LETTER: Doctrine and members different

To the editor:

First of all, I enjoyed reading Liz Emery’s article entitled “Can the LDS religion be considered a cult?” I applaud her for having the courage to write about a topic that is so obviously sensitive to so many people in this community. However, I would like to address several concerns that I had upon reading it.

       I do not like to disclose my religious beliefs in most settings, but, since I feel that the nature of this letter requires it, I will say that I am a member of the LDS religion. Having revealed that, I would like to address the point in her article where Ms. Emery states, “LDS members are not encouraged to challenge things which are confusing to them. The mantra ‘Just have faith’ is one of the most commonly cited answers when tricky questions are asked.” I have never been told by my parents or by any church leader to “just have faith.” Usually, they have been able to answer my questions or have encouraged me to seek the answers on my own. In fact, at the end of The Book of Mormon, readers are told to “Ask God … if these things are not true.” This applies to what church leaders say, too. Members of the LDS religion are not encouraged to follow blindly but, rather, to ask God, and then make a personal decision as to the truthfulness of what is being presented to them.

           I’d also like to address what Ms. Emery said about LDS people’s relationships with those outside the church. She says that, “In addition, LDS youth are encouraged to only fraternize with those who ‘share their values.'” It is true that LDS youth are counseled to choose friends who share their standards, but at no time has that ever been explained as exclusively LDS people. There are good people everywhere, of every race, religion and sexual orientation — some of them are even Atheist — gasp — just like there are members of the LDS faith who do not present a very good example of what we believe. My argument is that it was these people — not the leaders of the church and its members who truly understand its beliefs — who Ms. Emery has experienced. I would ask her not to confuse the solid, unchanging doctrine of a religion with the actions of the religion’s members.

Kuniko Poole