Click here to read my original letter to the Mormons from October 11, 2010, where I gave them a copy of a photo I had taken of their San Diego Temple and asked about tours for the general public.
The reply:
First off, that is awesome... the Mormons want to use my photo for their Christmas card?
Daniel, the photographer for the Mormon Christmas card.
I half expected that it would've been tossed in the trash, especially because my letter to them was laced with what could be taken as subtle sarcasm. Second, I feel like a bit of a jerk now being that I mentioned Big Love. Third, I didn't put too much thought in this, but... I never considered that Mormons took to celebrating Christmas. I suppose it only makes sense, being that they believe in the Jesus.
I've known a handful of Mormons in a friend capacity. While I've taken some time to sit and question them and discuss their faith (including a few missionaries that have perhaps caught me off-guard), a few things that always stands out is their ability to socialize, their ability to smile and make light of most anything, and their ability to make me feel unexplainably uncomfortable in my own skin.
I'm not trying to bash Mormonism. I was raised in a non-denominational Christian congregation which I've long since separated from, come from a Catholic family, and my closest friend from San Diego is a practicing Muslim. I've been taught and practice a lot of tolerance, even though I define myself as Agnostic, borderline Atheist.
I paused several times before I sent out the original letter, honestly done in the spirit of fun... and here I get this genuine response back from Bruce Olsen, the President of the San Diego Temple. AND he has offered to personally give me a tour of the place, which is entirely unheard of for a Mormon Temple.
So now I'm faced with... do I call him? Or do I let it be?
I want to call because he gave me the time of day by writing a sincere letter back to me, is giving me the honor of using my photo for their Christmas card, and he is willing to give me a tour of what I think is considered a very sacred place for his people... and I want to see what it looks like on the inside.
I don't want to call because I don't want to have anyone try to convince me that Mormonism is the way to go, I don't want to have people in bicycle helmets knocking down my door every week, and I don't want to have it turn into a debate on Mormonism vs Agnosticism.
I'm torn. What would you do?
I find it freaking AMAZING that you actually got a reply and you should definitely call them! Your photo? On a Christmas card???
ReplyDeleteThat is effing sweet.
That is hilarious. You should DEFINITELY call them. Takes lots of pictures of their secret temple insides and share with us!
ReplyDeleteYou have to go, Dan. Every non-Mormon San Diegan I know has always wanted to check out the inside of that place. I bet it's pretty sweet.
ReplyDeletePlus, yeah, the guy took the time to write you back, and they are requesting to use your photo for their Christmas card. Awesome. I really don't think they are going to berate you about your religious beliefs, especially since you already stated them in your letter. My guess is you'll go home with a handful of literature, and you'll end up on their Christmas card list. No harm done.
-Scott
OMG! (is it ok to say that?) LOL … That is a beautiful building and what an amazing picture you have taken. I can’t help but wander what the recipient of this letter was thinking as he or she was reading it. Usually, when I get something in the mail presented as “free for you” item, I am always waiting for the “all” you have to do is… In any rate, I am glad you will have the chance to tour the inside of the temple and take more pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou HAVE to call him. Do it. Hey, you did something really nice for them -- provided them with a beautiful photo for their Christmas cards. (You obviously need a copy of that card, too.)
ReplyDeleteDo you think "a tour of the grounds" means actually going inside? I only wondered when he also mentioned the upcoming visitor center on the grounds...in any case, give him a call and take the tour. Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life kicking yourself for not touring the Mormon temple.
Dear Daniel,
ReplyDeleteIf I got some letter with JESUS CHRIST written on it like that (as well as on the envelope), it would freak my shit out.
I've known both kinds of Mormons, you're good and your bad, and that's all I'm going to say about that.
All that said, I would accept their invitation so fast, it would spin your head.
Best of luck with the God Squad,
Erin O'Brien
Hate to point it out, but you're not getting inside. You get a tour of the "grounds", meaning you get to walk around the outside. The nice part is you get to do that with a tour guide.
ReplyDelete