Five LDS Chapels In South Jordan And Riverton, Utah Targeted With Anti-Mormon Vandalism; Rocks With Hate Messages Thrown Through Doors, Damage Minor

Five chapels belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the southern end of the Salt Lake Valley were targeted with anti-Mormon vandalism during the overnight hours between 10 P.M. on October 10th and 6:00 A.M. on October 11th, 2009, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. KSTU Channel 13 also published a story; video embedded below:

 

Three of the chapels are located in South Jordan, at 11038 S. Braidwood Drive, 11685 S. Kestrel Rise Road, and at 10115 South Yorkshire Drive. The other two are located in Riverton, at a location near 4510 West and 11800 South, and another location near 12200 South and 3200 West. The type of vandalism at each location was similar; a single rock thrown at the glass entry doors. Each rock had an anti-Mormon message attached, stating "Stop spreading your lies, pagans". The double-paned, tempered glass was broken in only one of the churches. In the others, the rock broke through only the first pane of glass and landed outside the buildings.

Police are considering the possibility of a hate crime, but say they must apprehend the perpetrator and determine the motive before proceeding in that direction. An Ex-Mormon Conference is currently taking place in Salt Lake, but they are not considered particularly suspect.

Considering the targeted chapels were grouped rather closely together, the perpetrator most likely lives in the area. Most likely it's an unstable, disgruntled individual who had a recent dispute with a church member or has an axe to grind against the Church.