A Day as a Ute

Another one of those short time-limited posts...here goes...

Before departing Salt Lake City, I joined Bryant and Taylor on a tour of the Mormon (LDS) downtown campus. We toured temples and tabernacles, mingled with missionaries, and contented ourselves not to convert. Some interesting information to share from this visit (in my rush, I hope these don't offend)...

LDS has a presence in everywhere! 53 languages are spoken by missionary guides there, and one was even born in Tel Aviv. How do you end up Mormon in Israel?

During 18 months of missionary work, men and women my age are not allowed to access news, read non-Bible texts, or seek any documented knowledge outside the faith. Absolutely no TV or Internet. They are supposed to be focused solely on their religious growth. While it is nice to get secluded in the wilderness every once and awhile, I couldn't and wouldn't do it. Why close your eyes to see the truth?

The Tabernacle Choir is the longest running broadcast program in the world. And their location to sing in...HUGE! Seats 21,000 people, which apparently often fills up on major LDS holidays in Salt Lake City.

Even today, the current President of the LDS church is considered a prophet. Anytime a new person becomes president, they become the group's prophet. How's that for a promotion...apostle one day and speaking with God the next!

Mormons are plain nice people. We talked to a lot of them, and you just get a "golly gee, your swell" sort of vibe.

Satisfied with our Salt Lake experience, we continued on through some neat towns like Bountiful and Odgen. Tomorrow is Pioneer Day in Utah, a statewide celebration of the founding of Utah. I think the South and West find more pride in state and the Northeast focuses on pride in USA. Remnant of Civil War? Anywho, we saw many preparations being made for a parade (which hopefully we may see where we are now in Brigham City), with miles of unoccupied chairs reserving spaces for the following day. Amazing community trust, as no belongings were tied or locked down.

Now I do have to run, my health is slowing improving as my time on this trip winds down. We will be out in the middle of nowhere for the next few days, but stayed tuned for the more thrilling adventures of Jon Kole!