How Mormons, Evangelicals can improve communication

Belmont Citizen-Herald/October 6, 2004

The Rev. Gregory Johnson, an ordained Baptist minister, and Dr. Robert Millet, a professor of Christian understanding at Brigham Young University, will have a dialogue regarding their theological similarities and differences, on Friday, Oct. 8 from 7-9 p.m. at the Belmont Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15 Ledgewood Place.

Johnson served nine years as a pastor in three congregations in Utah, where he now heads a ministry entitled "Standing Together," an organization established to build stronger unity between Evangelical churches in Utah, and greater dialogue between Evangelical Christians and Latter-day Saints. He and his wife Jill are the parents of three children, Indiana, Reagan and California, and reside in Lehi, Utah.

Millet is Richard L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding at Brigham Young University. After joining the Religion faculty at BYU in 1983, he served as chairman of the department of Ancient Scripture, dean of the College of Religious Education and director of the Religious Studies Center. He devotes much of his time to meeting with religious leaders and academics to build bridges of friendship and understanding between Latter-day Saints and other religious groups. He and his wife Shauna are the parents of six children and reside in Orem, Utah.

Johnson and Millet have organized this discussion to serve as a model of how to communicate more effectively with people who have theological differences. They will start with a few topics that are often raised, and then they will respond to any question asked by those in attendance. They have presented this program throughout the country at variety of colleges and churches.

All are welcome to attend.