Mitt, politics off-limits for Mormon missionaries

The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 01/19/2008 | Peggy Fletcher Stack

[Alex Murphy]

With their dark suits, white shirts and name tags, Mormon missionaries are the most identifiable representatives of the LDS Church in America. Yet as they knock on doors or ride their bikes through South Carolina and Nevada neighborhoods during this weekend's presidential primaries, they have been forbidden to talk about Mitt Romney.

The LDS Church's mission is "to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ," LDS spokesman Scott Trotter said Friday. "As a church we are politically neutral and have instructed our missionaries to focus on that mission and to respectfully decline any invitations to discuss politics."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bans all political discussion from its pulpits and young missionaries are not allowed to read newspapers or watch television, so they may not even know of the intense political debates swirling about them. They likely know little about Romney's candidacy or positions on issues.

But curious people probably ask them about it every day, says Ron Scott, a Boston-based journalist who has followed Romney's campaign closely. "I'm sure it's in their face everywhere they go."

Scott served a two-year LDS mission to New England from 1965-1967, while Romney's father, George Romney, made his abortive attempt to win the White House.

"I talked about his dad when I was on my mission," Scott said. "I was quite proud to talk about his dad. He was my personal hero. He was everything I wanted to be."

Scott and his missionary colleagues set up a street display in college towns, asking people what they knew about famous Mormons.

The King Sisters was a Mormon singing group touring the country at the time, and Lorraine Day was a well-known actress.

George Romney was on the list.

Today's missionaries cannot mention Romney, arguably the most visible Mormon in the country.

"If I was a missionary now, I'd talk about Mitt," Scott said. "It will not hurt the church's tax status unless some silly mission president instructs his charges to talk up Mitt's candidacy."

[napscoordinator]

That is very impressive that the Mormons would do this. They could easily use them as campaign managers but their morals and values are too high. Very impressive and I am not a Mormon.

[AmericanMade1776]

This is the second thread you have posted on Mormonism, that I have seen today. I guess you seem to think that this election, is about a persons right to be Mormon or not. Sad commentary, for someone who thinks dominates religion forums on Free Republic. I am glad I am not you.

[meandog]

"As a church we are politically neutral and have instructed our missionaries to focus on that mission and to respectfully decline any invitations to discuss politics."

Snicker! RII-i-i-i-ight! < /sarc

[luvadavi]

I am curious about something. In all this talk of the Mormon faith, I *ve not seen it—used to hear of *jack Mormons*, members who drank too much, chased around, seldom went to church, etc. Also applied in a sense to those who did not go to church often; a friend years ago could not attend her own sister*s wedding in the Temple because she was deemed to be *lapsed* and drank a little. And the Mormon church is against abortion and frowns on birth control, encourages large families. If Romney is pro-choice, how does that set with his standing?

[COgamer]

I’m pleased to see the Mormon church doing this. They could be exploiting Mitt’s success to gain recognition, and it seems they’re not. I’m sure there’s room here for a conspiracy theory or two as to their actual motives, but taking this at face value I’d say it shows a great amount of integrity.

[Ottofire]

Jump’n to conclusions much?

[curiosity]

If Romney is pro-choice, how does that set with his standing?

He is not pro-choice.

[luvadavi]

but he was; he went back and forth on this in the People*s Republik depending on which group he was talking to, and still was of course a member of his church. I don*t know as the Mormon church has relaxed their stand against abortion.

[curiosity]

but he was;

True. He changed his mind in 2005.

he went back and forth on this in the People*s Republik depending on which group he was talking to,

Not true. He changed his mind once. Prior to 2005, he was a pro-choice moderate. He changed his position when faced with a human cloning bill and he realized that the logic of Roe v. Wade would justify embryo farming.

and still was of course a member of his church. I don*t know as the Mormon church has relaxed their stand against abortion.

While the LDS church says abortion is immoral, I don't it takes a position on whether abortion should be legal. LDS members here can correct me if I'm wrong.

[rose]

What’s the matter with you. I am glad I am not you too.

[rose]

What’s the matter with you. I am glad I am not you too.

[luvadavi]

Interesting.

[fproy2222]

TO ALL WHO WANT TO HELP US TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT CHRIST AND HOW HE GUIDES HIS PEOPLE ON EARTH.

If this thread is like most others that have anything to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or as we are more often called, the Mormons, it will soon be taken over by those who, for reasons of their own, choose to put down my Church, and those of us who worship with it.

We find no problem with people who really want to talk to us about converting to their religion, we spend a lot of time doing it ourselves.

What we find offensive is when people leave out part of the truth to make a half-true lie , or when some one renames something, that we find important or sacred, so it sounds like gutter talk.

I do not know how to tell the difference all the time. There are some Handles that keep showing up, and they are easy to spot. Sometimes, though, I have given a hard and not so kind response to some who honestly care for us and our salvation.

Please forgive us if we get you mixed up.

Thanks for your time,
fred

[fproy2222]

While the LDS church says abortion is immoral, I don’t it takes a position on whether abortion should be legal. LDS members here can correct me if I’m wrong.

+++++++++++++++=

Abortion
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of human life. Therefore, the Church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience, and counsels its members not to submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions.

The Church allows for possible exceptions for its members when:

• Pregnancy results from rape or incest, or

• A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or

• A competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.

The Church teaches its members that even these rare exceptions do not justify abortion automatically. Abortion is a most serious matter and should be considered only after the persons involved have consulted with their local church leaders and feel through personal prayer that their decision is correct.

The Church has not favored or opposed legislative proposals or public demonstrations concerning abortion.

} http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/abortion }

[curiosity]

The Church has not favored or opposed legislative proposals or public demonstrations concerning abortion.

Okay, so that leaves some wiggle room for politicians who are personally opposed to abortion but don't want to make it illegal.

That's what I though. Thanks for the clarification.

[TheDon]

[Ottofire]

>Okay, so that leaves some wiggle room for politicians who are personally opposed to abortion but don’t want to make it illegal.

Hence, Harry Reid.

[Alex Murphy]

Please forgive us if we get you mixed up.

Certainly. But not before you do all that you can do.

[Alex Murphy]

In all this talk of the Mormon faith, I've not seen it—used to hear of *jack Mormons*, members who drank too much, chased around, seldom went to church, etc.

You missed this thread, a few days ago, on that very subject.