Final answer:
Jethro is cognizant of the brewing conflict over religious differences, land ownership issues, and wider community tensions in a southern Utah settlement, mainly between Mormon and Gentile adults.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jethro was aware that there had been bad feelings between the adults in the area over religious differences, land ownership, and community tensions. This societal conflict revolves around the interactions and strained relationships between Mormons and Gentiles in a remote Utah settlement during the 1800s. The central figure, Jane Withersteen, struggles with the discord resulting from divergent belief systems, her philanthropic gestures towards non-Mormons, and the increasing disputes over land and power.
These tensions are amplified by the actions of key figures in the community, including a Mormon Elder and a Bishop, whose influences run counter to Jane's more inclusive and compassionate stance. When Jane extends her help to the local Gentile population, this angers members of her own faith, bringing her into conflict with church authority that rules over the economic and social standards of the time. The confluence of religious dogma, gender dynamics, and land rights creates a complex backdrop that forces Jane to navigate through a landscape of prejudice and power struggles.
Therefore, Jethro was aware that there had been bad feelings between the adults in the area over religious differences.