New Zealand sociologist and journalist, Dr Jarrod Gilbert, recently spent the day with Member of Parliament Jacinda Ardern as he prepared to write about her for the New Zealand Herald.
In his piece Dr Gilbert references Jacinda Ardern's Mormon upbringing and then writes that Mormonism "gives every indication of being the most ridiculous of all the main churches."
He also refers to this faith tradition as "the Church of the Latter Day Saints."
The full and correct name of this church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Including the name of the Saviour in the name of the Church is important to Latter-day Saints because Jesus Christ is central to their faith.
There are over 100,000 New Zealanders who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are part of a worldwide faith with close to 16 million members.
Members and congregations of the Church have been part of New Zealand communities since the mid 1800's.
Church spokesperson, Richard Hunter, said today, "We invite Dr Gilbert and all other news media professionals to write with civility about our church and our members. It is possible to disagree with another's theology and still be respectful."
He continued: "We extend an open invitation to Dr Gilbert and any other journalist who might write about our faith to come and spend some time with us. In that way journalists will get to know what the Church really is, and who its members really are."