Religion scholar Jana Riess argues in the Salt Lake Tribune that the key message of the Church's new Washington DC visitors' center is an insistence on Christian identity. The facility near the DC temple opened recently with exhibits emphasizing Jesus Christ and challenging the "Mormons aren't Christian" characterization.

Riess notes the center's design choices reflect decades of institutional effort to reframe public perception, from the 2018 style-guide directive avoiding "Mormon" to repeated statements from leaders that the Church is Christ-centered. Displays highlight scriptural focus on Jesus and downplay distinctive doctrines that fuel the "not Christian" claim.

The piece examines why Christian legitimacy matters so much to an institution that also claims restoration and unique authority. Riess suggests the center reveals ongoing tension between asserting mainstream Christian identity and maintaining claims to exclusive truth.