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By Kent Larsen
Vandals Hit Another LDS Chapel
LEVAN, UTAH -- Vandals spray-painted graffiti on a 97-year-old LDS chapel in
tiny Levan, Utah, the latest act of vandalism against the LDS Church. But
while the incident proves that small towns aren't immune from these acts of
vandalism, what the Levan chapel experienced was light compared to other
recent attacks.
The vandalism in Levan was limited to the building's outside stairs,
sidewalks and handrails. It was discovered when Church members arrived for
services Sunday morning, shocking members who hadn't expected that their
chapel would experience such an attack. "The message wasn't very nice," said
Bishop Lee Walker. "By the time we knew it was there, it was time to start
our meetings. We did address the congregation and ask anyone who had
information about the graffiti to please come forward." Leaders dragged rugs
outside to cover up the worst of the graffiti.
Local members were very surprised that the vandals would attack a Church in
a small town like Levan, which is located less than 10 miles south of Nephi,
Utah and about 50 miles south of Provo. "I wonder why someone would strike
out against the LDS Church like this and in Levan specifically," said
long-time Levan resident Kelley Paystrup. "I can't think of any ongoing feud
or any other bad feelings that could have led to this."
The Levan vandalism comes after a string of incidents in the Salt Lake
Valley, including the vandalism of a Sandy, Utah meetinghouse that police
there called the worst ever in their town. Recent news reports say that
local leaders believe vandalism is increasing. In addition to the Sandy
vandalism, eight LDS chapels in Holladay and Murray were vandalized in April
and a West Valley City LDS chapel was set on fire. Mormon News' reports also
show that the Logan 4th ward was vandalized in June while an LDS Chapel in
Lexington, Ohio was heavily damaged in an arson fire earlier this month.
Source:
Vandals hit church building in Levan
Provo UT Daily Herald pgA5 24Jul01 D1
By Caleb Warnock: The Daily Herald
See also:
Mormon News' Coverage of Vandalism Against Mormon Property
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