Well, if the purpose of religion is to give people a moral core, Mormonism isn't much different from other established religions or sects. The lessons mostly take, but for some, no amount of teaching can help.
I've been around Mormons my whole life, they're "different" in subtle ways, but on balance pretty decent. I've got enough good Mormon friends that I've been to a number of LDS services around the West and enjoyed the services and the socializing. But there's a wall of separation, gentiles don't get in the inner circle. But that's true with any religious order, I think. Overall, there's good Mormons, bad Mormons and jack Mormons. Take your pick, I guess.
