Daughter of LDS Bishop Warns Against Mormonism and Romney Presidency ['Of two evils...neither']

The daughter of a Latter Day Saints bishop and author of a book on Mitt Romney’s Mormonism says that she has concerns about a Romney presidency.

Tricia Erickson, who is now a professing Christian after being involved in the LDS establishment for 21 years, stated in an article this week entitled The Obamney Twins that while she cannot support Barack Obama, she is unable to vote for Mitt Romney either.

“To me, as a conservative, a Republican and a Christian, I cannot justify a vote for either one of the Obamney baby-killing, annihilators of the family, government healthcare mandated to take over our economy socialist evil twins – and be right with our Creator,” she wrote.

Erickson pointed out that neither seek to ban abortion, and both have shown support for homosexuality.

“Republicans say that they have to vote for Romney because we are losing our country to socialism and after another four years of Obama, there will be nothing left of America. I can’t say that I disagree,” she said. “However, what is never talked about is that Romney has his own goals for the Mormon Church [and] The Mormon Plan for America, and while he is cunning and a good debater, he lacks the judgment to discern that he will not become a ‘god’ in his next life and receive his own planet.”

Erickson has been making the rounds on various talk shows and has been featured in news publications for at least the past year, discussing her concerns with Mormonism and a potential Romney presidency.

“While he attempts to portray Mormonism as just another Christian religion, Mitt Romney counts on his skills to shift our attention away from what he truly believes,” she wrote in her book Can Mitt Romney Serve Two Masters? The Mormon Church Versus the Office of the Presidency of the United States of America.

“It’s like our eyes are glazed over when it comes to the religion of Mitt Romney,” Erickson told talk show host Thomas Hartmann in further discussing the matter. “If you just knew what Mitt Romney believed, you would run far away from this candidate.”

Erickson states that she grew up in a devout Mormon household, and was even married in the LDS temple according to mandated rituals. However, she laments many things that she observed and was subjected to.

“It was horrific,” she told WND. “There I was standing naked [at my wedding]. They brought this bowl of water and started washing my body down, and whispering prayers over my body. They stopped over the right and left breast, the navel and knees and prayed specific prayers.”

Erickson stated that because Mitt Romney is a dedicated Mormon, he espouses beliefs that are very concerning, including that Jesus was not born of a virgin, that Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers, and that Romney will one day become one of many deities.

“Mitt Romney truly, unequivocally believes that when he dies, he is going to become a god in Heaven,” she said. “He is going be given his own kingdom/planet. He will be able to call his wife Ann by the secret name that is only given to him in the Mormon secret ceremonies … When he calls her on to his planet, they will have relations to populate the planet with spirit children, as they believe our God has a wife on His planet, and He did the same, and they believe that we are our God’s spirit children from our god mother and god father.”

“So, all of us here on earth, we existed in a pre-existence with God as a spirit baby, then we came down and inhabited these little babies’ bodies that are here on the earth,” Erickson continued, explaining LDS beliefs. “[This was done] so that we could go through our process to venture into godhood.”

She said that there has been a longstanding agenda in the LDS establishment to place Mormons into governmental offices.

“[The LDS establishment has] been trying since the beginning to get someone in the presidency, because they believe they have to establish their authority so when Jesus comes to earth, the Mormon Church will take control of the government and the Mormons will be the government of God on earth,” Erickson explained.

“They believe that when Jesus comes back to earth in the millennium, that He’s going to come to Jackson County, Missouri, which that’s where they believe the Garden of Eden is,” she added.

Former Mormons Dennis and Rauni Higley of H.I.S. Ministries International in Salt Lake City, Utah concur that these indeed are the beliefs of the LDS establishment. They provided Christian News Network with written outlines of their concerns surrounding what is called the “White Horse Prophesy.”

“From its very beginning, the Mormon plan for America has been to have a Mormon president lead this nation and ultimately the world,” they stated. “The so-called ‘White Horse Prophecy’ of Joseph Smith has been referred to often as a destiny of the Mormon priesthood in saving the United States. This ‘prophecy’ predicts that U.S. government will one day hang as if by a single thread and Mormon elders will step in and save it.”

Erickson said that in Mormon ceremonies, participants must swear to keep secret what goes on behind closed doors. She advised that in rituals that she was involved with, she observed people being forced to make gestures signifying their death if they revealed what takes place.

“They actually had us [symbolically] slashing our guts open and our guts falling to the ground if we told people of the secret dogma of the ceremonies,” she stated.

When asked how Erickson knows that Romney espouses these same beliefs, she replied that Romney has long had high ranking in the LDS establishment, holding office as bishop like her father, and working as a Mormon missionary in France for a time.

“You cannot get more Mormon than Mitt Romney,” she stated. “And I have been through the same temple ceremonies … to follow the church first before anything else.”

“To my way of thinking the idiosyncrasies of Mormon belief and practice are not the issue; Catholic belief in transubstantiation and Protestant belief in the resurrection [of Jesus] can be made to look silly, too,” Romney told CNN last year after being informed of Erickson’s writings and speeches against him.

Because of these concerns, in Erickson’s article this week, she noted that many will vote third party this year or skip the presidential race on the ballot.

“Some have said that they will simply not vote for either establishment candidate, [but] instead, in protest, will write-in another name or candidate if they will vote at all,” she wrote. “I, and approximately 90 million Americans, agree with Charles Spurgeon who says, ‘Of two evils, choose neither.’”

Kennedy and his being a Catholic had people like you out there trying to turn your religion against catholics to be turned into not voting for him...Romneys religion doesn't dictate that I accept it or they will cut off my head and don't want my grandchilden living under muslim rule and the destruction of this country and the few freedoms we still have.

Aren't you being a wee bit inconsistent -- as in politically and religiously hypocritical?

While it's "so" that a high % of Islam's devotees around the world openly support either terror or jihad ("holy war"), would you say that's true of 100% of Muslims...including ALL U.S. Muslims?

In fact, let's get specific...there are two Democratic Muslims in Congress: Keith Ellison from Minnesota, and Andre Carson from Indiana. (I don't support any Democrat -- so I don't support either one, including these two). Do you likewise believe ALL U.S. Muslims want to "cut" off your head if don't submit & become a Muslim? Really?

Let's say that Indiana Congressman Andre Carson, a Muslim, wanted to switch to the GoP...

This article talks about Carson's ..."...warm relations with the Indianapolis Jewish community. “He is definitely a friend. I like the guy,” said Marcia Goldstone, executive director of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council.
Source: The 'Other Muslim' in Congress

Are you telling us that if you lived in Carson's district...and if he switched to the GoP...that you wouldn't vote for Carson because of his religion (Islam)?

And yet you turn around and have the utter gall to critique me because I happen to consider Romney's "I'm a god-in-embryo" identity disorder -- along with his pro-abortion stances? Really?

So...per your golden edicts about voter considerations of candidates...Catholicism can't be weighed...Mormonism can't be considered...but Andre Carson's Muslim status is fair game, eh??? You would tell Dem voters in Indiana that they can't -- or shouldn't vote for Carson due to his Muslim adherence...and you would tell POTUS voters that they can't -- or shouldn't vote for Obama in part due to his Muslim associations?

Can you spell religious and political h-y-p-o-c-r-i-s-y?

...Romneys religion doesn't dictate that I accept it or they will cut off my head and don't want my grandchilden living under muslim rule and the destruction of this country and the few freedoms we still have.

Ya know, GG...I try to take our cultural cue from a certain "Lord" named Jesus Christ...I mean, who are we to follow when it comes to setting cultural priorities? Jesus and the apostle Paul? or characters named "Goat Granny?"

Here's Jesus:

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)

So does Jesus say, "fear the be-headers?" (No)
Does Jesus say "fear the Marxists?" (No)
Does Jesus say "fear the haters of the United States?'" (No)
Instead, does He say to exercise fear of the One who has authority to cast somebody into hell? (Yes)
So, indeed, our "fear" is on behalf of those who are placing their eternal spiritual lives at risk. Of course, this includes Muslims as well...thankfully...not everybody has ADD or ADHD in this generation...like the Silent Generation which fought WWII, some can multi-task on multiple frontlines!

Note also...as the apostle Paul was leaving the church of Ephesus, he warned them with this high-priority alert:

"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)

Paul's cultural priority? (Defend against the false disciples who will proselytize the flock and draw away men unto themselves!)

Tell me something, GG: If you did something tearfully night and day for three years, do you think it's rather important? So what? We're just to conclude, "Oh, the man who contributed a good chunk to the New Testament -- what does he know about cultural priorities?"

Don't know how old you are, but this has been done before by hateful people....Kennedy and his being a Catholic had people like you out there trying to turn your religion against catholics to be turned into not voting for him..

Well, have at it, GG...read the second line in the chart below...and then inform all of us what promises did Kennedy ever make that comes even close to the sacred temple promise Romney has made to the Mormon church?

Then...continue on and read the Lds "prophets'" statements below (along with other Lds general authorities)...And then, you be sure to please show us where the Pope has made similar spiritual-political imposing statements such as what you find from those Lds leaders below...except for the first three statements, ALL of them were made by Lds leaders between the 1960s and 1980s...

The bottom-line: You won't be able to make your strawman case of a Kennedy comparison equivalent...Why? Because you can't argue from a void.

Therefore it's no parallel...

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)	By contrast: Roman Catholic leader (like a Pope or John F. Kennedy)	Any similar statements made by a Pope or Kennedy
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."]	Kennedy made no similar vows to the Catholic church that Romney has made to the Mormon church	No comparative vow
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)	No parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
John Taylor	Lds 'Prophet' #3	The LDS Church -- in 2001 -- thought it well to pull this quote from John Taylor to emphasize it: "The Lord...is desirous to show us how to save ourselves, how to bless ourselves temporally and spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, POLITICALLY..." (Lds Church owned Deseret News, Nov. 19, 1865, p. 2, as quoted in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001, p. 178). Also from p. 178: "The idea of strictly religious feelings with us, and nothing else, is out of the question...Our religion is more comprehensive than that of the world...it embraces all the interests of humanity in every conceivable phrase..." (Original source: The Gospel Kingdom, 1943, p. 168)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic Vatican	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic Vatican	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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?)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
Benson (cont'd)	Fundamental #9	9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal* or spiritual.* (My Q: Still listening, Mitt?)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
Benson (cont'd)	Fundamental #10	10. The prophet may advise on civic matters. (My Q: What say ye Mitt?)	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic popes	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence
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	No contemporary parallel exists between Lds "prophets" and Roman Catholic Vatican	No Pope in the past 150 years has made statements similar to Lds "prophets": Those who raise up this 'strawman' argue from silence

Hi I appreciate your faith in God, but I am always careful of how others interpret scripture....Didn't Jesus also say render unto Cesar's that which is his, as an American I have the privilege of voting. Since Jesus is not on the ballot I can only do the best I can to have a say in how the country I live in is governed..If you believe Jesus is getting ready for his return (an I find things according to Revelation traveling faster toward us than ever before, but I don't think Jesus said, when given a chance to vote for those who govern you, don't do it....The world will go according to God's will, and I find no laws against voting and caring for the type of country my grandchildren will live in..... At my age I will not be here when the Antichrist is in power,but my family will...warn the family on the mark of the beast, stay fast with Jesus and have a say in who you allow to govern you....

There are a few things in your response I find confusing but thats aOK. Some days I find my life confusing...:O)

At the risk of upsetting you, I am not a big follower of Paul...He called himself a apostle, but God called him an instrument to the gentiles. The 12 apostles preached only to the Jews, and there were 12 before Saul got knocked off his horse...and became Paul.....

And as scripture states what the qualifications are to be considered and apostle, the lot fell to Matthias to fill Judas spot of having 12. Paul does not have the credential to call himself an apostle...

One of my son's and I have been arguing this point for years, but we have fun bouncing off each other on scripture..

I am very careful of who I call God's chosen, and even Jesus warned that many who think they will be in, will be out in the end...I personally believe God has his people in every religion, they don't know it but they will be brothers and sisters to Christ...Bible also says you will know them by their fruits (I find the manifest fruits of mormons better not worse than fruits of others that call Christ their lord and God....Billy Graham gave his full approval to Romney and from what I have read has taken off their Home page that mormons are a cult....Its like you say Potato and I say Pototo...Hope you have a great weekend...GG

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