Mormonism has finally gone too far. It happened in Fairview.

[slskipper]

History turns on so many minor events- a leader gets a mosquito bite, or a pistol misfires, or any of a hundred other things. In case you haven't heard, last night the Fairview, Texas town council voted 5-2 to allow the Mormon temple to go ahead. The meeting is available on the Mormon Discussions site. It was heartbreaking to watch. The decision was finally made based on the desire of the councilors to avoid municipal bankruptcy due to an endless string of lawsuits by an entity that claims to represent Jesus.

No, none of this makes sense. The LDS corporation has in our lifetimes gone from a vibrant, localized, fulfilling spiritual avenue into an investment machine. I know that finance has always been an integral part of the movement, but there was always at least a modicum of respect for theology and moral behavior. Pratt, Talmage, Roberts, McConkie- all these people were held in high esteem by leaders and lay people alike. Historians can sift through the data and explain the paths that got us where we are today. I'm not a historian so I'm not going to try. (Note to historians: always include the egos of prominent characters when you do your analyses). I am only going to express my intense disappointment at how Fairview happened.

The fact is that Mormon doctrine revolves around one concept: the leaders said it. The one central tenet is that the leaders are the unique conduits for messages from God. Once you have that concept firmly established, nothing else matters! The leaders can say or do anything at all and the members will automatically follow like robots because the leaders have said it. . The one criterion for good-Mormon status is the extent of your commitment to following orders from above. That's all. There is nothing else. Morality vanished a long time ago. That's why Sam Young gets kicked out while Bruce McConkie's grandson gets promoted to Stake President.

And now we come to temples. We all know the reasons Joseph Smith incorporated temples into his movement- secrecy over polygamy, a new-found fascination with Freemasonry, establishing dynastic connections and so on. But here's the thing: in 2025, the only reason for temples is because the leaders said so! Nobody- at any level in the system- takes it any farther. Up until recently, the rest of the world has acquiesced because that's just what one does vis-a-vis religions- one simply allows it because religion. WASP establishment says that religion must not be challenged for any reason. Mormonism capitalizes on this sentiment every step of the way.

And now we come to Fairview. We saw the beginnings of a groundswell in Lone Mountain and Cody. Fairview will not be the last to express dismay, but it is certainly a distinct marker. It has exposed Mormonism for what it has become: a vast juggernaut that has no concern for the rights or interests of anybody else because the leaders say we must build temples and so we will build temples wherever the leaders say to do it.

So what will be the outcome? Every subdivision in America will be dominated by a huge temple. And the citizens will come to totally despise Mormons. They will vandalize. They will tell missionaries to go to hell. They will sabotage temple sewer systems and stage protests at temple entrances. And more and more moderate Mormons will finally decide they have had enough.

The leaders will not back down. I just don't see that ever happening with the current set. Remember that theological advancement is the last thing on their mind. The current set of apostles are set for sixty years or more, and they will choose as their successors people just like themselves. My only hope is that enough valiant members will start to listen to their wounded relatives. I can dream, can't I?

[sock puppet]

In the larger, world society, the LDS Church is nothing but an oligarchy. It is acting like Elon Musk, a petulant child.

[drumdude]

It’s sad but this story of blackmail will be effectively spun by DCP and other Mopologists as a victory against their perceived anti-Mormon victim mentality.

Mormons will play any card they need to in order to throw their massive financial and legal weight around unhindered.

[Kishkumen]

The LDS Church is making a mistake when it refuses to work with communities and decides to steamroll them instead.

[Philo Sofee]

The LDS Church is making a mistake when it refuses to work with communities and decides to steamroll them instead.

Well, they have to follow their real prophet, the bully Donald Trump. It's his example they are exemplifying. I can't quite remember though, where in scripture Trump has received his exaltation. Jesus I know, and Abraham I know, but who is Trump?

[I Have Questions]

The LDS Church is making a mistake when it refuses to work with communities and decides to steamroll them instead.

Well, they have to follow their real prophet, the bully Donald Trump. It's his example they are exemplifying. I can't quite remember though, where in scripture Trump has received his exaltation. Jesus I know, and Abraham I know, but who is Trump?

They’ve approached this situation in a very Trumpian fashion. They submitted the revised plans with an accompanying threat of suing the town if the vote didn’t go their way. Not so much turning the other cheek as turning the screw.