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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Birmingham Temple Attracts Articles
GARDENDALE, ALABAMA -- Newspapers in Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama
covered the open house of the LDS Church's new Birmingham Temple ahead of
its dedication on September 3rd. The articles looked at the temple's
purpose, LDS missionaries, the critics of the Church handing out flyers
nearby and talking to Elijah Allen Rich, who will serve as the temple's
president.
Rich recounted for the Birmingham News how LDS Church president Gordon B.
Hinckley called him to be the temple president in an unexpected August 8th
phone call. "It was a surprise. I recognized his voice immediately," said
President Rich. He also told the newspaper that the experience was very
exciting, "I was absolutely elated. I can't explain the excitement I felt."
Rich is a former Huntsville, Alabama stake president and a temple worker.
Meanwhile, the Huntsville Times interviewed temple project architect Robert
Waldrip of Huntsville firm Joyce, Prout &Associates about the quality of
the building's workmanship. "They have very strict standards they go by when
building anything, especially a temple," said Waldrip, who also worked on
the temple in Franklin, Tenn., which opened in May. "It was a challenge for
us, but I am extremely pleased with the way they both turned out. The
workmanship was outstanding. The quality and caliber of work they require
has to be second-to-none."
The Times also looked at the work done by LDS missionaries, concentrating on
the community service they provide for four to ten hours each week. In
Huntsville, the missionaries have worked at the West Side Health Care
Center, calling out bingo numbers each Wednesday afternoon, and at the
Calhoun Community College's Sci-Quest, a hands-on science museum. There the
missionaries do a little of everything, from janitorial work to working
directly with children visiting the museum.
The Elders told the Huntsville Times that the service project isn't meant to
help their proselyting. "We never use it to proselytize, and we never take
any money," said Elder Chris Deuel, of Twin Falls, Idaho. The Elders also
told the Times that living with a missionary companion is good practice for
a future marriage.
But, the Birmingham News also covered the efforts of the evangelical
"counter-cult" group, the Watchman Fellowship, which set up a tent on the
grounds of the First Assembly of God Church across the road from the Temple
during the open house. Bob Waldrep, the group's Alabama director claims,
"We're not out here to cause a fight. This is not about bashing the Mormon
faith." But the group claims that the LDS Church tries to conceal doctrinal
differences with mainstream Christianity.
"You make a covenant not to reveal the secrets," says former missionary
Timothy Oliver, now director of research for the group. He says that the
ceremonies in LDS Temples are unbiblical and different from mainstream
Christian teachings. But not all Gardendale, Alabama residents agree with
the Watchman Fellowship's efforts. "It just seems in very poor taste," said
resident Ed Sellers. "If you don't agree with them, then don't go to their
church."
Sources:
Mormon leader presiding at temple dedication services
Birmingham AL News 25Aug00 D1
By Greg Garrison: News staff writer
Birmingham temple will serve 21,000 Mormons in Alabama
Huntsville AL Times 26Aug00 D1
By Yvonne Betowt: Times Religion Editor
At your service: Mormon missionaries do more than ride bikes and knock on doors
Huntsville AL Times 26Aug00 D1
By Yvonne Betowt: Times Religion Editor
Critics gather at temple
Birmingham AL News 24Aug00 D1
By Greg Garrison: News staff writer
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