Those who adhere to their religious dogma often carry negative stereotypes about those of other faiths, he said, because there is an underlying assumption that "other people have to be 'put in their place.' In forming a cultural identity, we tend to affiliate with others like us and confirm our uniqueness in comparison to others."

Why? "Because it's easier to define who you aren't than who you are. And that fosters a problem."

To have a productive interfaith discussion, each participant must be affirmed for who they are and what they believe, and disagreement must be accepted as a valid response, he said. "Do we all know that same Jesus? Fundamentally, that's the question."

Camille Fronk, a professor of ancient scripture at BYU, acknowledged that the concept of "grace" is uncomfortable for many Latter-day Saints, who are quick to focus on "works" as a means of salvation. Teaching LDS high school students in the 1980s, she found many of them were well-versed in topics like temple marriage — which is unique to Latter-day Saints — but didn't talk much about Jesus Christ.

About the same time, top LDS leaders added a subtitle to the Book of Mormon as "another testament of Jesus Christ." Many Latter-day Saints assumed it was to instruct others about the centrality of Christ in the faith, but Fronk said it was just as likely to emphasize it for members.

"Some may worry that a constant public emphasis on (being saved by) grace will lead some church members to leave the crucial 'after all we can do' out," she said.

"I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and there is no other way" to salvation, she said. "Only through the mercy, merits and grace of Jesus Christ are we saved. The more I accept that, the more I desire to serve him, not because I merit any kind of return, but because I love him."

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