Past clusters of houses and frozen fields in this Paris suburb, the Palace of Versailles sparkles in the evening sun. But Mayor Philippe Brillault has his eyes set on a different landmark: an abandoned, asbestos-choked power plant. It’s the spot where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would like to build France’s first Mormon temple.
“We weren’t overjoyed, because Mormons have an image that’s pretty much negative,” the mayor said. “But for what can we reproach these people? Not polygamy. Proselytizing was the biggest concern.”