A BYU professor praised the media attention that The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been exposed to in recent years.
J.B. Haws, an Assistant Professor in BYU’s Department of
Church History and Doctrine, delivered a lecture on the university’s campus
Thursday. In his address, he discussed the history and the current state of
public affairs in The Church of Jesus Christ.
When questioned about the present state of public opinion
concerning The Church of Jesus Christ, Haws stated that he is “hopeful” for the
future and he said he believes that the organization has “articulate leaders”
who will be able to overcome potential stumbling blocks in public opinion.
“All things considered,” Haws said. “It is a victory to
simply be in the conversation.”
The professor acknowledged that the public perception of the
organization has not always been positive. At the same time, he commended the
efforts of the church’s different publicity teams over the years.
In particular, Haws celebrated the Homefront commercials
produced by The Church of Jesus Christ between 1972 and 1983. These
advertisements promoted the importance of the family and won numerous national
awards. By 1976, The Church of Jesus Christ estimated that these commercials
had received $31 million worth of free radio and television time.
“Perhaps no other initiative did more to link Mormonism to
family values than did Homefront,” Haws said.
Other publicity boosts for The Church of Jesus Christ that
Haws mentioned include the church’s pavilion in the New York World’s Fair from
1964 to 1965, the presidential campaigns of both George and Mitt Romney and, of
course, the Osmond family.
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