• Are eager to learn church history via the Internet, documentary-type films, restored LDS historical sites and books. She said nearly half of those surveyed had visited at least one LDS historical site. Nine in 10 said they watch church-produced films as a regular family activity.

• Get much of their information about the church's past from historical fiction. When asked to respond to the statement, "I learned much of what I know about church history from 'The Work and the Glory,"' (a fictional series of books and films about an early Latter-day Saint family and their trials) Olpin said almost half of the respondents answered "yes."

"We feel very much the weight of helping our members enjoy and love our rich history," Olpin said. "We have a scriptural and institutional mandate to serve our members." As a result, officials will add a new "customer service" focus to the church history department.

"We need to provide the context for our members to enrich and strengthen their faith and enhance their doctrinal understanding."

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