Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: January 25, 2020 06:59PM
As I've mentioned before, my sister is part of a community inter-faith group that includes Mormons. She tells me about interactions that would make you laugh and make you wince. She mentioned the other day that she had asked whether a Mormon ward building could be used as an overnight "cold weather shelter" for people who are homeless. There would be professional trained, monitored staff provided who would supervise overnight, provide food, meet medical and security needs, tidy up in the morning and ensure the building was then vacated. The whole system is overseen by government agencies.
The answer was no, due to "nobody being allowed to stay in an LDS building overnight".
I had never heard this before. I assume it's a safety, security and/or insurance issue. Fair enough. But the optics aren't good. Temperatures are below zero. We've had snow and endless pelting rain. Shelter beds are in short supply. Meanwhile, big useful spaces remain empty that could be used to provide warm, dry, friendly environments for people who are in great need.
The LDS phrase "large and spacious building" came unbidden into my head. Never having become all that familiar with the BoM and Mormon teachings, I didn't know what it was. Assumed maybe something to do with temples, tabernacles, or other Mormon holy places.
I was thinking that "large and spacious building" is a perfect description of the stake centre where my ward met. Big overspill area at the back of the chapel. Plenty of room for basketball to keep the mishies happy. Fully-equipped kitchen. Several large washrooms. Empty most days and always overnight.
I just looked it up. Turns out it's a metaphor.
LDS explanation of the “large and spacious building”:
https://bookofmormonstudynotes.blog/2019/11/21/what-did-the-great-and-spacious-building-represent/Excerpts:
“After seeing the crucifixion of the Savior, Nephi saw many people fighting against the twelve apostles whom Jesus had chosen. He saw those people gathered in a “large and spacious building, like unto the building which my father saw.” An angel explained to him that this building represented “the world and the wisdom thereof.” Then, the angel said that the people in that building would “fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (1 Nephi 11:35).
“Nephi explained that this building represented “the pride of the world.” He also saw its ultimate fate: “It fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great.” Since it had no foundation and floated in the air, its fall is not hard to visualize. Since it was a large building, it’s not hard to believe that the fall was massive.
“Lest the connection to the apostles be lost, the angel made the following observation after the building fell: “Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (1 Nephi 11:36).
“Shortly afterward, in the same vision, Nephi saw his own descendants fighting against the descendants of his brothers. The angel again referred to the building, reminding Nephi that
“the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men.” Nephi saw that his descendants would be overpowered and destroyed because of their pride (1 Nephi 12:18-19).”
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Gordon B. Hinckley had his "little flecks of history" (Blacks banned from holding the priesthood). Russell M. Nelson has his large and spacious buildings. They could embody Christian principles such as compassion as well as reverence for Jesus, who purportedly used his divine power to feed the hungry and heal the sick and afflicted, which is apt in these circumstances.
Imagine how it could be. LDS buildings that are alive, hubs, beehives, community assets. Places known for good.
Instead, they're just a metaphor.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2020 07:02PM by Nightingale.