While Draper residents are welcoming an LDS temple with open arms, another trademark church institution is getting the door slammed in its face.

The Draper City Council approved an ordinance banning second-hand stores from locating in the city's retail zones. Instead, the stores are relegated to the west side of Interstate 15.

The intent of the ordinance was to keep out Deseret Industries, a thrift store run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Council members said they were concerned about allowing a second-hand store to set up shop on prime real estate, citing the city's misstep in allowing a pawn shop and check-cashing store to open on the city's entrance. There also were concerns, trumped-up or otherwise, about the traffic a Deseret Industries would generate, especially from people dropping off merchandise.

The city's position on D.I. seems inconsistent, given the fact that the LDS Church is building a temple there and nobody seems concerned about the traffic that will generate.

The traffic argument appears to be little more than a fig leaf that tries to hide another motive: Keeping up appearances as an upscale community.

Thrift stores in general, and Deseret Industries in particular, are viewed as establishments geared toward the lower classes. The people who shop at D.I., according to the stereotype, are not the kind of people who drive expensive cars, live in nice houses or dress fashionably. The temple, on the other hand, attracts people in their Sunday finery.

But D.I. is more than just a place to buy used goods at a discount price. It is part of one of the most ingenious welfare programs ever developed. It was born during the Great Depression as a means for the LDS Church to provide assistance to people who could not find jobs. It allows people to support themselves while gaining job skills.

Today, it also serves as a sheltered workshop, allowing people with disabilities to find employment and get job training.

The stores are warehouses at which people in need can get clothing and furniture, easing the burden on government-sponsored welfare programs.

Traffic patterns, as was pointed out to the council, are no different for D.I. than for any other retailer that accepts deliveries and which stores merchandise on its premises. Yet there is no move to force such "regular" businesses to the other side of the freeway.

Like the temple, D.I. is a part of the Mormons' overall program of helping people. While the temple fills people's spiritual needs, D.I. addresses their earthly concerns.

If the people of Draper are not comfortable with helping the poor in their community by allowing Deseret Industries in the retail zone, then the church should seriously reconsider putting a temple in the community. They are obviously not ready for it.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A8.

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