The findings of Chris Hicks, which were published in the Weekend section of the Deseret News, dated Feb. 26, in his article titled "Cinema Saints," produced the following heading to his article: "Movies generally show Mormons as latter-day quaints." And this subheading: "Striking number of films portray church and Utah as backward, bizarre, hypocritical - or idyllic."
My 22 years of experience in the business community of this city indicates that many responsible non-LDS members, and even LDS members, of the community share the same views.LDS scripture makes the following prophecy as to how LDS people are supposed to be viewed by their nonmember contemporaries: Let my church "become very great, and let it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon . . . ; That the kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is in very deed the kingdom of our God, and his Christ . . . "
The current image that non-LDS people have of LDS people is a pretty far cry from the image that scripture says LDS people are supposed to produce. Hopefully, Hicks' findings will induce some introspection among serious-minded Mormons.
Rulon R. Price
Salt Lake City