Even in this modern age of Internet communication — when the public can quickly obtain information directly from the Jehovah's Witnesses' own Web site — local members of the church say they remain one of the least understood religions.
Richard Wolf, Salt Lake area news representative for the Witnesses, said part of the problem is public acceptance of hearsay over direct conversation with a member or the faith.
"Some people are even scared to talk to us because we can open the Bible," he said.
Warren Beers, an elder in the Millcreek congregation of the Jehovah's Witnesses, said the most common misconceptions involve the church's neutral stand on politics and war; on medical care and blood transfusions; and on not celebrating traditional holidays.
Notwithstanding, he said, "We pay our taxes. We're very sensitive to religious issues . . . If people want to listen, we're open for discussion."
The most visible aspect of the church is its zealous proselyting, with members frequently going door-to-door or passing out literature in public places.
"The good news needs to be preached. That's why we keep coming to the door," Wolf said.
He said the general goal is to knock on every door in Utah once a year, but with the state's urban-rural mix, that's a difficult challenge.
"We still find people who have never even heard of us," he said.
Felix Melgar, 28, of North Salt Lake joined the Jehovah's Witness 14 months ago. Born and raised in El Salvador, he wanted to read church publications there more than a decade ago but couldn't because of family pressures. It was only after coming to the United States nine years ago that he could seriously investigate the church.
"My life has some meaning now," he said. "I know what I stand for and have confidence in the future."
Melgar said it was the pertinent advice the Witnesses had available in their Awake magazine on handling peer pressure, illegal drugs and sex that appealed most to him.
The Witnesses' missionary effort, where all members freely proselyte, is one reason the Witnesses comprise one of the world's fastest-growing faiths. It's growth rate worldwide was 2.3 percent in 2000, with most of that increase in Mexico and Russia.
There are just more than 6 million members in almost 91,500 congregations. The United States boasts nearly 1 million members in 11,426 congregations.
In Utah, the Witnesses number about 5,000 with 45 congregations spread throughout the state. Although overall church growth in America last year was nil, Utah Witnesses saw growth in the Spanish-speaking area, with Spanish-speaking congregations increasing from eight to 11. One new Spanish-speaking Jehovah's Witnesses congregation was started in Provo and two others in the Salt Lake area.
Congregations meet in local places of worship called Kingdom Halls. Church leaders say the public is welcome at all meetings and point out that donations are not taken at the meetings. Kingdom Halls are usually modest structures with an auditorium and library. Some buildings are constructed by members, and others may be rented facilities. Each Kingdom Hall generally serves fewer than 200 members.
Services are held three times a week at most Kingdom Halls, and most meetings involve audience participation similar to a classroom discussion. Worship starts and ends with prayer and includes singing. Meetings focus on Bible readings, and children also have opportunities to participate in services.
The public meeting and Watchtower study meetings are often on Sundays. This first meeting is 45 minutes long and is a Bible-based lecture geared for visitors. The second meeting is a one-hour discussion of a recent Bible topic article published in the Watchtower magazine. The Theocratic Ministry School and service meetings are usually on weekday evenings.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com