Yes, this is a real question, I have never heard this before. It seems very strange that a person would not be allowed their own thoughts without fear.
I’m just curious whether Mormons believe the church was wrong when it refused to ordain blacks prior to 1979.
Only when they do so in a very public way (e.g. publishing books, appearing on radio/TV talk shows, etc.), or are actively trying to convince fellow members to change their beliefs and oppose LDS Church teaching (e.g. organizing private religious study groups involving other Church members).
The notion that a President Romney would need to worry about being excommunicated for pursuing legislative or military agendas that the Church leadership didn’t agree with is simply ludicrous. The LDS Church leadership is very pragmatic, and wouldn’t dream of spoiling the PR dream of having a Church member as President of the United States. The leadership would be more likely to issue a bland statement about the “Church doesn’t take on official position on matter X”, if public attention were drawn to an apparent conflict between Church teaching and Romney’s actions as President.
LDS are implored to think, pray, and study for themselves on whether or not teachings are true, correct, and from God.
In the context of this discussion, no. It's not correct.
If Mitt were in a position of leadership in the Church, and were to publicly repudiate and contest the President and the Twelve and their decisions, encouraging others to disregard them and/or rebel against them, then he would probably find himself in trouble for doing so.
Plain ol' questioning and personal disagreement have never been excommunication material, only outright rebellion.
Harry Reid is Mormon and he’s still a member. Questioning the prophet is not grounds for excommunication. Actively and publicly campaigning against the church and calling the prophet names does.
No, of course not. In fact, Mormons are free to criticize our leaders if we feel they’re not doing their jobs properly.
Take me for example. I’ve repeatedly criticized President Hinckley for allowing our church to be “dumbed down.” This is due to the church bureaucracy’s abandonment of apologetics and refusal to engage our detractors as well as for giving pablum to the members in official church literature instead of creating the means to grow on advanced doctrines.
This criticism does not mean I don’t believe in their legitimacy as leaders - I most certainly do. It just means they’re human, and can and do make mistakes.
What a shocker to anti-Mormons - we Mormons actually believe our leaders are mortal and not inerrant.