The chances of finding its members in a bar or coffee shop
around town are slim to none, but the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is growing in San Benito County, and throughout
the world.
San Benito County – The chances of finding its members in a bar or coffee shop around town are slim to none, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing in San Benito County, and throughout the world.
“If you looked around, there are actually a lot of prominent people in the community who are related to the church,” member Brian Kovanda said.
Business leaders, doctors and educators are all members of the local wards of the church, which is 1,100 members strong.
The church itself began in 1830, but the branch in this county started sometime during the 50s in San Juan Bautista, according to member Ruth Nordstrom. When the population began to grow, the ward moved to Hollister and built a church in 1974.
“I moved here in 1979 and there was a little over 100 people here,” member Larry Snyder said. “So there has been quite a bit of growth over the past few decades.”
Since then, the population has continued to grow, and today there are two wards with 500 people each, as well as a Spanish branch of the church. Nationally, there are more than 12 million Mormons, and it’s growing at a rate of about one million new members every three years, according to the church.
Bishop Terry Hill, who runs the county’s 1st ward, said people have misconceptions about the Mormon religion and have called them a “cult” because he and his people believe in a living prophet.
“We believe that the prophet is alive, and that doesn’t fit with the orthodox way,” he said.
Hill explained the church is run exactly how Jesus ran his, with one prophet and 12 apostles. Unlike other Christian religions, the church believes apostles are alive today.
“We believe God speaks to the living prophet, who then gives us revelation,” Hill said.
The living prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, is the head of the church in Utah, and he and his 12 apostles, will hold their posts until they die. Synder said two of the apostles recently died, and that “the Lord will come to Hinckley and tell him who the next apostles should be.”
The long line of prophets began with a man named Joseph Smith. When he was 14 years old, he prayed to God and asked him to tell him which church he should join. Smith was visited by Jesus and God who told him he was chosen to restore the Church of Jesus Christ on earth, according to the church. Because Jesus came to Smith, and has since come to other prophets, the church believes he is still alive today. That’s why the church on Cienega Road has no cross on top of its steeple.
“This is because we focus on him (Jesus) as a living Christ, and not on his death,” Nordstrom said.
Another part of the Mormon religion that sets it apart from others is the “word of wisdom.”
“It’s basically the Lord’s health law,” Nordstrom said. “You shouldn’t put things into your body that hurts you.”
Drinking caffeinated drinks and alcohol, and smoking or doing drugs goes against the word of wisdom.
Along with following strict health rules, before heading to school, young Mormons head to seminary at 6am and 7am at the church and study the Gospel. After graduating from high school, they’re asked to go on a mission. Just as most 19 and 20-year-olds are in the midst of their college experience, young members are asked to give two years of their lives to the church. During that time, they’ll live in a different part of the world, which they don’t get to pick, and spread the word about their church.
“Some of them don’t choose to go, but when those who do come back, you see such a change in them,” Hill said. “It’s a great way for them to gain character strength. By having missions, we are providing every soul on the earth, the opportunity to hear the word of the gospel.”
The high school students aren’t the only ones dedicating a lot of time. Members as young as 3 years old begin attending Sunday school, and the adults spend three hours a week in sacrament and classes.
“There is a certain degree of commitment from our members,” Hill said. “We live by principals that are often contrary to what the rest of the world deems OK.”
Along with the belief of the living prophet, Hill said the church’s other focus is family, and in the past few years, it has been working with many families in San Benito County. The church has a lower divorce rate than the general population, and Hill said helping families stay together is a high priority.
“We do everything we can to help each other,” Hill said. “The main focus of our church is helping others. When you lose yourself in the service of others, you find yourself.”
And many local Mormons have come closer to finding themselves, by helping out in the community. Last Sunday, each member of the church fasted and whatever money they would have spent on food, was donated to a relief fund that will be sent to hurricane victims in Florida.
“We’re always very anxious to help out in the community and do what we can for others,” member Laura Lee Foote said. “The Lord gives us inspiration.”
Christine Tognetti covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext.330, or [email protected].
