Reader comments
Many in poll know little of LDS, Muslims

I think the most telling quote is the one saying most people know very little about their own religion. We are however very good at criticizing what we don't like about others' beliefs.

I find it perplexing that after the 2002 Olympics with all the international media there that still so few people worldwide know anything more about Mormons today.

We know of one Swiss media member who came back to Switzerland after the Olympics in Utah and reported to his Swiss LDS friend that he 'hadn't seen any Mormons'.

There is still so much lacking in our understanding of one another. This is quite troubling since most wars and international conflicts arise from suspicions and misunderstandings. How can we trust our own US media to report accurately about the Middle East and Islam when they can't even get the facts straight about Utah???

Troubled - your last sentence hit the nail on the head, and bears repeating: "How can we trust our own US media to report accurately about the Middle East and Islam when they can't even get the facts straight about Utah???"

Answer we can trust some in the media and not others, but we cannot always know which ones, therefore: verify first, and let us not necessarily believe what we read or hear, but hold the information in reserve as a possibility.

I am a latino living in Utah, and although i ain't mormon, if they would have asked me to describe mormons in one word I would have said "dedicated" they are dedicated to their beliefs and practice em. Even though there have been times where mormons judged me, treated me inferior to them, and dagwed and said bad things about my religion in my face, I think they're for the most part great people.

Troubled: Very good points made in your comments.
I do agree that the media is partly to blame for creating misperceptions. After all the years since polygomy was abolished, people still associate it the LDS Church; especially since there has been so much focus on polygomy practiced by the FLDS Church. Some people cannot separate the two churches, yet they are worlds apart in beliefs and practices. No one in the LDS Church has ever been asked to do anything illegal; i.e. not to pay property tax. We believe in honoring and sustaining the laws of the land; and those of who live our religion will always be honest in our dealings.

In my experience, very few people [who aren't members of the LDS Church] truly understand what we believe. There are so many misperceptions out there; but I have seen many people overcome them, and even become members of the Church. It requires study and prayer by those who want to know the truth about our beliefs.

It's amazing that most negative thoughts are created by people who know very little about the doctrine, and those who don't understand our other scriptures along with the Bible.

Luis, For the rude and inconsiderate members of the LDS church I apologize. Thank you for your kind words.
I agree with the other thoughts expressed here as well. When you consider all the prejudice and hate over the years, doesn't it all come down to misunderstanding? This applies whether you talk about race, religion, nationality, or whatever.

After having served as a senior missionary on Temple Square I heard daily about peoples perceptions of the Church. Most Europeans, and many US citizens, still believe we practice polygamy and really don't believe in Christ. After they take a tour with the Sister Missionaries they come back and say they have a whole new understanding of the Church. I translated for a group of german toursists who were rather irate that the AAA guide in Germany classifies the LDS Church as a cult. They said that after what they have seen the LDS Church is no cult in anyway.

The media in order to get readers often misrepresent the Church's views and do a very poor job of reserching. Often they go to apostates or excommunicated members to find out "what the Church really believes". We often see the national media show Warren Jeffs picture with the Salt Lake Temple in the background, thus making people think the two are complicite (sp).

If the media could start doing their job many would have a different view of the Church.

I think even Mormons often don't know much about their own religion and it's history. It is easy to get a glorified view of your own religion and view others with a certain disdain. Are Mormons Christian? In my view yes, but they certainly aren't mainstream or "Nicene" Christians. They have a different interpretation for the role of Jesus, his life, death and sacrifice. As an atheist, I don't ascribe to either view, but I think it is important for both parties to recognize those differences and come to grips with what those difference mean in terms of a life view.

Ok, so we know the media misrepresents Mormons. Butthis article also said Muslims. I for one know fully especially from what i hear around me that the real problem is people not knowing little to no accurate information on one of the most predominant beliefs out there..Muslims. Try to think outside your world. What you think is bad portrayls of Mormons compares to nothing of what people portray Muslims as.

While I understand the positions you have stated, I hold responsible the 'Mormon' people for their own misunderstanding. Too often people in the LDS faith are unwilling to disperse these misconceptions. I have found that many people especially here in Utah, are deeply entrenched in their own self-interest. They may be good people, but how will people know unless they are willing to share their beliefs?

BACK IN UTAH - If the media WOULD start doing their job many would have different view of a lot of things. I really believe the media with the way they slant the news - depending on what THEY want to show, are one of the biggest problems this country has!

I am a returned missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I am very grateful for people of all faiths and denominations. It is so easy to want to remove the "mote" in other people's eyes, and not consider the "beam" in our own eye.

Just for clarification, I do not believe in polgamy (nor has the church for over 100 years), I have a wife and 3 kids, I believe that men are women are created equal, and that people of all colors and races are children of God.

Interesting article. I don't know a lot about mormonism myself, but I have heard they believe they can become 'gods'. I have always understood Christianity to be monotheistic, can anyone clarify? Thanks-

"How can we trust our own US media to report accurately about the Middle East and Islam when they can't even get the facts straight about Utah???"
I think it is hard for Utahns who have lived here their whole life to understand that outside of Utah, no one thinks about Utah. Our entire state population is less than most states single major city. Before coming to Utah, I had never met a mormon missionary and did not know that LDS and Mormon meant the same thing. Outside of Utah, all things pertaining to Utah are a mere blip on the radar... if that.

The mormon church needs to remember that the FLDS church made a difficult decision when it chose to retain polygamy. #1 The Celestial order was a prophesy. The decision to recsind it was not. #2 Wilford Woodruff and many others ignored their own manifesto, stating that it was only a way of avoiding trouble with the govt. AND gaining statehood. Polygamy is part of the LDS history, and although it is no longer practiced it was started by the church.

I find it hilarious that these finding which are comparing one's religion to another is gathered from people who don't even know their own. I think that speaks volumes about the strenght of these findings and how much people are willing to yak about things they know nothing about.

The research doesn't surprise me at all. As an avid studier of world religions I was shocked to hear sterotypes and flagrant misrepresentation of basic Muslim beliefs come from the mouth of my very own family. In these situations the positive information included in the declarations of the church(lds) and Ensign posted and repeated over the past few years can be key in showing the similarities between mainstream Muslims and both Christians and Jews.

I too have heard that LDS will eventually become as 'gods' & can also bring there wives up to their heavenly father. I do not believe in this nor do I believe that they should be adding to the bible.

Interesting how the LDS church is identified by two things; Polygamy and the word of wisdom. Many non members know little else about the church

I live in Alabama and there are "Letters to the editor" against the LDS Church every week in a weekly newspaper. Our Bishop advised us "to just ignore the articles and to not respond to them"
Correct information should be sent to the newspapers. The news media wants information about the church, If the church leaders do not provide correct info then I guess we deserve what we get.

John,
You know the old saying, "Can't have your cake and eat it too"?
Well, it seems that most non-Mormons that I have met give out the same old rhetoric about Mormons
"Trying to force others to believe as they do, or are trying to "cram Mormonism down the throats" of non-Mormons.
And then, there are others like yourself, who criticize the church, declaring, "How can we know of Mormonism if they won't share their beliefs".
And then, of course there are those who are so ignorant as to claim that Mormons are not Christians.
It would seem they haven't quite figured out that there is a reason why the Mormon faith is called "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints".
Duhhhhhh!