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On page A5 is the third and final part of the University Journal's Fundamentalism in Southern Utah series.
For those who have missed a part of the series, every story is available - as well as to a blog by the authors and links to a variety of Web sites on the topic - at suujournal.com/fundamentalism.
In part because the Warren Jeffs trial has drawn national attention to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and those practicing plural marriage, this series was undertaken to dispel confusion concerning fundamentalists and their relationship with the church.
It was both investigative reporting - bringing to light a secretive and misunderstood part of our community - and news analysis, considering the issues relating to Jeffs' trial.
On the series' page at suujournal.com, the authors have explained their reasoning behind the series:
Heather Robinson, a Journal reporter, said: "Writing this story was important to me because I feel that everyone should be educated about different people and issues in their communities. My hopes are that this story will help dispel prejudices and misconceptions about fundamentalists."
Marc Dotson, the Journal's Editor-in-Chief, said: "Throughout the Western world, Islam has become a topic of concern. That impulse - to understand people and hence eliminate the fear associated with the unknown - is healthy for society, regardless of the motivation. It is that same drive, to provide a forum to promote understanding and eliminate fear - in this case within our own community, that motivated me in this series."
The editorial board encourages the sentiment of the series' authors: Prejudice and fear are dispelled by understanding.
Taking the time to learn about cultures outside your realm of experience is indeed both healthy for society and crucial to avoiding needless conflict.
We hope the time and effort put into this series has helped the campus and city communities do just that: Remove prejudice and fear.
By the same token, we hope fundamentalists in the community feel open enough to allow their neighbors to get to know them.
In today's story, Marianne Watson, a fundamentalist and self-employed historian, said it best: "Generally speaking, when people get to know polygamists on a one-to-one basis, the prejudices just drop."
The opinions expressed above are the collective perspective of the University Journal Editorial Board. The editorial board meets every Monday at 2 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m. in room 176C of the Sharwan Smith Center. Readers are also welcome to comment online at suujournal.com.
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