I am a full supporter and active member of the LDS church and uphold the leaders of our church and the priesthood, worthy temple recommend holder and all, so this post is to appeal to the opinions of other active LDS people here on the forum who support RKBA and Open Carry. However I find it extremely difficult and troubling to accept that our church would allow a policy to prevent us from exercising the means to protect ourselves and loved ones by carrying of firearms in chapels and other LDS buildings. I don't know if the rumor is accurate or not that when the bretheren issued a letter to all the stakes and wards in Utah about 10 yrs ago I think that it was concern out of liability reasons rather than spiritual reasons or revelation from the Lord through the prophet to ban firearms from chapels through the law with BCI. I think that this policy is also in the church handbook too. My feeling is this Is that we should press upon the bretheren to consider removing the ban here in Utah and in the handbook too so that where the law in other states does not prevent church members from carrying in chapels may do so. And if it has been said that guns in church is spiritually disruptive to worship I just simply do not agree that is true!
I just think in light of shootings in schools and churches victim disarmament is not acceptable to be complicit with by this policy that we should fight it to be removed. In the Book of Mormon and in the Doctrine & Covenants are several scriptures supporting the need and the right to defend ourselves and families from harm and we may need to be able to exercise this right more so in the future as things get worse economically, with crime and as persecution rises against us. Our leaders should be trusting us and be concerned with the fact that it's the bad guys they should be concerned with who won't care about their policy protected in law by BCI. Haven't there been at least 2 shooting incidences in Utah at a chapel since the policy 10 years ago?
If there is a way to get rid of this policy I think we could do it through the law or do it through petitioning our church itself. I don't know. I just hope that my feelings on this matter here does not make me seem like a rebel or an apostate. It just doesn't feel that the lord blessing us with free agency, the right and obligation to defend ourselves and church policy to be in congruence with each other philosophically, morally and spiritually. PLEASE enlighten me fellow LDS open carriers. I am just a simple man originally from New Zealand living here in beautiful Provo who loves life, liberty and property, family, church and Jesus Christ, and America as if I were born here with all my heart.
I have another question to ask. after reading this cite from BCI's web page Is it possible to ask my Bishop for his permission for exception to this current prohibition? I am asking because I was just called as building rep in my ward and I don't feel safe without my gun late at night to check up on the security of all the doors and windows of my ward building (since I have keys) knowing that it has been broken into in the past. I bolded the sections of interest to me that I could tell may apply. remember I am just a simple man with perhaps some straw in my head (below)
76-10-530. Trespass with a firearm in a house of worship or private residence -- Notice -- Penalty.
(1)
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A person, including a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm pursuant to Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7, Concealed Firearm Act, after notice has been given as provided in Subsection (2) that firearms are prohibited, may not knowingly and intentionally:
(a)
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transport a firearm into:
(i)
| a house of worship; or
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(ii)
| a private residence; or
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(b)
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while in possession of a firearm, enter or remain in:
(i)
| a house of worship; or
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(ii)
| a private residence.
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(2)
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Notice that firearms are prohibited may be given by:
(a)
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personal communication to the actor by:
(i)
| the church or organization operating the house of worship;
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(ii)
| the owner, lessee, or person with lawful right of possession of the private residence; or
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(iii)
| a person with authority to act for the person or entity in Subsections (2)(a)(i) and (ii);
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(b)
| posting of signs reasonably likely to come to the attention of persons entering the house of worship or private residence;
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(c)
| announcement, by a person with authority to act for the church or organization operating the house of worship, in a regular congregational meeting in the house of worship;
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(d)
| publication in a bulletin, newsletter, worship program, or similar document generally circulated or available to the members of the congregation regularly meeting in the house of worship; or
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(e)
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publication:
(i)
| in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the house of worship is located or the church or organization operating the house of worship has its principal office in this state; and
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(3)
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A church or organization operating a house of worship and giving notice that firearms are prohibited may:
(a)
| revoke the notice, with or without supersedure, by giving further notice in any manner provided in Subsection (2); and
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(b)
| provide or allow exceptions to the prohibition as the church or organization considers advisable.
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