Christian fraternity's actions contrary to UNM's goals

Editor,

Regarding the "Christian fraternity turns away Mormon" story on Tuesday, I think it is unfortunate that a freshman student's first experience on the UNM campus involved discrimination. Regardless of what regulations are or are not published regarding this discriminatory practice, this action is contrary to UNM's goal of student retention, and it's certainly not very Christian.

The article printed in the Daily Lobo accurately reported members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in the Book of Mormon as holy scripture in addition to the Bible. However, I believe the article was missing the following key component to the discussion of this issue. The Book of Mormon is the record of a people who lived on the American continent between 600 BCE and 400 CE. These people believed in the coming of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the Book of Mormon chronicles the visit of Jesus Christ to the American continent following his resurrection in Jerusalem and ascension into heaven. During this visit, Jesus Christ established his church among these people and called 12 apostles to serve his church. This pattern is consistent with Christ's ministry as recorded in the Bible.

Based on these teachings, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints view the Book of Mormon as a second record on equal footing with the Bible in inviting the world to believe in Jesus Christ. This belief states that Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world and that through his sacrifice, all those who believe in him may be saved from their sins, and he will one day return. The Book of Mormon also prophesies that in our time, true believers in Christ will be cast out of nonbelievers' churches.

Perhaps the discrimination against John Bundy is an instance of this prophecy's fulfillment. In response to Brent Webster's comments regarding a Mormon fraternity, there are several active chapters of Lambda Delta Sigma at universities in neighboring states. These chapters welcome anyone and participate in activities and accept members of any religious denomination. At UNM, the LDS Institute of Religion is just across the street and similarly welcomes anyone to participate in classes, religious worship and activities. I invite Webster and Nelson to attend, and I hope they feel more welcome than Bundy did at Kappa Upsilon Chi.

Tim Hoyt

UNM student