They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious Bigotry, alive and well today

Saundra Duffy

[Saundra Duffy]

They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious bigotry, alive and well today

May 4, 2007 - by Saundra Duffy-Hawkins

“I wouldn’t vote for a Mormon for dogcatcher, much less President of the United States!” There’s a lot of that kind of hateful rhetoric going around since Mitt Romney decided to throw his hat in the ring – as if Mormons are some kind of hideous evil monsters. The loudest anti-Mormon shouts, sad to say, are coming from America’s so-called “Christian right”. How can Mitt Romney hope to get a fair shake in this spiritually polluted atmosphere?

There was another man running for President who faced the same dilemma – John F. Kennedy – only he was the target of anti-CATHOLIC bigotry. In his 1960 speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, JFK said the following: “. . .I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end - where all men and all churches are treated as equal - where man has the same right to attend or not attend the church of his choice - where there is no Catholic vote, no anti-Catholic vote, no bloc voting of any kind - and where Catholics, Protestants and Jews, at both the lay and pastoral level, will refrain from those attitudes of disdain and division which have so often marred their words in the past, and promote instead the American ideal of brotherhood.” John F. Kennedy Library & Museum (Speeches, 1960). By the way, if you listen to the audio version of JFK’s speech, you will hear the hurt and frustration in his voice and the unfair treatment surely must have caused many a sleepless night.

Fast forward to 2007 where JFK might as well have been “whistlin’ Dixie”. The hostility toward Mormons today, in my opinion, is even worse than that suffered by JFK. Although it is said that JFK lost about a million votes to religious intolerance, Romney stands to lose even more if the anti-Mormon evangelicals hang together.

According to Media Matters for America - “. . . a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media” - FOX News is not reporting accurately on the level of evangelical hostility to the Romney run. Media Matters for America points out that among evangelical leaders rejecting Mormons: Shirley and James Dobson (National Day of Prayer and Focus on the Family, respectively), the Southern Baptist Convention (collectively), Pat Robertson (Christian Broadcasting Network), and Dr. D. James Kennedy (Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida). “Among many conservative evangelicals – who comprise a significant part of the Republican base – Mormonism is considered an un-Christian cult.” Media Matters for America (2007)

While stumping in Florida, a man in the audience stood up during the Q&A portion and said the following to Romney: “You, sir, you’re a pretender. You do not know the Lord. You’re a Mormon.” Media Matters for America (2007). This is the kind of un-American, disrespectful treatment Mitt Romney will apparently have to endure throughout the entire campaign – as if just being a Mormon is reason enough to open the floodgates for free flow of pent-up hatred and vindictiveness.

For the record, the Mormon bashers know full well that the official name of Romney’s church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” and the members should rightfully be called “members of the LDS Church” but the words “Mormon” and “Mormonism” have an aura of negativity so they prefer to use the “M” word as if it were dirty.

Less than five minutes cruising around the official LDS website (LDS.org) will show anyone who’s interested that the Church is a Christian organization, with Jesus Christ at the Head. There are no paid clergy – all are volunteers. Humanitarian aid is legendary. Members of the LDS Church believe in strong family values; they are patriotic, they are law-abiding upstanding citizens of their community. Many LDS young men right out of high school go on two-year missions – you know, the guys on bikes – and during their mission they don’t date, read newspapers, go to movies or watch TV; but rather they dedicate two years of their lives to serving others. Many women go on missions as well, and couples, only theirs is 18 months in length but the obligations are basically the same. Most members do not shop or go out to eat on Sundays – reminiscent of the good old days when shops and stores were closed in obedience to the Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”. If they can help it, LDS Church members do not work on Sundays, either, preferring to spend the day at church and with their families. Church members are encouraged to store up a year’s supply of food and water so they will be able to care for their families in the event of an emergency. The LDS Church believes in self-sufficiency and self-reliance but in the event of a financial hardship the Church distributes food and supplies through their welfare (Bishop’s Storehouse) program. Members of the LDS Church do not drink alcohol nor do they use illicit drugs; they do not drink coffee and tea. A Mormon in good standing, therefore, will not be found in a drunken stupor puking her guts out at 3 a.m. anywhere in the world. Furthermore, members of the church are encouraged to dress modestly, be polite and courteous. And members of the LDS Church are faithful tithe payers. Come on, people, what’s not to love?

So what on earth is their beef, the anti-Mormon zealots? Why is there such disdain for the LDS Church and its members? In Hugh Hewitt’s book, “Mormon in the White House?” he states his thesis that the fierce anti-Mormon sentiment among main-stream Christians stems from one or two or all three of the following factors (in order of importance):

1) “It is just too weird.

2) “A Mormon president will supercharge Mormons’ missionary work.

3) “If there is a Mormon in the White House, Salt Lake City will call the shots, at least on the biggest issues.” Hewitt (2007, p. 221-227)

Hugh Hewitt has written an exquisite book about the Romney campaign and overcoming the “Mormon problem.” It’s a good read and I highly recommend it. Of the three problem points listed in the previous paragraph, Hewitt believes – unless some unforeseen blunder destroys his chances – none of the three is insurmountable for Mitt Romney. (Plus, he has the best hair.)

Well, I’m no Hugh Hewitt, not even close; he’s an icon on the conservative radio talk show circuit. Hewitt could talk circles around me (I’ve seen him in action in Sacramento); he’s brilliant; he’s well educated, well read, no doubt a genius, plus he’s kind of cute. I’m basically a “nobody” – an overweight grandma – but after having researched for this paper, I have come to a totally different conclusion as to why there is such in-your-face angst over Romney’s religion of choice: It’s all about money, power and control (in that order). I think they’re (the evangelical religious bigots, that is) scared half to death and are revving up their attacks, not to save souls, but to save their reputations (which if tarnished would lead to financial ruin).

As I said, all one must do is browse around the LDS official web site to see what the LDS Church believes and stands for. Any reasonable person would conclude that Mormons are not evil monsters at all. In fact, they are God fearing, Christ believing, Holy Ghost following people going about doing good. “You will know them by their fruit” and the LDS has plenty of fruit and they are willing to share.

Earlier, I stated that some high-powered ministries have publicly condemned Mormons: Shirley and James Dobson, the Southern Baptist Convention, Pat Robertson, and Dr. D. James Kennedy – just to name a few. There are hoards of others. Sunday after Sunday, preachers, evangelists, reverends and ministers from all Christian denominations pound the pulpit with anti-Mormon rhetoric. I heard the message loud clear when I was a Baptist and when I tiptoed through evangelical/Pentecostal territories. Was I ever miffed when I later learned for myself the Gospel truth about the LDS Church.

Just think about it, please. If Dr. D. James Kennedy, for example, who wrote the book, The Wolves Among Us, were to admit he’d been wrong in labeling the LDS Church a “cult” that leads unwary ignorant people astray (to hell), what would become of his multi-million-dollar ministry? Suffice it to say, there’s big money to be had by sale of books, tapes, CD’s, videos, and other anti-Mormon propaganda, not to mention speaking engagements and world-wide religious crusades. We’re talking trillions, all told. I realize the anti-Mormon aspect of these ministries is but a small portion of the business, but if the truth came out, that they had been using falsehoods about the LDS Church as a cash cow, their entire empires could tumble.

The ABC News program 20/20 aired on March 23, 2007, exposed the lavish lifestyles of some of the top evangelical preachers – million dollar mansions and personal jets. ABC News - 20/20 (2007) (Again, the LDS Church has no paid clergy.)

It’s nothing new. Severe harassment and persecution has been the lot of the LDS Church since it’s inception in 1820 when a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith saw visions and communed with heavenly beings. Rather than discuss the spiritual aspects of the LDS Church, however, let’s stick to facts of history. Taken from a college-level early American history textbook, Joseph Smith, upon experiencing the visions and visitations, believed “that God had work for me to do, and that my name should be for good and evil among all nations, kindreds and tongues.” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 292). The textbook continues, “They were met with hostility virtually everywhere they went . . . . As the movement gathered momentum, hundreds of people joined the church; entire congregations of churches of other faiths joined . . .” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 293)

During the dark time of American history when slavery was flourishing and when Native Americans were forced from their lands, the pioneers of the LDS Church also suffered at the hands of unscrupulous politicians, governmental leaders, and angry hate-filled mobs. “In the face of relentless persecution, Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, had led his flock to Illinois. There they had established the town of Nauvoo, which by the mid-1840’s had become the largest city in Illinois with over 15,000 people. . . In June 1844, a mob of non-Mormons broke into the jail where Smith was being held and killed both him and his brother. . .The Mormons abandoned Nauvoo in the spring of 1846 as anti-Mormons pounded the town with cannon, destroying the Great Temple. In a well-coordinated migration, 15,000 Mormons moved in stages to the Great Salt Lake.” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 334-335) Many walked all the way and many died along the way, including innocent babes.

Joseph Smith at one time was tarred and feathered by a mob. No jury, no trial, no judge – and they had planned to castrate him, too. On October 27, 1838, the then governor of Missouri issued an “extermination order”: “The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary . . .” Far West History (n.d.) Please note that the order called for exterminating “Mormons” making no distinction between men, women and children, and indeed women and children were subject to the extermination order.

In an event known in LDS history as “the Haun’s Mill Massacre”, precipitated by the extermination order, 30 to 40 LDS families were surprised by some 200 to 250 militia. After the smoke cleared, seventeen LDS people lay dead including a ten-year-old boy. Thirteen LDS members were wounded including a woman and a seven-year-old boy. “A few Missourians returned the next day and took plunder.” LDS FAQ (n.d.) No Missouri militiamen were killed but three were wounded. Just a few years earlier, the LDS folk who died that day had been members of other churches - Congregational or Methodist or Baptist or Presbyterian.

In l976, Governor Bond of Missouri officially rescinded the extermination order and presented apologies for the “unfortunate developments” it caused. Quoting from Governor Bond’s Executive Order: “WHEREAS, Governor Boggs’ order clearly contravened the rights to life, liberty, property and religious freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution of the State of Missouri; and . . . Expressing on behalf of all Missourians our deep regret for the injustice and undue suffering rescind Executive Order Number 44 dated October 27, 1838, issued by Governor W. Boggs. . .” Far West History (n.d.) The individuals who harassed, abused, and even murdered Mormons in cold blood were never tried for their crimes.

I read Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and it really touched my heart. There he was, suffering for the Lord in jail, and these religious leaders with highfalutin titles on the outside wrote an open letter (“A Call for Unity”) in which they criticize King’s tactics and basically blame King for the racial turmoil of the time. Though you can tell King is upset and hurt by the attack – made worse because he’s stuck in jail and can’t confront the religious leaders face-to-face – his response is gentle genius. “I wish you had commended the Negro sit-inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer, and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation. One day the South will recognize its real heroes.” Barnet and Bedau (2005, p. 881)

King has a few choice words for the Church, too: “If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.” Barnet and Bedau (2005, p. 880)

King signs off with “Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood”.

There’s an eerie commonality between what JFK and MLK endured at the hands of the religious bigots of their day and what Mitt Romney is facing today. I hope and pray that Romney will be able to fend off these undeserved attacks from the religious hypocrites with the same grace, dignity and God-inspired resolve displayed by the other two.

A few popular bumper stickers read: “Honk if you love Jesus” and “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven” or “Jesus is my co-pilot”. Yet, apparently, these same bumper-sticker Christians are the ones waging war against Mitt Romney’s run for the Presidency solely on the basis of his chosen faith in a Church that bears the name of the Savior of the world.

References

ABC News - 20/20 (2007). Philanthropic donations come from your heart, but where do they end up? Ex-money manager says "enough!" to secretive Christian Ministry spending. Glenn Ruppel & John Stossel. United States: ABC News.

Ayers, E. L., Gould, L. L., Oshinsky, D. M., & Soderlund, J. R. (2004). American Passages - a history of the United States - Volume I: to 1877 (2nd ed.). Belmont, California: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Barnet, S., & Bedau, H. (2005). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Current Issues and Enduring Questions - a guide to critical thinking and argument, with readings (7th ed., pp. 867-882). Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Far West History. (n.d.). The Extermination Order and how it was rescinded. Retrieved April 28, 2007, from http://www.jwha.info/mmff/exorder.htm

Hewitt, H. (2007). A Mormon in the White House? 10 things every American should know about Mitt Romney. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing, Inc.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. (1960, September 12). Address of Senator John F. Kennedy to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from http://www.jfklibrary.org

Lds Faq. (n.d.). What was the Haun's Mill Massacre? Retrieved April 28-2007, 2004, from Brigham Young University Web Site: http://ldsfaq.byu.edu/view.asp?q=57

Media Matters for America. (2007). Fox News whitewashes evangelical hostility to Romney's faith. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from http://mediamatters.org/items/printable/200702280002

[Saundra Duffy]

If folks decide they don’t want to support Romney because they don’t agree with his politics, that’s one thing. All I have been saying is that people who hate Mormons and would never vote for a Mormon just because the person is a Mormon, that’s ignorant and mean spirited.

I was thinking how odd it is that Shirley Dobson excluded Mormons from the National Day of Prayer - that if Romney became President, Mrs. Dobson would not allow him to pray with the citizenry. How goofy and screwed up is that?

Again I say, Jesus Christ is my Lord and my personal Savior. He died for me. It was Heavenly Father’s plan and the Holy Ghost tells me it’s true.

Mrs. Dobson says I am not good enough to pray with her. Whatever.

[Colofornian]

Again I say, Jesus Christ is my Lord and my personal Savior. He died for me. It was Heavenly Father’s plan and the Holy Ghost tells me it’s true.

I can't speak to every person who sits in an LDS church and say for certain which Jesus they relate to--if they relate to any of 'em at all. So in that sense, I don't pretend to know which "Jesus" you reference. But I've got a decent framework of the Mormon Jesus.

Why do I say which Jesus? The apostle Paul says there is "another Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3-4). The Mormon "Christ" is a pre-existent spirit, they say, like you or me...whose difference is

(a) mere birth order--having been first;

(b) was twice made a son of God via Mary; and

(c) died for Adam's sin so folks could be resurrected (his role as Savior).

Other than that, he was not the Son of God from eternity past. He worked his way up to godhood status. He's not an exalted God-become-man, but an exalted man-become-God. He was an elder spirit bro of Lucipher. Had your hubby been "first" in that pre-existent spirit world birth order, he could have been Christ!!!

This Jesus really didn't die for our personal sins or our rebellious nature...cause when we get to Mormon heaven men are subject to punishment for their own sins--not Jesus [LDS second article of faith: "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression." The flip side of this belief is that Jesus wasn't punished for our sins--men will be...Jesus was simply punished for Adam's sin to release us to "free agency."]

This Jesus is foreign to the Bible. The Messiah of the Bible shared the glory with the Father in the beginning (John 17). This Jesus is THE Son of God, not just a son of God. And THE Son of God did not consider equality with His Father something he couldn't let go of while becoming a man (see Philippians 2). Phil. 2 makes it clear He was already divine, not just a "wannabe" God like Dear Ole Dad.

This God created all things--including all angels...including even Lucipher (see Heb 1; John 1; Col. 1:16; see even D&C 93:9-10). This Jesus didn't atone for sins by sweating blood in the garden; He did it on Calvary as the Bible proclaims.

This Messiah was born in Bethlehem as the Bible foretold and affirmed post-birth--not like the Mormon Jesus of Mormon Scriptures born in Jerusalem.

This Jesus' blood was powerful enough not only to atone for Adam's sin, but mine. I have his rich blood streak running over every part of my sinful body, my sinful mind, my sinful soul, my sinful spirit. I am drenched in His blood; saturated in it; bathed in it. It cleanses me entirely of all past sins, my present sins, and every sin I'll commit (or action I'll fail to responsibly commit) because I entrust that His blood is sufficient for me.

His blood, His mercy, His grace makes me "worthy"--tho the fact that He went to the cross for me shows my ultimate value. Like any heir, I'm an heir by His death and His gift to me...NOT an heir based upon my works, my obedience, my worthiness, my commandment-keeping, my temple recommend, my Word-of-wisdom keeping, my exaltation checklist, who I marry, if I marry, and all the other plural "My-s" I can ever list--as if my life was to center on me and not the One I serve.

Not so with Brigham Young's Jesus. (And BY is not simply a yesteryear "nobody"; his very name is the hallmark of LDS' brightest and best in their young generation). The Jesus of Brigham's poured forth only anemic blood--blood so weak that it couldn't cover all men's sin...which is why Brigham developed the teaching of "blood atonement." (not an official doctrine of the LDS church)

This Jesus is the Head of the Body; He's the Living Prophet of the Church on both sides of the veil (Heb. 1:1-2). This Jesus is the Church's Lamb and the Church's Groom. He is the Only Spouse necessary in our Forever family.

This composite God is the Only One we'll ever need. We don't need to knock on the Lone Throne Door and say to Him, "Move Over. I'm moving in." We're not going to be at the Right Hand of Jesus.

[FastCoyote]

“Sorry for bringing this up but when the bank that Joseph Smith envisioned failed, it was at the same time that banks all over the U.S. failed. It was a national disaster. People are people.”

I am sooo glad you feel that way, because a lot of mortgage banks have failed recently.

But you are in luck, cause your Prophet FastCoyote has just started a mortgage bank, without a charter because it is an anti-mortgage bank - For The People. This is your chance to deposit you money in the Bank of FastCoyote and help fund home loans for indigent people - ME! Of course, since there are a lot of mortagage bank failures, you won’t hold me accountable if the Bank of Fast Coyote fails, just like you don’t hold Joseph Smith accountable.

I’m on a roll now, I can double the deposits overnight with a “blessed miracle” roll of the dice down at the Four Queens here in Vegas.

[colorcountry]

Ah but FC. I’ll only invest in a bank set up by a Prophet of God. . . . By one who is directed of God.

If you tell me you’re a prophet then I’ll TRUST you that you won’t lose my money. Are you a Prophet or just a man like all the other bank owners who have failed?

Mormon’s have a problem. Either Joseph’s Myth was a Prophet or he was a profit and he stole other peoples wives and money. Hmmmm which one could it be?

[colorcountry]

Doesn’t the Bible call the one who brings another Jesus, the antichrist?

[FastCoyote]

“Ah but FC. I’ll only invest in a bank set up by a Prophet of God. . . . By one who is directed of God.”

But colorcountry, we are all becoming gods (except women and non-priests if I got this right), so I’m directing my self, so bingo, you should invest in my bank. Speaking of bingo, my bank also runs a bingo night.

“If you tell me you’re a prophet then I’ll TRUST you that you won’t lose my money. Are you a Prophet or just a man like all the other bank owners who have failed?”

I am a Profit maker, is that good enough? I absolutely guarantee that I will use your money for the “God given” purposes for which I intended it.

“Mormon’s have a problem. Either Joseph’s Myth was a Prophet or he was a profit and he stole other peoples wives and money. “

No problem is too big that a timely revelation can’t take care of it. A Prophet is a Prophet except when they screw up - that’s why I guarantee as a Prophet that I am a Prophet, unless I just screwed up on that.

[colorcountry]

Wow, I believe you too! If following you makes me a better person, then you must be a profit!

Now everyone in America must vote for me.....I will become President, then a god....a ruler of my own planet and universe.!!!

Will you come with me and be my polyandrous mate. We can have lots of spirit children (if I’m not consorting with my other more preferred mates, that is). WHAT!! Women can’t have plural marraiges in heaven! Only men!

We’ll see about that. I will pray to god in the forest and he will tell me that YOUR religion is wrong, and that MY new religion is a restoration of polyamory. Now women can have plural husbands.....just the way it should be! We can cut down the population on earth and save the planet. I am a Prophetess.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

C,
excellent post and worthy or rereading by every mormon and non mormon here. And that is the rub of why mormonism remains outside of Christianity - they worship a god who is not the god of the Bible, even if they call their god by the same name. This is exactly why I wouldn’t vote for oven mitt, even if he was a conservative. I do not want to do anything that would confer perceived legitimacy on the false teaching of mormonism. Others may. I can’t.

Again, an excellent post.

ampu

[FastCoyote]

“Will you come with me and be my polyandrous mate.”

Don’t tempt me, you seem to have your nut on straight.

“We can have lots of spirit children (if I’m not consorting with my other more preferred mates, that is). WHAT!! Women can’t have plural marraiges in heaven! Only men!”

That conforms with my theory that “Mormon women are used sofas on the Celestial plane”, which I would have thought would be a big humiliation, but apparently not.

“We’ll see about that. I will pray to god in the forest and he will tell me that YOUR religion is wrong, and that MY new religion is a restoration of polyamory.”

How can your god in the forest compete with my god at the casino (which used to be a church, until I discovered it was a Temple).

“Now women can have plural husbands.....just the way it should be! We can cut down the population on earth and save the planet. I am a Prophetess.”

Says you, and Joseph Smith. Silly, there are no Prophetesses, but I am God of Earth so I’ll give you a pass and make you one as long as you don’t put a limit on my Spirit wives (since they were preborn, that means flesh and blood cocktail waitresses can be my Spirit Wives, can’t they? Oooooh, another hole in the Doctrine that will require a new revelation)

[colorcountry]

Waiting...waiting...

I feel a new revelation coming on. You may have your cocktail waitress to be thy handmaidens (but only ‘hand’). They are not to be defiled!

Ah another commandment...I FEEL the burning in my bosom!

The Danish cannot take part of our holy priestesshood. They are representative of satan on earth, and the seed of the fallen angels. They will be my servants (even in heaven) and wait on me hand and foot. . . And bring me Danish beer which will make me strong in all the ways of the God Thor. What say ye, Utah Binger?

(Hey, this prophetess thing is fun and could become addicting. What a power trip! LOL)

[FastCoyote]

“Hey, this prophetess thing is fun and could become addicting. What a power trip! LOL)”

Oh I know, it is loads of fun and entertaining. And if you screw up, just say you were obviously acting in your mortal skin rather than as Prophetess, as everyone should know.

I just read about the death of Hyrum and Joseph, all set in motion after they shut down the press run by ex-mormons who opposed them. Earily familiar.

[Utah Binger]

In the name of all things Danish, I hereby command that thy fruits of thy loom (bring thy body too) come hither to Mesquite and make toasts with Carlsberg or Tuborg chasing huge gulps of Akvavit in the name of Maynard Dixon and his son Daniel from whom we will seek further guidance. Further, thou art commanded to eat heartily at the Casa Blanca in that place called Katherine’s where only Osso Buco and lobster may be partaken of in good season. This word of great wisdom is given not by commandment, but as strong suggestion to serious gourmands!

[colorcountry]

Ahhhh....the good life! Are you winning?

If not, perhaps there is sinfulness you would wish to confesseth unto me. Verily, if you should confesseth, thy sin should then be cast far from you. And woe be unto you, Binger, if thy shouldest not fosake of thy sin, for you will be cast down into Nevada, yea even Mesquite, the land of the casa blanca (white house?) in everlasting fire like thy brother Fast Coyote, who hast been banished into everlasting punishment in Dirty Harry territory, never to return to the refreshment of thy handmaiden that waits for you near Zion in everlasting covenant.

You should returnest thou to thy home near Zion and refresheth thyself with pure spring water delivered unto you by the hand of thy handmaiden, and favorite cocktail waitress, that all may be well with you and you will have power in thy loins forever and ever into the everlasting!

[colorcountry]

Yep, we cannot publish, nor say anything against the Prophet Joseph Smith or we will be shut down and our printing press (FR) shall be destroyed by the avenging angels.

It is quite reminiscent of former times.

[MHGinTN]

Your post is a keeper ... going into my desktop file for future drag and paste. Thank you for taking the time to share it.

[philetus]

Anyone running for high political office is a charlatan when it comes to whatever “Christian” religion they claim to be.

No politician could advance to high office id he ran his political career on Christian principles.

[JRochelle]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, thou makest me shake with mirth.

[stryker2008]

making fun of other peoples religion. Wow!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

“No politician could advance to high office id (sic) he ran his political career on Christian principles.”

I can appreciate where you are coming from but I believe there are still a few good men and women out there who are not political creeps and I believe Mitt Romney is one of the good guys . . . maybe the last of the good guys.

[Saundra Duffy]

Joseph Smith’s name will be known for good and evil . . .that is what we believe and it has come to pass right here on this thread.