But the Mormon Church hasn't been without controversy. In the early days of its history, Mormons were persecuted by civil and religious authorities because of their beliefs. Many Christian denominations, including the Southern Baptists and other evangelical groups, still insist that the Mormons' teachings on such doctrines as the Trinity are heretical. In recent years, however, negative opinions about the church have been less strident. Rodney Stark, a sociologist at the University of Washington and a leading authority on Mormons, said the Mormon Church is growing at about the same rate as many evangelical churches, in large part because church growth is a major emphasis of these groups.
Hard work pays.
In addition, he said, much of the stigma that non-church members had attached to the Mormon Church has started to fade because the church has become more established in this country and because more and more people interact with Mormons. They're not nearly as isolated in Utah as they were a couple of generations ago. Part of the reason the church is becoming less isolated is the work of young missionaries, often in their late teens or early 20s, who leave home for two years to evangelize. They're often seen in suits and ties, walking through neighborhoods, knocking on doors and handing out Bibles, copies of the Book of Mormon and brochures and videos about their faith. While missionaries stress the similarities between Mormons and other Christians, they also talk about differences.