Local members of the Jamestown denomination of the church, located at 851 Forest Ave., beg to differ. Instead of secrecy, they prefer to be an open book of sorts.

Instead of exclusion, the church embraces inclusion. Whereas, some people may peddle rumors and biased opinions, the church’s leadership team prefers open, frank and straight talk and reciprocal dialogue.

“We’re a Christian church,” said Sam Ognibene, stake clerk of the Jamestown, New York Stake, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It’s right in our name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We don’t worship Joseph Smith, Moroni or the Book of Mormon, we worship God the father and his son Jesus Christ. The church does not support plural marriage, nor do we discriminate.”

According to churchofjesuschrist.org, the Latter-day Saints are a non-trinitarian, restorationist, Christian denomination that is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has more than 17 million members worldwide. Currently, the church has more than 99,000 volunteer missionaries and is ranked as the fourt- largest Christian denomination in the United States. Moreover, the church encourages the tithing of 10% of member’s income, and requires that its members abstain from using tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea–and the observance of Sabbath-day restrictions on recreation and shopping. Culturally, the church has an unfavorable opinion on piercings and tattoos and the church counsels against the use of crosses as symbols of worship.

Children with the Jamestown Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints play a game during one of the church’s youth group programming events, at 851 Forest Ave. Submitted Photo

“We don’t use crosses in any of our temples or churches,” said Seth Carter, the churches’ Erie Ward, second counselor. “Jesus defeated death and the cross is a symbol of death and suffering. We worship the risen Christ.”

There has been a rash of television and cable programming revolving around the Latter-day saints during the last several years -specifically, programming that highlights the act of polygamy. Sister Wives, Big Love, My Five Wives and Seeking Sister wives are just a few of the entertainment shows produced regarding polygamy and the spinoff branches from the LDS. Something – to which the local Latter-day Saints refuse to watch and lend any creed to it.

“It’s garbage,” said Carter. “Smut sells. We don’t watch it and we don’t support it. Yes, polygamy was part of our past. However, the church officially disbanded its practice in the late 1800’s.”

According to churchofjesuschrist.org In 1890, LDS Church president at the time Wilford Woodruff issued a public declaration (the Manifesto) announcing that the LDS Church had discontinued new plural marriages. This paved the way for the formation and inclusion for the State of Utah to enter the union. And in 1910, the church officially excommunicated anyone who entered or attempted to arrange a plural marriage.

As recently reported by The Post-Journal, Ognibene and the local LDS church petitioned Salt Lake City Church leaders for food stores to help feed the homeless and hungry in Jamestown. It’s an endeavor which they were successful at.

“The church not only performs acts of charity for non-church members, but also has several other programs which we provide for people, free of charge,” said Ognibene. “At our national location we have historical records of those who’ve immigrated to the United States and elsewhere.” The website, familysearch.org, is an official ministry of the LDS church and most LDS churches have computers and internet access, which are open to the public, for those wishing to research genealogy and ancestral records. Other programs offered to the public include emergency response services; maternal and newborn care; vision care services; clean water production services; food production assistance and immunization services.

All humanitarian projects are funded by donations from church members and others. One hundred percent of these donations go directly to help the poor and needy. In-kind material assistance is provided through items donated by church members and others according to the church’s official website. For more information visit churchofjesuschrist.org or email oggy54@hotmail.com.