This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Concerning the report of Elder Russell M. Nelson's "eleventh hour" comments "to help prepare…for the second coming…" (Jan. 11):
As a native and lifelong resident of Utah, I can shrug off most of his apocalyptic rant with an indulgent smile as simply another amusing quirk of an amusingly quirky religion.
One comment, however, is deeply personal and highly offensive. It demands a response.
Elder Nelson and his associates should understand the world is full of people like me who enjoy many fond and enduring friendships with devout Mormons. What are we to think of our Mormon neighbors, friends and family members now that God, through their prophet, has told them we are "servants of satan" because we are not disgusted by the idea of gay marriage?
What are they to think of us? Why can we not exist in harmony?
George Sumner
Salt Lake City