responsibility for these young men, I can offer a hand of friendship and heartfelt apology to you. The thoughtless acts by a few can leave a bad taste for many, but my hope is that you will understand what they did in no way reflects the feelings of the LDS Church as a whole.

Mark | 12:01 p.m. March 11, 2008

I have to laugh at some of the comments on here where people are saying the age limit should be increased because they're not mature enough. HUH? out of 50,000 missionaries we have 3 that did something stupid and now it requires the raising of the age? Sorry.. but no. I served a mission starting at age 19 and I treated it with respect and served my best. These missionaires commited a crime and should be punished. Sent home? YES. As representatives of the church, we're to uphold the highest standards of living and action. Them doing this is an embarrassement to the Church and the Church will not (and should not) tolerate it in any way. I too apologize to the Catholic community for their actions and hope this can be resolved with the highest respect for those of other faiths.

But do not blanket all missionaries with these fools. 99% of missionaries are respectful and dignified. But like anywhere else, there's always a bad apple or two (or three) that stinks and needs to be thrown out.

John | 11:55 a.m. March 11, 2008

What those missionaries did was stupid. Regardless if the pictures were posted and discovered the event still happened although they may have gotten away from the responsiblity of it. As a return missionary when I returned home I showed my family the pictures that I have taken I can't imagine these men showing these to family & friends with any kind of pride. They should be ashamed of themselves and face the music (both legal & facing the Parish they offended). Doing this they lowered their standards to those people he protesters on Temple Square with signs mocking our faith and our practices in our faces while yelling, condeming us and our church.

Comments continue below

Former Missionary in Monterrey m | 12:01 p.m. March 11, 2008

As an LDS Missionary I served 2 months in Tucson Arizona. We had just arrived when a small truck pulled up and out jumped a Catholic Priest with his whole truck loaded with groceries for the Mormon Missionaries. What an amazing act of brotherly kindness was shown to me this day by this great man. He appreciated the work we did and wanted to help out. I will forever cherish that moment of kindness. BTW.. This happened every 2 weeks.
Young men make mistakes. I feel so terrible that this act took place. I hope and pray that the people of the parish can find forgiveness and that these young men can make proper restitution.
As for the rest of us.... We should stay out of it. We have all done unkind and foolish things from time to time. Who of you would throw the first stone?

To Sean | 9:14 a.m. Mar. 11, 200 | 12:30 p.m. March 11, 2008

You trivialize the nature of their crimes by saying it was only a statue. They defiled a religion. Should they serve jail time? I don't believe so.
The LDS church still remember the burning of their church in Nauvoo. They should as it is a large part of their history. The discrimination they endured as their church was growing was intolerable. This too should not be forgotten. That being said the LDS church does not corner the market on religious discrimination. Many churches have faced the same types of discrimination including the Catholic church (think Belfast & the Church of England as one).
It wasn't a public park, it was a Catholic church. There WAS a reason they pick a Catholic church. They do need to know the ramifications of their actions.
I'm sure that the parishioners of the parish will forgive, but these young men do need to know that their actions will follow them. They were proud of what they did. Why else would they post them on Photobucket for all to see.

Me | 1:26 p.m. March 11, 2008

This has been done to the LDS Church also, When the protesters outside of Conference were defacing the LDS garments, same thing. However, just like I don't think that the people that did that should get away, I also don't think the Mormon Missionaries should be totally blameless. Harmless Pictures are one thing, but the sacrifial pictures? And the Head of the Statue? Come on, that goes beyond just harmless pictures, and goes beyond that. If they are the ones that broke off the statue head, that is a criminal act. Forgiveness is one thing, but it comes with a punishment. God does it all the time. And he gave us rules. We follow the rules, or there is a punishment. If the missionaries have broken laws, they need to be punished according to the law. If they haven't broken any law, then they should be reprimanded as much as possible.

Mountain High | 1:42 p.m. March 11, 2008

A senseless and juvenile act.....words cannot express the indignity of the actions taken by these foolish young men. This is not the first such incident but certainly it is hopefully the last. Another set of LDS Missionaries spent months in a Thai jail for a similar descecration of a Bhuddist Shrine. The incident was revealed when they submitted their film for processing. If they are going to act like criminals then they better be prepared to pay the price. This serious action cannot be overlooked and walked away from. The Catholic Church and the city of San Luis, Colorado are far more deserving from our representatives of the church than a simple apology. The LDS church should be the first to file criminal charges against the individuals involved. Let justice take it's course.

To Me | 2:03 p.m. March 11, 2008

Please don't take this the wrong way. As a Catholic the pictures are not harmless. I know that if you could put it in perspective and had a full understanding of what that particular church meant to those people, you would see the point. Everything else in your post was well said. Please don't trivialize the pictures though.
While I think the defacing of LDS garments are deplorable and extremely disrespectful and a sin in the eyes of God, the only way this could compare is if they were to defile them in the SLC LDS Temple. The alter is a very sacred thing much like the LDS temple. While it is not something to be "idolized" it is something to be approached with a pure heart.
Knowing what the temple means to the LDS church, I would not even think of entering it without being invited by someone in high authority.

Frank | 2:00 p.m. March 11, 2008

The very saddest part is that the statue that was possibly vandalized and then mocked by Mormon missionaries was a depiction of a saintly man who gave his life fighting for religious freedom in Mexico.

Lydia | 2:33 p.m. March 11, 2008

How sad that this was done. I know that my friends and I discussed this incident (all LDS) and were extremely sad and embarassed that these men used such poor judgement- especially while serving as missionaries. I served an LDS mission and recall specifically being taught in the MTC to be respectful towards other religions, churches, monuments, etc. (this was in 1993). I even remember specific incidents that were discussed as to prevent senseless acts such as these. I know that I have deep saddness that this happened to such as lovely parish and monument. Some of my family is Catholic. I also know that they are wonderful forgiving people who will probably forgive these men for their utter stupidity. I guess we should all do the same...And try to continue to teach tolerence and love. I hope that our Catholic brothers and sisters will understand how sorry most of us are that this happened.

Just one man's opinion | 2:53 p.m. March 11, 2008

You people sure have a lot to say - and a lot of judgement to pass. I wish I was perfect. Have any of you had trouble with the moats in your own eyes? I don't condone IN ANY WAY what these Elders did. It is expecially egregious as they were out in the world representing the church - who now also gets a black eye. But I think sometimes we give it a black eye as well and stir things up even more with all our comments and nasty inuendos. Do we not have enough faith in our leaders to take the appropriate action? Do they really need us to but in and put in our two cents worth? If we don't, trust them enough, perhaps there is a bigger problem here.

M. Eaton | 4:00 p.m. March 11, 2008

As a former Jazzman, I reject a lot of shots, including those shots you're taking at missionaries. Let's not throw the babies out to spite your face. Also let's not pretend that statues are ok to deface. Statues of Stock and Malone better not get touched by no downtown missionaries.

Boys will be boys? | 4:21 p.m. March 11, 2008

Boys will be boys? How about missionaries should be missionaries. I do not think they vandalized the property (but I could be wrong) but taking pictures mocking another church was disrespectful, hypocritical and stupid. As a returned missionary, I apologize to the Catholic faith although I did not do this, I am ashamed of it.

Re: Ruben Israel | 4:45 p.m. March 11, 2008

Since you are street preacher and you are "shaming" all over us, I would like to make a request. When April Conference rolls around, stay home and get a life. I'm tired of you and your group yelling, screaming, swearing, mocking and insulting me as I enter General Conference. Yes, shame on those LDS missionaries for not having better sense, but shame on you too for your blantant disregard for someone's beliefs. Do you have the "keys to the kingdom"? I don't think so.

russ | 6:13 p.m. March 11, 2008

I think this has been a good lancing of the boil, don't you? People do get testy over things like religion and respect. Wars are started, wars are continued. People die due to... stupidity and failure to respect.

Fortunately, we live in America and hopefully we settle these kinds of things with peaceful means, courts, comments, apologies, retraining programs, and love.

Think eastern Europe and believe it or not you will realize that this forum is actually quite civil. Yes, civil. That is good.

Could be a lot worse, folks.

Disgusted Again | 8:34 p.m. March 11, 2008

My comment did not seem to be accepted and printed by the monitor. I guess the truth hurts. Whatever happened to free speech being extended to a member of the LDS Church writing a comment to the Church owned newspaper? Perhaps the Church should not be in the newspaper business if they cannot print the TRUTH.

Anonymous | 8:54 p.m. March 11, 2008

If anyone vandalizes anything they should be punished. However, to take a picture that was meant to be funny (even if it was disrespectful) I just donï¿½t see the big deal but then again I watch Jay Leno every night (who is funny and disrespectful) and I donï¿½t look at him as a criminal.

To Anonymous | 10:48 p.m. March 11, 2008

"If anyone vandalizes anything they should be punished. However, to take a picture that was meant to be funny (even if it was disrespectful) I just donï¿½t see the big deal but then again I watch Jay Leno every night (who is funny and disrespectful) and I donï¿½t look at him as a criminal."

THANK YOU!! I can't believe more people don't see this.

We don't have a lot to go off of but what we do have isn't enough to make this such a big deal.

Jimmy | 11:41 p.m. March 11, 2008

Dear Disgusted, my comment failed to pass the screener's code of feel good ethics as well. Try the Tribune, maybe we can get real freedom of speach over there. As far as this current issue of distraction, a big to do about nothing. Outside of Colorado and Utah you will never even see it in the first 50 pages or even hear about it.

What are nineteen year olds | 9:38 a.m. March 12, 2008

Doing out like this anyway? I'm sure it works well for many, but at this age they should have the option of doing other things and getting their bearings on life.
Other churches welcome missionarys, but don't make it such a mandatory thing for boys of a certain age group. This pressures some who are not ready to go anyway.

Reverence | 3:33 p.m. March 12, 2008

It all starts with parents letting their children yell, scream, and run around in sacrement meeting.

Seventy Times 7 | 11:11 p.m. March 12, 2008

I love our Lord Jesus Christ. Im sure we all do. He has taught us all so much. It is a shame that we are all on this stupid website trying to do his job and judging these three guys. I bet we all waist more time on the internet reading crap like this and arguing about it with others than we do reading the good word of God. I know that is true because if we were frequent readers of the Bible and other noteworthy books about Christ. We would be writing about how we LOVE God and our Neighbors (the three missionaries), because He commanded it. And we should be writing about how we want to help them find peace with our Father in Heaven (through repentance) and we would probably remember that we need to forgive offenders seventy times seven time or in other words always. If you have problems with what the bible says you can go to and live with Cain after this life.

El Padre Nuestro | 11:25 p.m. March 12, 2008

The Lords Prayer, read it and live by it. Matthew 6:5-15. I especially like vs. 15.

unknown | 10:36 a.m. March 13, 2008

It is senseless acts like this that make it so much harder for members of the church all over to get people to listen to our message of joy and happiness.

Richard Redick / Kennewick, WA | 4:50 p.m. March 14, 2008

As a Latter-day Saint I am appalled at the insensitive behavior of these missionaries, and I applaud the efforts of the LDS Church to heal relations with the Roman Catholic Church, and with the people of the violated Colorado community. Yes, we would expect more maturity from a 40 year-old than a 20 year-old. We would also expect more reverence and courtesy from a 20 year-old missionary than a 20 year-old college frat boy. In a criminal prosecution, however, the age of the adult is largely irrelevant.
For my part, I intend to contact the Catholic parish in San Luis and express good will, and make a financial contribution toward the needed reparations. I think the Catholics in that community need to experience more than the institution of the LDS Church reaching out to them. They need to experience many Latter-day Saints reaching out to them in true goodwill, again, and again.

Going-forward, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The LDS Church needs to focus on the quality of missionary candidates, and let the quantity be what it will.

Anonymous | 1:25 p.m. March 15, 2008

It is an immoral person, and certianly NOT a Christian, who would try to take advantage of the "forgive 70 x 7" doctrine taught by Jesus.

Seventy Times 7 | 11:11 p.m., is that what you are endorsing, because it sure seems like it.

Marie in SC | 6:39 p.m. March 25, 2008

There's an LDS building--do they call them churches? I'm not sure--about two miles from our Catholic church. We had two missionaries come to our parish church parking lot during a procession and attempt to "convert" us ON OUR PROPERTY in the MIDDLE of a religious service.

So I'm not surprised to read this. Sad, but too often true.

JW | 10:51 a.m. March 26, 2008

Rueben Israel, I find your last comment very interesting. This sounds like you want to keep the disrespect going. Has there ever been a LDS conferance where there hasn't been total disrespect for what they hold sacred? Why would you make a senseless comment like that?? Were the LDS people that you plan on addressing your comments/actions to the ones who are at fault here? That is why this whole thing needs to be handled by the proper authorities from both their church and the law and the rest of us learn from it and move forward.

Lost in Nevada | 3:21 p.m. March 30, 2008

Raven's point is weak, indeed. No these ninnies did not represent the ideal missionary, and furthermore, the story that goes around is that "if the church weren't true the missionaries would have destroyed it long ago". The behavior of the missionaries I saw on my mission was truly appalling and one that I think hurts the church more than the church is willing to believe.

I hope these missionaries have the book thrown at them and would revel if they were thrown in jail. It is time the Church and its officials woke up to the fact that they are in the limelight, and that they are no longer hidden in the great basin but need to demand the best behavior out of each and every one of their missionaries because every story like this hurts the missionary effort -- it can not be hidden under a basket any longer.

Torri McEntire | 3:55 p.m. May 16, 2008

Certainly the young missionaries involved owe the members of the Catholic faith an apology. Their actions should not be tolerated whether they are based on the ignorance of youth (I suspect) or are far more "evil" and insidious. As a high school journalism teacher, I see scores of inappropriate photos taken by young people that were taken at parties, proms, sporting events, museums and so on, all staged in the name of "fun." I believe many young people have not taken the time to consider the consequences of their actions when they post these photos on MySpace, on YouTube, or even expect them to be printed in a yearbook. Instead of a jail sentence for such offenders however, we should ask them to make a public apology, require them to spend time serving and learning about those they have wronged, and make certain they receive further training from their families, teachers, and leaders about respect for others. I believe they are far more good than bad, and will recognize their errors. We all make mistakes. Let's not be defined by them.

joanne | 6:33 p.m. June 4, 2008

What we all have got to remember is we are no better than them, we too do things wrong...maybe not to that extent but I'm sure they would be feeling pretty silly as they read all these comments. You and I are both human and we're lucky that we have forgiveness in our lives...Whether we are LDS or from another denomination we need to always respects other people's beliefs. I hope that we won't view them in a horrible way...Let's move forward and hope that as we all grow from this as I'm sure they have learnt from this.

Chile | 4:11 p.m. Nov. 7, 2008

I personally feel horrble for this. I recently returned home from a mission and this makes me feel sad!I want to say sorry to the catholics for what was done. We dont encourge that type behavior at all. This type of action just brings one simple question to my mind. Why would you do that? Again I want to apologize to anybody that was offended from this incident. We messed up but as the Savior taught forgivness is the key!

John | 3:52 p.m. March 10, 2009

Catholics, lets just get over this. Regardless of the fallacies of Mormonism, it is clear that Mormon leaders handled the matter very well and were far more transparant than a few Catholic Bishops would have been.

John | 4:03 p.m. March 10, 2009

P.S,

What this incident really demonstrates is that the ranks of Mormon missionaries include the dedicated, the lazy, the zealous,the bored, the sincere and the "just doing it because it is expected". This should not be a surprise to anyone.

Page:
< Previous
1
2
3

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

1 photo

AP photo/The Pueblo Chieftain, Mike Sweeney

La Capilla de Todos Los Santos or the Chapel of All Saints in San Luis, Colo. is framed by a sculpture of Jesus Christ. Deputies are investigating allegations that LDS missionaries may have decapitated a statue of a Mexican martyr and mocked a Catholic shrine in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado.