A MORMON whose faith helped him through a gun massacre and cancer has joined an advertising campaign launched in the wake of a musical lampooning the religion.

Former policeman Richard Auger from Bicester features in a poster and web campaign by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across London.

The “I’m A Mormon” campaign is in response to the West End launch of satirical musical The Book of Mormon, a global smash hit from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of adult TV cartoon South Park.

Rather than condemn the musical – riddled with bad language and sexual jokes – the US church has taken out adverts in its playbill stating: “You’ve seen the play, now read the book.”

The 51-year-old said he welcomed the chance to explain his faith’s role in his life, including a recent cancer battle and the impact of the 1987 Hungerford massacre, where he was in a firearms unit.

A poster bearing his image says: “My diagnosis left me hopeless. My faith gave me hope.”

Mr Auger said: “I haven’t seen the show. I have read quite a few write-ups and think it is probably not the sort of thing I would see if it was about the Book of Mormon or not because it is a bit crude.”

But the retired dad-of-two said of the campaign: “It is a wise thing instead of bashing it and having big demonstrations.

“They are quite at liberty to create such a musical, as the church is to expose the church to the public. It is about people making a choice.”

The musical cracks jokes at the religion’s origins in 1830s New York state but Mr Auger said many followers felt its core message shone through.

The former Thames Valley Police firearms instructor said: “They say the Mormon people come across as followers of Jesus Christ who are just trying to live good lives.”

He said he converted in 1983 as his “hedonistic life” made him feel there was “something missing”, adding: “it has been the best decision I have ever made.

“I am even more more convinced of the validity of the church and its teachings.”

Mr Auger was in the first firearms unit on the scene of a gun rampage by Michael Ryan, who killed 16 people in Hungerford, in August 1987 before turning the gun on himself.

Mr Auger said: “I remember praying that I would get through the day and trying to get my head around why these things happened. If there was a God surely he wouldn’t let these things happen?

“But I came to the conclusion that sometimes tragedies happen and I’m sure God was as distressed as anyone about the brutality and slaughter that day.”

A 2011 diagnosis of prostate cancer – which claimed his father James in 2008 – saw him call further on his faith.

The tumour was removed and he is currently clear of the disease.