More! More! Mormon?!

Hear the word "Mormon" and the image of a young missionary in a white shirt and tie comes to mind. But today, a group of missionaries is breaking stereotypes and "baring their testimony" in a 12-month calendar called Men on a Mission. Calendar co-founder Chad Hardy, a Mormon himself, presented the idea to a financial backer who loved the idea and decided to help produce the project.

The requirements to be in this calendar? Candidates must be physically fit, be a current member of the Mormon Church and have completed their 2-year missionary service. Models are also required to donate part of the calendar's profits to a charitable organization that is not affiliated to the church.

The calendar, thus, serves its mission of donating to the various countries where their members serve. "A lot of people think that if you're a Mormon you don't have free will; that you fit into a robotic lifestyle where you're told what you do, but the guys do think for themselves. Just because you're Mormon doesn't mean you're Puritan," reveals Chad.

One of the models, 25-year-old Jonathan Martin, thought the calendar was a joke at first after learning about it through his MySpace. After getting in touch with the producers, he decided to give it a shot and help crush stereotypes about his religion. "There's a misconception that Mormons don't have fun. We don't smoke, we don't drink, so people assume we don't let our hair down and have fun, but hey, I have a lot of fun and go out all the time. So I think that's one of the big things (about this calendar), saying: "Mormons are pretty normal people, just maybe have a little stricter standards on things," he says laughing.

So what do their church and families say about the calendar? While some have been skeptical about the project, others have completely supported it.

The project has been so successful, that the producers have launched a popular t-shirt line, want to produce a female version of it and are currently making a 2009 edition of their male model calendar.

Finally, when asked if he would pose for the steamy calendar, co-founder Chad laughs and concludes by saying, "I'm not disciplined enough in the gym. Maybe for 2010."

If you would like to learn more about the calendar visit www.mormonsexposed.com

Dennis Pastorizo/Terra USA