Well I guess we had that with clinton...just who do you have in mind now? I don't have the ability, myself, to enter into the hearts of the candidates and see their relationship with a higher power.
Well, you were talking about being wary of anyone who had a higher allegiance than the US, that should include anyone of any faith for their faith in God should, at least in my mind, come first or else exactly why are they swearing on the bible?
I DO have the personal experience of being exposed to the attitudes of mormons who consider that "holding the priesthood" makes them very special and devoted to the mormon church, because they believe that their salvation lies therein...
I understand why you think Mormons believe their salvation lies whith the church, the Catholics that I have known feel the same way about being members of the Catholic church. You seem to think the Mormons believe that the church on earth has the ability to grant them salvation. Mormons do not believe this, but the church on earth is the line of authority through which God will tell them what they should be doing in this day and age. If you go to the LDS.org site and look at conference talks, you will find talks on the use of computers, email, chat rooms, advice on TV and movies and how to stay pure in mind, the word of wisdom, council on being honest with your fellow man. Topics for a modern day that are applied in varying degrees in each Mormons life, just like born again or evangelicals apply the Bible differently in theirs.
you do the math: Loyalty to country=earthly plaudits...loyalty to the Mormon church=eternal salvation PLUS the admiration of their fellow Mormons.
Are you actually saying that the Prophet in SLC will call Mitt in the White House and tell him to veto or sign a specific bill, or that Mitt will use his Executive authority to grant the church some special ability? Like make it a state church?
I wish I could get you to see how crazy that sounds to me. A) The LDS church would never place such a call and B) Mitt would tell the prophet to butt out this is not a theocracy.
The church is governed by rules, and one of them is the
Articles of Faith written by Joseph Smith himself. Article 12 states: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. To a Mormon this means he has already given an oath by promising God that he will obey his commands to Honor and sustain the law if you cant trust him because he is willing ro keep the law, then who can you trust?
Your whole premise on this seems to be that a Mormon cant be trusted because of his oath to God to build up the kingdom of God. I believe a Mormon would make a better president because of his commitment to both God and country.
On this we may just have to agree to disagree, but as a Mormon I can tell you that you have the effect of temple covenants on a Mormons life all wrong. It would be a good thing to have a president who believes in oath keeping and that the Constitution is and inspired document. Even though I am pulling for Fred Thompson, a president Romney would not be a bad thing from an trustworthiness perspective, but it would be something I worry about form a conservative one.
I do find it funny that you are worried about Mitt because he is Too Mormon and I am a Fred Thompson supporter because he is not Mormon enough (grin).
Are you actually saying that the Prophet in SLC will call Mitt in the White House and tell him to veto or sign a specific bill, or that Mitt will use his Executive authority to grant the church some special ability? Like make it a state church? I wish I could get you to see how crazy that sounds to me. A) The LDS church would never place such a call and B) Mitt would tell the prophet to butt out this is not a theocracy.
Aren't you one of the posters that complain about others reading your minds? How do you know what Mitt or the prophet would do in this case? Yes, I believe that Mitt would be unduly influenced to sign a bill by a call from the prophet. The state church comment is ridiculous and you know it.
Your whole premise on this seems to be that a Mormon cant be trusted because of his oath to God to build up the kingdom of God. I believe a Mormon would make a better president because of his commitment to both God and country.
The oath states "for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.
Is it Christian belief that God wishes to "build up His kingdom on earth and establish Zion?" State your source for this. A mormon would certainly be a better President than a democrat, I agree.
you that you have the effect of temple covenants on a Mormons life all wrong.
In what way? Are you saying that they don't mean anything and are just a pro forma response? That's certainly news to me. Remember I am a former mormon, coming from a mormon dominated area.