Summary of findings

Number one reason

Mike King

Why Are Different Faiths Coming To Salt Lake City Tabernacle, Once A Year For A Musical Tribute
Advantages Of Temple Square, Support From The LDS Church, A Community That Is Working Together For The Common Good Of Our Neighborhoods

Professor: Justin Jory English 2010 March 31, 2014

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Number one reason why different faiths are coming to Salt Lake City Tabernacle is because of the hospitality of the LDS people. We will discuss the entire inquiry question listed below:

1. Why are so many different religions coming to temple square for a musical tribute? 2. Do you feel uncomfortable being around other religions? 3. How can we strengthen our relationship with all faiths? 4. Is it because of the acoustics? 5. Because of the size of the building? 6. Are you strengthening your own religion? 7. Are you trying to make Utah more diverse? 8. Do you think we can live in harmony in Salt Lake City? 9. Do you think theres any common ground for different faiths? 10. Can we respect other faiths, and still stand up for what we believe in? 11. What is the future of the interfaith Roundtable? 12. What is the big picture? 13. Do you expect the interfaith Roundtable to expand, and to what capacity.

My interviews were conducted in person, one-on-one, and telephone interview. Visiting Temple Square and interviewing people of different faiths, including members of the LDS faith.

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SALT LAKE CITY IS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY

The Entire Community Joined Together In A Great Expression Of Hospitality.
Is it possible for an entire community to join together to work towards a common good? Its not only possible; it is being done in Salt Lake City on Temple Square. Once, a year a musical tribute is held at the Salt Lake City tabernacle, with a representation of 10 different churches throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Every year a different group of other faiths have an opportunity to perform at this event. What better place to hold such an activity: the Salt Lake City Tabernacle is world renowned for its acoustics. This event, hosted by Temple Square, for a group known as the Interfaith Round-Table Organization. This group was organized in 1999, because the Salt Lake City Olympic Committee felt there was a need for participants and spectators to be able to have a place of worship of their choice. During the Olympics, visitors came by the hundreds of thousands, some came with superstitions. Some felt they might be trapped in some unwanted situation by religious zealots. This was not the case; they discovered a scenic area, with magnificent mountains and valleys, a beautiful city, the hostess were gracious, accommodating and anxious to assist them. The entire community joined together in a great expression of hospitality. The influx of people was a wonderful thing for the community and all religious groups, particularly the dominant faith, the LDS church.

Maybe in the next 10 years, they can fill the LDS conference center that seats 21,200, that would be an accomplishment.

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Board members of this organization were ask why Temple Square, the response was without question, because of the LDS Church hospitality, the organization didnt have to do anything but, show up. All the different faiths felt totally comfortable with each other. All the religious groups were there to promote diversity; there was no proselytizing of any sort. Fr. Elias Koucos believed that all faiths in Salt Lake City can work in harmony. What is in the future of the Interfaith Roundtable, in the last 10 years, its more than doubled in size. Maybe in the next 10 years, they can fill the LDS conference center that seats 21,200, that would be an accomplishment.

SALT LAKE CITY WASNT ALWAYS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY

The LDS church was driven out of Nauvoo, Illinois. They chose to travel west,
somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley July 24, 1847. The only civilization was the Ute Indian tribe and a handful of mountain men. Imagine the percentage of the LDS church was somewhere between 95 and 100 percent. The previous year, they were driven out of their homes. The president of their church had just been murdered. Any nonmember of the church would obviously make LDS members feel a little on edge. As years passed the church became more stable, the LDS people would welcome nonmembers to the church. Today, the LDS church has donated land, church buildings, and financial assistance to many religious dominations. The LDS Church is reaching out to all dominations. The leaders of these different churches in the Salt Lake Valley are also trying to make peace with each other.

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PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP THEIR OWN GOD

Why is the LDS Church so hospitable? The churches public relations office does everything it can to befriend other religious organizations. The LDS church abides by their, 13 articles of faith, number 11.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, REGARDLESS OF FAITH

Most people in any given church would say they are not treated well, as far as feeling welcome or connected! This is why many churches are losing their congregations. We are Christs ambassadors, he uses us to draw people from outside into his presence. Its the warn human touch that encouraging others, with a smile, and making others feel special, at first, its difficult to communicate with someone youre not acquainted with ,it seem unnatural, however, if a person will give it a try, they will find it gets easier. . Hospitality is the willingness to share, with what we have, basically, we do not own

anything. We are merely the caretakers for the real owner, God. Relationships are number one priority, we must be willing to go beyond our comfort zone and engage with people. Most people leave a church, not because of the clergy person or doctrine, but because how they were treated. Someone feel comfortable when they make a connection, build a

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relationship, and feel welcomed. This is why the LDS church is growing, and so popular, they know how to treat people! People need to be validated, and then feel a sense of belonging. Unfriendliness, inhospitality, and being annoyed are the opposite of being hospitable. This will push others

Relationships are number one priority, we must be

away; lose friendships, as well as opportunities for personal growth, through networking, connections, and fellowship. The Scriptures pertaining to these are known as rotten fruits. Our problem is not what or who we are, it is how we

willing to go beyond our comfort zone and engage with people.

are! To be successful at hospitality, we need to step outside of our comfort zone. Do not feel discouraged when people dont accept your hospitality. Sometimes we have bad days, or personal problems. Just do your best to be welcoming, regardless of their situation. Our growth will produce compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, sympathy for others.

ALL RELIGIOUS FAITHS HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE

If the Mormon pioneers did not have the initiative to travel west and start all over again and build a community and the Salt Lake City Tabernacle over 150 years ago, there would not be a Salt Lake City Tabernacle to enjoying such a musical tribute. Modern pioneers must continue to build places so that all people can experience what Salt Lake City has to offer. Temple square is continually remodeling and updating their exhibits. Regardless of religious beliefs, people must learn to work together. Religious Diversity in Uath is alive and well, people from all over the Salt Lake Valley have communicated with God in one way or another, the most common way is by prayer. If you find this to be true, then you might believe that, all religious faith leaders, including Joseph Smith of the LDS church, have had communications from God.

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Gordon B Hinckley said it best, We are not without critics, some of whom are mean and vicious. We have always had them, and I suppose we will always have them, all through the future. But we shall go forward, returning good for evil, being helpful and kind and generous. I remind you the teachings of the Lord concerning these matters. You are acquainted with them. Let us be good people, let us be friendly people, let us be neighborly people. Let us be what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ought to be

CONCLUSION
Most Americans believe in a supreme being, and most people in the world believe in some sort of deity. All churches accept God in different ways that is appealing and acceptable to their members. We need to respect each others beliefs and at the same time stand up for what you believe. If all God-fearing people would unite to find some common ground, we would have a better community.

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Works Cited
1. Table In The Wilderness: This Place, Temple Square. Publisher,Xlibris corporation Year, 2012. 2. The Mormon Temple Square: The Story Behind The Scenery. Publisher, KC publications, 1996 3. Carlos E Asay. Salt of the earth: Savior of men and saviors of Men. LDS.org Pages: no page numbers , Date 1980 Pages: Accessed www.lds.org 4. President Gordon B Hinckley. The church goes forward. lds.org (July 2002): Pages: no page numbers Date March 22, 2014 Accessed www.lds.org. 5. Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development, Implementing hospitality www.churchleadership.org, Date 2003, 2004 6. Interviewed individuals 1. Rev. Father Elias Koucos, chair interfaith Roundtable 2. Brian Farr, chairman, interfaith Roundtable 3. Jim Jardine, LDS church 3. Private individuals, visitors to temple square