World Religions seminars begin at Wind Crest

By Laurie Whittier
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

In the name of acceptance, Wind Crest Pastoral Ministries and Community Resources kicked off a new World Religion seminar series in April.   The opening seminar—featuring Mormonism—was presented by Active Minds, an organization dedicated to expanding lives and minds through community-based educational programs.

The idea to select the Mormon faith as the first topic in this free series came from the Resident Advisory Committee and members of the Spiritual Light & Life group, says Wind Crest Pastoral Ministries Manager David Maes. Open to residents, their guests, and staff , the first seminar drew more than 30 people.

“When you expand your mind, your tolerance and understanding tend to increase as well,” Maes told the Tribune. “All are welcome at Wind Crest.”

“We do not advocate for or against any religion in our seminars,” says John Henderson, seminar presenter and founder of Active Minds. “We just present background relative to a religion’s origins and how it is playing out today.”

Henderson explained that interest and curiosity surrounding Latter Day Saints has grown in recent months, especially when Republican Governor Mitt Romney began campaigning for President. The death of the president of the Mormon Church several months ago also factored into the growing interest.

Henderson presented the origins, facts, and current events surrounding Mormonism, including:

• Differentiation between Latter Day Saints and Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints

• Details surrounding the call for an “extermination of Mormons” by a Missouri governor in 1938 which resulted in 17 Mormons being killed

• How such a large percentage of Mormons ended up settling in Utah

• The recent situation in central Texas involving a “splinter” group of Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints