[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            A MORMON MOMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES V. HANSEN

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, the national news publication, Newsweek, has 
published an article entitled ``A Mormon Moment,'' authored by Mr. 
Kenneth L. Woodward, (9/10/01) which highlights the growing influence 
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, sometimes referred 
to as the LDS Church, or ``Mormon Church'' in world religion, and in 
particular, its influence in my home State of Utah. As home to the 
upcoming 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Salt Lake City, also serves as the 
world headquarters for the church.
  Woodward's article made the case that the church, its history, its 
doctrine and influence on political and civic affairs will be under the 
world's media spotlight during the 2002 Winter Games in February. I 
think that is a safe assumption.
  Religious belief is a deeply personal subject. Religious faith, or 
the lack thereof, defines largely who we are as a person. It is one of 
the the most profound influences on our individual thoughts and 
actions. It is inherently difficult for a person of one faith to 
objectively and completely explain the doctrines and beliefs of another 
faith. I believe that, as a non-LDS reporter, Mr. Woodward's 
characterizations of LDS doctrines and teachings may have encountered 
some of this same difficulty.
  As a fourth and fifth generation member of the LDS church, I must 
admit that I found some of Mr. Woodward's characterizations of my 
beliefs and the history of the church to be strained or not entirely 
accurate in some instances, and perpetuates some unfortunate and 
outdated stereotypes.
  However, it is not really appropriate or productive to engage in 
debate or detailed discussions on religious doctrines and beliefs on 
the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and that is not my 
purpose in bringing this subject up tonight. Again, religious belief is 
deeply felt and personal, and each person should be left to discover 
and follow his or her own faith.
  My purpose in coming to the floor on this subject tonight is seek to 
dispel the notion inherent in this article that the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter Day Saints, or LDS Church, is actively seeking to 
exploit the 2002 Winter Games. I also want to dispel the notion that 
the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Games is somehow 
beholden to or acting improperly in concert with the LDS Church.
  I think that a few points must be made in counterbalance to Mr. 
Woodward's article that will help place all of this in perspective.
  First, I respectfully disagree with the author's assertion that 
``[n]ot since the ancient Olmpiads were held under the gaze of Zeus and 
his randy band of gods and goddesses have the Games been staged in a 
local so thoroughly saturated by a single religion.``
  Approximately 72% of Utahans statewide claim membership to the LDS 
church. Even though 72% is still a substantial majority, the author 
failed to point out that within Salt Lake City itself, the figures are 
roughly 50% LDS members to 50% non-members. He also failed to point out 
that while many of Utah's prominent government leaders are LDS (which 
should not be a surprise when reflecting the composition of the general 
population), he failed to note that the last two mayors of Utah's 
largest city and capitol, Salt Lake City, including the current mayor, 
are not Members of the LDS church.
  For balance, I think it's important to recognize that religious 
influences often permeate local cultures wherever one chooses to look. 
Olympic events have been held in several other venues where there have 
been even greater religious majorities than Salt Lake City.
  For example, I recall the Winter Olympic Games being held in 
Grenoble, France, in the late 1960's. France's population is over 90% 
Roman Catholic, and that particular faith and the history of the French 
people and culture are inseparable. The French have historically viewed 
their national identity as being intertwined with Catholicism. It is 
part of ``who they are.''
  Another example is the Winter Olympic Games which were held in 
Lillehammer, Norway. I recently visited Norway. It is an 
extraordinarily beautiful country. Approximately 86% of the population 
are Lutheran. In addition, Lutheranism is the State Church. One could 
say the same thing about the influence of protestantism on Norwegian 
culture and politics as that which Catholicism had on France.
  Yet another example is the most recent winter games held in Nagano, 
Japan. 98% of Japanese are followers of the ancient Shinto and Buddhist 
religions.
  I'm sure that if we looked further, we could find other similar 
examples. Therefore, it should not strike the world, nor the media, as 
unusual that religion plays an important part in the culture and 
history of Salt Lake City and its people. To the extent that this fact 
is newsworthy is the result of decisions made by the media themselves, 
and is not part of any organized effort on the part of the church or 
the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. I sincerely hope that the 
motivation for some of the media coverage of the LDS Church and its 
doctrines in the context of the 2002 Olympics is not motivated by some 
religious bias or prejudice based on specific beliefs.
  For example, wouldn't it strike most people odd to have Newsweek 
write articles discussing specific Catholic or Lutheran, or Shinto 
religious beliefs in detail in the context of an Olympic story in 
France, Norway or Japan? To some extent, the attention focused on 
specific LDS religious beliefs in the context of the 2002 Winter Games 
seems out of place.
  Second, I think the author did not adequately express the 
separateness of the 2002 Winter Games and the Salt Lake Organizing 
Committee from the LDS Church. They are entirely separate. One is a 
religious organization and world religion. The other is a secular 
organization. While there are LDS members who serve on the SLOC 
Executive Committee, a substantial majority of SLOC officials and 
employees are not members of the LDS Church.
  It has been my experience that both organizations have sought, very 
diligently, to ensure that there is no undue influence, or even the 
appearance of undue influence, by the Church on the organization or 
outcome of the games. Any assertion that there has been undue influence 
is totally unsubstantiated.
  Further, I would like to point out that these are America's Games. 
They're the world's games. They're not Utah's Games, nor the LDS 
Church's games. Like any other American city or state, we're proud to 
host, for a short time, the premier winter sports events in the world.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that people would recognize 
that the reason that Salt Lake City was chosen to host the 2002 Winter 
Games is because of its reputation as having the ``Greatest Snow on 
Earth.'' It has world-class skiing opportunities and venues.
  We are all working together to ensure that all visitors feel welcome 
in Utah and in the United States. If you come to the games, you will 
have a good time. The focus will be on the athletic competition, as it 
should be.
  We welcome the world to our state. We have nothing to hide and 
nothing to be embarrassed about. We also have nothing to apologize for. 
Utahs' citizens of whatever religious background share in their pride 
and enthusiasm for upholding the Olympic Spirit. There is, and will be, 
a place at the table for everyone.

                          ____________________