What is your take on the occasional protests against the building of LDS/Mormon Temples in residential areas?

Question

Do you think the LDS church does enough to work with concerned neighborhoods?

Non-Mormons, how would you feel about having an LDS temple built in your neighborhood?

How do LDS temples effect property values? (Since property values were sky rocketing until recently please don't use raw numbers because they are deceiving, I am more interested in how property values change relative to comparables).

Would LDS temples bother you less if they were built in industrial or commercial areas?

Article about a temple in Phoenix:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/northvalley/articles/2011/02/08/20110208phoenix-mormon-temple-protests-target-churchs-utah-leaders.html

Answer 1

No one wants any kind of large inappropriate structure in a residential neighborhood. The protests against mosques are quite a bit worse. My neighborhood organized against a mega church, as did my LDS sister's. Both won considerable concessions.



These buildings belong in commercial areas where there is better transportation and the inevitable traffic problems don't have as much impact. It's more expensive for them, but I think they should bear that burden rather than asking strangers to give up their neighborhood peace and quiet.

Answer 2

Generally, temples tend to raise property values. They are a positive addition to any neighborhood. Opposition is common to the building of temples simply because the adversary of righteousness does not want to see the Kingdom of God expand on earth so he places obstacles in the way everywhere the church goes and grows.

That said, the church does work diligently with the locals to assuage their fears and mitigate their concerns. Here in Sacramento, the locals expressed fears that the temple on the hill off the south side of I-50 would be too bright and be a distraction for drivers. That proved to be a non-issue. You don't even see it from the freeway unless you are specifically looking for it. The car mall is far brighter than the temple and is much closer to the freeway.

As for temples in residential areas, you can look at the Las Vegas and Reno Temples in Nevada as well as the Mesa Temple in Arizona to see that they enhance the neighborhood, not detract from it. In Boston, the neighbors made a fuss about the height of the steeple so the church agreed to shorten it. The church always tries to accommodate the neighborhood as long as our purposes can still be fulfilled.

Answer 3

Isn't it the responsibility of the home owner to learn about the zoning laws in their area before purchasing? Looking at the picture in the story you linked, it looks like a rural type setting. Just because you live in the country doesn't mean your area isn't zoned for churches, schools or even industrial.



Google: neighbors protest proposed church, and you will find that these kinds of protests are happening all over the country, why single out just one religion?



I agree the people have the right to protest, but the LDS Church also has the right to build their temple on property zoned for a church. It sounds like only one side in this issue is willing to compromise.

Answer 4

If the LDS church decided to build a temple next door to me, I wouldn't mind any more than I would if a mosque was built next door to me. Religious buildings could only help property values since they don't contribute to crime at all. Well, except when some poor Mormon realizes he's being fooled and tries to get revenge by sabotaging one of the church buildings or commits suicide on temple properties.



Denying people the right to worship freely by telling them they can't build more church buildings will only strengthen their faith. Plus, this is America, I don't see how anyone could object to a church being built.

Answer 5

When I was a Mormon, our local ward struggled for years to find land on which to build a chapel, leave alone a temple. The local residents complained about every plan, and it was deeply frustrating. While I now can see the residents' point in a number of cases, in some it was simple intolerance, and, however much I may now disagree with a lot of what the Mormons believe and even do, I think knee-jerk rejection is unfair.

Answer 6

They reduce crime, they increase property values. They also bring lots of visitors which are good for local businesses. Also and I know it's my opinion I've never seen an ugly temple (besides Ogden but they are redoing that one).



The funny thing is all of these protesters aren't going through the proper channels, they voted for the council that decides zoning requirements and that allowed the church to obtain permits to build.

Answer 7

Those residential areas always seem to be wealthier than average. And in predominantly white neighborhoods. Anyone notice that? No inner cities. At least they used to be. I haven't really paid any attention to them for a very long time.



There won't be any here! Farmland is too valuable, they won't pay the price, and mostly--nobody will sell to them. Thank GOD we had one farmer's family sell a bit to a small independent cult church for some quick cash, and they've been nothing but trouble to the town since! That learned 'em good. Whew.



I'm sure the LDS will say they improve the area with their presence. But if its in a strictly residential area? It's still a commercial building, and that brings private property values down. It increases traffic, which puts more wear and tear on roads, puts pressure on sewer systems, water resources, etc..... and the noise! We belong to a house church and must host our church in the winter. We can't in good weather because of competing noise from this fringe church group carrying on, playing loud music endlessly for hours and hours in the summertime--without A/C. It's about 1/2 mile from our home. Property values have gone down a bit, but you are right--those are deceptive numbers. Only, they went down before the economic downturn.



If we ever need to sell our farm, we definitely won't be showing it on Sundays.



LDS temples wouldn't bother me a bit if they never got built, whether industrial or commercial areas or even on the moon. Use the money more wisely. Help the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, pay medical bills for the sick, shore up excons trying to make something better of their lives. And that's just in their church! Of course, the poor, naked, sick, ex-prisoners could always live in that $4 billion shopping mall project in SLC, UT the LDS church is building for profit. Right? Or how about those exclusive condo complexes in Diamond Head, Hawaii they are also building to their profit? Move right in, folks! Welcome!



Sure.

Answer 8

Jesus Christ had opposition against Him.



Jesus Christ was disparaged, and lied about, and perjured, and brought into court, and false witness was borne against him.



And then Jesus Christ was wrongly executed, the only completely innocent man that had ever lived, because Jesus Christ had been righteous in even the small thngs, not just the big things like not committing adultery and not murdering etc.



Jesus Christ was one with the Father, and as a result of that, He was on a higher plain of consciousness than others around Him. So they resisted Him tooth and nail.



And behold, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is restored. And this restored Church of Jesus Christ builds Temples to honor Jesus Christ's name. And the opposition mounts against these holy buildings, by those who gnash their teeth and grind against all that Jesus Christ stood for, namely righteousness and charity.



And people wonder why the Nation of America is falling further and further into an economic depression. And the leaders of the people rise up like they did against Jesus, and they blaspheme, and they lie, and they bear false witness, and they bring a curse down upon themselves, and the economy rots further and further, and they themselves think that God will always allow them to arrogantly take pleasure in sin.



But this is against the plans of almighty God. And the day will surely come, when all that fight against Zion, and against God's purity, will surely be swept off from the face of the entire Earth.



People can choose whatever they want to do. They can prosper according to the mercy of almighty God, or they can dwindle and be destroyed, because of their own wickedness and resistance to all that is good and holy.



Life is about choices. It really really is. How will you choose to live???





God bless.

Answer 9

I dont have a problem with that, here in america, all have the right to worship where they want and how they want.



Wherever they are built would not bother me, but they would have to respect the local laws on zoning correctly.



Let them build.

Answer 10

@ C. Certainly you know since you used to be Mormon that we don't play loud music at our church services and you absolutely wouldn't hear loud music from the Temple. Your point is invalid.

Answer 11

Attempting to stop buildings of temples is a form of violation of freedom of religion.

Answer 12

Temples have less traffic than churches, and do not hurt property values. They should be welcome in any neighborhood.

Answer 13

They are beautiful buildings and while you may not like what is in them you have to love their architecture.

Answer 14

I am an atheist and I do live in Phoenix. My opinion about it is may be a bit extreme. I prefer not to have any religious building for it is another one full building of brainwashing activity.