Woe to be an American

I have at times made comments in the bloggernacle that have bemoaned the Church's American-bias. I still hold to those, but I would like to point out that in some ways being an American Mormon is a curse as well as a blessing. Two examples: 1. Marriage. There is often much hand-wringing in the Church over the fact that non-member family cannot attend a Mormon couple's wedding. This is indeed a painful issue, but for Americans only! In England, for example, marriages by law have to be conducted in public, so LDS couples have to be married civilly first before they are sealed in the Temple. This is a wonderful compromise. When Becky and I married we were able to have a nice traditional wedding with family and friends before driving to the Preston Temple to be sealed. As I understand it, American members, even if worthy, have to wait a year to be sealed if they have a civil wedding first. Alas. 2. Culture. (This is probably more a Utah-issue than strictly an American one.) Outside of Utah, and certainly outside of the USA, there is little or no cultural pressure to be Mormon. In fact, it's the opposite: it would be easier for me not to be a Mormon. Which is why I look with sad bemusement upon the Grant Palmer case. If I were him there would be no need to excommunicate me because I would have long since left the Church anyway. If I came to the conclusion that the foundational beliefs of the Church were of dubious credibility I would just quit (perhaps easily said, I admit). But for Palmer et.al. being Mormon is as much a cultural thing as it is religious, and to leave or to be kicked-out is to sever or weaken ties to family and community. Again, alas. So, there are advantages to being a non-American Latter-day Saint. Now, if only we could do something about that pesky Stars and Stripes at Temple Square....