Ep167: Fairview Town Council Watch Party with Mormonish Podcast

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Landon and Rebecca watch the Fairview Texas Town Council Meeting and provide insightful commentary.
The Town Council meeting was held on June 4th, 2024 in Fairview Texas. On the meeting agenda is the LDS church's request to build a 63 ft building with a 171 ft spire in a residential neighborhood.
Emotions run high as residents of Fairview and LDS members who live in Fairview both petition the Town Council to understand their points of view.
Landon and Rebecca were on a livestream episode of Mormon Stories where we streamed part of the meeting. We had many people reach out and tell us they would like to see the rest of the meeting and the beginning of the meeting.
This is that meeting in its entirety with commentary from Mormonish who has been following the events in Fairview and four other towns where LDS temples are being built.
There is so much to be learned from this meeting.
Link to Nemo's letter to the LDS Church Temple Building Committee Needs Your Signature! Copy this link into your browser.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast:
If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:
Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3)
donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast
***WE HAVE MERCH! ***
If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here:
www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch
We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much!
Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast!
Contact Mormonish Podcast:
[e-mail]

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

Fairview non-Mormons and HONEST Mormons rocked this meeting! Way to go y'all!

[@charlesmendeley9823]

Precedent case: the Frankfurt, Germany temple was supposed to have six tall steeples. However, the lutheran church rejected the plan because they didn't want the temple to be taller than their nearby church. So the LDS Church changed their plan because they didn't want a confrontation. This story is told on public (outside) temple tours. Isn't it sweet that the church doesn't want to be confrontational?

[@stevenparkin6486]

I'd love to be a fly on the wall during the after-meeting between lawyers and Q15. Specifically, lawyers instructing Elders Nelson and Bednar to "Be Quiet!"

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

Lawyers telling apostles what to do....the LDS church is so inspired.

[@annwood6812]

My own little town was blindsided by developers quietly changing zoning laws during covid when no one was paying attention and now my little rural area is full of high density housing. Pockets were lined. I expect this from developers; it's what they do. But a church bullying and prevaricating and possibly bribing? This is fascinating.

[@sheliabryant3997]

@ann. Has it occurred to you that THE DEVELOPERS and "the church" are the SAME creature? [Condolences for your loss.]

[@annwood6812]

@@sheliabryant3997 Thank you for condolences. Yes, you are correct.

[@hanako4475]

I'm impressed with the care the town council is taking, and with the citizens knowledge. Also, I can't imagine how the church is addressing this with members who have heard this... There truly is no basis for what the church is demanding.

[@jewelgazer]

Nemo is so awesome

[@markkrispin6944]

Nemo Is the GOAT

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

And Rebecca and Landon!

[@sleepycalico]

I wish you could suggest 60 Minutes do a story on how LDS is threatening to bankrupt any town that doesn't let it do whatever it wants. Ideally it would make the LDS leaders knock it off. At the very least it would put every town in the nation on notice what they are up to. And it would give all church members a chance to think about this critically before receiving their marching orders. The light pollution impact on wildlife is particularly upsetting to me. But, really, all aspects of the bullying are upsetting. Edit. Oh, I'm still listening. I'm glad to hear about Axios and that other news outlets are reporting about this. Still, 60 Minutes is the big gun that everyone would hear.

[@VictorRigoleFineArt]

The LDS church needs to realize when they build a temple outside of Utah they are not in Kansas anymore. I'm sure all members in Utah would love to have a temple built in their neighborhood. Right in their backyards. It is part of the culture there but not in other states where the number of members is very low compared to the total population in that state. Seems this is their mindset. I pray that the town council in Fairview TX votes NO on the CUP and prevents the LDS church from building a temple that does not meet current zoning laws. I pray Fairview does not change their laws to allow the temple to be built. Just do what is right, let the consequence follow.

[@ZakMakoff]

Great episode R & L, I'm enjoying your Temple Series... Keep up the great work!

[@evelyncook3156]

I sit at a Council table, albeit in a different country, but the issues are the same. There are always those who want exceptions: businesses who don't like closing hours or don't want to provide parking, those who don't think the rules in their 'license to occupy' should be applied as they are written etc etc. You don't need to be in breach of zoning laws to worship God, whatever the brand of YOUR religion. My God is not prideful and would prefer that you reached out to the poor, hungry, homeless etc rather than spend huge amounts of money in ostentatious ways.

[@jonjahr3403]

Anyone have a link to were i can get one of those green shirts???

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

I will find out!

[@jonjahr3403]

@@rebeccabibliotheca Thank you, and thank you for your awesome podcast.

[@NMBlackbird]

While mormon members are talking about how the temple grounds will "be so lovely to roam for quiet and reflective moments", they fail to mention that on those roaming have to dress according to their 'code'. I've been escorted off the grounds more than once because my skort was "not appropriate" for the lawds temple grounds.

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

I have been invited to wear a longer modest skirt as well.

[@peteralieber]

How did Nemo get permission to speak (and especially speak first) when they stated that they wanted to prioritize residents? I loved that he got to speak, but I'm surprised.

[@jewelgazer]

Please, please pause the audio when you are speaking!! Thank you.

[@joan-iz5cw]

Stop the audio if you comment!!

[@raymondraino]

Another question is: How many Mormon brains are shutting down each time the word ordinances is said?

[@DRT279]

Thank for watching so closely how the LDS church will get their approvals to build a temple. 😂

[@marieb1422]

Could these various cities join together in some sort of class action lawsuit against the church? I wish a certain wealthy ex-mo with deep pockets would fund them. Maybe a question for RFM?

[@dygz]

Seems to me that there’s still a way for the Temple to be visible from miles away even staying within the current residential guidelines.

[@2latesmart62]

SHAME on the LDS church!! Practice what you preach! Be a good neighbor and create peace!

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

💯

[@hectorwong7775]

Fairview is, for all practical purposes, a small silo of an LDS community. Granted, they do not have the economic lift of "The Church", but they are not without means either. McKinney, The big town next to Fairview, it's more like many Texas semi urban metro areas. I wonder if the Church specifically chose Fairview because of the similarities to the Idaho/Utah Silos. McKinney has a Hindu Temple, which are often a sight to see. Duluth Georgia, where we reside, has a Hindu Temple and a Shinto-like structure of Chinese precedence. IMHO, this brawl is a family brawl. Always nasty, "family brawls". I'd suggest a Peacemaker duel, Texas style, best if they do not use blanks.

[@seph4667]

Two chapters in the Book of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (sealed portion) outlines clearly why imposing phallic structures ensure purest inspiration and civic humility.

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

😂😂😂

[@charlesmendeley9823]

Maybe tall steeples are a secret and new doctrine? Maybe the members speaking in favor of it have received knowledge during their Second Anointing? With ongoing revelation, everything is possible.

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

😂

[@raymondraino]

AI generated image of Dr. Nelson laying siege to the city of Fairview, based on Joshua and the battle of Jericho, with an army of lawyers. Freely distribute it as a political cartoon to every newspaper of towns that Rusty announces temples for immediately after general conference. Also tell AI to use the style of Jon McNaughton for this image.

[@sheliabryant3997]

* Nemo's quoting Causse (sp ?) was "CHECKMATE" at beginning of the game. But excellent statement probably falls on deaf ears. ** This yammering member of the community who followed him did neither her own cause nor anyone else's any kind of good. Objective seems to just filibuster between hics and chokes, thinking to parlay enough pity to play hockey with the guilt shtick. 🥺 *** The FACT that the appeal by the Methodist Church WAS NOT ultimately GRANTED (pretty sure K & McC KNEW THIS VERY WELL) IS, as Landon points out, THE SINGULARLY EQUALIZING WEIGHT for Lady Justice's DUTY to the C O N S I S T E N T APPLICATION of the CODES and LAWS TODAY as it has been exercised HERETOFORE, to the sound and JUST consider- ation for the people who have built and lived their days and nights in this town. "DO RIGHTEOUSNESS."

[@livehealthyfinishstrong]

It will be interesting to see if Nemo and the young man (both LDS members) will be excommunicated (disfellowshiped) for speaking against the church marching orders.

[@annwood6812]

None of the local leaders are his leaders and he has quoted the Prophet who is his leader. It will be interesting to see them try.

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

I doubt they will. It would backfire on the church in a HUGE way!

[@jkaccounting]

Does someone have the link to this recording?

[@hg4144]

The ultimate Karen

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

🤣🤣🤣

[@China-Clay]

People who go to comment at these meetings: keep it short, concise, to the point, everyone who got cut off just lost everyone’s attention, don’t get lengthy!

[@dbaverett]

Why can't that woman agree with what Nemo said but also disagree with him being there? I have also been confused at why he thought it his place to go express his views. However, was Rebecca saying that Nemo was invited by community members to lay out current church doctrine? If so, that's great! I just wish that would have been mentioned during the meeting.

[@mormonishpodcast1036]

Yes Nemo was invited by local citizens. They wanted an active member who could testify about the doctrines on steeple height, roof height, mass of walls etc.

[@dbaverett]

Thank you! That little bit of context completely changes how I feel about Nemo showing up. 🙂

[@funkyfreshtx]

when is this supposed to be decided and voted on?

[@tlgallego7445]

President Nelson seems to be a bit arrogant, trying to do anything and everything greater than president Hinckley.

[@tlgallego7445]

The fact is you have an arrogant Prophet making uninspired decisions. Bigger is better! He will show them!

[@Coastal1931]

Let me get this straight. You just spent three hours watching a city council meeting, in a place you’ll probably never visit, while they debate whether to put a tall steeple on a religious building? Does the phrase get a life mean anything to you? You realize that the initial application is probably aspirational right, and that this is going to end in a compromise? A compromise the town of Fairview and the church are more than capable of coming to without your help.

[@mormonishpodcast1036]

No, this will end in a lawsuit and the church will not be done any of the height restrictions and this will cost the city and the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars to litigate. The church is not going to redesign the temple they’re going to litigate. This is a waste of taxpayer and them payer dollars everybody loses in this situation. But the church will not compromise. They must have their way and that is what our podcast is there to show.

[@Coastal1931]

The church has compromised in the past, but I suppose you’re right that’s no guarantee for this one. As far as a waste of taxpayer money, that’s the town Fairviews’ decision as as much as it is the churches. We live in these communities too, and we have our rights. In my opinion, this is a relatively minor issue that happens all the time and every single city council in America. Not sure why you’re so worked up about it.

[@annwood6812]

@@Coastal1931 Are you close to the proposed site?

[@marieb1422]

@Coastal1931...You don't think this repeated behavior by the Mormon church is a problem? They acquire land in.a residential area, apply for variances to building codes that xceed the city's existing codes and infrastructure, and when they don't get their way, they threaten to sue the city and private citizens on the boards into oblivion? They also have bribed city officials and lied about the true nature of their religious observances. Wow! Why should anyone care about that?

[@Coastal1931]

Not at all

[@funkyfreshtx]

when is this supposed to be decided and voted on?