Arson attacks on Latter-day Saint meetinghouses a 'growing trend,' but reasons remain elusive

At first, the workers at an Ogden chapel saw the broken pipes and shattered windows. Then, they smelled smoke.

They found a toy box on fire, according to court documents. After dousing the blaze, a fire marshal and an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called. They confirmed the fire had been intentionally set.

Arsonists have burned meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from New Mexico to New Zealand this year. It’s unclear whether that is unusual — government data on the subject is vague — but the Salt Lake City-based faith has called it a “growing trend.”

Utah’s fire marshal recorded seven fires of all types at Latter-day Saint buildings from the start of 2017 through July 31 of this year. A review of news reports indicates the number is higher.

Read more: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/09/14/arson-attacks-latter-day/
(Salt Lake Tribune)