By Rachel Langlois

As the 2008 presidential campaign heats up, one of the hottest debates in the country is whether a Mormon should be elected into the White House. But until now, one critical aspect of this debate has been overlooked: the behind-the-scenes story about America’s presidents and the LDS Church.

Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America’s Presidents and the LDS Church chronicles this delicate relationship between Church and State and examines the shift made as Mormons were first scorned, then tolerated, and eventually embraced—with President Hoover even arranging for LDS Senator Reed Smoot to honeymoon at the White House.

“This timely project provides the country with historical context for this upcoming election,” says Michael K. Winder, author of Presidents and Prophets. “From Washington to Bush, each President is explored in a chapter filled with fascinating anecdotes, interesting trivia, and telling photographs, capturing how that presidency uniquely viewed the Mormons through the lens of the Oval Office.”

Whether considered friend or foe, the LDS Church has sought audience with each president and has received responses ranging from hostility to open friendship. One president schemed to force colonize the Mormons to Alaska, and when all else failed, he responded by chopping the Utah Territory in half, creating the Nevada Territory out of the western portion. Another president once landed Air Force One spontaneously to check on his good friend LDS Church President David O. McKay.

Presidents and Prophets offers a glimpse into many of these unknown personal interactions between presidents of the United States and the prophets or members of the LDS Church. For additional information about the Presidents and Prophets hardcover book, documentary DVD, or talk CD, please visit www.PresidentsandProphets.com or visit your local Deseret Book.