On Sunday night (18th August 2013), ABC radio featured part 2 of a national interview on ‘The Good Life’ regarding the journey of the Mormon pioneers to the new ‘Zion’.
The interview was with Perth mission president, Bruce Lindsay, a former news broadcaster with Utah's KSL TV.
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Host of the interview was Noel Debien of the ABC religion unit. He has a weekly Sunday evening program exploring the issues, events and people driving development in religion.
Here is an excerpt from Mr Debien’s introduction to the interview:
“Pioneer Day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.
“It tells the story of the foundation and gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, their experience of persecution and then their long frontier journey to a safe haven in Utah.
“This well-groomed and family-oriented group emerged in the midst of a deeply religious American frontier society-genuine cowboy country. They were soon attacked for their novel beliefs and behaviour. The 1838 Missouri Executive Order 44 is just one example of what they were up against. It declared Mormons to be 'enemies' and said they were to be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace.
“For non-Mormons, their story might be understood in light of the settling, establishing and orientation of the American nation. Their Church emerged as a phenomenon during the end of the 'Second Great Awakening'; a major Protestant revival movement during the early 19th century. Yet in foundation they were not regular Protestants, given their professed belief in newly-revealed scriptures in the Book of Mormon.
“They were something unknown and outlandish to 19th century mainline Protestants. They honour a living prophet, ongoing revelation, and initially accepted plural marriage. The uniqueness of their beliefs and lives soon found them targeted and persecuted.
“American-born Bruce Lindsay is Latter-day Saint Mission President in Perth; now a site of one of Australia's five Mormon Temples.”
To listen to the interview, “The Good life and Mormon Pioneer Day (Part 2)”, click here.
For “The Good life and Mormon Pioneer Day (Part 1)”, click here.