Thoughts on the 19th Annual Conference of the International Society

Today, I attended the 19th Annual Conference of the International Society for extra credits but it turned out to be a great and enriching experience.

The topic of discussion for this year's conference was Meet the Mormons: Public Perception and the Global Church. We had the opportunity to hear from President Cecile Samuelson from Brigham Young University (BYU) and Elder Callister Douglas L. and Elder Wickman Lance B. from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church)and other church and school leaders.

I found it very interesting how three different entities collaborated to create such an impressive and influential organization and most shocking to me was how nobody, even me, knew nothing about it.

The International Society (IS), which is form by the LDS Church, BYU and the State of Utah, has been collaborating with government official across the globe and inviting them to visit, participate and most importantly to change their views on Mormonism and Utah. This initiative, in my opinion, is good public relations.

These ambassadors are greatly influential individuals in their countries and by giving them the opportunity to experience our lives and understand our views on different topics, they become our own ambassadors in a divided world. So far, IS has given to 157 ambassadors from 91 countries the chance to experience what Utah has to offer and a better knowledge of the LDS Church. These ambassadors' reviews have contributed to create bridges and good relationships with countries like Ukraine, China and so forth.

IS focuses his attention on ambassadors representing poor countries and also on those with whom the U.S. don't have great relationships. The decision is made by comparing the interests of the church, the state and also BYU and when a decision is reached, a letter, signed by President Samuelson, is either mailed or delivered personally to its recipients. Later, upon acceptance, they receive a booklet with a detailed schedule of the events that will be taking place and the name of other officials involved in the different aspects of their visits. Among selected countries figure the following nations*: Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, China, Chile, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Jordan, Germany, Russia, France, Spain and Ukraine.

BYU got involved in IS because school officials thought it fit their mission statement by helping them to: Enlarge BYU's international influence in a world they wish to improve - BYU mission statement - by developing enduring relationships with strategically important countries and government leaders.

As a fairly new religion, this tactic is very profiting to BYU who has had, and continue to have, many challenges in getting accepting in some countries and changing people's views about mormonism and Church owned institutions. Among some of these challenges figure:

1- Changing the cult mindset, which create difficulties in obtaining credibility and
difficulty when trying to reach people or get accepted into a country

2- Ending or minimize ppositions from dominant religious leaders and faith who
sometimes hurt the LDS church's public image

3- Reaching communist and former communist nations in which some faiths have to
diminish their public involvement and/ or change the wording of their doctrines

4- Changing the perception which presents the LDS Church as a U.S. institution for
propaganda, recruitment and surveillance

IS also offers young and experienced professionals, from everywhere in the world, the opportunity to network with influential members in various sectors such as Public Affairs and Government offices.

For more information on the International Society and their mission go to ldsinternationalsociety.org.

* some of these countries don't fit in the "poor" nations category. They have been previously selected and maybe have already contributed for many other reasons which fit IS goals and objectives.

Click here for slide show - sorry, but I took the pictures with my phone :(.