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!

AZ -- Christianity *is* monotheistic -- at least, kinda sorta. The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who are yet -- somehow -- considered one God. Muslims and Jews would look at this and call Christians polytheists who are trying to "spin" their polytheism into monotheism.

The Mormon take on the Trinity (which they call the "Godhead" really isn't that fundamentally different. Mormons believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct and separate beings, who nevertheless can be considered one God. The differences between the Mormon Godhead and the traditional Trinity are a big deal to Mormons and Protestants -- but again, non-Christians would look at the differences and scratch their heads wondering what the argument is about. Basically, both Mormons and other Christians believe that the persons of the Trinity/members of the Godhead are simultaneously distinct and united; the only differences lie in the precise nature of their unity.

Since all of us are more or less speculating on very abstract matters, the argument is pretty pointless.

(cont. below)

AZwildcat,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believes that just as God created the world in which we live, if we live according to our faith, we in fact can be exalted to become like him, and become Gods of our own Worlds. I know it is probably confusing, but if you go to www.mormon.org you can learn more about it. I hope this helps.

AZ, find a missionary, they will clear things up for you.

The topic of this story is knowledge or lack of knowledge of religions and churches. It is not a place to formally or informally discuss specific religious doctrine. Participants are welcome to correspond via e-mail and exchange personal opionions or seek out various official sources for official statements of doctrine. URLs are now allowed.

First, Luis, you're wonderful...AZwildcat...God is our father and He wants us to become like Him that's why we have rules for life...The commandments. Read the following and get the message from Him John10:34, Psalms 82:6, Deut. 14:1, and First John or I John 3:2. Our reward for obedience is Eternal Life and we will receive "All the Father has".

Although the LDS church does not currently practice polygamy, it is still a part of our religion. We believe it was a correct practice for the time, and that the time may come when again it may be the correct practice. Polygamy also plays a part in our theology in sealing. If a man is sealed to a woman, and then she dies, he can still be sealed to another woman. We believe if all parties are faithful, they will live in a polygamous marriage for all eternity. That is our current doctrine. A woman may not be sealed to another man unless the sealing is nullified with the first husband, even if the husband is dead, because we believe a woman cannot have more than one husband in the eternities. So polygamy is still a very crucial part of our theology.

Interesting term "bring their wives up to their Heavenly Father." What does that mean?

We believe that families can be eternal units. I think I would find that doctrine to be a comfort to know that after death, that marriages can last, and losing a child doesn't mean they're gone forever.

By the way the "adding to the Bible" thing is old. That scripture is in Revelations, interesting to note that revelations was not the last book written, so does that mean all other's written after it are false? I know it's put last, but it wasn't the last written. John meant we can neither add nor take-away from what God says, that we cannot change truth, I believe that to be true as well.

So either Joseph Smith is a prophet of God or he isn't. It all lies right there, if He was a prophet, then the book of mormon is true and Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet, or it is all a fraud. Personally, I believe it.

To "DC" and any others who wonder about the status of the policy of plural marriage within the LDS church, I would like to point that it is the PRACTICE of plural marriage (the term preferred to polygamy) that has been suspended, not the belief in it.

If my understanding of the LDS doctrine is correct, it is still part of what is considered a "new and everlasting covenant" and reminiscent of the practice by Old Testament prophets. The practice is simply against the current and 100+ year-old policy. Furthermore, if one is found engaging in it now, an offense worthy of excommunication.

So, I think it is valid to still associate plural marriage with the LDS church so long as it is also understood to be something whose current practice is considered off limits.

here are actually many parallels between Mormons and Muslims. Both were started by a new prophet who claimed to receive revelation from god. Both prophets were not particularly educated and defenders of both faiths use this to justify the truth of their religion. Both the Koran and the Book of Mormon borrow extensively from the bible. Polygamy is a part of both religions and both are criticized for their treatment of women.

AZ Wildcat & Christian,

I would just like to complement you on actually asking the question of what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes, rather than making assumptions. As a member of the LDS Faith, I appreciate people who share their beliefs openly with me and are willing to ask me what I believe when they are curious.

I hope your questions were answered and that you can come away with the understanding that, while many Christian churches (including the LDS church) have some doctrinal differences, we believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of world.

Thanks again.

I LIVE IN ST GEORGE MY WIFE AND GO DOWN TO THE SENIOR CENTER ONCE IN A WHILE TO HAVE DINNER A WOMEN WE MET SHARED A STORY WITH US.SHE SAID I COME FROM THE SOUTH AND MY DAUGHTER MARRIED A MORMAN,SHE SAID I WAS READY TO KICK HER OUT OF THE FAMILY.SOON AFTERWARD MY HUSBAND DIED.MY DAUGHTER INVITED ME OUT TO STAY WITH HER IN SANTA CLARA.SHE SAID TO MY SURPRISE I MET SOME OF THE NICEST PEOPLE SHE SAID I WAS SURE WRONG ABOUT THE MORMANS. I WONDER HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH HAVE THE SAME IMPRESSION

What purpose does this kind of generally uninformed dialogue do to serve the general public? Who does it benefit? The newspaper publisher? The spiteful people who dislike Mormons and Muslins? The advertisers on this web site? The individuals who sell the advertising on commission? My personal opinion is that so many uninformed short comments does little to advance the interest of a society.

I commend anyone of the LDS (or other faiths) who have read up on Islam or any other religion for that matter. There are some excellent books examining world religions in a positive light. I have found people in Middle Eastern countries to be some of the best hosts and often eager to share their beliefs. Most I have met are interested in knowing something about my beliefs as well. Besides that, their culture and history are fascinating and often shed some light on a shared history. I find I learn the most about my history when studying others.

...and so do Catholics and Mormons, and Baptists and Muslims, and believe it or not even Baptists and Mormons! That's one of the major points of the study isn't it? The fact that most people consider their religions vastly different from everyone elses indicates the truth of the statement in the article that people know little about there own faith and even less about the faith of others.

I would like to hear from a practicing Muslim out there. What would you like us to know about what you believe? What insight can you share to help us understand your faith more accurately?

I grew up outside of Utah. It was interesting that being one of only two LDS boys in the elementary school everyone knew what standards I was to live by and even if I had wanted to be stupid and smoke and drink they would not have let me.

Alabama was very tolerant of other religons. They were many students at the colleges that were of many faiths that were not Christian and they were recieved well.

The one faith that was very disliked in the south was Catholic. I never met a Catholic that had grown up there. They were there because of a job or someother reason and most moved away after a few years in the south.

No one should talk ill of any religion, we are all equal. if you want the truth on a certain faith, don't look for it in the media or others opinions. Every church has representatives that are practiceing their religion and can tell you the real facts.

I have a friend, Tanseem, a devout Muslim woman. She has 4 kids, and wears the robes and Hijab. I asked her once what it was like to be a Muslim in post 9/11 America. She started to cry. She says the persecution is relentless. The glares, stares, snide comments, and rude customer service they receive. And she doesn't know what to tell her daughters when they ask why people are so mean to them. It infuriates her how Muslims are judged based on the actions of radical terrorists who have skewed the teachings of the Koran so much that to her she doesn't consider them true Muslim. She feels it shameful that many of her Muslim friends named "Mohammad" have changed their names, or simply go by "Mo", because they are treated like a terrorist if they go by the name of their Prophet. She just cried, and I really felt for her. At that time the misconceptions I have about Muslim beliefs no longer mattered. Because I saw a woman, and friend, a wife and mother who wants exactly what I want. To have happiness in life for her family, no matter what religion we each adhere to.

I wonder which religion has committed more murders in the name of its advancement?

AZwildcat: If you look in the Bible, New Testament I belive, one of the Apasels (sp)of Jesus, said, "As you are now God once was, as God is now you can become".

John, we do try to get the word out about our belifes, the problum is that most people just don't wont to hear anything we have to say or they just don't belive what is said. I know, I have tryed to help people know that what they thank our church is about is wrong, they just don't wont to belive because their minister told them what we belive and there fore what we say is a wrong or a lie or just trying to cover up what "they belive" is the truth.

CHRISTION, You are making assumptions about the Mormons, we do not add to the Bible, if you will read the dead sea scrolls you will find a lot of what we believe is in the dead sea scrolls. The dead sea scrolls were written by Moses, and Abraham. The Jesuit priests head the scrolls and as such was never incorporate in to the bible when at the end of the dark ages a king called all his advisors to gather and formed, what I understand, the Roman Catholics Church. The History Chanel had a segment on the Dead Sea scrolls and how the Jesuit's hid up the scrolls.

That statement is not in the Bible nor in any LDS scripture either.

It is a statement from Lorenzo Snow, an LDS prophet.

Is it any wonder that those outside of the LDS faith haven't heard it?

SMH: Codo's to you, it is good to know others beliefs. As a leader in the US Army, I tried to understand the belief system of each of those placed under me so I could help them based on their fath, not mine. I love to talk about religion, my, yours, our religion in general. I will never argue and never tell someone they are wrong. One of our Articles of Faith, the 11th, states, "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. Contenus net

Hey Ned,

I think the religion of atheism is the answer...you know...Hitler/Stalin/Mao. Hope that helps ;)

Joshua,

Have you ever head of milk before meat?? You are just confusing the issue.

You're quoting Lorenzo Snow, not the Bible.

I thought I would let you know politely before someone jumped you on this.

I know when I talk to people back home they continually ask, "so how many wives do you have now". I really don't think that many people actually believe that the church condones polygamy but since they were once associated with it, it is the first thing people bring up. And really, 100 years isn't that long ago when it comes to religion so I assume that will continue to be an issue. I wonder how many missionarys would rate that as the #1 thing they get asked when working out of state? I agree with some posts above...the missionarys seem to have a negative conotation along with them that they are trying to force their beliefs on non-mormons...I appreciate SFC Ret Dennis' comment.

I believe in the God, the son, and the holy spirit as stated in the Holy Bible. I believe it the 10 commandments. I believe that Jesus died on the cross so that all mankind will be saved and have eternal life. That includes all Mormons, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Musleums, Hindus, Buddahs, Atheist, Ignostics, and all others regardless of the catagory that someone might be put into. Why else, would Jesus go through so much pain. The other details I am not concerned with. I believe that many of us are living our burning hell right now on earth. Look at Darfu. Look at many of our own homeless. Look at all the challenged people in the world. I can not conceive of a loving just God, father of us all, having any of his children burn in a real fire for eternity. But if so, than so be it. That is not what is important to me. What is important is that we love
God, Obey his commandments, and do onto others as we would have them do onto us, is what is really all that is important. Why bicker over dogma? Why must we set ourselves as different?

I've found the missionaries that come through my east coast neighborhood every now and then to be very friendly and courteous. They are retired folks and have a gentle way of answering the questions that I pose. I add this because I think its a wonderful way to introduce the world to the LDS religion. I enjoyed the books they left, but the DVDs are a little scary and could probably be dropped.

It is interesting to me that after ten of thousands of LDS Missionaries have shared LDS doctrine to homes throughout the country, and after decades of weekly broadcasts and concerts by the Tabernacle Choir (America's Choir I have heard them called) that polygamy is still what most people in America think of when asked what they know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.