Evangelicals Distribute Half Million DVDs to Convince Mormons They Are a Cult

Hundreds of Evangelical Christians volunteered Sunday and Monday to distirbute 350,000 anti-Mormon DVDs around Utah and another 150,000 across the U.S. and Canada. In the midst of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs' trial in Utah, Mormons woke up to a surprise on their doorknobs Sunday morning. Other's got their surprise Monday at the Utah Jazz game in downtown Salt Lake City. The motive of the Evangelicals was simple: to convince members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) that the church is a non-Christian cult. The message, however, was deceptive and harassing: white plastic bags were placed on home doorknobs Sunday morning with the words, "Good News for LDS." Many believed it was the LDS Church's own promotional material but rather it was a critique of Mormon beliefs.

This is exactly what the Evangelicals planned according to Chip Thompson, director of Tri-Grace Ministries in Ephraim, who helped with the distribution. The plan was conceived in 2005 and the timing of the distribution seemed perfect since Fundamentalist LDS polygamy leader, Warren S. Jeffs is on trial in southern Utah. But Thompson says, "What inspired this was all the hype surrounding the celebration of Joseph Smith's 200th birthday." In December, organizers brought the finished film to Utah to be previewed by dozens of Christian pastors. They all agreed to help distribute the films and not to tell any Mormons what was planned.

The film shows wrong information about the history of Joseph Smith and also shows sacred cermonies from LDS temples, something that members of the LDS church hold as a personal sanctuary and discussion of such ceremonies are very offensive to LDS members. Christian researchers and scholars say that the Evangelicals focus on misinterpretations of the Mormon belief rather than describing their own beliefs as a missionary tool for converting Mormons. Mormons will recognize that most of what is said in the DVD is false accusation, innuendo, and mischaraterizations of their religion and therefore, dismiss it.

Some religious scholars found the distribution tactics distasteful and extremely un-Christian. John Morehead, a theological seminary student believes the tactic "is mean-spirited and nasty." Nobody knocked on the door to discuss their religious beliefs; no Evangelical volunteers were on the street to talk to about their faith. The expensive DVD distribution effort likely will not have the desired result - multitudes of Mormons leaving their faith. Too bad the Evangelicals could not have used that money and volunteer effort helping the homeless, sponsoring special olympic events, or even helping Red Cross.