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The LDS Church made a promise when it released "Meet the Mormons" in theaters in October — the Utah-based faith would donate all net proceeds from the sale of tickets to the American Red Cross.
On Thursday, the church kept that promise.
During the nonprofit's annual Heroes Recognition luncheon at Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, LDS Presiding Bishop Gary E. Stevenson presented Red Cross officials with a check for $1.8 million, according to a news release.
The Red Cross and LDS Charities have worked together for 30 years on more than 220 projects across the U.S., according to the "Meet the Mormons" website, "including vouchers to Deseret Industries thrift store locations for those in need, donations of clothing and hygiene kits, medical assistance for refugees, hospital equipment and training, a vaccination program and emergency response to earthquakes, fires, flooding, mudslides, cyclones, typhoons, internally displaced refugees, severe weather, tornadoes, and war."
The feature-length film profiled six members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in diverse settings and occupations. LDS headquarters encouraged members in the U.S. to see the film in movie houses and the faithful did so in droves.
During its opening weekend, "Meet the Mormons" was shown in 317 theaters and "attracted capacity crowds," according to the LDS Church, making it the "number one film in over 100 locations, with sold out showings reported across the country, including New York City, Detroit, Miami, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Dallas, Phoenix, and various locations in California."
Peggy Fletcher Stack