I read "Utah Mormons urged to back missionary high-rise near BYU" (Tribune, July 10) with shock and sadness.

I grew up in the Pleasant View First Ward in Provo, where my parents have lived for almost 50 years. My parents are active members who have served missions and sent five children on missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the 1970s, when the LDS Missionary Training Center replaced the beautiful pear orchard next to our home, neighbors were promised that the buildings would never exceed four stories. Now the church has gone back on its word and wants to build a nine-story building adjacent to a residential neighborhood, ruining its quiet ambience and lowering property values.

At first, neighbors were told this was a secular matter and they had every right to oppose it. Now that the church is facing opposition, it is calling this an ecclesiastical matter in which members need to back off and support "the Brethren." Plausible alternatives to housing missionaries in the MTC aren't being considered.

What is happening is immoral, unethical and an abuse of power. It is a shame that it is happening in the name of religion and missionary work.

Susan Hansen

South Jordan