Editor:

I am writing in response to Natalie Horton’s Jan. 21 letter, “Mormon Race Panel Story Poorly Done” that criticized a Jan. 15 Chronicle article. I would like to take issue with the governing philosophy that seems to drive Horton’s letter. That is the philosophy that Mormons can’t possibly be in good standing if they express opinions that criticize the status quo or history of popular Mormon opinion.

Is it the argument of the author that the leaders of the LDS Church are somehow impervious to human error simply because they may have been predestined by God to their positions? If so, then Horton obviously has a point that any good Mormon should blindly follow their teachings.

Otherwise, if God simply chose the best people, not the nonexistent perfect ones, then a Mormon should be able to practice his God-given freedom of free will. If the leaders of the LDS Church are human and bound to err, then other Mormons should be able to question the judgment of humans without compromising their beliefs.

Horton’s letter represents the biggest problem in recent Mormon philosophy–that there is only one right answer. And this is a new problem. The author of this letter obviously isn’t aware of the fact that the LDS Church has a history of intellectual, and yes philosophical, debate. However, recently it has been the policy of the church to excommunicate members who talk about things which would otherwise broaden the realm of religious understanding.

Relief Society sisters like Horton self-righteously personally attack people for expressing concern or discontent with HUMANS. This attitude represents the fundamental problem with the current air of the Mormon culture. And let me tell you, it stinks.

Joe Mayne

Sophomore, Chemical and Fuels Engineering