Thinking about the character of Jesus Christ described in the New testament, made me have a brief thought.

JC was a social revolutionary. In many ways, he was the original socialist revolutionary (in the best possible meaning of the phrase).

Now check off Jesus' agenda in comparison with the LDS top bods:

Wealth redistribution? Score one for JC here - somehow I can't see him approving of folks sitting on stages in big red armchairs at a meeting every six months or so, before collecting a stipend for their efforts. Could you have seen the character of JC approving of tithing? He wasn't all that keen on money changers in the ancient temple.

Humility? JC advocating taking a back seat when necessary and bearing in mind that one may not necessarily be the great "I Am!" Contrast that with the form of submission demanded by the Top Three from the flock.

I'm sure there are many more aspects of the character known by the New Testament as Jesus Christ that can be identified here.

And something tells me they would not sit happily with SLC culture.

I think if Jesus appeared in Salt Lake, the Bishop would send the Home Teachers to try to activate him and if he cut his hair and shaved they might extend a calling for him to serve as Cubmaster.

Snicker.

Leave it to Mormons to find strangers and throw their kids at them.

I hope they do a background check. All those pictures they have with Jesus and kids look a little creepy.

If he doesn't make Cubmaster, maybe they will let him work in the nursery.


If Jesus were in SLC, Mormons would assume he was some kind of liberal fruit and nut type transplant from California and ignore him.

Exactly!!!

I think Jesus could probably find work as a barista. I bet He'd make a mean double mocha.

He'd also likely join a local Toastmasters club and maybe take a couple classes at Salt Lake Community College. He'd pick up a few bucks on the side working from home writing code.

I see Mary and Joseph going through a nasty divorce, unfortunately, after Mary's boob job gone wrong.

I don't see the Son of God having a lot of dealings with the Cult. Possibly He meets a cute TBM girl on an internet dating site but during their first date she launches into an anti-gay rant and He's, like, "Okay that's it--have a nice life," and He pays the check and splits.

I think if Jesus was in SLC, he would be a cop.

Obviously, he would have to clean up a bit, but I bet he cleans up well. He looks like Ryan Gosling underneath all that hair.

Why you ask? Well it's simple. Recall that Jesus became "Ninja Jesus" when law breakers were gambling, loitering, money laundering, and engaging in general lawlessness outside the temple in Jerusalem. That same skill set is still there. He got pissed, and kicked every one's ass. He would have a Wyatt Earp swagger, and if he saw skateboarders outside the sidewalk by the SLC temple, for instance, he would f'ing annilate them with his little finger and send them straight to hell. I won't even tell you what he would do to two dudes holding hands.

Jesus would make a great cop in SLC.

For some odd reason that made me think of an ancient episode of the Twilight Zone where a very young Robert Redford played the Angel of Death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9JZCo912kI

For starters, he'd be overturning the moneychangers tables @ temple square. He'd evangelize from temple square and street corners teaching people the difference between idolatry and worshiping god. He'd condemn the local pharisees, and they in turn would despise him for what they believe to be pious mock humility.

Only they're mistaken in their smug self-righteousness. Because he's still the son of man.

Next he'd be getting arrested for being a transient vagrant who's charged with violating SLC's municipal laws against loitering. With a little luck he'd get out of jail free pass. With a one-way ticket out of town to go back where he came from.

Of course no one would believe his story. He'd be called a liar and worse. He not only wouldn't confirm the Mormon church. He'd be decrying it alongside the others that preach heresy. Who would his real friends be? Those who believe in him and willing to lay down all they own and are aside in order to follow him.

So, no to your question, could Jesus have made it in SLC. Like elsewhere, he'd be castigated and persecuted unto death by the locals - if he didn't 'get out of Dodge' first.

Maybe as a carpenter. They stole his other profession.

If Jesus was in SLC, I would have hoped it was during Brigham's day... Would love JC's opinion on blood atonement. ;-)

The Salt Lake City Pharisees would crucify him even quicker than the Jewish Pharisees did.

He would be turned away at the temple. No recommend.

"I have been called the prince of peace."

"Ah ... senior peace, we cannot let you or your kind in this country."



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nveEcZ0b-EU

Where Jesus would have the most problem in SL is he's all about "be holy in secret. It's between your father and you." SL is all about demonstrating you're on top of the pile. What good are blessings from your father if you can't show 'em off? JC would be scoffed at as a loser.

Keeping things in context, If Jesus chose to duplicate his NT ministry in salt lake city then Jesus would have Bill Maher baptize Him in one of the fountain ponds on Temple Square and then ordain Him to the priestDUD to begin his ministry.

I mean he's god right? He should do fine right?

Jeez, he'd have a hard time in SLC. One of his favorite teachings was don't judge. He also preached big time against hypocrisy and living the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law. Mormons LOVE to judge and are obsessed with living the letter of the law.

Jesus got shit for hanging with sinners, prostitutes and was labeled a winebibber.

He preached against being rich and told others to give up all they had. Whoops. Not in Utah!

He preached against showing your works before others. Not in TSCC!

He was a carpenter and not a CEO or Lawyer. Not too impressive.

Just saying a very quick "thank you" to all for your responses here.

Ta :)