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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on a higher source in its efforts to have Mormons go vegetarian.
A new billboard in Salt Lake City cites a quotation from The Doctrine and Covenants, a religious text used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It's from Section 89:15, which states, "And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of Hunger." The PETA billboard has replaced the word "these" with "animals" in parentheses.
Another verse in the book, Section 89:12, says the Lord had ordained man's use of meat "with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly."
The billboard, with its allusion to the text commonly known as the "Word of Wisdom," also shows God holding a staff in one hand and a bunch of carrots in the other.
LDS church officials did not immediately return a phone call left Monday by The Associated Press seeking comment.
The billboard, located along 3900 South 279 West, on the south side of the road, also has local ties.
PETA's campaign coordinator is Sean Diener, who says he is a devout Mormon who grew up in Salt Lake City.
He says animals raised for meat on factory farms "live miserable lives and die bloody, violent deaths. Anyone who thinks that Jesus would approve of the way that these animals are raised and killed completely misses the gospels greatest message -- compassion."
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
