Posted on 02/19/2008 4:46:10 PM PST by Zakeet
In his pursuit of the presidency, Mitt Romney held fast to his Mormon faith, though his religion remains controversial with evangelicals and some other Christians. But his determined (and ultimately futile) wooing of evangelicals led him to make some statements that didn't quite square with Mormon beliefs and culture. And the effort itself may have deepened the impression of him as inauthentic—even to some fellow Mormons.
Early in his presidential bid, Romney was asked what he thought of polygamy. Prompted by what they considered a divine revelation, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discontinued the practice more than a century ago, and the church distances itself from polygamist "fundamentalists." But Romney went one step further, saying he couldn't "imagine anything more awful than polygamy." Many Mormons were privately taken aback. Mormons believe that, in its time, "plural marriage" was a commandment from God, and they are, as a group, fiercely proud of their ancestors, hundreds of whom practiced polygamy. (Romney's own great-grandfather had five wives.) LDS church members loathe the polygamy stereotypes and jokes bandied by outsiders. But hearing Romney—the most recognizable face of their faith these days—disavow it in those terms was mildly unsettling to LDS insiders.
Others were puzzled to hear Romney say he reads the Gideon Bible—a version popular with evangelicals: Mormons uniformly study the King James version, in a Salt Lake edition that is cross-referenced to all other Mormon scripture. "Seems like he just figured he had to say the safest, most Protestant thing he could think of—that was kind of annoying," says Russell Arben Fox, a Mormon professor of political science at Friends University in Wichita, Kans.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
You have been riding that bus for a long time. One day you might stop and ask us what we actually believe.
Do you people know that you have to PAY MONEY to become a Mensa member?!
How smart is THAT!?
http://www.mensa.org.uk/download/16/FAQs-_June-2006_.pdf
I really don’t have the energy or time to respond to all of that and the posts of the 30 other posters who are responding to me. My point in coming here was simple: 1) the article about Mormons being uneasy with Romney courting evangelicals is unfounded, 2) I respect my evangelical brothers and would vote for them in a heart beat if they are conservative, 3) I think we could all beneift from not tearing each other down and coming together for the conservative cause, and 4) I wish we all could respect the fact that we have differing theological beliefs and that we can still get along, hang out and enjoy each other’s company.
Are you now claiming abuse lc? Why don’t you just say so. I mean, if that’s what you want to do in life, go ahead.
Well, aren’t you special. You deliberately distort meaning in an attempt to keep an argument going.
I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restoration of the church established by Christ. I am so grateful that my ancestors — including a Methodist preacher who was converted in the 1850’s — recognized its truth.
I believe that many plain and precious truths which were lost over the ages have been restored. I believe that the priesthood authority to act in God’s name has been restored. I believe that the Bible is the word of God, so far as it is translated correctly. I suspect I have spent as much time reading, studying, and teaching it as you have.
I believe that the Book of Mormon is also the word of God. I write for a living. I know it could not have been written by an unlearned farm boy, on a first draft, in two months time. It is too rich and complex. It is full of details which have been borne out over time, and which Joseph Smith could not possibly have been aware of. More is being discovered daily. The attacks I have seen here are made by people with a superficial “seminar” list of supposed flaws. Those lists become outdated as new evidence undercuts them.
My Methodist preacher great grandfather knew the Bible from beginning to end. He recognized immediately that the Restored Gospel did not negate or take away from the Bible, but illuminated it. Other so-called “Christians” began persecuting him almost immediately upon his conversion, but they couldn’t talk him out of it, because they knew less about the Bible than he.
You are not smart enough or learned enough to convince me that I am wrong.
I also believe because of the “fruits” of my religions. My religion is the foundation of my life. Understanding of the gospel has made my husband the good man that he is and is the foundation of our marriage. Understanding of the gospel has helped me to raise six good children, all of whom are strong in the faith, all of whom have spouses who are strong in the faith, and all of whom are trying their best to raise my 19 (and counting) grandchildren to be strong in the faith. And by “strong in the faith,” I mean, not only believing, but doing.
You can’t offer me anything.
I believe that Christ is my Savior. For any other person, that would be enough. I could commit murder, or adultery, or any other abomination, and you would think I am still saved because I accept Christ as my Savior. But, because I also believe I have to keep the commandments, you think I am going to Hell. How much sense does that make?
At least it's WE now.
I've had all the milk I can stand. We have to dig the meat out of you.
Why?
I would be happy to just give it to you, if you should any desire to have it.
The point is that he hasn’t been proven to be false. Some people believe he is false, and others believe he is true. Thankfully, anyone with faith can ask God for the truth, and it will be given to him.
Looks mighty 'founded' to me.
Where is your proof to the contrary?
I have absolutely NO clue!
When did you repent of your sins and get saved ???
Based upon my discussions with hundreds of Mormons around the country, the fact that I am a long-time Mormon, and the lack of any substantiation by the author of the article. How do you conclude its founded?
He has been proven to be false...on more than several counts.
Jeremiah 18:11-16:
Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.” But I said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, the prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’ “
Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them or their wives, their sons or their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.
A MENSA dude should be able to read and comprehend.
So much speculatin' on your part!
How you conclude that Joseph Smith was false from Jeremiah 18 is strange at best. I guess you are entitled to your own interpretations and conclusions.
“Getting saved” is not a one-time occurrence. Repentance is a life-long process.
I sure would like to see the BEFORE bible; then I could compare it with the AFTER one I've got now.
Does HEADQUARTERS have one available to see, or will I have to take their word for it?
When did you repent of your sins and get saved ???
Nope; that's what PAUL said:
Galatians 3
1. You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
2. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
3. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
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