Michael Otterson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ravell Call, Deseret News
Suggesting that references to "the Mormon moment" trivialize the lives of millions of church members and the 182-year history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS Public Affairs Director Michael Otterson used his regular Washington Post "On Faith" blog to invite journalists to "get to know us, properly."
"Drop into our services," Otterson wrote. "Talk to our people, have dinner with a local leader, spend a family home evening with a family … join with us on a service project. And then, when you have scratched the surface in this way … watch those who transition from attitudes of hopelessness to lives of purpose and meaning and learn new ways to follow Jesus Christ."
Few journalists have explored these real-life aspects of LDS living, Otterson said. "The 'Mormon moment' has simply become the clich of choice, and it's time to move past it. It's more than a Mormon moment," he observed. "It's time for a new paradigm."
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Joseph Walker began his professional writing career in 1980 as a staff writer for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, eventually becoming the newspaper's television and live theater critic. He left professional journalism more ..
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Did we read the same piece? This is not about the Church's disdaining attention; it's about the Church's asking for reporters to gain more in-depth and up-to-date information. It's a request for substance over superficiality.
Otis and Thinkman:
It is clear that you didn't even read the article before commenting. This is the type of thing the church is getting tired of. So many in the media are not willing to do any research (and I mean ANY research) or fact More..
I thought the LDS church wants everyone to know about them. Else why are they sending 60,000 missionaries out to get converts? Why also the "Why I'm a Mormon" campaign and other aggressive PR campaigns they are conducting? Do they not like More..