Recent articles and letters to The Tribune (e.g., “Latter-day Saints should live and let live, especially in Utah,” Gordon Monson, letter from Steve Warren “Gimme an amen,”) highlight the continuing tension arising from the practices of religious adherents, especially members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that permeate the conduct of the public’s business in Utah.
One recurring issue is the appropriateness of prayers at the beginnings of public meetings. This prompts me to submit again an alternative statement previously published in 1992 and 2014 that avoids controversy in a respectful way.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may we pause for a moment to reflect upon our common goals before we begin the business of this meeting. We are privileged to gather here together in a system that gives us freedom to participate in our own governance. Whether from within or through the strength provided by our personal faiths, we seek wisdom, understanding, fairness and resolve in the fulfillment of our duties and in the pursuance of our goals. May our differences be respected and our common aspiration of promoting the public good be our guide in carrying out the tasks we are about to undertake.”
This approach establishes a purposely neutral motivational atmosphere for conduct of a meeting.
Clayton Parr, Draper
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