New media campaign in United Kingdom and Ireland causes fellow Mormons, both at BYU-Hawaii and abroad, to rejoice. “I love this campaign. There’s so much incorrect information out there about who Mormons are and what we believe,” said Abigail Smith, a junior studying marine biology from Iowa. “I think it’s great that these advertisements answer real questions and help to dispel unfounded ideas about our faith.” According to an article found on the LDS Church’s newsroom page entitled, “’I’m a Mormon’ Integrated media Campaign launches in UK and Ireland in response to increased interest in faith,” advertisements like this first ran in the United States in 2010. Students reflected on how this campaign will help the LDS faith reach more people. “I think it’s good because many people think that Mormons are not Christian,” said Stephanie Kim, a junior studying political science from Korea. “I served a mission in Temple Square, and many people have incorrect information. This will motivate people to learn and know about the church,” The LDS Church, through the article found in the newsroom stated, ”In London, 250 double-decker buses will feature advertisements as will Charing Cross mainline station and 10 tube stations, including Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus for the next four weeks.” “It’s really good to see that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is informing and directing people with advertisements and media. It fascinates me that the UK and Ireland areas are sparking interest in the church,” said Erin Akinaka, a junior majoring in history from California. The article included some of the statements found on the advertisements, including, “When I lost my way, God helped me find it,” and “Jesus Christ is my compass.” According to the article, “The Church invites anyone with questions ‘to ask a Mormon’ via mormon.org.uk or Twitter at twitter.com/Askamormon.” A campaign in New York in 2011 coincided with the opening of “The Book of Mormon Musical.” London’s campaign also coincides with the opening of the musical. The church will also be running ads in the Playbills for “The Book of Mormon Musical,” which includes slogans such as, “You’ve seen the play, now read the book,” and “The book is always better,” stated the article.
Writer: Tucker Grimshaw~Multimedia Journalist
