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The Rev. Gregory Johnson pointed with pride Friday to what he sees as the major — and somewhat unexpected — successes of his organization, Standing Together, during its first decade of operation.
Johnson, who launched the nonprofit in 2001 with the hope of uniting Utah's evangelical Christian ministries and of engaging in civil dialogues rather than competitive clashes with Mormons, saw the anniversary celebration at Salt Lake Christian Center as "the culmination of all his work ... celebrating Jesus and what he's doing with us and for us."
Johnson's unique approach also has earned respect from the country's top evangelical leaders, many of whom came to Salt Lake City this week for the first time as board members of the National Association of Evangelicals. The group met Thursday with Elder Jeffrey Holland, a member of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who addressed them for a half-hour then answered questions for an hour.
"The work you do is so important," said Gov. Gary Herbert at the dinner. "We stand together on principles. There is more that unites us than divides us."
Others who addressed the more than 200 anniversary attendees were even more laudatory, praising Johnson for his vision and energy, his optimism and his self-sacrifice. Several called Standing Together's accomplishments "historic" and "far-reaching."
Johnson has organized regular prayer meetings, worship experiences and events for the more than 100 evangelical pastors and their wives who are part of the group. It has helped form a bond among pastors from across the theological spectrum.
The Rev. Bill Young, senior pastor at The Rock Church in Salt Lake City, got a big laugh Friday when he said Standing Together has given him a chance to meet with various kinds of Christians, and, "they're all wrong, but I still love them."
In 2004, Standing Together was instrumental in bringing evangelical author and philosopher Ravi Zacharias to the Mormon Tabernacle, the first such guest preacher in more than 100 years. In 2009, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agreed to let evangelist Nick Vujicic, an Australian who was born without arms and legs, not only speak at the Tabernacle but also offer his usual altar call, encouraging attendees to come forward and make a new commitment to Christ. These evangelicals do not believe Mormons are Christians because of their unique teachings, but Holland agreed to let Vujicic make the altar call.
Johnson organized a group of evangelical pastors to defend Mormons attending that faith's semiannual General Conference from the often offensive antics of some of the other religion-based protesters.
And he joined with Robert Millet, a Brigham Young University professor of ancient scripture, presenting A Mormon and Evangelical in Conversation in some 60 public venues across the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Critics on both sides have challenged Johnson's and Millet's judgment and motives for participating, but neither man was deterred.
The pair has brought people together "who might otherwise have remained at arm's-length," Millet said at the dinner. "The world would be a better place if Latter-day Saints and evangelicals can learn to listen, communicate, avoid hasty judgments," the LDS scholar said. They should "hold to their convictions but do so with civility."