A new website and two new books have generated interest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just before the start of the Church's General Conference Saturday.
Religion Specialist Carole Mikita has details.
Latter-day Saints will undoubtedly watch and listen to the words of their church leaders this weekend, looking for added comfort and reassurance, following last month's tragic events.
There are other church options for answers, as well.
Easy to access, easily understood.That's how church leaders describe the new website that answers often asked questions about teachings and doctrinal beliefs.
You can find it at www.mormon.org. It differs from lds.org and familysearch.org because it is geared more to people who may be less familiar with the church.
The website was introduced by general authorities from the church's missionary department, but they say people surfing the site will not be targeted for a missionary visit.
Elder Neil L. Andersen: "OUR INTENT IS SIMPLY TO SHARE IT. WE GIVE A LOT OF VEHICLES IF THEY WANT TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OR LEARN MORE. BUT OUR INTENT IS NOT TO CORNER ANYBODY."
Elders Andersen and Simmons say the site name uses 'Mormon' because that's how many people, who are not Latter-day Saints, refer to church members. This, they hope, will make finding the site easier.
New Books
A couple of church leaders have new books released in time for General Conference. President Gordon B. Hinckley's is titled "Stand a Little Taller." It is described as a thought-for-a-day, common sense advice for a complicated world.
Sheri Dew, second counselor in the church's General Relief Society has written "No Doubt About It", called a faith filled account of her experiences that's meant to inpsire. Both are flying off the shelves.
Don Gull, Exec. V.P., Deseret Book: "WITH PRESIDENT HINCKLEY'S BOOK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 200,000 IN BACK ORDER. WE SIMPLY CANNOT FILL WHAT WE NEED. WITH SHERI'S BOOK WE SIMPLY HAD A DIFFICULT TIME SUPPLYING OUR OWN STORES. SO, IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS. WE SAY, 'THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS PROBLEM'."
