‘American Fork Citizen’ editor hopes Mormons not on ‘wrong side of history’

In his “editor’s note,” American Fork Citizen editor Danny Crivello wondered aloud if Utah legislators could “ever allow the practice of gay marriage even though it is something his Christian faith can’t reconcile, recognizing as a lawmaker the individual’s right.”

Saying his family, country and church have been on the wrong side of history, he decided to interview two gay Brigham Young University students to learn more about “a subject I know little of.”

My grandpa served in Hitler’s army. I remember growing up ashamed of being the son of a German. I live now in a country which I adore but whose Founding Fathers were once slave owners. I have experience working on Indian reservations, and I’m a member of a church that, in my lifetime, has discriminated against blacks. You could say that I know a bit about being on the wrong side of history.

Last week, the LDS Church released its new website, mormonsandgays.org, which was two years in the making, and the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will review gay marriage. In an effort to educate myself on a subject I know little, I interviewed two gay students at BYU, wondering whether my family will stand again on the wrong side of history.

The two students appreciated the softening stance of the church, including no longer excommunicating gay members or expelling gay students and said that polls showing support of a minority are tricky and likely irrelevant. Only 20 percent of Americans supported interracial marriage when the Supreme Court ruled in 1968 states could not make it illegal. It was up to legislators and the courts to insure citizens’ rights.

In American Fork this year, the City Council lifted the ban on beer sales on Sunday. The council — all active members of the Church, some local leaders — said the “blue” law favored Christians but discriminated against other religions. Some council members said they never had a drop of alcohol and don’t plan on shopping on Sunday, but resident Karandeep Singh should be allowed to sell. And the ban was lifted.

I wonder if such a wise statement on separation of held-beliefs and the orderly pursuit of happiness by men of different faiths could ever be made by one of our state officials. Could a Utah legislator ever allow the practice of gay marriage even though it is something his Christian faith can’t reconcile, recognizing as a lawmaker the individual’s right?

I hope the leaders of the Church will continue to seek revelations to better understand a subject they’ve acknowledged to be complex, as they actively did with polygamy and blacks and the priesthood. Believe me, it’s so easy to find yourself on the wrong side of history.

If this can happen in American Fork…