A few months ago, former mayor of Chillicothe, Missouri, Jeff Foli submitted a guest post, Political Power in the Pulpit, about his concerns regarding then candidate Mitt Romney based on his own experience with Mormon Church leaders while mayor. I suggest you go back and read it. It’s quite thought-provoking.
Since that time, Jeff has provided an update on his own situation, and I have decided to go ahead and put it here on the front page for the benefit of our readers. Once again, here is Jeff Foli:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FORMER CITY MAYOR TO BE EXCOMMUNICATED FROM MORMON CHURCH FOR NOT FOLLOWING ORDERS IN POLITICAL MATTERS?
Probably because of the Romney controversy, on February 4, 2008, Thomas S. Monson said to Peggy Stack, reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune, that the church does not get involved in political matters. If this is true, then why, when I was Mayor of Chillicothe Missouri, was I was threatened with excommunication if I did not rescind a piece of Legislation that I sent to the Missouri State Legislature?
It is supposedly against Federal Law (Title 26, Section 501) for a church to influence legislation, but in 2003, the late Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley and his councilors thought it appropriate and acceptable to threaten my membership in the church when I was Mayor of Chillicothe in Northwest Missouri, regarding a political matter.
On Feb. 17, 2007, the Church will hold a disciplinary Council (church court) on me because I let the public know of these acts via the Internet, and I finally filed charges with the local Sheriff, the ACLU, the IRS, and others because of the continual manipulation and abuse of Mormon leaders. I tried for several years to quietly and internally settle these issues, but they would have none of it.
They view my exposure and revealing of their actions as my attempt to disparage and criticize leaders (evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed). They state, “those who reject Christ’s servants, reject him”. Why does leadership demand no accountability in Churches for inappropriate actions of leaders?
Do we think Brigham Young would have personally sought out those accountable for the senseless murder of 120 men, women, and children on SEPTEMBER 11, 1857, without pressure from the Federal Government? Who will protect us? Where are the checks and balances for questioning potential religious abuses?
Most of the Mormon people are good, honest individuals, but the people of Missouri will not put up with this type of stronghanded influence. So as the Mormon Migration to Missouri continues, I hope the Mormon people will open their minds and become more careful and considerate of the people they meet.
Most have no idea of what really happened in Missouri over 170 years ago, because the whole story was never fully told.
Sincerely,
Jeff Foli
Former Mayor of Chillicothe, Missouri
Who the hell is Jeff Foli?
Comment by The Nobody — February 19, 2008 @ 6:03 pm |
But he’s a Libertarian. Don’t you want him dead, psuckout?
Comment by Dio Brando — February 19, 2008 @ 6:52 pm |
P.S.: Hey, remember this?
Comment by Dio Brando — February 19, 2008 @ 6:54 pm |
Perhaps you should learn to read, dummy. The post includeds the phrase “former mayor of Chillicothe, Missouri” twice.
You must be imagining things. Nobody on this blog, including “psuckout” (whoever that is), ever said such a thing. Maybe you can point me to the post that says that libertarians should be dead. That might be helpful.
Comment by Psycheout — February 19, 2008 @ 7:07 pm |
Libertarians support personal freedoms, and a lessened hand of government. You, on the other hand, support NO personal freedoms, and desire a government that will scrutinize and execute all who disagree with your personal beliefs.
Or are you suddenly going liberal on us?
Comment by Dio Brando — February 19, 2008 @ 7:27 pm |
“Or are you suddenly going liberal on us?”
/b/ would accept Gaia users before Psycheout goes liberal.
Comment by Elephant Bones — February 19, 2008 @ 9:00 pm |
The post >>includeds<< the phrase “former mayor of Chillicothe, Missouri” twice.
What the hell is Includeds? Are you a hick or something?
Also…
The post includes the phrase “shite nobody cares about” twice.
Fixed. Twice.
Comment by The Nobody — February 19, 2008 @ 9:16 pm |
Having a bit of understanding of how these things go, the Excommunication is probably due to worthiness issues, not political. It also is conducted on a local level and rarely intruded upon by Salt Lake. The First Presidency does not personally go around threatening peoples membership if they don’t comply with something. No where in the article does Jeff mention what the legislation was. If local leaders tossed around threats, that is not the same as the First Presidency threatening to Cut him off… I found the Foli letter lacking in details, and full of antagonism.
Sounds like a private matter to me that Mr. Foli choose to make public to save face for whatever reason… And invoking Mountain Meadows and Missouri Murders, makes no sense at all…
Comment by Mr. Right — February 20, 2008 @ 12:22 pm |
Dear Mr. Right,
FORMER CITY MAYOR TO BE EXCOMMUNICATED FROM MORMON CHURCH FOR NOT FOLLOWING ORDERS IN POLITICAL MATTERS?
Probably because of the Romney controversy, on February 4, 2008, Thomas S. Monson said to Peggy Stack, reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune, that the church does not get involved in political matters. If this is true, then why, when I was Mayor of Chillicothe Missouri, was I was threatened with excommunication if I did not rescind a piece of Legislation that I sent to the Missouri State Legislature?
It is supposedly against Federal Law (Title 26, Section 501) for a church to influence legislation, but in 2003, the late Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley and his councilors thought it appropriate and acceptable to threaten my membership in the church when I was Mayor of Chillicothe in Northwest Missouri, regarding a political matter.
On Feb. 17, 2007, the Church will hold a disciplinary Council (church court) on me because I let the public know of these acts via the Internet, and I finally filed charges with the local Sheriff, the ACLU, the IRS, and others because of the continual manipulation and abuse of Mormon leaders. I tried for several years to quietly and internally settle these issues, but they would have none of it.
They view my exposure and revealing of their actions as my attempt to disparage and criticize leaders (evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed). They state, “those who reject Christ’s servants, reject him”. Why does leadership demand no accountability in Churches for inappropriate actions of leaders?
Do we think Brigham Young would have personally sought out those accountable for the senseless murder of 120 men, women, and children on SEPTEMBER 11, 1857, without pressure from the Federal Government? Who will protect us? Where are the checks and balances for questioning potential religious abuses?
Most of the Mormon people are good, honest individuals, but the people of Missouri will not put up with this type of stronghanded influence. So as the Mormon Migration to Missouri continues, I hope the Mormon people will open their minds and become more careful and considerate of the people they meet.
Most have no idea of what really happened in Missouri over 170 years ago, because the whole story was never fully told.
Sincerely,
Jeff Foli
Former Mayor of Chillicothe, Missouri
Comment by Jeff Foli — March 12, 2008 @ 9:28 pm |
My perspective is that both honest and ethical mormons and non-mormons alike should be uncomfortable with religious leaders who innapropriately use thier positions and callings to apply pressure to the political process. Missouri is a place where a nucleus of people with high ideals and standards have long focused thier attention. If we were able to gaze into the crystal ball of the future, I believe we would see such a nucleus working legally, quietly, and effectively towards finding ways to better our world in economic, spiritual, technilogical, environmental, political, social, and physical realms. Not only the Mormons have seen Missouri to be a place of enormous future growth for humanity, but other groups as well have tuned into this coming wave of avancement. What is the price to qualify to participate in the realms of a Johnathan Livingston Seagull? I believe the price might be different for each and every person.
Jeff Foli
Comment by Jeff Foli — May 14, 2008 @ 12:59 am |
THE GARDEN OF FORGIVENESS
TENTATIVE SITE, 608 Vine, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601
Dedicated to all those who seek peace, mercy, or understanding, for any reason. In general, this is to be a beautiful yet quiet place for people to find within themselves the ability to forgive others, and let go of hate, animosity, or anger of any type.
In memory also, of those who participated in, were effected by, and/or died in, the Haun’s Mill Massacre, October 30,1838. Because of the involvement of our early Chillicothe City Fathers, this site is to be dedicated in hope that peace, healing, and reconciliation will grace our area in honor of the memory of the lives affected from this tragic episode in our early American history. May all sides be understood fairly and honestly so that no act or life may be seen to have been in vain, merely understood and learned by. This area is to be set aside solely for the purpose of quiet meditation and serious reflection.
Site to be maintained by a blind Trust.
Comment by Jeff Foli — May 14, 2008 @ 1:24 am |