A group of local and international Lutheran delegates will spend three days in "immersion" regarding the LDS Church next week, but the events don't involve baptism.

That membership rite is just one of many theological differences between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Lutherans, 20 of whom will visit Brigham Young University and Temple Square Aug. 3-4. And though there are no firm details, it's possible the delegates may meet with members of the LDS Church's First Presidency.

Pastor Steve Klemz of Zion Lutheran Church said his only regret going into the meetings is that there are fewer delegates attending than he had hoped. "We thought that we would have 10 times as many guests from Lutheran World Federation assembly," which involves delegates from some 76 nations who have come to North America this summer to learn from each other and from those of other faiths.

Pastor Klemz believes many who had originally planned to make Salt Lake City the last stop on their tour before returning home opted for Washington, D.C., after the war broke out in Iraq.

Guests include the president of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, Benjamin Rabenorolahy and his wife; Bishop Allan Bjornberg of the Rocky Mountain Synod as well as representatives from Norway and other nations and some Utah clergy.

Their "dunking" into Mormon culture begins Sunday at 6 p.m. with a public worship service at Zion Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill Dr., focused on liturgical dance, music and healing of religious rifts, in tandem with the World Federation theme, "For the Healing of the World." Delegates will tour BYU on Monday and converse with several faculty members about LDS doctrine, Pastor Klemz said. A tour of Temple Square and meetings with church officials are set Tuesday.

"This is something we're all quite excited about because we're encouraged, especially with BYU, to be forthright with our questions. . . . Personally, I'm coming in open with expecting to learn more about doctrine. What I hope grows from this is continued intentional conversation with my colleagues."

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The seven Utah clergy who will participate "range from acceptance and tolerance (of Latter-day Saints) to something more than a little uncomfortable." Having moved to Utah 11 years ago from Lutheran country in Minnesota, "I received a whole bevy of books about Mormons, and you can only imagine what the content ranged from.

"I was happy to toss some away, but we often can get caught up into a triangle of what someone else says about somebody rather than being in relationship. That's what I mean about this being an exciting time."

For delegates who are not from Utah, Klemz believes they'll come to understand that Mormonism "is a culture — it's a belief system but also a culture and way of living that carries with it a standard of excellence, not only in ministry but in organization. It's an organization that continues to astound me, even in my own neighborhood, just to see how people are can rally whenever there is a need."


E-mail: carrie@desnews.com

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