It is part of a new effort that includes visits by LDS apostles to newspaper editorial boards for on-the-record presentations about Mormon beliefs and practices.

Michael Otterson and Kim Farah of the LDS Public Affairs Department answered questions either phoned or e-mailed to their studio at church headquarters in Salt Lake City. Local reporters were able to observe the conference, but not participate.

Reporters asked why so many Americans continue to have unfavorable opinions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, how it is different from mainstream Christianity, and what its real membership figures are.

Otterson and Farah took turns answering, but sometimes both addressed the same issue.

Boston Globe's Michael Paulson asked who speaks authoritatively for the church.

That would be the three-man First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles, Otterson replied, but bishops and stake presidents in local areas can address questions that arise in their region.

If LDS leaders deem the half-hour question-and-answer format successful, they may get LDS authorities to participate in the future.

There is an ongoing national discussion of Mormonism because of Romney, Otterson said. "We'd like to be part of that conversation."

The 40-minute pilot program will be posted on the LDS Church's Web site this afternoon by 3 p.m. (www.newsroom.lds.org ).