Religious experts open up LDS, evangelical dialogue

Religion in Idaho has become nearly a taboo topic.

It’s often difficult for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint faith and evangelical Christians to open up about their beliefs and find common ground without tempers getting heated and emotions running high.

Two religious experts are trying to change this attitude by opening up a public dialogue about God.

Robert Millet, the former dean of religion from Brigham Young University, and Greg Johnson,a minister based out of Lehi, Utah, are working together.

They’ve been friends and colleagues, swapping religious theories for years. They said it’s time for everyone else to become a little more open-minded.

More than 600 people from both sides of the aisle filled the aisles of the Colonial Theater in Idaho Falls to figure out how to get along.

“You can have straight-forward conversation about things that you differ over and still do so cordially and with respect,” said Millet.

Millet draws on a 14-year friendship with his colleague Greg Johnson, in which they said one principle has allowed them to look beyond the term “Mormon” or “Christian.” It’s called convicted civility.

“We’re going to offer each other a civility that’s based on our respect for one another, our friendship and courtesy of our Christian faith,” said Johnson.

It’s all about talking honestly and openly, but with respect.

Millet said it’s time to get away from the Hatfield and McCoy mentality and realize that both sides agree on most social issues.

“If we don’t figure out a way as an evangelical and a Latter-day Saint to really speak to those things in our society, we’re certainly going to lose together,” said Johnson.

Millet and Johnson met in 1997 while listening to another Christian speaker. They said it was their love of evangelical books and Billy Graham that brought them together.

Johnson was actually raised in the LDS church, but said he was born again at the age of 14.