Christian Opponents Object to Mormon Temple in Indiana

A group of Christians is up in arms about the opening of Indiana’s first regional Mormon temple in Carmel. To protest the new temple, the group says it will erect a tent across the street to state “the truth” about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

USA Today reports Utah-based Tri-Grace Ministries is at the helm of the protest. Last week the group advertised across Carmel, Westfield and Zionsville newspapers, stating that the Mormon church is a religion of “deception.” Now the group is planning an event to publicize founder Joseph Smith’s multiple wives, though the church renounced polygamy in 1890. 

Tri-Grace Ministries founder Chip Thompson said, “In a sense, we believe they are not telling people the truth. They're not following what Jesus taught. It concerns us that Christians are being deceived by their message."

Some Christians reject the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as non-Christian, but others believe the protesting of Tri-Grace is out of line. 

Westfield pastor Chris Duckworth said, “We don't treat people, who have been seriously picked on, in that way.” 

He continued, "If my Mormon brother says he's a Christian, I'll accept his word at that. We might disagree in theology or have differences in opinion about what core tenets of Christianity are. But I'm not going to deny him the right to call himself what he or she in their faith believe they are."

The regional Mormon temple will be dedicated on Aug. 23. 

Publication date: July 15, 2015