In the late 1960s and early 1970s, after emigrating to the USA, I went to
University attending night classes for many years. One of my Professors was a
"Stake-holder" or the equivalent of a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ and
Latter Day Saints, colloquially known as the "Mormons". The Mormons had just
constructed a very impressive church on a hillock in Silver Spring, Maryland
close to where I had lived at that time, a stone's throw away from the
Washington DC boundary.
Having constructed the church, knowing that there were a lot of curious folks
out there,
they allowed a few people by invitation only, to tour their new "church". My
Professor was kind enough to give my family an invitation. This is where I
learnt a few things about the
Mormon church. The church building was not a church in the conventional
sense,(at least this one in the Washington DC suburbs) as it did not have a
large central chamber of
worship like conventional churches. It was a magnificent building
nevertheleess. It was situated on a hill with a good vantage point and was
quite tall and had a golden angel
(the Angel Moroni) blowing a trumpet.
When we entered the main foyer there was a huge bowl like structure mounted
on 4 Oxen figgures.We were told that worshippers first had to ritually wash
their feet and then go into changing rooms where they changed into all white
clothes (robes for women and suits for men),
Then they went to different chambers depending on what they were to do that day.
There were a lot of separate chambers. One was for brides with wall to wall
mirrors.
Another was the genealogical library with dozens of "Microfiche" machines
(before
computers came into widespread use), where they could research the geneaology
of their
ancestors etc. We were told that according to their faith, they searched for
the names of
their ancestors and ritually retroactively converted them to the Mormon faith.
This was the primary purpose of their genealogical research. I dont recall
what the other chambers were for. The inside of the building was all clad in
white marble with no windows, but large vertical sheets of translucent brown
and white marble, providing some difused light.
We walked on what must have been very expensive very plush "sink in the pile"
royal blue carpeting. After allowing a week for people to view their
"sanctuary" as they referred to the building, the entire church was ritually
cleaned, the expensive carpet removed and destroyed and the church
re-carpeted. The church was then sealed off for non-Mormons and those not in
good books with their church. This was told to me by my Professor.
The Mormons eschew all stimulants including alcohol, coffee, chocolate etc.
They also maintain within their homes, enough food to last 6 months. This is
probably because of
their history when they were persecuted by Americans of other denominations,
and had to
flee westwards till they landed in the state of Utah,. They contribute 10
percent of their earnings to their church and in turn when they are in
financial trouble they are supported by the congregation till the person is
back on his feet. They tend to have large families and believe in strong family
bonds. When a Mormon boy turns 18, he is required to give one year of service
as a Missionary in foreign countries. All in all, I have a very favorable
impression of people of the Mormon faith, many of whom were my personal
friends. As I recall, the Mormon church was founded in Pennsylvania, USA by
their prophet Joseph
Smith, who is reputed to have received two golden tablets on a mountain top
from the
Angel Moroni. In the early years of their faith, because of their depleted
numbers, especially the men having lost their lives while defending themselves
against persecution,
the church encouraged men to take several wives, because there were so many
women without husbands. It is also alleged (I stress alleged) that they at one
time looked down on people with color as "lesser" human beings, and only whites
were allowed to
join their church. This has since changed.
One of the U.S. Presidential candidates Mitt Romney is of the Mormon faith.
Another very prominent family in the Hospitality industry, the Marriott family
are also Mormon. The
Goa Marriott Hotel is affiliated with the Marriott Hotel chain.
The Mormons are reputed to have the best geneaological database inthe world.
So I am not surprised that they even have information about our Goa churches.
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