Posted on 04/11/2012 6:54:38 PM PDT by svxdave
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will have little trouble courting the evangelical vote, Southern Baptist Convention leader Richard Land told The Daily Caller during a Wednesday interview.
“I don’t think Romney will have any kind of a problem — unless he picks a non-social conservative running mate — he should be okay,” Land, president of Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee, said about concerns that Romney’s Mormon faith could turn off evangelicals.
According to Land, evangelicals are extremely concerned about the possibility of a second Obama term and are energized to vote against him.
Land cited Obama’s hot mic moment with outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in which Obama said he would have “more flexibility” after the election to discuss issues like missile defense, as one reason for evangelical anti-Obama sentiment.
“I cannot tell you how important that Russia comment was because it feeds into the fears that evangelicals have that there is a radical inside Obama that is straining to get out and once he doesn’t have to ever face the voters again — the day after the election they are going to be confronted with a Jekyll and Hyde situation,” he said. “Whatever concerns they have about Romney pale in comparison to their worries about a second Obama term.”
While evangelicals might be okay with voting for a Mormon, Land said that the media will likely make a big deal out of Romney’s faith to draw independents away from the former governor.
“[The Media] are going to trot out every exotic belief of Mormonism you can find. Baptism of the dead, etc., in the hopes that the strangeness of it will drive independents away from Romney,” he said.
Ads by Google In Defense of Mormons Connect With Other Mormons Online. Photos, Testimonials, Email & More! www.LDSsingles.com Land explained that most evangelicals are already well aware of Mormon teachings — pastors often teach about the Book of Mormon as an inoculation against door-to-door Mormon missionaries. Independents, he said, are likely not as aware of certain unorthodox beliefs.
When asked if he believes evangelicals will have a problem voting for Romney, Land responded, “I don’t.” He added, however, that if Romney picks a pro-choice, non-social conservative running mate he will face more difficulties courting that vote.
The potential vice presidential candidate that would give Romney the biggest boost, according to Land, would be noted pro-life Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
Land also mentioned Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as acceptable running mate options.
Land asserted that a person’s faith does play a role in their decision-making process and that he anticipates Romney’s Mormon faith will inform his decisions if elected. To Land that’s not a problem.
“Most the Mormons I know are decent, God-fearing, honest people,” he said. “I think that Romney, as a serious Mormon is far less likely to have any sexual scandals than a person who wasn’t a person of faith. He is far more likely to keep his word. Far more likely to be a role model than were he a person of no faith. I think most Americans like having a president who is aware and acknowledges he is accountable to a higher authority than himself.”
“If his Mormonism informs his policies he will be pro-life, he’s going to be pro-family, pro-traditional marriage, so far what’s the problem?” Land said.
Land does not endorse political candidates.
How do you feel about Newt? Myn dream is Newt prevailing in Tampa. Long shot I know but see my tagline and it has come to pass
Yeah, making Romney sound worse than Obama is a bit over the top.
The Church will suffer REAL persecution with an Obama not worried about reelection.
What plans does he have with Russia he cant tell AMERICANS?
Romney has plenty of warts, but not recognizing that Romney had to deal with loony toon town (MA - I live here) is not reality. AND pinning ALL MA laws on him when the MA legislature is over 90% wacko lib democrats.
“That way Romney or 0bama can go full communist and get stopped in their tracks.”
Romney could be stopped, but not BHO, because Romney is not as radical, audacious, driven AND brazen as BHO (who will be even more so in an unrestrained second term). In case you haven’t noticed, B. Hussein has announced he’ll go around Congress, and he’s already been doing it at an alarming rate (but nothing like what he will with an unaccountable second term). He spits on the Constitution and the Repubs are too wimpy and afraid of being called racist to stand up to him.
Romney can be controlled - BHO cannot. My biggest fear of Romney is that he’s just too wimpy to beat Obama.
Yup. My focus has been on the senate races for many months now-we only need four wins and they have to defend 20+ seats several of which are vulnerable. We have a definite chance of controlling both chambers of the legislature and that will stop the socialist’s legislative agenda in its tracks-no AWBs, no dream acts, no more handouts to bums, etc.
Anyone who thinks the "Evangelical Social Conservatives" are actual, real conservatives is just plain stupid.
They are 3 issue voters. Nothing else matters to them, not even the survival of the Republic.
They would vote for Obama over Gingrich, each and every one of them.
I’d rather have Romney picking judges than Obama and control of the senate may ultimately come down to the VP. There’s an extensive list of things I dislike about Romney but the list of things I dislike about Obama is longer so the lesser of two evils is clear to me.
Santorum was our ONLY chance, and Santorum quit.
There is no mathematical way that anyone else can win this thing. You only show yourself to be a bit of a neophyte at politics, if you claim otherwise.
Conservatism does not require falling on our swords for the “cause” of YOUR ego!
It is your ego speaking, you have no chance of any other person getting the Nomination but Romney, at this point.
A “3rd Party” attempt will be an absurd joke and help Obama.
Obama wants to destroy my country.
Romney is wrong on some fronts, but Romney does not want to destroy my country.
Not a hard choice.
Romney is a socialist.
I imagine I’ll be an ABO voter, but Gingrich is still in the race, so all this talk is still premature. OK, it’s a long shot, but while there is still hope, we shouldn’t give it up.
Do you always sort these things out by way of "wishing away" facts of the historical past?
From Worldnetdaily: The Boston Globe confirmed that as a so-called “Republican” governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney appointed 14 Democrats, 13 Independents and only 9 Republicans as judges. That’s 27 of 36, or 3 of every 4, Romney judges that are liberal. So if President Romney someday appoints even one Supreme Court Justice, there’s a 75 percent chance they’ll vote with Kagan and Sotomayor 100 percent of the time. If we wouldn’t trust Romney himself on the Supreme Court, why let him appoint more Massachusetts Democrats to the federal bench?
You're crazy to put your trust in this kind of a track record! [Vote third-party]
There’s an extensive list of things I dislike about Romney but the list of things I dislike about Obama is longer so the lesser of two evils is clear to me.
Yeah, we know, we know. You're going to train your kids & your grandkids & everybody around you by your words-and-actions to ALWAYS vote for the (r) guy 'cause he's more conservative than the (d) guy...and that way when your kids & grandkids vote...say in the 2036 election...they'll be voting for a guy to the left of Obama...just 'cause he's an (r) guy and you always stand behind the "establishment."
...lesser of two evils
Does this mean you'd vote for a reincarnated Hitler if he was the (r) guy running vs. THE (d) Anti-Christ???
Do you always go around promoting self-confessed "evil?" Do you normally tell your kids to "ethically" combat "evil" with "evil?"
Wow, how is voting for the lesser of 2 evils giving up my faith? Sorry, your way off base! My “Faith” is Salvation by Grace Alone, Thru Faith Alone, in Christ Alone.
Voting for someone who holds non Christian platforms but is be better for the country amd maintains the Church’s freedom is the least of 2 evils.
We are not voting for a New Pastor! Obviously, i would never vote for a PASTOR who held to gay marriage or pro abortion.
If ALL your allegations are true, I would still vote for him over Obama. Remember, lesser of 2 evils?
You are confused about why your voting. Your argument leads me to believe you can only vote for a born again Christian.
Is this guy uninformed or compromised? I belong to an Evangellical Free church and their is no way Romney is getting my vote.
You'll see poll-wise by October, that there's "no mathematical way" for Romney to win...
Even in polls this week, Romney's losing MA 56-41% in one poll. That's his home!
Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.
20 percent won’t vote for Willard - just like polls have shown for a decade.
(yeah, by his Mormon "prophet"...and if ya wanna figure where that might lead...review the chart below!)
| Lds Leader | Chronological 'Prophet' or Fundamental # (or Other Title) | Overlap Areas: Could the President of the U.S. become a 'puppet' to an Lds 'Prophet?' (The Lds Prophets -- in their own words) | |
| John Taylor | Lds 'Prophet' #3 | “The Almighty has established this kingdom with order and laws and every thing pertaining thereto…[so] that when the nations shall be convulsed, we may stand forth as saviours…and finally redeem a ruined world, not only in a religious but in a political point of view.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p. 342, April 13, 1862) | |
| Orson Hyde | President of the Lds Quorum of the 12 Apostles for 28 years (1847-1875) | “What the world calls ‘Mormonism’ will rule every nation...God has decreed it, and his own right arm will accomplish it. This will make the heathen rage.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 53) | |
| Heber J. Grant | Lds 'Prophet' #7 | "Elder Marion G. Romney recalled the counsel of President Heber J. Grant: 'My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.' Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, 'But you don't need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray'" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1960, p. 78)." Cited in Official Lds publication Search the Commandments: Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide, p. 209 (1984) | |
| Harold B. Lee | Lds 'Prophet' #11 | ...President Harold B. Lee said: 'We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, '...as if from mine own mouth...(D&C 21:4-5)...You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself..." Cited in official Lds publication Remember Me: Relief Society Personal Study Guide I, p. 27 (1989) | |
| Spencer Kimball | Lds 'Prophet' #12 | "President Spencer W. Kimball said: '...We deal with many things which are thought to be not so spiritual; but all things are spiritual with the Lord, and he expects us to listen, and to obey..." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1977, p. 8; or Ensign, May 1977, p. 7) Cited in official Lds publication Come, Follow Me: Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide 1983, p.12 (1983) | |
| What about Marion G. Romney, cousin to Mitt's father? | Who was he in Lds hierarchy? (Title: 'President' - Top 3 of church as 2nd counselor to both #11 & #12 Lds 'prophets') | "Elder Neal A. Maxwell has said: 'Following the living prophets is something that must be done in all seasons and circumstances. We must be like President Marion G. Romney, who humbly said, '..I have never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional, and political life' (Conference Report, April 1941, p. 123). There are, or will be moments when prophetic declarations collide with our pride or our seeming personal interests...Do I believe in the living prophet even when he speaks on matters affecting me and my specialty directly? Or do I stop sustaining the prophet when his words fall in my territory? if the latter, the prophet is without honor in our country! (Things As They Really Are, p. 73). Cited in official Lds publication, Search the Commandments: Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide, pp. 275-276 (1984) | |
| Ezra Taft Benson | Lds 'Prophet' #13 | Benson speech given 2/26/80 @BYU. Summary: “…remember, if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet…” (See excerpts re: 3 of 14 'fundamentals' below) Source: Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet | |
| Benson (cont'd) | Fundamental #5 | 5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time. (My Q: Ya hear that Mitt Romney?) | |
| Benson (cont'd) | Fundamental #9 | 9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual. (My Q: Still listening, Mitt?) | |
| Benson (cont'd) | Fundamental #10 | 10. The prophet may advise on civic matters. (My Q: What say ye Mitt?) | |
| B.H. Roberts | LDS Historian and Seventy. Note: Roberts was an elected Democratic Congressman from Utah in 1898 -- but was NEVER seated by Congress because of grass roots uproar vs. Roberts, who took a THIRD simultaneous wife in the early 1890s. Grass roots America collected 7 MILLION signatures on 28 banners and presented them to Congress...in pre-mass media 1800s! | “[T]he kingdom of God... is to be a POLITICAL INSTITUTION THAT SHALL HOLD SWAY OVER ALL THE EARTH; TO WHICH ALL OTHER GOVERNMENTS WILL BE SUBORDINATE AND BY WHICH THEY WILL BE DOMINATED.” The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo, 1900, p. 180 | |
| Mitt Romney as POTUS??? | Aside from above prophetic impositions, why would Mitt not only honor what these 'prophets' have spoken, but what a future Lds 'prophet' may tell him to do? | The Law of Consecration Oath Mitt Romney has sworn in the Mormon temple (done before marriage/sealing in temple): "You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the law of consecration as contained in this, the book of Doctrine and Covenants [he displays the book], in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and EVERYTHING with which the Lord has blessed you, or WITH which he MAY bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion." Source: What is an LDS Church/Mormon temple marriage/sealing? [Q: Please define 'Zion': The LDS PR Web site (lds.org) defines its primary meaning: "membership in the [LDS] church."] |
Read the bottom of post #53...applies to you as well...
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