Much of the media has discussed Mormonism in recent months. Perhaps in great part due to Mitt Romney's bid for the Republican nomination to the White House, there has never been so much public discussion about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its beliefs. Many articles and newscasts inform how other religions label Mormon beliefs as atypical, peculiar, or even "strange."

But how strange are they? As a convert to Mormonism and as a sociologist specializing in religion and ethnicity, I find my fellow Christians' reaction to my heartfelt faith curious.

Oops ... here we go. Many fellow Christians refuse to accept me into their fellowship. For the record, those who say "Mormons are not Christians" really do not hurt my feelings because the only judgment I look forward to is Jesus' own perfect final judgment of my love and acceptance of him.

Often, the "unchristian" label is imposed because at first people find Latter-day Saints' (the official title of Mormons) beliefs peculiar. One of the main beliefs — and a significant source of wonder among other religions — is the Mormon belief that God is a real being, a literal heavenly father to humankind, possessing a tangible perfect body of flesh and bones.

I recall one gentleman who asked me, "Why in the world would God want to have a body?"

Envision this resurrected body being able to enjoy the warmth of the sun, the softness of the wind, the warm embrace of a loved one, and all other joys of a righteous life ... forever.

To me that sounds like a wonderful prospect, not a "strange" one.

Another area often mentioned in articles is the Latter-day Saints' belief in temples, and the fact that whatever happens inside those majestic buildings is not disclosed to the general public. The influence of these temples in Mormon life can be evaluated using Jesus' own standard, "By their fruits ye shall know them" (St. Matthew 7:20).

Through those sacred religious ceremonies each Latter-day Saint, young or old, male or female, is encouraged to live a good life improved by faith in God, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreation.

They are also taught to be honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and to do good to all people.

Mormonism introduces to the world extraordinary claims and beliefs. If one can get past the initial feeling of peculiarity, he or she will find that a lot of good results from those beliefs.

Marcus Helvécio Martins is the chairman of the Department of religious education at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and author of "Setting the Record Straight: Blacks and the Mormon Priesthood." Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.