Protestors speak out against Mormonism during conference
SALT LAKE CITY – Organized protests against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greeted those who attended the 173rd Semiannual General Conference of the church during the weekend.
Protestors, some more vocal than others, stood on the sidewalk with large signs in front of the main entrance of the Conference Center. In addition to those speaking out against the teachings and beliefs of the church, two counter-protestors, one in a gorilla costume, mocked those who were preaching their anti-Mormon beliefs.
“I think these people are offending people,” said counter-protestor Corey D’lobies, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ. “We want to take the attention off [the protestors] and put it on us.”
The presence of the counter-protestors did not distract from those who were there to distribute a message, like Salt Lake City resident Mike Bingham.
Bingham was not as vocal as some others in his protests, holding a large colorful sign in the air boasting his message; he handed out literature explaining his beliefs to those who expressed interest.
“This is the way I’m warning my neighbor,” Bingham said. “I suppose it’s a way to make a point, some people might think that I’m a little offensive or over the line.”
Bingham said he purchased a permit to protest on Salt Lake City property. The permit allowed him to stand outside of a barrier set up by the Salt Lake City Police Department and regulate who enters his area which he called “Mike’s Rock.”
“It’s the kingdom of Mike, whom I allow in is allowed in, whom I don’t is ejected,” Bingham said. “The missionaries were in here this morning and I even booted them.”
While Bingham was quiet in his protests, others were more vocal.
One protestor held up a pair of Mormon temple garments in the faces of those who were walking by to enter the Conference Center. That individual’s protests offended Jed Manwaring who traveled from Boise, Idaho to attend conference.
“They’re just trying to be offensive,” Manwaring said. “I think they’re kind of a mean people.”
Manwaring had stopped to listen to a religious argument between two protestors when an individual started talking to Manwaring’s son. The individual was presenting alleged contradictions found within Mormon doctrine to the young man. Manwaring asked the man to move away from his son.
“I said, ‘excuse me’ and he said ‘did you fart?'” Manwaring said. “I don’t think that’s appropriate of someone that is spreading the Gospel.”
There were some protestors at the event who said they had legitimate arguments and would like to present them to those who would listen.
Ruben Israel traveled from Los Angeles to protest the conference. He said he comes to Salt Lake City for General Conference and when the “homosexuals march and have their parade.”
“The difference between a homosexual and a Mormon is the homosexual perverts its lifestyle, the Mormon Church goes way beyond because they pervert the God of the Bible,” Israel said. “That provokes Christians like myself to uproot themselves and come to Salt Lake City to preach.”
Israel said the protests had been fairly calm on Saturday morning but he has seen violence in the past.
“When they don’t kill us, we consider that’s a good thing,” he said. “We’ve been to jail and we’ve been beaten for the sake of the Gospel.”
Though Israel said he had witnessed violence with protestors in the past, Salt Lake City police officials said the protests typically remain calm. In the event of a violent outbreak, there are enough officers in the vicinity to handle the situation, the official said.
Israel said he takes everything that comes with the protests in stride.
“[Violence is] just part of the game, I don’t cry or whine or call my lawyer,” he said. “It’s kind of funny that the Mormons find it offensive that we come to their front door with a message, but they can go to anybody else’s front door.”
“They have the right to talk about how they feel,” BYU student Chris Maservy said, noting that the organization maintained by the police helped keep things in order.
One man drew the attention of multiple protestors when he got into an argument with another individual.
Matthew Gump said he was in his seat during conference when church officials asked him to leave. Gump said he left the Conference Center peacefully, but upon meeting the protestors started arguing his view of Mormon doctrine.
“They don’t understand about the church, if they loved God, then they’d really want to find out about the Holy Spirit,” Gump said. “They have way too much anger in their heart.”
Gump said he was asked to leave the Conference Center because he is a hyper person and gets excitable.
“They said they wanted me in the balcony and I felt that God had given me that seat [on the second row] and that was my seat to sit in,” Gump said. “I was going to be bitter about it but I said, ‘no, that’s not the Christian way to do things.'”
Gump’s arguments with the protestors drew attention after Gump claimed he had met and had conversations with Jesus Christ and Satan.
One protestor shrugged off Gump, calling him “a psycho.”
Israel said most protests should remain peaceful.
“We’re just here to encourage and provoke reading the Bible, we’re not here pushing a particular denomination or church,” he said. “Don’t outgrow the Bible.”
-str@cc.usu.edu
Protestor Annanias flashes a depiction of Jesus Christ to Matthew Gump. Annanias was arguing with Gump about the photo after Gump stated he knew and had met Jesus. Annanias has been protesting at General Conference for two years. Gump said he is LDS and was arguing about his religion. (Photo by John Zsiray)