Bishop's Central Storehouse opens in Salt Lake City, Utah

A new 570,391-square-foot Bishop's Central Storehouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been opened in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Located at 5405 W. 300 S., the Bishop's Central Storehouse contains floor space for approximately 63,000 square feet of freezer/cooler/cold dock space; 23,630 square feet for Deseret Transportation, the Church's fleet of Semis used to transport aid; 18,333 square feet of administrative offices; 297,695 square feet of rack-storage space; and 210,884 square feet of bulk-storage space ("New central storehouse opens in S.L.", Deseret News, Friday 27 January 2012).

Many non-members wonder why the Church keeps a Bishop's Storehouse.  The reason for this is to answer fully the scripture which says,

And again, if there shall be properties in the hands of the church, or any individuals of it, more than is necessary for their support after this first consecration, which is a residue to be consecrated unto the bishop, it shall be kept to administer to those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants.  Therefore, the residue shall be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy, as shall be appointed by the high council of the church, and the bishop and his council . . .And if thou obtainest more than that which would be for thy support, thou shalt give it into my storehouse, that all things may be done according to that which I have said (D&C 42:33-34, 55).

The Church has wealth only because the Lord has ordained The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to save the world, both temporally and spiritually, both the living and the dead.  Only The Church of Jesus Christ can fulfill this mandate, because it is the only religion acknowledged by God as His own.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Salt Lake City voted top religious tourist destination

The National Tour Association conducted a survey in their monthly publication, Courier; the results show Salt Lake City, Utah as the top North American religious-based tourist attraction, which is also tied with Israel as the most attractive spot for faith-based travel, according to today's Deseret News.  The announcement will be published in the January edition of Courier.

This is fitting for the great City of Salt Lake, but especially for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied, "I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains" (History of the Church 5:85).  Indeed have the Saints of God become a mighty people in the Valleys of Zion.

The aforementioned survey to be published in the Courier of January next helps also to fulfill a prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:2-3).  The Mormon Eagle declares that only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have power given them by God to fulfill this prophecy.  Only that Church is Authorized by God to act in His name, and all others are pretenders.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Utah Hospitality Association seeks to silence LDS Church

The Utah Hospitality Association asked the US District Court in Salt Lake City last week to ignore all statements by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding Utah's liquor laws.  Ken Wynn, a member of UHA's board, said, "The LDS Church carries a big foot in this state and influences legislation.  We are suggesting the LDS Church butt out of legislation regarding liquor.  I doubt that will even happen, but at least we are bringing that to the attention of the people" ("Liquor suit seeks to silence LDS Church", Deseret News, Wednesday 2 November 2011, A7).  What!  Make the Church stop speaking its own views, when the Constitution says all have freedom of speech?!  The Mormon Eagle proffers the only reason the Utah Hospitality Association want the LDS Church to shut its mouth: "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center" (1 Nephi 16:2).  UHA won't say that this is the reason, however; every right-thinking, Constitution-upholding American will agree with The Mormon Eagle, because under that Divine sheet, all have a right to be heard, no matter what.  It is clear the UHA does not understand law at all.  They have no right to attempt to quash any religion from speaking its mind, for the LDS Church has the same right as the UHA to do so.

This issue the UHA has against the LDS Church can be settled by an appeal to the scriptures, as to what they have to say about law, and what the UHA cannot do.  The Lord has said that the Consitution is a "constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles" (D&C 101:77).  The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "No government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience" (D&C 134:2).  If the Utah Hospitality Association feels to complain more so of the LDS Church, then let them; they are only fighting against the God of Heaven and Earth, and will perish.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.