When F. Melvin Hammond looks at the gold statue atop the spire of the gleaming granite Medford Oregon Temple in Central Point, he's inspired by the sight of the Angel Moroni blowing the trumpet of truth.

But he also knows some feel threatened by the existence of the new Mormon temple.

"They have nothing to fear whatsoever," Hammond said.

As the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opens the doors of its Medford temple to its new Southern Oregon neighbors, church leaders are using the occasion to explain their faith to the curious and defend their faith against critics.

The temple will serve more than 28,600 Mormons who live within the temple district, which covers Southern Oregon and Northern California.

Although the first LDS stake in Southern Oregon didn't organize until 1953, there are now some 6,000 members in Jackson, 3,000 in Josephine and 2,500 in Klamath counties, church officials said.

"Our desire is to take the truth that has been restored to the world through the centuries and to add the revelations that God gives through his prophet," said Hammond.

"And we definitely believe that Gordon B. Hinckley is the prophet of God."

Hinckley is president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1993, Hinckley appointed Hammond a general authority of the church, making him a member of what is called the "First Quorum of the 70."

As a general authority, Hammond traveled from the Mormon headquarters in Salt Lake City this week to see the newly completed temple in Central Point, the 79th worldwide.

A distinctly American faith, LDS membership is the fifth largest in the nation and the second largest in Oregon behind the Catholic Church. Worldwide, there are nearly 11 million members.

Church growth and acceptance in Oregon is reflected in the 1996 election of U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, the first Mormon from Oregon elected to Congress.

The reason for the growth, LDS leaders say, is because members practice what they preach.

"The world has become a complex place to live," Hammond said. "Technology is growing. Along with that, a lot of the standard moral values that men have held for centuries have started to slip.

"We believe that the church is a bastion of strength for moral character," he added. "People are looking at the church because we provide that bastion. We teach our young people to be honest. We teach them to be faithful to a God they love, to serve people, to work in government. We hold firm to our beliefs. We don't vacillate. People are looking for that."

LDS church leaders say their faith is Christian, yet neither Catholic nor Protestant. Instead, they say, it is the restoration of the original Church of Jesus Christ. They believe the Book of Mormon is the translation of gold tablets given to Joseph Smith, the founder and prophet of their faith, by the Angel Moroni. Moroni is believed to be the son of Mormon, an ancient American prophet who compiled the documents.

Mormons believe that divine revelation for the church direction comes from God to the church president.

Those beliefs don't sit well with some religious leaders.

Locally, some leaders say the Mormons represent a cult. One Rogue Valley pastor said he would take a "prayer walk" through the temple, praying that the Mormons' ministry would not be effective.

Early last month, the national media spotlight focused on the Mormon faith after Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush visited Bob Jones University in Columbia, S.C. The fundamentalist school's Web site called Mormonism and Catholicism cults.

Although the statements were temporarily removed, university President Bob Jones III has since re-posted them.

But the church is not interested in party politics, said Hammond, 66, a former eight-term legislator in Idaho. He was minority leader for three terms as a Democrat. He also has served as a professor at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, for more than 20 years, teaching religion and political science courses.

The church wants its members to be involved in government, but takes no official stances when it comes to candidates, he said.

"That is left completely to the individual," he said. "We believe that every person should make their own decision politically. One could be a Republican or a Democrat and still be very faithful in the church."

The church also has taken steps to embrace women and minorities, he said.

Like Hammond, Central Point Stake President Ed Hanson, 53, who joined the church when he was 10, sees the religion as profoundly Christian. Stakes represent about 3,000 members each.

"I don't think there is any question about it that we are Christians," Hanson said. "Everything done in the temple is to bring us closer to Christ."

Hanson, who retired after 27 years with the Oregon State Police, also believes LDS offers a foundation, not fear.

"People are attracted to the church because it provides direction, hope and a reason for life," he said.

Doug Baird, president of the LDS Medford Stake, said some nonmembers "do question our Christianity."

"As a church and as an individual, I believe in Christ. I believe he was born to the Virgin Mary, that he lived, that he organized his church, that he taught, healed and blessed. I believe he died for us on the cross. I believe that he came forth on the morning of the resurrection, and that he lives today."

He acknowledged that some people question the building of structures like the nearly $3 million temple.

"There are some who are a little worried about us because they see us putting emphasis on works," he said. "We realize that it's not the works that save us, that it is Christ. But we believe the fruits of true faith will result in good works."

The temple was needed to fill the gap between Portland and Oakland, Calif., he said.

"Before we got this temple, it was almost a pilgrimage to Portland," Baird said. "This will be close to many people to come to the temple to work and serve."

Although Baird doesn't expect the temple to cause substantial growth in local membership, visiting Mormons will likely have an economic impact in Jackson County.

"We'll have people coming in to work at the temple who will be staying overnight, going to Shakespearean plays," Baird said. "It won't have a large economic impact in the short run, but it will be a factor over time."

Baird, 60, who hails from Brigham City, Utah, is a sixth-generation Mormon on both sides of the family. He is a religious educator who works with high school and college youth. Four of his five children have followed his religious footsteps.