I saw this in my feed earlier when I was reading via my iPhone (yeah, yeah) and thought it was great, but then when I saw it linked at Salt Blog, decided I’d better save it as the Trib has a short shelf-life for LTTEs.

The dominant faith in Utah has been having a hard week – the news from Texas on the wilder-and-woolier FLDS sect is always reported with background shots of the (mainstream, one-wife-at-a-time) Salt Lake temple. Thus the images will be connected in readers’ and viewers’ minds, which is rather a shame, as the Salt Lake brethren and sistren have been trying to be more normal and less wacky.

But there are some beliefs and practices and attitudes that are still pretty far from USDA Grade A normal. There were probably never be female bishops in the Salt Lake Temple (also rather a shame, as female bishops are pretty nifty). One of the most difficult to explain has to do with concepts of eternal family bonds, and how easily those bonds might be broken by a family member who “transgresses” one of the many, many, many dealbreaker rules for getting into the highest level of heaven.

As in, forget it if you’re gay. So today’s letter is really amazing, coming as it does out of one man’s experience in a very difficult and un-welcoming culture. It’s in response to a recent statement by the new President of the LDS church.

Remember, I’m somewhat of a fan of the letters page of the Salt Lake Tribune – but this one is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.

Go back? Well . . .
Public Forum Letter
Article Last Updated: 04/09/2008 06:58:45 PM MDT

Thomas Monson wants me back (“LDS Church President Monson urges disenfranchised to return to the fold,” Tribune, April 6). I am gay. As a Mormon, I was taught to hate myself; I repeatedly flirted with killing myself. Imagine that pain, and then ask whether my coming back is going to be on your terms or mine. I have serious issues; here are some things that first need to change:
1. Honesty needs to be your policy. For example, depict Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon with his face in an upturned hat, staring at a magical peep stone.
2. Stop using the family as a weapon. My mother is brokenhearted that I will not be part of her eternal family. It is wonderful to believe “families are forever”; it’s despicable to use that to extract obedience.
3. Treat women equally. Many Mormon women feel second-class. Who can blame them? They are always subservient to men.
4. Renounce racism. Repudiate teachings that blacks were less valiant in the pre-mortal life and are descendents of the murderous, marked Cain.
5. Love me for who I am – not for who you think I should be. Stop the teaching that I have a problem that needs to be fixed. Stop using religion to excuse poor behavior.
If you really need me, now you know how to find me.

Steve Ellingson
West Valley City

Thanks for the reminder to Holly at Salt Blog: The Daily Feed From City Weekly: Want Me Back?