How Mormons Saw Romney -- In wooing evangelicals, he made some fellow LDS members uneasy

Newsweek ^ | February 8, 2008 | Sally Atkinson

[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.

[nicmarlo]

I was, I was.....I’m trying to get back...takes time.

[lmiller007]

I came here with the intentions of making that point. I think I failed.

[Zakeet]

Re: Bottom Line: No body cares that Obama is a closet Muslim.

Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian

I'm not sure if Obama is a closet Muslim (whatever that is), but there is no question his professed faith is cause for concern.

As you can see on their WEBSITE, Obama's church is committed to their following VISION:

1. A congregation committed to ADORATION.
2. A congregation preaching SALVATION.
3. A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
4. A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
5. A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
6. A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
7. A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
8. A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
9. A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
10. A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.

Without question, with B. Hussein Obama, people will get change.

[lady lawyer]

The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a horrible episode, and those who participated will be punished.

But it occurred after the Mormons had been driven out of their homes twice, and had all their possessions stolen. Hundreds died after they were forced out of Nauvoo in the dead of winter. Thousands died crossing the plains after they were forced out of the United States. Mountain Meadows occurred when Johnson’s Army was bearing down on Utah, and rumors were flying about these Arkansas travelers being in league with them. The people in Utah literally had no place left to run, and I think some of them just decided that, if they were going to go down, they would take some people with them.

It was wrong, and it has haunted the rest of the Church ever since, even though it wasn’t out fault. But it is wrong to mention the 200 or so innocents that died at Mountain Meadows without acknowledging the thousands of innocent Mormons who died before that.

[Osage Orange]

That is not true. I have been a member since I was baptized 22 years ago.

Great...thanks.

Are you a "born into the religion"..member?

[Osage Orange]

Nope, just asking a question.

Good...

But you apparently don't know the history 'round here..........

[Old Mountain man]

I see you are still incapable of getting the tie correct! Abuse, abuse!

[Osage Orange]

Added question....

So why do you ask if the questioner "hates you"?

[bonfire]

They were forced out of Kirtland, OH too. Interesting reading if you are so inclined.

[gondramB]

>.Yes he did.

But in this case I should have said the writings of the words he spoke

Sorry for the confusion

Figured it would be a given<<

It is a given, to me. I was trying to tease. I’m sorry I was unclear.

But separately, it sounds like you’re saying Jesus did some writing in addition to Gospels about him and quoting him. is that right?

[restornu]

Putting things in perspective and the degree of commitment many here are hedonist on Saturday night and church goers on Sunday!

D&C 95: 6, 12
6 They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day.
• • •
12 If you keep not my commandments, the love of the Father shall not continue with you, therefore you shall walk in darkness.

[P-Marlowe]

The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a horrible episode... But.......... it wasn't our fault.

Is that a no?

[Osage Orange]

Do you refuse to listen.

I listen great. Do you refuse to see the folly in your religions foundation?

How many times does it take for you to understand that those are not the teachings, nor the beliefs of Mormons.

Really....??? So tell me when a mormon prophet can be believed as being a vessel of God or not?

Any Mormon would distant themselves from such a quote.

MANY have not. What say you to that????

There were never a part of the official teachings of the Church.

Really????? Since when??? Once again....when can I "know" when a prophet and leader of mormonism is speaking "offically" and when they are not? Do you not see????

Do you want me to dig up racist comments from leaders of the Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, and other Christian churches made 140 years ago?

Sure, I be interested in that. Dig up some LEADING FOUNDING members of any of those religions...Have at it...!!

Then I can say, “See this is what they believe in.” Do you realize how dishonest you are being?

Here's what I know....you are involved in a cult. Pure and simple. You apparently have no clue...or are so indebted in it...you look for reasons to stay.

I pray for you, I feel for you.

[Old Mountain man]

Syncro, you are asking a series of interesting questions here and since you seem curious, I will endeavor to answer them, using the technique of piling on that seems so popular among the mainstreamers here.

The gospels were “voted in” by the council of Nicea under the auspices of Constantine. Look it up. Nothing was voted in that he did not agree with and essentially nothing remained in the church of early doctrine that he did not approve of. The triune heresy is a greco roman fiction, not scriptural.

The Priesthood authority had been removed from the Earth when the church lapsed into apostasy.

Regarding your small pittance of a quote, you must read the entire chapter in context to understand it. I would urge you to read the entire thing, not play the Bible Lite game that so many maintreamers are so fond of. However, as a final answer to your question, why do you persecute members of our Church? Think about that. When next you enter your church, think about its history and roots and the evils that historically must be attributed to it and its antecedents. No, the true Church of Christ was restored by my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ through God’s own Prophet, Joseph Smith. Whether you accept that or not matters not one bit to me, for I am confident of the truth of the matter.

[Osage Orange]

“Getting saved” is not a one-time occurrence.

The man next to Jesus on the cross would beg to differ..............

I happen to work in the health-care field...and have seen and believed some "death-bed" confessions.

While, of course...it's certainly not up to me....they seemed honest and sincere.

Point being......I don't nor you...know God's mind/will completely. The GOD I serve...is a just GOD. A fair GOD. A GOD that knows our hearts...............

[greyfoxx39]

Putting things in perspective and the degree of commitment many here are hedonist on Saturday night and church goers on Sunday!

Gee, resty, I'm sorry to hear that of your personal FRiends...you certainly don't know that about the rest of Free Republic...unless you have a peepstone into the doings of complete strangers spread out over thousands of miles.

Or is that information you gained in another "witness" to you?

[Osage Orange]

Resty...is this another one of your names...............?

[greyfoxx39]

Took some typing lessons?

[nicmarlo]

“Getting saved” is not a one-time occurrence.

The man next to Jesus on the cross would beg to differ..............

A point I also often make to others. Not only concerning the need for salvation occurring but once, but also to point to the fact that "works" did not bring that man to Paradise, as Jesus promised he would be that day.

[nicmarlo]

hedonist on Saturday night and church goers on Sunday!

Perhaps she's projecting.