Catholic and Mormon: A Theological Conversation

by Stephen H. Webb

Elder M. Russell Ballard (of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) counseled members of the faith: “Get to know your neighbors. Learn about their . . . views. . . . Our pioneer ancestors were driven from place to place by uninformed and intolerant neighbors. They experienced extraordinary hardship and persecution because they thought, acted, and believed differently from others. If our history teaches us nothing else, it should teach us to respect the rights of all people.”5 Similarly, Vatican II’s Decree on Ecumenism counsels Roman Catholics: “We must become more familiar with the outlook of our separated brethren. Study is absolutely required for this, and it should be pursued in fidelity to the truth and with a spirit of good will. Catholics . . . need to acquire a more adequate understanding of the respective doctrines of our separated brethren, their history, their spiritual and liturgical life, their religious psychology and cultural background.”