Letters: Apr. 28, 1967

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Sir: While we would have to disagree with a number of individual pronouncements in "The Unpleasant Reality," your article on East Germany [April 7], we do applaud the initiative shown by TIME in exploring this neglected topic. We agree wholeheartedly with the "Letter from the Publisher" when it says that East Germany "is in many ways a crucial area in a new Europe of growing East-West contacts" and that "less is known about it" than about "any other of Eastern Europe's Communist countries."

For these reasons we are planning as a cooperative venture of the Great Lakes Colleges Association a summer institute for 1968 at Kenyon College devoted to the study of the German Democratic Republic and aimed at an objective assessment of what has been termed "the German problem."-Since we have found it simple to travel in East Germany, the institute program will entail a four-week study tour there.

(PROF.) EDMUND P. HECHT Kenyon College Gambier, Ohio

Unsaid

Sir: In your story on the Vanderbilt symposium [April 21] you state: "Heard says that unless he gets a 'substantial' vote of confidence, he will quit." To correct the record, I have not said this or anything similar publicly or privately.

ALEXANDER HEARD Chancellor Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tenn.

All Saints

Sir: "Prosperity and Protest" [April 14] is insufficiently researched.

The charge that Mormons are unconcerned with politics and community service is contradicted by the fact that the percentage of Mormons in Congress is at least twice the percentage of Mormons in the U.S., and by the fact that not only the 12,800 missionaries but all Latter-Day Saints try to perfect the community through the home. No other religious group in the country is taught so early in life to respect and support the Constitution.

Social pressures do not change Mormon doctrine. It was not a "new revelation" that led Mormons to abandon polygamy but laws passed by Congress and upheld by the court of last resort—and Mormons obey the law of the land.

W. REID GUSTAFSON Tokyo

Sir: Your fangs are showing. Compare the inconspicuous, comfortable garment of the Mormon with the medieval, bulky garb of the Catholic nun or priest—which is the "quaint tradition?"

Is the extent of Mormon holdings supposed to be greater or a more closely guarded secret than the extent of Catholic holdings?

Revelation is not subject to the whims of expediency: it is unlikely to be hurried to affect a political campaign. Members of the priesthood must love all people, and it is easy to see why the Lord would consider it unfair to require this of Negroes at this time. We can be sure the priesthood will be granted the Negro at the best time for his welfare, not when TIME deems it right. Any Mormon who calls it a "problem" that doctrine can be changed only by revelation is not a good Mormon—revelation is the heart of our church.

MARJORIE WHITTEMORE Daytona Beach, Fla.

Sir: As a former "Saint" from "Zion," I must enlighten you on another closely guarded secret of the Mormon Church: once a member always a member.