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DEZNATS makes mainstream Australian news article

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:23 am
by no1saint

Re: DEZNATS makes mainstream news article

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:54 am
by moksha
The conduct of so-called “Deseret nationalists” or “DezNats” has raised questions about how the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is responding to the movement, whose members direct harassment at other Mormons, including those working in church-sponsored institutions such as Brigham Young University (BYU).

Some who identify as DezNats take extreme right positions on gender, sexuality, and race. Others describing themselves as Deseret nationalists have advocated for a Mormon-ruled, separatist white ethnostate, located in the Great Basin area briefly claimed by the LDS church in the mid-19th century.
We've discussed Deseret White Nationalists before. I understand that many of them are now going underground due to public exposure when they have been embedded into important public and private organizations. They will probably still appear at pro-Trump and Sons of the Utah Pioneers meetings.

Re: DEZNATS makes mainstream news article

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:56 am
by no1saint
Interesting it’s now getting coverage in this part of the world.

Re: DEZNATS makes mainstream Australian news article

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 8:36 am
by blazerb
In response to questions about DezNats, and the church’s willingness to disown them, Douglas Anderson, the church’s media spokesman, wrote in an email that the group was “not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Anderson added that “in recent months, church leaders have spoken directly on such issues as condemning the recent violence in Washington DC and lawless behavior, the evils of racism … and peacefully accepting the results of political elections”.

Anderson’s statement concluded that “anything that encourages or incites violence is contrary to the recent instruction given by church leaders”.
If the church really wanted to stop the violent rhetoric and actions, they would call out deznat directly. It is not enough to talk obliquely about these issues because this group sees themselves as defending the church. The actions from the past would indicate that anything goes when defending the church. They may even think that the leaders are only saying these things to avoid public sanction without really meaning them. Maybe the deznats would be right.

Re: DEZNATS makes mainstream Australian news article

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 1:42 pm
by Not Buying It
blazerb wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 8:36 am
In response to questions about DezNats, and the church’s willingness to disown them, Douglas Anderson, the church’s media spokesman, wrote in an email that the group was “not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Anderson added that “in recent months, church leaders have spoken directly on such issues as condemning the recent violence in Washington DC and lawless behavior, the evils of racism … and peacefully accepting the results of political elections”.

Anderson’s statement concluded that “anything that encourages or incites violence is contrary to the recent instruction given by church leaders”.
If the church really wanted to stop the violent rhetoric and actions, they would call out deznat directly. It is not enough to talk obliquely about these issues because this group sees themselves as defending the church. The actions from the past would indicate that anything goes when defending the church. They may even think that the leaders are only saying these things to avoid public sanction without really meaning them. Maybe the deznats would be right.
The Church has no problem calling other groups out by name - they could go after DezNat too if they really wanted. The fact that they haven't tells me they don't really want to.

But watch, first time someone from DezNat does something really violent they will be all "the Church has always stood firmly against violence, we don't condone this kind of behavior, PR-related-blah-blah-blah", completely sidestepping the fact they could've stopped DezNat any time they wanted to before they got really ugly.

Now is the time for the Church to speak up. Anything less makes them complicit in anything DezNat does going forward.

Re: DEZNATS makes mainstream Australian news article

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:33 pm
by no1saint
I find it interesting when the church gets attention in this part of the world as it doesn’t have a public profile besides occasional negative press. This and the recent $100 billion+ slush fund have been the most public outings for the Church here. It seems to follow that once it mainstreams here, a backwater for the Church PR machine, the Church starts responding officially.

It could be just a coincidence, but Australia could be a good litmus test on potential PR issues. If it penetrates the media space here dominated by local political issues, and there are many, then it has become a bigger issue PR issue than previously thought. If an Australian news outlet who doesn’t care about the Church starts talking about it, then things need to be dealt with quickly.

Re: DEZNATS makes mainstream Australian news article

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:36 pm
by moksha
blazerb wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 8:36 am If the church really wanted to stop the violent rhetoric and actions, they would call out deznat directly. It is not enough to talk obliquely about these issues because this group sees themselves as defending the church.
Excellent point. They may see anything less as empty words, like never fully telling Ezra Taft Benson to stop, thus leading to the Deseret White Nationalist movement today.

Re: DEZNATS makes mainstream Australian news article

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 1:04 pm
by 2bizE
Is Deznat a secret combination?