They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that apparently includes the houses of worship.
Members of the city council of the town of Fairview, Texas are fighting the construction of a new Mormon temple, which they say not only violates the town’s established zoning laws, but which will do everything from encourage unwanted tourism to obstruct their views to lower their property values.
Despite opposition from both city council and many of the town’s residents, the church is forging ahead with their plans - and they say they’ll sue the city if they don’t get their way.
Small Town, Big Temple
Fairview, a sleepy small town located 30 miles north of Dallas, is less than 9 square miles, with just 11,000 residents. The town’s unofficial motto is “Keepin’ it Country,” a slogan which appeared on shirts many residents wore to community meetings where they expressed their opposition to a proposed temple from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly referred to as the Mormon Church.
On orders of the 100-year-old LDS President Russell M. Nelson, the LDS Church is expanding operations in Texas, with planned construction of at least nine new Texas temples in the coming years. There are already two LDS temples in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but church leaders say a third is desperately needed to address the spiritual needs of the Lone Star State’s 385,000 practicing Mormons.
Plans were made by LDS leadership to create what they call the McKinney Texas Temple in Fairview, which initially was proposed as a 65-foot tall, 43,000 square foot temple with a spire reaching 174 feet. But residents and city council pushed back on the idea, and in non-binding mediation, the Fairview Town Council and the LDS Church reached a compromise: a 35-foot tall temple with a spire reaching 120 feet, which they submitted for public opinion.
Residents say that the revised plan is better - but they’re still not convinced a 120-foot tall temple is “keepin’ it country.”
A Town Divided
In recent town meetings, residents pointed out that the building would violate Fairview’s zoning ordinance, which restricts buildings to 35 feet. And they say that letting the church construct what would be by far the largest building in the town in what they say is a largely residential area, would damage the town’s small town, country character.
"This is in my front yard essentially," said Rose Oswald of the proposed construction site. Never could I have imagined that we would consider putting a building of that size on that lot."
Other residents argued that the new temple would obstruct their views, produce light pollution, and draw unwanted tourists - all of which, they say, will lower property values. According to the city, 87% of the 350 messages the city received from residents were opposed to the temple’s design or size, clear indication the town overwhelmingly disapproves of building the temple as-is.
Still, not every resident was opposed, and some local LDS believers say they welcome a new place to worship. "They're just mad because we're LDS," said LDS member Shirley Swartz. "The Lord told Salt Lake City to build this temple here. So, why is that so wrong? If it's tall, too bad."
See You in Court
The LDS Church is committed to getting their new temple up one way or another - and they’ve already informed the city that if they can’t reach a satisfactory conclusion, they’ll sue, just like they did to other cities who opposed new temples, like Las Vegas and Cody, Wyoming.
In a letter sent to the town council, lawyers for the LDS Church cited both the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act as legal proof the town must approve the new temple. ”These laws, which protect religious freedom for all, require the Council to approve the Church’s application,” the letter reads.
The LDS Church also accused the town council of hypocrisy. They pointed out that in 2006, the town council approved a 154-foot bell tower for a Methodist church without issue. Though the bell tower was never built (and that church’s current bell tower is estimated at 40 feet tall), the LDS Church says that it shows clear favoritism for some faiths over theirs.
In addition, the letter states that they simply can’t build elsewhere, and to suggest otherwise is a violation of their religious freedom in and of itself. “Temple sites are chosen by prayer and inspiration, not because of cost or convenience,” reads the letter. “Forcing the Church to abandon the chosen site—even if some alternative site was readily available—would substantially burden the Church’s religious practices.”
Though they hope to avoid a legal fight and reach a conclusion everyone can agree on, the city set up a Zoning Defense Fund in anticipation of a lawsuit, where they’d be fighting a religious group reported to have a net worth in the billions.
"If this issue goes to court,” says Fairview Mayor Henry Lessner, “we would be David fighting Goliath."
What do you think about the proposed temple? Is the town council being hypocritical by rejecting the proposed design, or simply listening to their residents? Does the LDS Church have a right to build a massive temple in Fairview, even against the wishes of the majority of residents?
77 comments
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James Riggle-Johnson
If this passed the zoning commission and was approved, I don’t see that they have a choice. Why didn’t they check with the city residents before approving the plan? Besides, according to the article they did approve a 134-foot bell tower for the Methodist church. As for the comments that the Lord told them to build in this spot… I don’t believe that for a second. It’s another case of some power-hungry old man showing his authority is just because it comes from God.
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Katelynne Shouse
Haw-Haw, the Christofascist are so two faced it's comical.....time to let a different cult spread their version of 🦬💩 around, you maroons!
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Lawrence Pearce
What is two faced about wanting to build a temple that is well within the legal limits of the city of Fairview?
Your term "christofascist" opens the door for others to label you with a similar slur, like "(religion)-fascist." How about "paganfascist" or "buddhafascist" as examples? Just debate the legalities of the proposed structure and you'll find the city of Fairview has already approved it as meeting its existing height and size statutes. End of story.
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Rev Dr Dub
The mormon church is sitting on a hoard of $200+ Billion. They bully and threaten their way around in order to force their beliefs onto others.
I grew up Mormon. I have done all of the rituals and been through their temple. Steeple size has NEVER been a part of theology. It’s an aesthetic preference. They just want it to look like the temple dwarfs everything around it. It is vanity.
Zoning laws are laws and the mormon church shouldn’t be able to break the law simply because they believe in Jesus. That’s not how society works.
I hope the city of Fairview refuses to comply. But even if they don’t, I suspect this was a tactical miscalculation as it has revealed the capricious and condescending nature of Mormonism to anyone who is paying attention.
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Lady Mutt Cat
Except that the town had already approved a tall Methodist bell tower. I can't imagine that the Mormons won't get their church. Much as I dislike Mormonism, the law is the law. And in this case, the discrimination is palpable.
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Colleen McAllister
From a legal standpoint they should be allowed to build their temple since it was approved. If the Methodist tower was also approved, built or not, then precedence is set.
As to the Lord telling them to build it - no I think not. That 100 year old man in charge knows no more about God's will than anyone else.
Mormons have always been a bit crazy. I say this as someone whose family roots trace back to the founders.
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Lawrence Pearce
There are several good things about Mormons. One is that they are usually well dressed and peaceful, not like the violent drug gangs waved into the USA in the past four years.
Another good thing about Mormons is that their young missionaries are ready to help local poor and elderly people of any faith. I've heard of LDS men trimming bushes and mowing yards for people who are sick or unable to do the work themselves.
The downside is if you join, you will be expected to give them the first 10 percent of any money you get and that's calculated BEFORE taxes. One of their magazines advised, "If you only have enough money to pay your rent or pay your tithe, pay your tithe first." This is wrong advice for someone like a single mother with children who needs to protect them in an apartment instead of living on the street where she and her kids would be in danger!
Until the LDS leaders develop some compassionate advice, I would advise everyone who is struggling to make ends meet to avoid joining that church. The "tithe" was for the Jews of old. Today we give as much or as little as we can afford to give and usually in return for something of value for us.
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Steven Ferrell
Cities are allowed and do set zoning restrictions for their communities. Any one building in that community must adhere to those ordinances. If the CLDS must adhere to them as all others must. If they don’t wish to, go to a different town. Build their building within the ordinance that are set and they can still serve the community.
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Lady Mutt Cat
You seem to have missed the fact that a much higher building was approved for Methodists. The discrimination here is clear, and the Mormons will get their church. The Supreme Court case The Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. the City of Hialeah is all the precedent that the Mormons need.
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Rev. BH
What is it about Texas?
Against everything! Half the ULC blogs have Texas up in arms about something. (Except regarding arms.)
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James Ameel Saylors
I believe your comment is vague and unfounded. It’s pure speculation from your opinion, not supported by actual facts or events.
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Lawrence Pearce
Well Texas is a bigger state than most, so it's likely that there will be more activity in Texas than in most states. The city of Fairview reportedly approved an even taller Methodist church tower, so the LDS church is within their legal rights to build a similar or smaller structure, agreed?
Consider the size of Texas and the legal reasons for this Fairview temple before ranting against either one.
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
The LDS has DEEP pockets. Good luck in court!!!
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Stacey Owens
This is in the image of an idolatry. The Golden Calf.
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Cynthia Mandello
What are your thoughts on the statues being erected of Trump?
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Stacey Owens
As it is written, 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
So in short, the image of Trump is a image of a demon to honor and worship.
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Ronaldo
In this day and age, where people too often consider things as black or white, making others totally evil or totally good and not some of both, we should tear down all the statues of every politician and famous person, since all of them have sinned one way or another. We should also tear down all the statues of Jesus, because he was a convicted criminal, and we don't want statues glorifying criminals.
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Lawrence Pearce
Statues of people are valuable signs of an advanced civilization. Example: If archaeologists dig up a statue of Caesar in Great Britain, they would regard it as a treasured work of art and it could sell for millions of dollars at a Sotheby's auction.
The iconoclasts who destroy statues are left with nada, zilch, nothing. A society without statues is a primitive society. Of course I'm referring to statues that actually look like someone, not like rocks that have no recognizable form or structure.
At least one religion condemns photographs (images) of people, although they have no problem watching a video or movie that consists of a series of photographs (images) linked together that tell a story! LOL
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Lawrence Pearce
WHERE are "all the statues of Trump"? Are they mostly in your imagination?
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Michael Hunt
Here's one. You can buy small ones on eBay at least. https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/golden-trump-statue-cpac-implies-he-s-king-gop-his-ncna1259362
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Robert S Collins
The history of the Mormon church is one of hatred and violence. The comment: “if it’s too tall too bad” reflects the LDS attitude toward their neighbors. That’s why they were expelled from Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.
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James Ameel Saylors
Comment removed by user.
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Lawrence Pearce
The Mormons were expelled because they tried to take over certain areas with their businesses and new doctrines. Example: When they arrived in Independence Missouri they found themselves in the middle of a bunch of Baptists who didn't think Joseph Smith was a prophet or the Book of Mormon was valid, so the Baptists kicked them across the river to Liberty Missouri, where they were welcomed.
In Nauvoo Illinois, they grew to such numbers that their town was actually larger than Chicago, and Joseph planned to run for President of the USA. They also "converted" to Freemasonry overnight, which upset the Freemasons in all of Illinois and surrounding states. Brigham led the survivors across the plains and mountains to the lands still held by Mexico where they built water canals for irrigation and colonized various cities across the West.
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Marie Elaine Cain
I don't understand the concept of bigger is better. God doesn't care where you worship. He just wants you to worship him.
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Lawrence Pearce
As a child, I felt closer to God in nature with the prairie wind rustling the tree leaves above me, the birds singing their songs around me, while I sat beside a stream of crystal clear waters flowing down to the sea.
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Reverend Paula Copp
I can’t even imagine building a church where the residents are against having it! That can only lead to hostility. What is the point, and why would anyone want to be in a hostile environment!
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Rev. BH
Paula, that would pretty much negate the construction of any house of worship anywhere. You name a religion and there are hateful groups ready to spray paint, desecrate, or torch their gathering place. We are living in a hostile environment with few safe zones.
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Lawrence Pearce
Good advice for ULC ministers to build their churches, temples or other places of worship in an area where most of the residents welcome them. If that means building a temple on a cow pasture in the middle of nowhere, then so be it. At least it will be a peaceful place with plenty of milk available!
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John P Maher
MONEY TALKS, and B S WALKS ALL OVER YOUR RIGHTS, YOU KNOW THE RIGHTS YOU NEVER HAD !
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Nicholas J Page
Where does all their money come from I bet it's squeezed out of the Mormons one way or another Why should they build such a monstrous church and ruin people s views and house prices and why do they need to build something hugh Our church is bigger than yours reply.All childish really.Good luck in court
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Lawrence Pearce
Where does all their money come from? It all came after the church leaders demanded all members pay tithes, offerings, donations, fast offerings, missionary offerings, educational donations and inheritances of money and lands to the church.
From online search: "The LDS church’s total wealth is estimated to be around $265 billion, with $182 billion held in investments managed by Ensign Peak, and $83 billion in operating assets such as ecclesiastical buildings, farms, and holdings associated with Brigham Young University. The church owns nearly 2.3 million acres of real estate in the United States alone, valued at around $32 billion.
Investment Income: The church’s income from various investments is estimated to exceed the amount it receives in annual tithing from members and other donations."
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Theresa C. Marquess
That is a matter best left with the community of Fairview, Texas, the town council, and the LDS Church. If Fairview Mayor Henry Lessner feels that, “we would be David fighting Goliath," perhaps he needs a bigger boat!
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The Right Reverend D. Batch
David defeated Goliath with a Slingshot!
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Theresa C. Marquess
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Theresa C. Marquess
Indeed, David defeated Goliath with a slingshot, so maybe David needs to amass more 'Davids' behind him and fight for what he believes in! It sounds like the LDS Church wants to make a huge statement in the community of Fairview, Texas. On their account, they do build beautiful buildings.
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Richard Clark
The Mormon religion is based on lies. Mormonism is a cult. I have more respect for the Jehovah Witness religion than the patriarchal cult founded by that liar Joseph Smith.
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Lawrence Pearce
The JWs motivated medical scientists to develop methods to store and use the patient's own blood for surgeries. This development saved countless lives when doctors learned that viruses (HIV AIDS) can be transmitted through donated blood from infected donors. The "JW Method" of banking the patient's own blood before surgery eliminates this danger of infection.
Just be aware that the JWs predicted the return of Christ in 1878, 1881, 1914, 1918, 1925 and 1975.
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Geoffrey C. Olive
Mumbo Jumbo rules OK!
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Geoffrey C. Olive
All religions are the bane of humanity!👎
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Lawrence Pearce
Are you a ULC member who believes in freedom of religion? Or are you in the "freedom from religion" cult? Asking for a friend.
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Rev. BH
Lawrence, interesting, thought-provoking question. Answering only for myself, I'd say both.
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Matthew W Meister
As a Realtor, I would have lots to say about the declining property value argument. This building itself will become a tourist attraction and most likely RAISE the property values in the entire town. As a student of zoning laws, the town is on shaky ground having approved the Methodist church tower in 2006, but now trying to disallow a building based upon height. All in all, it sounds like people are getting what they deserve. If they want religious freedom, but only for THEIR religion, they are learning that they don't want religious freedom at all, but rather religious oppression. This is a great lesson for all. Fairview, Texas, you reap what you sow.
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Matthew W Meister
As a Realtor, I would have lots to say about the declining property value argument. This building itself will become a tourist attraction and most likely RAISE the property values in the entire town. As a student of zoning laws, the town is on shaky ground having approved the Methodist church tower in 2006, but now trying to disallow a building based upon height. All in all, it sounds like people are getting what they deserve. If they want religious freedom, but only for THEIR religion, they are learning that they don't want religious freedom at all, but rather religious oppression. This is a great lesson for all. Fairview, Texas, you reap what you sow.
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AKConiferious
I can't think of two groups who more deserve to have this silly fight..
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James Mounts
Sue the zoning board for approving the Methodist bell tower, thereby removing that precedent. Then withdraw the approval of the temple. Based on their history, Mormons love in-your-face-ism.
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Lawrence Pearce
Do you live in Fairview Texas? Why should you worry where they want to install a temple in their own city unless you are the mayor? "If it harms nobody, they can do as they wish."
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James Mounts
I don't care. I was simply pointing out what their alternatives are. But, now that you mention it, why should you worry about what I think; do you live in my house?
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Lawrence Pearce
Yes, I live in the attic and I wish you wouldn't wake me up every morning with your noises! /s
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Brian Patrick Molloy
We are all children of the same universe . God bless.✝️
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Lawrence Pearce
Yes and Jesus told us what he thinks in the two parables found in Matthew chapter 13... "the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds" and "the Parable of the Fish in the Nets."
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Daniel Gilliam-Veach
If the joining rules have been long established then the LDS church needs to accept it and move on. However if it was new joining rules to prevent them from building then they should win in court. Besides why would you want to be somewhere your not wanted.
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James Ameel Saylors
Conquest. The Mormon church is a bully pulpit. They’ve identified an area they’re going to take over.
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Kathryn Darcy Smith
I guess if there were fewer LDS parishioners, there would not be a need, so the place might grow or might one day be empty... who knows. I'm really surprised that LDS has the strength in numbers especially when most people are stepping away from faiths of all types.
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Kathryn Darcy Smith
I guess if there were fewer LDS parishioners, there would not be a need, so the place might grow or might one day be empty... who knows. I'm really surprised that LDS has the strength in numbers especially when most people are stepping away from faiths of all types.
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Lawrence Pearce
The current LDS president is on a "Temple Building Mania" right now because his church has more than $100 Billion in assets. Every LDS temple brings in money from those who are known to be paying tithes (10% of their income before taxes) plus various offerings to enrich the church bank accounts even more.
LDS temples and chapels are cash flow machines for the Mormon church leaders because they are all staffed, cleaned and managed by unpaid volunteers. Such a deal.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
If it's true that they approved a massive bell tower, it could be discrimination, but it could also be aesthetics. If the bell tower blended better in visual style than the spire would, then it may have been somehow loopholes in past the height ordinance because it was less obtrusive. There's not enough info available to us as readers to know which it is, unfortunately. That aside, it still sucks that they need their church to be so huge and fru-fru that it's an offense to small-town senses. I don't recall any scripture requiring congregations to try to outdo rivals with gaudiness.
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Miinister Huffman
We are members of The UNIVERSAL Life Church, yet we feel free to cast aspersions on another religion? If said religion does not honor murder, or any other felonious law, should we not at least tacitly support their right to life and belief? I do NOT agree 100% with most all of the other religions, mainly because they try to tell you how God Thinks. I believe HE is supernatural and therefore outside our ability to cognize. A "cult" in and of itself is not dangerous to our religious beliefs, and the very basis of our own belief system. Can we not find the tolerance so many other religions deny us? If we cannot, we are no better than the stiff necked "leaders" we do not agree with.
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Lawrence Pearce
Good comment, except the founders of the LDS church advocated murder of their political opponents (like Governor Boggs of Missouri) by one of their so called "Avenging Angels" (aka Porter Rockwell).
The founders also promoted polygamy, which has caused several scandals. The most recent scandal was when a police officer in Arizona noticed little fingers poking out of a trailer being towed by polygamist Samuel Bateman. The officer discovered Sam had 10 underage wives, some of them packed inside the horse trailer with a plastic bucket for a toilet, along with another 10 adult wives, for a total of 20 wives.
The LDS founders had proclaimed that no Mormon man could become a god unless he had several wives. Those are just a few well known facts about the Mormon church. No judgments except those carried out by US authorities.
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Miinister Huffman
In the past. "We" won't bag on the Mormons about their past, if they don't bag on Christianity about the Inquisitions.Fair enough? Can we be compassionate?
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Lawrence Pearce
Yes we can be compassionate about their past. However, the example of LDS polygamy is still being practiced to this day as proven by the arrest of Mormon polygamist Sam Bateman.
As far as I know, Sam never placed any of his 20 wives on the torture rack to stretch and lengthen their arms and legs, so I will give him credit for being more compassionate than the Catholic Inquisitors.
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Stacey Owens
This is not about the Mormon religion or any other religion. If you have been called by through the holy spirit by God in Christ through faith. What does the name of the faith has to do with it, or the temple?
If Christ is the way and the excess to God. Another name would cause God to say, I don't know you.
Jesus made no mistake when he said, there is know other name that a man should be saved. Christ saved us, not by righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Chist. No religion gives this peace from God. None.
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Tom Herman
Let 'em sue if they believe that the avenue to go. There needs to be some faith in the legal system. Of course, it's hard to understand how such a structure in a town with a population of 11,000 can benefit the LDS.
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Lawrence Pearce
Seeing that the Mormon church has more than $100 BILLION in assets (more recent reports claim they have double that amount), it seems possible for the Mormons to buy up every house in Fairview so the entire town would be 100 percent Mormons. Then there would be no arguments, debates or lawsuits.
There are 3681 houses in Fairview ranging in price from $375K to $5M. I'm pretty sure the Mormons could buy all houses in town for less than $100 Billion dollars. I estimate with an average house price of $600K, the total cost for a "Mormon Takeover" would be $2.2 Billion, which would be pocket change for the church.
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Jack Anthony Wilson
I find it hard to side with any cult. A cult by example is any organization that breaks up families if some of those family members choose to leave their teachings.
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Amy Varela
If there are so many members of the church that they need another temple, why not build it closer to where those members live instead of a small town with, seemingly, no members who do not want it there. Nobody in the town will be able to use the temple if they are not members.
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Ray Ray Ray
Joseph Smith died for your sins
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Lawrence Pearce
Ezekiel chapter 18 says that Joseph and everyone else dies for their own sins because nobody can die for someone else's sins. "The soul that sins shall die. The father will not die for the sins of his son, nor will the son die for the sins of his father." Ezekiel 18.20
Ezekiel 18 clearly states that we have not and never will be punished for what Adam or Eve did. It also implies that we are responsible for our own actions; nobody can die for our "sins" or "mistakes."
However, the good news is that the Jews were told in Exodus 30.15 they could pay a "half shekel" to get all of their sins forgiven for the entire year. According to the rabbis, a "half shekel" was the size of a quarter ounce of silver. At today's price of $32 per ounce of silver, the total cost to get all sins forgiven every year would cost you only $8 dollars! Such a deal you can't refuse! LOL
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Paul Spencer Martin
I have been in active Pentecostal Apostolic Ministry since I was 12 years old, Being ordained as an Evangelist in the church I was raised in. I have been with this division of the ULC for a few years. I have NO issue with The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints (They no longer like being referred to as "Mormons") Building a temple, Especially since The Apostle Peter said, "God Dwells Not In Temples Made By Human Hands, As If He Needed Anything". (See Acts 17:14, KJV). Leave The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints alone to worship as they choose. So sick of people being religious bigots simply BECAUSE THEY CAN.
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Lawrence Pearce
Ever heard of "Mormon dot org"? The LSD church was promoting that website for years and years. I just looked it up and it's still online. Looks like they found some homeless bearded man with long hair and had him pose for pictures. He doesn't look anything like the Mormon men and boys dressed up in suits and ties today.
They also proclaimed the catchphrase, "Proud to be a Mormon." So I don't believe they are "offended" if you call them Mormons. We should ask them why they don't dress up like the bearded, long hair Jesus they show as their leader on their website!
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Lawrence Pearce
Are you aware that the "famous" Pentecostal preacher Smith Wigglesworth grabbed a sick two month old baby from its parents and threw it against a wall in the church and then kicked it like a football?
Verification: "Why Are Charismatics So Weird? Throwing Babies Against Walls" by Justin Peters on Youtube.
This is a true story documented by many witnesses as well as Smith's own grand daughter who appeared on the Sid Roth show to brag about it. There are more horrific religious stories on Justin Peters channel as he tries to shine a light on the crimes against children.
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Travis A. Lee
Western Religions build to Impress and intimidate others. Asian Religions work in harmony with Nature and to be pleasing to a perons' eye, regardless if they worship at that temple or not. Which is why so many look the same. lol. That is my take on the situation.
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Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
I wonder if a Roman Catholic cathedral was going up, or a Christian Cathedral, or a Baptist one, would they be throwing such a fit? Not likely.
But if it's a Mormon one, or a Muslim Mosque, or a Jewish Temple, or one of the "alternative faiths" as they call Wicca, Satanism, Taoism, etc.... the town throws a fit.
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Stacey Owens
The problem with images or statues goes back to what God said in Genesis 3, who told you? How does a huge building have any affect, its man made. Plus, it has no power. Now, if some believe it does have power, its the power of the person being led to build it. Its as if God is saying, who told you you needed it? Or, give funds so it would be ereated? It wasn't God who commanded it or the commands (will) of God would be broken.
This is diminstrating being as gods knowing good and evil. A direct rejection of the will of God. What I mean, is, making the building or image a god to worship, instead of God Himself and the Lord Jesus Christ. This makes it a religion because of the name on the building .
So I ask you, are you worshipping God in Christ who you haven't seen or a image of a religion which is man made which is seen? Because, images that are seen have no faith or power at all. Images can not see or talk nor can a building order your steps.
So I ask you, who told them? Where is the image of God in the building. Because the God in me reveals, Christ is the Life and Life is God. Amen.
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Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski
God works in mysterious ways. Built it
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Glen Joseph Kohler
154 feet is not 174 feet. My thoughts on this matter start with that. Additionally the approval for the Methodist church was not carried through to construction. If it had been the claim of discrimination would seem more solid. As it is, I would want to learn why the Methodist church was not built to the approved specification before coming to that conclusion; it could be because enough people in the town did not think that 150 feet was appropriate and the Methodists listened and changed their plans. If that were the case I would say the Mormons could as well do the same.
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Glen Joseph Kohler
Since the approval for the Methodist church was not carried through to construction I would want to learn why before concluding discrimination. It could be because enough people in the town did not think that 150 feet was appropriate, and the Methodists listened and changed their plans.
Fairview is a very small town so outsized buildings are a legitimate concern. In such a case local determination for the public commons makes sense.
I also wonder what the proportion of Mormons is in Fairview. The 100 year old Mormon leader and those who take direction from him appear to be overbearing by their desire to overtop every other building in the town and by their habit of suing cities when local people object.
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James Trenton Smith
This issue, as a matter of law, is settled by the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. The Texas municipality has no authority to restrict or impede in that the 1st Amendment clearly states that "...Congress shall make no law proscribing an Institution of Religion or the free practice thereof..."
It is actually presumptuous that the local Government would willingly and knowingly interfere with the liberties of individuals or religious institutions.
The Mormon cult Church does not need to be that tall here it is yet another example of excessive Finance and ownership of property to show off which does no good for God or everyone else's people
Since the Methodist church in the same town has proposed or built an even taller structure, I'll be looking for your condemnation of them too.
Not sure why anyone in the ULC would think their opinion is going to change the minds of the mayor and city council of Fairview, when both Methodists and Mormons have already met the city limits for size and height of their structures! Most ULC ministers will never live in Fairview, so why bother barking about it? LOL