Spread God's Love.

Heartwarming story. The gospel and the Spirit can touch people without words. The friendly, humanitarian actions taken to help are especially powerful. I'm glad we're doing what we can to build bridges and dissolve animus. I'm hopeful this understanding will grow and spread.

Kinda parallels how we dealt with the Indians in Utah. Brigham Young said it was easier to feed them than fight them. So, for the most part, we didn't do battle but befriended them and had good relations.

Reminds me of a true story in the book, "Growing Up in Zion". The book has snippets from journals, letters, etc. from kids who grew up in Utah during the period 1850-1885.

In one instance, a few boys were out doing some errand on horseback when they encountered a bunch of Indians who quickly raced to and surrounded them. The Indians asked them, "Are you white men or Mormons?" They were glad to say they were Mormons, and the Indians let them go.

Seems like the help and outreach to the Muslims is working, as well. Let's hope it continues to grow and bears fruit in the future.

Hmmm...wonder if Muslims would sooner vote McCain with Romney as VP.

Oh boy I can't wait to read the comments this article is going to bring. I bet someone blames the Iraq war on mormons and expects mormons of terrorism

I just can't figure out why, after the many times the church leadership has asked the media to avoid use of the word "Mormon" when referring to the faith's name and instead at the very least use "Latter-day Saints", the Deseret news doesn't bother to make any distinction. LDS Mormons? Huh? Are they trying to differentiate between the RLDS Mormons, FLDS Mormons and any other "Mormons" out there?

Too bad muslims are still ostratized if they join the church regardless of where they live and muslims don't allow proselyting in there countries just yet. CAn't wait tell they have full freedom of religion in those countries as well and Muslims aren't ostratized that join the church.

Indonesia I beleive allows full proselyting rights for nonmuslims but not for muslims.

The story was written by an LA Times reporter (see the by-line) and was only printed in the DesNews. The LA Times reporter probably couldn't care less about the moniker and used it only because it's so readily recognized. Don't blame the DesNews for a LA reporter's (perceived) bias.

Interesting way of spreading the gospel. Unlike the I'm right your wrong crowd, it is more like the city set on a hill teaching method of teaching. From a doctrinal point of view, these people are the decedents of Abraham, and received the teachings of Lehi while he was in the desert. We don't always know what the Lord has in store for them.

very good article!!

Heartwarming? I think not. This article is so poorly written you can tell that 96% is taken out of context. I would venture to say that this article was written in such a way as to show the LDS chuch as supportive of fundamental Islam. Nothing could be further from the truth. The humanitarian support given to Islamic Relief should be stopped immediately as the US Treasury department has linked this "charity" with funding Hamas terrorist operations against the United States and Israel. Don't believe everything you read in the newspaper. When you show kindness you don't always get it in return, unfortunately there is no litmus test available for whether or not you are dealing with the sincere or those with nefarious inclinations.

As for freedom to proselytize--LDS (or any other Christian) missionaries cannot teach in Israel either.

Wait a minute. Don't Muslims allow polygamy? Why are we associating with a polygamist group?

In response to Kim's remark ". . . the US Treasury department has linked this "charity" with funding Hamas terrorist operations against the United States and Israel. Don't believe everything you read in the newspaper."

Maybe we shouldn't believe everything the US Treasury Department--or other US government agencies--tell us. They have . . . umm . . . lied to us before.

I agree with DONNA

What on earth is going on at Deseret News with these articles. We have just decided that we cannot handle the LDS churches double standards any longer. We are thinking of maybe joining the Catholic faith. Looks like LDS church are going Muslim. Too weird!

The Lord will direct this church to gather in His flock no matter what their beliefs are,weither they agree with LDS doctrine or not,and do it in His chosen way.This church is moving very quickly to the day when all the people of the earth no matter what their background is will be presented the gospel and the Lord is personally orchastrating that effort.We as Latter Day Saints had better be ready to accept that assignment or step aside and watch the work move forward.

"More than fifty years ago, when I was a missionary in England, I said to one of my associates, 'How can we get people, including our own members, to speak of the Church by its proper name?' He replied, 'You can’t. The word Mormon is too deeply ingrained and too easy to say.' He went on, 'I’ve quit trying. While I’m thankful for the privilege of being a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the Church which bears His name, I am not ashamed of the nickname Mormon.'"

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Mormon Should Mean ‘More Good’,” Ensign, Nov 1990, 51 [Read the whole address!]

Keep on dreaming buddy!

To those who do not like these type of articles, and mention leaving the Church and "double standard", this is not the Church News, this is a community publication. The article provides good information, both pro and con. In another blog I heard comments of the Church being "closed minded" and hiding negative segments of its history. Everyone cannot be pleased, but I for one am happy with the openness of the Deseret News to publish such an article. Whether or not everything in the article is the full truth, there is a positive relationship encouraged by the LDS church among all peoples, nations and faiths, and we should take every opportunity to be "neighbor" to all.

Talk about being "chastised," try being a non Mormon growing up in Utah. Yes they were treating wrongfully in the past, but in todays society they alienate those who are not of their faith.

There is no way a Mormon can be comforatble in an Islamic community!! The article is wrong about that and that Jesus is who he is because Joseph Smith said that is who he is. Joesph Smith would say that Jesus is who he is because SCRIPTURE tells us. Jesus Himself said who he is. We have nothing in common with Islam. We are warned by Jesus not to be yoked with those believing the opposite of what we (all Christians) believe. I am dissapointed that the LDS Church seems to be taking the same view that the mianline Protestant churches take about Islam. People, do the research,check out what the Imans are saying about us and all of Western Society.

If you are LDS and say "we have nothing in common with Islam", try reading The Ensign/August 2000, pages
50-58. The newspaper article does not say that the LDS church is accepting Islamic doctrine. Let's just be neighborly Christians to whomever we can.

The most important similarities Mormons have with Islam is their sacred scriptures. They each claim to have a special book that contains "the word of God" that had its origins separate from the Christian Bible.

Both are remarkable religious books, judging by the number of adherents they each have. Judging by that standard, however, we must conclude that the Koran is clearly more "true" than the Book of Mormon.

Mormons are fond of claiming that the Book of Mormon is true and citing as evidence the remarkable origins of the book. They claim it is such an amazing accomplishment for an uneducated Joseph Smith to have produced such a book - so amazing that it MUST have had a miraculous origin!

But by that argument, what about the Koran? The Koran is arguably more amazing a work of religious literature than the Book of Mormon. Its origins are even more astonishing. Hugh Nibley had the habit of challenging his students to produce a work of religious scripture equal to the Book of Mormon. Well, it looks like the prophet Mohammed did just that and surpassed the BOM and Joseph Smith's accomplishment!

What do you Mormons have to say about that?

Have you ever read the koran or the book of mormon? I highly doubt it. It's highly important to establish some type of credibility before making such a claim. You would feign the image of an intellectual with your statements. I have read and studied both and find the book of mormon to have much greater credibility than the koran for a number of reasons and I'm not even a mormon. Stop conniving stupid statements to try and push the buttons of the mormons.