I had a day off of work (Presidents Day) & spent it in research. My research, however, is by no means finished.
I called the LDS Church to try and get as much first hand information as possible--that got me nowhere. One person (of many I was transferred to in several departments) said; "They don't gather this info." However, I was told by another that disclosures of this type of information would have to come from the Brethren.
Some information:
4-15-99, 2 dead & four wounded at Church Family History Library.
1-14-99, De Kieu Duy murders 1 and wounds at least two others at KSL Building.
August 2 or 3, 2003, Kearns Chapel ignited by arsonist--$1,000,000 in damages.
1-16-88, Bomb goes off at Marion, Utaah Chapel.
July 2001, Levan, Utah Chapel vandalized by grafitti.
April 2005, Southern Utaah University-theft of purse, wallet & cell +$131.00.
April 2005, SUU Institute - purse stolen-loss of $530.00.
An article on Clergy by John Walsh states that while violence, arson & vandalism may not be as common as it was in the 19th century, sometimes today, Latter-day Saints are targets of arson & vandalism. And Latter-day Saints are still occasionally still beaten or killed for their beliefs.
According to the 1999 Utah Department of Health Bureau Statistics, Murder, Rape, Robbery & Aggravated Assault in Utah is HALF the National Average!
With information such as this I wonder why our Rights, which are guaranteed by God, are being violated. Even if our violent crime rates are half that of the rest of the nation, enough violent crime does exist that we should not be denied our constitutionally protected rights. After all, the Church has taught us all through my life that weapons are as much a part of a food storage program as medical supplies, clothes & food! Did not the Church also require each wagon & every male over 16 to carry a rifle, and a pistol if they had it, as they travelled out west. I was also taught that shouold the need ever arise, we as Saints, should gather at our chapels with our weapons for the common defense!
Even our 12th Article of Faith says that we believe in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law of the land. This doesn't mean we create laws to justify our fears at the expense of the greatest law of the land, the Constitution & Bill of Rights! Even Christ told his Apostles " If ye have no Sword sell your cloak that ye have one." Peter even had a sword with him during Christs' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane.
We are supposed to be self sufficient and law abiding, as a people. This doesn't mean that we must lie down & die, or that we must be victims. We are supposed to do all that we can do, and after we have done all that we are able, and I believe that self defense is a part of this equation, then we will be blessed. God doesn't say, "Give up, Be a Victim, He encourages us to defend our lives, our liberty, our families & friends. So I say, Why the appearance of hypocracy? Legally authorized individuals who have undergone stern measures, including fingerprintin, training & background checks by the FBI, should not be penalized because a few evil men or women, who will not obey the law, break the law. It is a proven fact that CCW holders commit far less crimes than police officers do. Yet police are under no obligation to disarm to enter a chapel. Isn't this a bit hypocritcal? The latest poll I saw last year showed that CCW holders commit about .05 of a percent of criminal acts. Police were shown in that poll to commit about 2.8 percent of criminal acts. So, no matter how you look at it, police & CCW holders are some of the most law abiding citizens in the nation, but we as CCW Holders are treated as if we were incapable of good judgement. The bigotry needs to stop.
Anyhow, I spent many hours of research to get what little evidence I was able to put together here for everyone. If this info is sufficient I would invite you to take this info & formulate a letter to send on to the church. As for me, I will probably spend a few more days in research, and then I will need time to formulate an appropriate letter, which I will post here, for our members so they may wright the church concerning their improper stance on this issue. It should be a no brainer. But we must fight-legally-at every turn for the ability to maintain the freedoms we have. I hope we may be successful in this endeavor.
Thanks for listening to my rant.
Cinhil
:shock: :?: :idea:
ps--any help with research would be greatly appreciated. Just post your info here & I will use it when I formulate our letter.
Thanks!
