THE huge Mormon temple in Chorley comes under fire on TV tonight amid claims of death curses and misrepresentation of Christianity.

The controversial sect, which claims to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ, is featured in the BBC Close Up North Documentary "The Return of the Saints".

Former Mormon Rose Carlisle, who used to live in Chorley, said: "If people knew what went on in the Temple they wouldn't have been so quick to allow it to be built.

"Part of the service was to take out these oaths or curses upon yourself, with the threat of death that you would not reveal what goes on in the Temple."

The Rev Don Gilkes, priest of St John The Evangelist Church near the Chorley temple, said he believed the Mormons' teachings misrepresented the Christian faith.

"I would much rather they came out and not try to pretend they are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because they are different," he said.

"It was with some shock and horror that we found this on our doorstep. What had Chorley done to deserve such a thing?"

But Spencer Condie, president of the UK Mormons, said: "We hope that we'll be an influence for good, that we'll be good neighbours.

"We don't want to be offensive. We want to give everyone the opportunity to hear our message."

Mormonism has strong links with East Lancashire as the original American movement nearly died out until they came to Liverpool to find more converts in July, 1837.

They went along the Ribble around the end of Pendle, to Burnley, Barnoldswick and south to Chorley.

Sometimes entire villages were converted and Downham once had 100 followers.

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