CLERGYMEN are offering to counsel visitors to the new Mormon Temple who may be traumatised by what they see and hear.

They are joining forces with colleagues from across the county in preparation for the opening of the temple and are distributing pamphlets which say the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints does not conform with Christianity.

Vicars say they fear people who go along to view the new Preston Temple, in Chorley, could be disturbed by the experience.

Rev Don Gilkes, who's St John's CE Church serves Clayton-le-Woods, has vowed to throw open the doors of his church to help troubled temple visitors.

He said: "I believe that a lot of people will be worried when they leave the church, especially Christians.

"They will go to the temple in the belief they will be witnessing a Christian temple, but could leave being very confused as much of the Mormon doctrine is blatantly not Christian.

"I want to be able to talk to people about what they have experienced so they don't feel their beliefs are wrong."

Rev Gilkes said that the area's clergy were concerned about the Temple's no-entry policy once its open days are over on May 31.

He added: "All Christian establishments are open to the public, but this Temple won't be. We don't know what will be going on behind closed doors and what the public see could be totally different to what it is really like."

He said: "I think it's important my church is open for visitors to the temple to come and discuss anything that troubles them in the temple."

Church leaders, in conjunction with Christian ministry Reachout Trust, will run public meetings at the Central Methodist Church in Preston on May 16, 22, 26 and 29 when former Mormons who have converted to Christianity will speak.

And St Andrew's in Leyland is planning a seminar on Sunday at Wooden Lane Parish Hall to include a talk by Mike Thomas called Mormonism: a Gold Plated Religion. Curate Andrew Dawswell said: "We want to define the differences between the various Christian denominations and show the differences between Christianity and Mormonism, which they often try to blur in their publicity."

The Chorley site was chosen because it's near Preston, home to the oldest branch of Mormons outside Utah. Visitors are expected to flock to the temple, a bus has been set upand shoppers have been bombarded with leaflets about the Temple by the black-suited Mormons.

Representatives from the Preston Temple were unavailable for comment.

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