Rev. Cliff Cain, a religious scholar and author who teaches religion at Westminster College, said strengthening ties between people of different faiths can only be done by evolving from tolerance to mutual respect.
"Tolerance isn't enough; we need to move to respect and appreciation," he said. "For it to be a civil society, it has to be one in which we have acceptance, appreciation and respect."
One religious group in Callaway County with a history of being excluded is aiming to strengthen ties with their neighbors through mutual respect and appreciation.
"The positive things I hear about Mormons is they're very passionate about and committed to their faith, very family oriented and concerned about people that are disadvantaged and marginalized," Cain said. "The negative things I hear are that Mormons are going to beat you over the head with the Book of Mormon, and they're not Christians. The first is a generalization, and the second is untrue."
Nearly two centuries ago, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as Mormons, settled in Missouri. Seven years later, they were forced to leave by order of then Gov. Lilburn Boggs, who signed the 1838 "extermination order" legalizing the killing of any member of the Mormon Church.
It wasn't until 1976 that Gov. Kit Bond rescinded the 1838 "extermination order." Gradually, Mormons started moving back to Missouri.
Randy Stevens, bishop of the Mormon congregation in Fulton, said there are many reasons Mormons have been moving back to
Missouri.
"We have 16 million members worldwide, and Missouri is not any different. I came here because of work," he said. "Also, Missouri is a beautiful state. I love it. For others, I suspect their reasons for coming are very similar to that."
Today, near the epicenter of what historians refer to as the "Mormon Wars," Callaway County is home to more than 500 Mormons. They attend one of four congregations in the county, one of which is on the south side of Fulton across U.S. Business 54 from Callaway Memorial Gardens.
The members of the LDS church in Mid-Missouri, which number almost 4,000, come from all walks of life, according to Richard Houseman, president of the regional entity of the church, the Columbia Stake.
"There's a wide range of distinct backgrounds; some were raised non-members of the church, and some have been members for a very long time," he said. "There's a lot of diversity, but we are all united in our belief of following Jesus Christ and doing good to others as he taught us to do."
Misconceptions
Houseman said because of the unfamiliarity, there are many misconceptions about what Mormons believe.
"For those who are religious, often the biggest question they ask me is 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ?' Sometimes that's a shocking question given the official name of our church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," he said. "I've also had others who aren't religious at all, and it seems like their biggest misconception is that the church continues to participate in polygamy or other activities that (church members) haven't participated in for over a century."
The Mormon church, which allowed polygamy from its inception until 1890, is often confused with other religious groups who practice polygamy and refer to themselves as Mormons, Stevens said.
"In Utah, when they outlawed polygamy, there were lots of families that were affected," he said. "The ones that were faithful ceased the practice of plural marriage. There are still polygamist groups on the Arizona-Utah border."
Those splinter groups are in no way affiliated with the church today, Stevens said.
"They're living against the law and are not members of the church," he added. "Any member of the church supporting or living polygamous lives are excommunicated."
Questions about the Mormon faith aren't only fielded by church leaders and adult members. Young members including Abby Barton, 15, of Fulton, are also asked about their religion. She said people are often misinformed about Mormon doctrine.
"They think we're super restricted on everything we do and that our dads have seven wives," she said. "It's not true. However, my dad jokes about it all the time to non-Mormons to freak them out."
Abby also said others may even feel negatively judged by Mormons for not living to the same standards.
"People think we hate them because they aren't doing what we believe in. That's not true," she added. "I like that people try and better themselves in their own way - that's good."
Last week, Abby and her friend Lilly Engel, 14, also of Fulton, participated in a conference of more than 600 Mormon youth from all over Missouri.
"You do what you do to get by and believe what you believe is right," Lilly said. "I'm not going to tell anyone they're wrong."
Missionaries
Two Mormon missionaries, Sister Phoenix Piombo and Sister Kady Christensen, serve in Callaway County. While strolling down Court Street recently, they said in talking to people about their faith, they attempt to build bridges rather than be perceived as pushy.
"We support everybody's right to choose for themselves what they believe. Whether it's Mormonism or something else, we support it. We are all just here to uplift each other," Piombo said. "We're just regular people."
Sister is a title in the church all female missionaries take upon themselves for their 18 months of service, the women said. Christensen said while she has had positive experiences during her time as a missionary, some people still react to the missionaries negatively.
While out in public, the two women wear nametags identifying themselves as Mormon missionaries - and those nametags can be off-putting to some.
"We were walking in Walmart, and people turned their heads and avoided us like the plague," Christensen said, adding sometimes her feelings are hurt. "I was just trying to smile at people and be nice."
Some people say they only know about the Mormon faith through their experiences with members of the church. Andy Cave, 87, of Dixie, stopped on Court Street to chat with Piombo and Christensen. He said from knowing members of the Mormon church, he has a positive perception.
"I have some relatives that live out west, and they are Mormons," he said.
Aside from his family members, Cave also recalled an experience he had meeting a few Mormons.
"We went mountain lion hunting a few years ago, and we had Mormon guides, and we have never met two nicer boys," he said. "They took care of everything, and they were really polite. Mormonism is a great religion."
The missionaries, who pay their own way during their service, said they have dedicated their lives to helping the people of Callaway County by serving and helping wherever needed. All they ask for in return is respect, Piombo said.
"I think all we try to do is help build others faith in Christ. If it ends up in conversion, great. If not, we still want to help their faith," she added. "If they're not interested, all they have to do is politely say 'no thank you.' Just be kind."
Freedom to believe
Cain said when it comes to understanding the faiths of others, people can move from tolerating one another to appreciating one another by studying and socializing.
"I think the first step is to gain knowledge. It's the incorrect information that causes stereotypes," he said. "The second thing is familiarity. You have to get to know some Mormons, Buddhists, Muslims and Jews, because then you see how their beliefs are incarnated in people."
Respect of other beliefs is also crucial within the Mormon church, going back to the writings of its founder, Joseph Smith, Houseman said.
In 1842, Smith wrote an article about the basic beliefs of Mormonism, which was published in the Chicago Democrat. Smith's statement became known as the 13-part "Articles of Faith."
Houseman said one of those core beliefs in the "Articles of Faith" revolves around allowing others to worship as they please.
"One of the articles states, 'We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege. Let them worship how, where or what they may.' That really outlines our core belief," he said. "We seek to love all people and embrace their faith background. It's important to protect their rights to practice their beliefs even if it differs from our own."
Unity begins with communication, Houseman said, and those who may not know what Mormons believe should simply ask.
"I think if people would like to learn more about us, the best thing they can do is ask questions. We are so willing to share our faith if anyone's interested," he said. "We have full-time missionaries that are trained to teach and answer questions. If they knock your door, I hope you would invite them in to ask questions."
He also said those of other beliefs shouldn't hesitate to call the Mormon congregation in Fulton to help with service projects and assist those in need.
"Our congregations are encouraged to plan service activities with other congregations," Houseman said. "We hope that all people cultivate faith and strive to do good among all men."
For more information, visit LDS.org or call the local missionaries at 573-310-3952.