They are more than the people who go door-to-door asking to talk about religion. They are not the polygamists pictured in reality TV shows.

That’s what the University’s student branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted students to know at their Meet the Mormons event at the Institute of Religion on Wednesday.

Set up like a small career fair with colorful posters, the hosts of Meet the Mormons aimed to provide an open forum to religious and non-religious students alike.

“A lot of people are curious about Mormons, but reluctant to actually talk to them because they’re afraid we’re going to proselyte to them,” said Sister Coleman, one of the Institute of Religion’s missionaries. “It’s a chance for people to come in, in a neutral way, and ask whatever questions they have.”

Coleman, who helped organize the event, goes only by the title of “sister” during her year and a half of missionary work.

Sister Kemsley, another organizer for the event and journalism student at Brigham Young University when not on her mission, said she hoped the event would help clarify any misconceptions that University students may have about Mormonism and let people know that they always welcome visitors.

“The main purpose is that there’s a lot of misconceptions and we wanted to have an event to diffuse some of those,” Kemsley said. “Like that we’re polygamists or that we worship Joseph Smith and don’t believe in Christ.”

Sisters and other missionaries aim to connect with students on campus in a personal way — not through preaching to crowds, but by letting people know that they are open to conversation.

“One of the main things is that we’re looking for people who are curious and just want to learn more,” Kemsley said. “That’s the message we’re trying to get across, but I think it comes across as more aggressive.”

Though the event attracted a small number of visitors, the atmosphere captured the personal tone that Kemsley and Coleman take to sharing their faith.

“The idea of Meet the Mormons is to let people know that our doors are open,” Coleman said. “Not just on Meet the Mormons night, but always.”