On May 12, 2012, Mormon Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivered the commencement address at Liberty University, the university founded by the late Evangelical leader Jerry  Falwell.  The University is considered a bastion of conservative Christianity, but Falwell desired to bring all U.S. Christians under the umbrella of a “moral majority” to affect American social values for the better, and favored cordial relations with Mormons.  Romney called Falwell a  “cheerful, confident champion for Christ.”  In attendance were more than 6,000 graduates and some 30,000 of their friends and family members.

Mark DeMoss, an alumnus of the university, introduced Mitt Romney.  DeMoss is an Evangelical and adviser to Romney’s campaign.  DeMoss said that although he might not agree with Romney on everything, “I trust his values, for I am convinced they mirror my own.”

DeMoss recalled bringing Falwell and other religious leaders to meet Romney in Massachusetts in 2006, after which Romney sent Falwell a chair with a seal that said, “There’s always room for you at my table.” The founder’s son and school chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., sat on the chair during the commencement. And the school presented Romney with a chair of his own, saying, “There’s always a seat for you at our table.” [1]

In his speech, which was deeply spiritual, Romney avoided specific references to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to specific doctrines of Mormonism.

“Central to America’s rise to global leadership is our Judeo-Christian tradition, with its vision of the goodness and possibilities of every life,” Romney said. “From the beginning, this nation has trusted in God, not man. . . . There is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action.”

“People of different faiths, like yours and mine, sometimes wonder where we can meet in common purpose when there are so many differences in creed and theology,” Romney said. “Surely the answer is that we can meet in service, in shared moral convictions about our nation stemming from a common worldview.”

Romney made only one reference to the gay marriage issue, which was in the news in the days leading up to the graduation event, as President Barak Obama came out in favor of gay marriage, and Romney took the opposite stand.

“Culture — what you believe, what you value, how you live — matters,” Romney said. “As fundamental as these principles are, they may become topics of democratic debate from time to time. So it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman.”

This statement brought Romney a standing ovation from those in attendance.

Read the full transcript of Mitt Romney’s speech.

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

The Holy Bible in Mormonism

Mitt Romney’s Mormon Tithing

Just after the May 8, 2012, primaries, President Obama had his hands full since Vice-President Joe Biden and others in the administration had come out in favor of gay marriage.  Mr. Obama, supposedly an Evangelical Christian, had begun his original 2008 coming out against gay marriage, but then over time claimed that his opinion was evolving.  Caught in a difficult position by the gay marriage support of others in his administration, he finally came forward saying that now is in favor of gay marriage.

“I had hesitated on gay marriage, in part, because I thought civil unions would be sufficient,” the president said. “I was sensitive to the fact that — for a lot of people — that the word marriage is something that provokes very powerful traditions and religious beliefs.” [1]

Mitt Romney, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in reaction to Obama’s statement, reiterated his opposition to gay marriage, but refused to criticize the President on the issue, calling it “tender.”

“I have the same view on marriage that I had when I was governor,” he said. “I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.” [2]

Romney has previously backed certain benefits for gay couples — for instance, the right to visit with a sick partner in the hospital — but said each state should be free to determine their own laws.

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who endured her own shift toward supporting gay marriage, also hailed the president’s announcement as “a watershed moment in American history.” [2]

Obama’s new stand draws a line in the sand between moral liberals and moral conservatives in the United States.  Most voters would prefer to vote according to platforms and policy ideas, but conflict on social morality has been stealing away that opportunity.  Because of Obama’s stand on social morality, there is a clear delineation between the Democratic and the Republican tickets on abortion, gay marriage, and other sensitive issues.

Before Tuesday, 30 states had voted in favor of constitutional amendments that seek to defend traditional definitions of marriage as a heterosexual union.  All of the states that now allow same-sex marriage do so because of laws enacted by their legislatures and courts, and not by a vote of their citizens.

However, a CNN/ORC poll, taken in late March, indicated policies towards gays and lesbians were tied for last in the most-important issues facing the country.  Thus, voters may choose to concentrate on the U.S. economy and foreign policy when they make their choices at the voting booth.

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

Threats to Traditional Marriage

Ann Romney

Mitt Romney has received a bit of attention for the time he spent in France as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (frequently misnamed the Mormon Church). Though his service was many years ago, it certainly has had a large impact on his life. The citizens of a country always gain a special place in the heart of a missionary who has spent two years of his life serving them, and the case is certainly no different with Romney.

President Thomas S. Monson announced in the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 1, 2011, that the Church would be building a Mormon temple in Paris, France. The grounds purchased for the temple are really in a suburb of Paris, but construction has not begun yet. A great deal of local opposition arose after the announcement was made, and, in an effort to answer questions and make peace, local Church leaders authorized the organization of an open house for the citizens around Chesnay.

The open house was well advertised locally, with posters in shop windows everywhere. It was held on March 16, 2012. The small attendance of 124 consisted largely of invited local officials and members of the press, which prompted the mayor to notice the citizens must not be drastically opposed, or they would likely have shown up in force. Of those who attended, twenty percent left comments in the guest book, all of which were positive.

The open house took visitors on a tour of the local family history center, showed them a video about Mormon temple worship, and displayed a model of the future temple. This interaction gave visitors ample opportunity to learn more about Mormonism and tenets of doctrine, to ask questions and settle concerns, and to see what the project will entail.

Below are some of the comments left by guests:

“As an inhabitant of Chesnay, I wanted to make a personal opinion of the project. Architecturally, I am reassured. I have my own religious beliefs but I am absolutely not opposed to the implementation of the Mormon temple. Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“We are very pleased with our very successful visit as many areas that before seemed to be not clear are clear today. Thank you again.”

“We came curious and the warm welcome and excellent explanations that we received answered all of our questions. Welcome to Chesnay.”

Such positive responses bode well for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France who impatiently await a temple of their own. Those who seek blessings available only in Mormon temples must currently travel to another temple in Europe, such as Great Britain’s, Spain’s, or Germany’s. This is a large expense for many people. Having a temple in France will allow many more people to attend far more frequently, and will bring blessings to the country.

Additional Resources:

More about Mormon Beliefs

When you look up the definition of charity in  Webster’s dictionary, you read the following:

…benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity, generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering, an institution engaged in relief of the poor, lenient judgment of others.

The author with Mitt Romney at a Virginia Beach event.

It would seem that no matter what your beliefs or political party might be, you would want to associate with someone who has charity in his heart. Unfortunately, having a charitable heart and acting on one’s belief is being attacked in a way that is causing many Americans to question the values of our leaders and citizens.

When asked by Chris Wallace from Fox News  whether his contributions in the form of Mormon tithing to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be a political problem, Romney responded by saying,

“Gee, I hope not. If people want to discriminate against someone based upon their commitment to tithe, I’d be very surprised. This is a country that believes in the Bible. The Bible speaks about providing tithes and offerings. I made a commitment to my church a long, long time ago that I would give 10 percent of my income to the church. And I followed through on that commitment. And, hopefully, as people look at various individuals running for president, they’d be pleased with someone who made a promise to God and kept that promise. So, if I had given less than 10 percent, then I think people would have had to look at me and say, hey, what’s wrong with you, fella, don’t you follow through on the promises?”

What a direct and powerful response to something that those who have opposed the church for a long time are trying to make an issue.

It is disheartening that in a time when so many are need of extra money, help, love and support those that can give and do give are being attacked for their contributions. At what point do people focus on the good in others and accept that we will have differences? There will never be one person or government that can change the world, but together great change can take place. When you allow those that have made a conscious decision to help others — whether it is through service, donations, support or other means to do so without condemnation or prejudice, we will then begin to see the kind of change that is necessary to create better world around us.

Mormon Donations

It is important to note that the Mormons have the opportunity to donate in a variety of ways within the church and each one of those has a very important purpose. In addition to paying Mormon tithing, members of the LDS church have the opportunity to donate to help in other aspects of the church; these include Humanitarian Aid, Temples, Missionary Fund, Perpetual Education Fund and Mormon Fast Offerings. Each one of these categories is important to the welfare of both members and non-members of the church. It would seem that a religion that is so focused on helping those that are in need would be praised for these efforts.

When it comes to Mormons and the LDS church, those that want to take the opportunity to try and paint a negative picture or anti-Mormons,  have and will continue to use those beliefs they feel do not align with “the world’s” version of Christianity.  They will look at the teachings and say things that are just plain false. However, to attack ones personal choice to donate and follow their beliefs seems to be a direct contradiction of what Christianity teaches. Why would someone be questioned when they give of their money to help an organization, group, person or religion they feel strongly about? There is no logical answer even those many will try to spin how the money that has been donated is used.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been recognized around the world as a church that is first to help in times of need. They are often the first in a country when disaster strikes. They have created a culture through the inspiration of their called leaders to ensure that the needy are taken care of. The ability to help the needy can only come when those that have a strong belief and are willing to give actually write a check or donate what they can.

One of the greatest things about the principle of Mormon tithing, which is what we are actually referring to, is that it is a principle of faith. There are many who are willing to pay tithing to their church when life is good and they are earning good money. However, the true blessings of paying one’s tithe comes when things are that good and money is not coming in a good rate. It is during those times when faith  precedes the action. We should all be grateful for every person that is willing to act on their charitable heart by giving.

Here are headlines to show just small sampling of what the Mormon donations of good hearted people like Mitt Romney go towards:

Church Donates Fishing Equipment to Japan

Church Helps Feed Hungry Argentine Children

Church Sends Aid to Ethiopia

Donation to School in China

Church Donations Aid Romanian Flood Refugees

Church Equips Kitchens to Help Peruvian Poor

This is just a small sample to provide some insight into just how critical it is to have people not only believe in what their church teaches but live what they are taught. So why has this become an issue for Mitt Romney? It hasn’t, that is the interesting thing. This has become an issue for those that already oppose the Mormons and their beliefs. Mitt Romney made a commitment to pay tithing years ago and he is fulfilling his commitment and because of that, he has and continues to be blessed. There are many people who donate their money to different charities whether they are based on a religious belief or their personal values. We should look to those who are willing to set an example by giving to those organizations that help make a difference.  The Mormon Humanitarian Aid fund, because of its Mormon volunteers, disburses 100% of the donations it receives to actual humanitarian aid.

So while some are spending their time and money trying to attack the act of giving, others are actually out making a difference donating to their church or other causes they believe in that can actually help others. No matter what your religion is, no matter what your political views are, we must find ways to help each other. This is not going to come simply by increasing or decreasing taxes. This is going to come from the goodness of peoples’ heart. As a hand is extended to our neighbors, greatness will prevail, it always has and always will. America needs to be sure that we do not allow politics to get in the way of us helping one another.

Link to Chris Wallace Fox News Interview- Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-news-sunday/2012/01/22/mitt-romney-south-carolina-defeat-speaker-john-boehner-talks-jobs-state-union?page=3#ixzz1l9w1Auw0

Seth Saunders is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon”). He is currently serving as Branch President of the Pembroke Branch.

Additional Resources:

Mormons and Their Basic Beliefs

Mormon Church Finances

Is the Mormon Church Wealthy?

On January 23, 2012, Mitt Romney released his tax information for 2010-2011, showing himself to be one of the richest men ever to run for president of the United States.   Fifteen percent of his income went to charitable donations, mostly to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often erroneously called the “Mormon Church.”  The LDS Church is known for its financial soundness, the result of wise financial practices, impeccable ethics, and no debt.  The Church of Jesus Christ even pays for its temples in cash.

Mitt Romney’s Tithing

Mitt Romney is a member in good standing in the LDS Church.  He is worthy to enter a holy Mormon temple to make higher covenants there.  That means he is a “full tithe payer.”  The paying of tithing (meaning ten percent of one’s increase) is an ancient biblical practice, as sacrifice is a foundational principle of the gospel.  In Old Testament times, people offered animal sacrifices, but they also paid tithing, often in kind (from their flocks and fields, rather than with money).

And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps (2 Chronicles 31:6).

Thus, ten percent of Mitt Romney’s income would have gone to the Church of Jesus Christ as tithes.  Tithing is paid confidentially in the LDS Church; there are no collection plates passed around at church meetings.  There are no plaques on the walls of meetinghouses or temples showing who made donations to build the edifices.

Although one must be a full tithe-payer to enter a holy Mormon temple, this is determined by the member making a statement to the bishop (leader of the congregation).  The bishop accepts this statement as truth.  Tithing is paid voluntarily.   No one is forced to pay.  Mitt Romney pays the same amount of tithing as the poorest member of the Church of Jesus Christ — ten percent.

But Mitt Romney has given more than ten percent of his income to the Church of Jesus Christ.  Why is that?  First, there are other voluntary offerings besides tithing.

Mitt Romney’s other Donations

The first Sunday of every month, Mormons fast for two meals and donate the money they would have spent on food to the poor and needy.  These funds first go to help those in the local congregation.  The excess goes to the Church.  The Church of Jesus Christ has a remarkable welfare system designed to increase the self-reliance of those who use it.  Using “fast offerings” and the volunteer labor of the Latter-day Saints, the Church produces foodstuffs and distributes them through “Bishop’s Storehouses.”  Employment counseling and other helps are also provided by the Church.

Other specific funds exist in the Church to which one may donate:

• The Ward Missionary Fund helps support missionaries from one’s home congregation.
• The General Missionary Fund helps support missionaries from all over the Church.  (Missionaries pay their own way when they serve, but some are unable.)
• The Book of Mormon fund purchases Books of Mormon for missionaries to distribute.
• The Temple Construction Fund aids in building temples.
• The Perpetual Education Fund helps to educate youth from poorer countries who have served missions for the Church.
• The Humanitarian Aid Fund finances the humanitarian efforts of the Church.

Mormon Humanitarian Aid

Virtually 100% of donations to the Mormon Humanitarian Aid Fund go to actual humanitarian aid, making it a wise choice for philanthropic giving.  Mormon aid is often the first to arrive when a disaster occurs, and Mormon humanitarian aid workers are often the last to leave after a disaster, giving ongoing aid with a view to reconstruction.  The LDS Church also has many ongoing charitable projects.   The Church of Jesus Christ has donated $1.3 Billion worth of assistance since 1985.

Is the LDS Church Wealthy?

Although The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest religion in the United States and is now a world-wide church, it is still relatively small with over 14 million members (2011).  However, its sound financial practices have made it very financially stable.  Read about LDS Church finances here.

See also Mormon Money.

See also Mormons in Business.

See also Tithing.

Mitt Romney comes from a long line of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Perhaps his best known ancestor is his great-great grandfather, Parley P. Pratt, one of the first Apostles of the LDS Church.[1] Mitt’s ancestors came to Utah with the Mormon Pioneers—those men, women, and children who endured unbelievable hardships in order to find a place where they could practice their religion without persecution.

In the early 1800s those Mormon Pioneers came from the Eastern United States, first to Ohio, then Illinois, and finally to Utah. They were joined by pioneers, equally escaping religious persecution, from Europe and Scandinavia. Today , The Church of Jesus Christ (inadvertently called by the media “The Mormon Church,”)  is to be found in almost every country in the world. But members of the Church of Jesus Christ (Latter-day Saints, nicknamed “Mormons”) are united in their faith which centers on three main beliefs:

(1) Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God.

(2) The Book of Mormon is the Word of God containing the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as a Second Witness of Christ along with the Bible; it was revealed to—

(3) Joseph Smith whom members of The Church of Jesus Christ acknowledge as a Prophet. He saw the Father and the Son and was divinely instructed to restore the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. Each successive prophet and president of the Church receives revelation directly from Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of our Heavenly Father; that He is a separate, unique being who took on human flesh in order to perform the greatest sacrifice for mankind, the Atonement in Gethsemane and on the cross.[2] Only a God could take upon himself every sin, depravity, every negative emotion, and suffer it in human form without being utterly destroyed, in order that we, His children[3] could have a chance to repent and thus not be cast out from the presence of our Heavenly Father when we leave this mortal life. In the words of Isaiah, “surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4), where Isaiah is using a tense that signifies the future. In short, Christ is able to share every human experience with us, helping us repent when we have done wrong, taking upon His shoulders the burdens that we bear, being with us through His Spirit throughout our lives.

For more on Jesus Christ, please visit Jesus Christ.org.

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon  is a modern miracle in and of itself. Translated from metal plates which contained an abridgement of records inscribed by prophets over a period of a thousand years, it contains God’s dealings with three separate groups of people who formed part of the transoceanic migration from the Old World to the New. First were the Jaredites, a group of people under the leadership of Jared and his brother who left at the time of the confounding of the language as a result of Nimrod’s building of the Tower of Babel (see Gen. 11:1–9; Ether 1:3–5, 33–35). The second group, and the one whose record comprises the majority of the Book of Mormon, is the family of Lehi. Lehi was a prophet at the same time as the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah; from Lehi came the two major groups in the Book of Mormon, the Nephites and the Lamanites. Lastly, when King Zedekiah was carried captive from Jerusalem into Babylon (see Jeremiah 39), some of his people escaped to the New World.  They comprise the third group, the Mulekites.

Read more about the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith

The records of these three groups of people were abridged by the Nephite Prophet Mormon and his son Moroni around AD 400. It was Moroni, now a heavenly messenger, who, some 1400 years later, instructed Joseph Smith where to find the metal plates that contained the abridgment. Joseph was a young man aged fourteen, brought up in a good, hardworking family, who was inspired by what he read in the New Testament: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). He did just that, going to a quiet place in the woods to kneel down and offer a heartfelt prayer to know which church of the many that were springing up in the New World that he should join—which one was the true Church of Christ. He was rewarded by a direct answer from two members of the Godhead, Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Father introduced the Son to Joseph and Christ answered Joseph’s question. The true church was no longer on the earth and Joseph had been prepared, foreordained, to restore it in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ.

The young prophet stayed faithful to that vision and a few years later was guided by Moroni to retrieve the metal plates from where they were buried in a hill in upstate New York, from which, by the gift and power of God, he translated the Book of Mormon.

Mormon Beliefs

Upon the foundation of these three central tenets of the Latter-day Saint religion are built the belief that the family is the “central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children”; [4] that the Church is a restoration of the true Church of Jesus Christ as it existed when He was on the earth, hence we have a Prophet, Apostles, and a lay Priesthood. We believe that revelation is an ongoing, continuing necessity for every man, woman, and child who belongs to the Church. And we believe in being subject to the rule of the government of the country in which we reside.

For more about Mormon beliefs, and to meet some Mormons, go to the LDS Church’s introductory website, Mormon.org.

Mitt Romney has continued to receive a great deal of criticism from opponents and members of the media regarding his religious affiliation as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the nicknamed “Mormon Church” is officially known. Some allegations are so wild that they accuse him of being in sympathy with European politics because he lived in France for two years as a young man. Mitt Romney spent two years in France as a missionary for the LDS Church, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to many who did not want to hear anything about organized religion. This experience, many argue, is exactly where he learned determination and perseverance in the face of opposition.

Mitt Romney arrived in France in the late ’60s and faced a public full of distrust for organized religion since the French Revolution in 1789 tore the church apart in its fury of oppression by the aristocracy, which it considered the church to be a part of. Many of these opinions have been passed down through now hundreds of years, and are still clung to by many people.

Despite their simple and earnest desire to share the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world, Mormon missionaries in France find most doors slammed in their faces on average days and guns pulled on them or dogs chasing them on particularly bad days. Yet, they continue to try and share the message that has brought them there, that of the life before this life and the purpose of our lives on this earth.

Christian Euvrard, director of the Paris Institute of Religion for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says that “Being a missionary [is] not an easy thing. You can’t go home without having learned a lot of lessons. Missionaries who served in France remember the experience as “character-building” and “life-changing.”

Mormon missionaries pay for their missions out of their own pocket. They receive no monetary compensation for their time and work, yet they still voluntarily sacrifice eighteen months (for women) to two years (for young men) to leave home, live a rigorous moral code, and face nearly constant rejection by many because they sincerely desire to share the message of Jesus Christ with the world.

Kenneth Cope, who served as a missionary in France in the 1980s, says of all missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “The main focus of a mission is to go out and help people find the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but a very great by-product would be you grow into a man, you grow into a woman, you grow up.”

Mitt Romney actually served for 30 months in France, during which time he developed people and leadership skills which led him to become assistant to the mission president of France. While in this position, and throughout his mission, Romney followed the mission rules and helped ensure other missionaries did as well, following a rigorous schedule of waking up at 6:30 a.m. and having lights out by 10:30 p.m., with a full day of hard work in between. This work consists largely of knocking on doors, following up on referrals (suggestions given to them of people who may be interested in their message), teaching interested parties, studying their scriptures, serving in their communities, and taking care of personal business like laundry and letter writing.

“Missionaries avoid entertainment, parties, or other activities common to this age group as long as they are on their missions, so they can focus entirely on the work of serving and of teaching others the gospel of Jesus Christ,” says official LDS News website.

The influence of a mission is so strong that it is nearly impossible, according to Carter Charles, who is writing his doctorate thesis for the University of Bordeaux on the role of Mormonism in U.S. politics, to find anyone who served a Mormon mission who has not been significantly altered by his or her experience, regardless of current activity in or affiliation with the LDS Church. Charles says former Mormon missionaries “have different world-views, they see the world in different ways. In that, you can say the Mormon church has something special that you don’t see in other religious groups who send out missionaries. It is unique.”

Mitt Romney is no stranger to responsibility. Romney also learned a lot of leadership skills on his mission after tragedy struck in a head-on collision which injured the mission president, H. Duane Anderson, and killed Anderson’s wife Leola. Romney was driving his companion, the mission president and his wife, and another woman, Suzanne Farel, back from a conference in June 1968. An oncoming car, driven by a man who had been drinking, hit them head-on. Romney was actually pronounced dead at the scene, but was still taken to a hospital, where he made a full recovery.

In the wake of the tragedy, President Anderson was sent home, and Mitt Romney and another missionary were put in charge of the mission for several weeks, until arrangements could be made for a new mission president to arrive

With so much to be done, Romney did not have time to “sit around and philosophize,” but got the work done that needed to be done. The sense of discipline which so many Mormon missionaries learn through experience keeps them focused and determined to do what needs to be done.

Mormonism is still largely misunderstood, with many people still believing that Mormons practice polygamy and live like the Amish. Many people consider the Book of Mormon evil, when it is in fact a companion book of scripture to the Bible and testifies of Jesus Christ. Mitt Romney’s involvement in politics and current candidacy for President of the United States of America is bringing the discussion of Mormonism to the foreground. It is important to understand his beliefs and history to also understand that Mormonism is Christianity and that Mitt Romney is a moral person.

Read more on Mitt Romney’s time in France.

Additional Resources: Mormon News

Learn more about Mormon missionaries at the official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

Learn some basic Mormon Beliefs.

Mormons are Christian.

In October 2011 controversial comments made  by a Texas pastor and supporter of Gov. Rick Perry again inserted the issue of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s faith into the forefront of the race for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

The GOP field, including Romney, found themselves having to respond to comments made Friday by Dr. Robert Jeffress, the senior pastor of the 10,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, who, in his introduction of Texas Gov. Rick Perry at a social conservatives’ conference on Friday, called Mormonism a “cult,” and asserted that Romney was not a Christian. [1]

Romney’s comments were focused on the unproductive nature of the controversy, and fellow Mormon Jon Huntsman, also a Republican candidate for president, leaped to Romney’s defense:

“Here in New Hampshire that is seen as the most ridiculous sideshow in recent politics. It doesn’t create an additional job. The discussion of Mormonism doesn’t expand our economic base. It doesn’t secure our position in the world. I have no idea why people are wasting spending so much political capital and bandwith on this issue. It’s nonsense,” Huntsman said.

Rick Perry distanced himself from Jeffress’ comments, saying he did not think Mormonism is a cult, and other candidates said the pastor’s comments were in poor taste and judgment.

Jeffress claims that Mormonism is not part of historical Christianity, which is true, and Mormons would agree with that statement.  All protestant churches believe that there was an apostasy in Christian orthodoxy, in which early Christianity adopted many pagan traditions and incorporated Greek philosophy.  This is why there was a reformation, from which all protestant churches sprang.  The protestant churches cannot claim any authority from Christ and the apostles, however, because they were reformations of orthodoxy instigated by men.

Jeffress claims that Evangelical Christianity was begun by Jesus Christ, but Mormonism was founded by a man, and therefore, Evangelical Christianity is Christ’s and Mormonism is a cult.  However, his statement is the utmost in hypocrisy, as exposed on CNN by Anderson Cooper.  The Evangelical movement is only slightly older than the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The Evangelical movement was begun by men and women trying to reclaim the  charismatic gifts lost to orthodoxy when the apostles and Christ’s authority disappeared.  New doctrines, such as the belief in a pre-tribulation rapture, were incorporated, and no line of authority from Christ exists.

Mormonism, however, claims to be not a protestant religion, but the restoration of the original church of Jesus Christ, with power and authority restored by Christ Himself through direct revelation to modern prophets.  No other religion can make this claim.  Some call the Mormon Church a cult, because Joseph Smith claimed to receive visions and heavenly messengers.  But how else could Christ restore His own church, except through those who held the keys and authority anciently?  John the Baptist with the authority to baptize; Peter, James, and John with the keys to the higher priesthood; Elijah with the keys to the sealing power — these men are long gone.  Under Christ’s direction, they would have to return as resurrected or “translated” beings in order to pass on the keys and authority to restore the original church of Christ.  This should make perfect sense to anyone who is Christian, especially one who considers himself an educated theologian like Jeffress.

Additional Resources:

Mitt Romney is a Mormon and the Mormon religion is Christian. Learn more at the official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

The Book of Mormon is God’s word. Request a free copy and learn for yourself.

Attend a local meetinghouse.

By Mel Borup Chandler.

Is Mitt Romney Christian?

Romney was raised in the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).  He served a two-year, full-time mission to France (and thus is fluent in French).  He has served in positions of leadership in the LDS Church’s lay clergy.
Now that Mitt Romney has thrown his hat into the ring to be a candidate seeking the Republican nomination for the presidential election, many people are asking… Isn’t he Mormon, and are Mormons really Christian?

The answer is yes, he is Mormon and Mormons are Christian. The question has some  people scratching their heads, because a number or prominent Evangelicals have outright rejected Mormon claims of being Christian, because according to them, Mormons do not worship the same Jesus Christ in the New Testament; hence they are not Christian at all.

So here is the argument. By argument, I do not mean two people shouting at one another. Instead think of it as a person putting forth a point of view and attempting to offer evidence and an explanation to support their particular point of view or conclusion.

Anyone who has ever seriously studied or investigated the Mormon Church with an open heart to determine whether or not Mormons are Christian could never arrive at the conclusion that they are not. Mormonism is all about Christ— His teachings, gospel and doctrines.

What it boils down to “…are you willing to open your heart and seriously investigate the Mormon Church?” The prophet Moroni in the Book of Mormon tells us …

…when ye have received these things…ask God…in the name of Christ if these things are not true; and if ye will ask with a sincere heart with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you through the power of the Holy Ghost, and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (See Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:4-5).

And this is another sticking point.  Some Evangelicals say Mormons are not Christians, because they have another book of scripture in addition to the Bible.  Actually, this makes Mormons more Christian, not less, because the Book of Mormon is a second witness for Christ.

Just as the Bible is the story of the tribe of Judah, the Book of Mormon is the history of the tribe of Joseph that migrated under the direction of the Lord, from the Holy Land to the Americas about 600 BC..  Many of the books in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are named after prophets. Mormon and Moroni were two of many prophets in the Americas, just as there were many prophets in the Old Testament.  The central event portrayed in the Book of Mormon is the visit of the resurrected Jesus Christ to this branch of Israel, adding a strong witness that the biblical account of His life, death, and resurrection are correct.

A popular nickname for Mormons is “LDS,” which stands for Latter-day Saints.  Mormons call themselves Latter-day Saints to distinguish themselves from members in the primitive Church established by Christ, but it is the same church, The Church of Jesus Christ…of Latter-day Saints.

By definition, a Christian is a person who takes upon him- or herself the name of Christ and makes a covenant with Christ to always remember Him and obey His commandments. This is accomplished through baptism  and then abiding in the covenants the person has made.  Through covenant, we accept Christ’s expiation. The expiation began in the Garden of Gethsemane and culminated with Christ’s death on the cross and allows us all to break the bonds of death and receive forgiveness for our sins.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost was given to the Apostles after the death of Christ. Only people who are baptized and accept the covenants of baptism are entitled to the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  However, everyone is subject to the power of the Holy Ghost, and we all share the light of Christ to help us recognize and accept gospel principles and truth.

Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, or Mormon?

If you are not Catholic (either Roman or Orthodox) and are Christian, you are Protestant. Evangelism is an off-shoot and reform movement of Protestantism. Catholic means universal, hence the Universal Church. Protestants believe there was an apostasy after the death of Christ.  An apostasy is a falling away from the True Gospel. The Protestant Reformation was a reformation of the Catholic faith to reflect a more correct teaching and gospel tradition.  Catholics do not believe or accept that there was an apostasy.

Luther, among others, is credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. Luther rejected the Catholic priesthood, saying that baptism itself was a holy priesthood.  He  was later excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Catholics reject an apostasy and claim priesthood authority through the Apostle Peter. The Pope sits on the Chair of Peter.  Although the various protestant churches have clergy who hold “priesthood,” it is not the same type of authoritative priesthood as the Catholic Church claims to have. Priesthood is defined as the authority of God to act in his name. If you are Protestant, you have made no claim to the same type of priesthood authority, but the Mormon Church has.

Both Mormons and Catholics are on equal footing as far as claims to priesthood authority. Rather than a reformation, Mormons claim a complete restoration— complete with visits from God, Christ, and John the Baptist, Christ’s Apostles Peter, James and John, and others.  Since Peter appeared as a resurrected being and conferred priesthood power upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, then the Mormon Church can claim a line of priesthood handed down by Peter, as the Catholics do.  Mormons claim there was a breach in the line of priesthood handed down from Peter.  Thus, his line of priesthood authority had to be restored.

What really is bothersome to many ministers is that Mormons claim their restoration in modern times through the prophet Joseph Smith, a prophet just as in ancient times. Joseph Smith organized the Mormon Church in 1836, guided by heavenly messengers who conferred their authority.  Over the years there have been disagreements in Protestant and Catholic circles, but also there has always been a sort of camaraderie. In a sense their relationship is similar to that of a father with and estranged son. In recent years, the Vatican has even extended an olive branch to reconcile various denominations, most recently allowing Anglican priests to return to Catholicism.

On the other hand, Mormonism does not share that same relationship, because it is a complete restoration; it’s not a Protestant church. If the Catholics do indeed have the authority of God to act in his name via the priesthood, and there was no apostasy as say the Protestants, then they would be correct. However, if there was an apostasy, then it follows there must be a restoration, not a reformation. Mormonism is a complete restoration of the ancient gospel and priesthood authority.

When a protestant or evangelical church addresses the issue of authority, it must acknowledge that it is a breakaway from the Catholic Church.  Mormonism is not a breakaway. This is why Mormonism and  Catholicism vie for validation regarding priesthood authority.

It is understandable that Protestants, particularly Evangelicals, would not want to do Mormons any favors, and that they would prefer their congregants not to examine the Mormon claim at all. Disinformation is merely a pretext to prevent congregants from doing their own investigation. They fear this and do not want to give the Mormon religion a fair shake or even allow them at the table of Christ.

Unfortunately, there have and always will be, those who distort and evade the truth. Some ministers and church leaders in various congregations have sought to distort and evade the Mormon question all together. Usually the Catholic Church takes the power position, i.e.  not acknowledging  or commenting on Mormonism. My personal experience in doing Missionary work in South America is that there are a number of Catholic clergy who know more about Mormons than most Mormons themselves. The difference being that they lead another Church and have done an academic study rather than an open-hearted journey of faith.

However, some church’s ministers have taken these steps further and written books, given seminars to actively repudiate Mormon teachings and religion and to stir the pot of public prejudice and opinion. The writings are grossly distorted, but contain elements of truth and historical fact. This makes it particularly difficult to ferret out the actual truth without actually investigating and verify the claims personally and on a first-hand basis. Usually these writings are presented in a hard investigative format.

A Different Jesus?

The “different Jesus” of Mormon doctrine is the resurrected Christ of the Bible. He is still resurrected today, rather than going back into the Trinitarian “substance” of spirit that is the God of Catholicism and Protestantism.  The trinity took shape during the councils of bishops centuries after the death of Christ, and didn’t reach it’s final form until the middle of the 5th century.  This is one idea the Protestant reformers did not choose to reject, and they stand by it today as if they had absolute proof of its validity.

In biblical times many prophets spoke with God “face to face,” and God is often described as having the form of a glorified man.  Now in modern times, God the Father and Jesus Christ have shown themselves as two separate beings, both glorious and resurrected, with bodies of flesh and bone, just as Christ appeared to His apostles after His resurrection.  When He was not ministering on earth, He was at the right hand of the Father.  Does this mean that Mormons are not Christians?  On the contrary, they are THE Christians, with Christ’s true doctrine, priesthood authority, and His own personal leadership through modern prophets.

Additional Resources:

Mitt Romney is Mormon and Mormons are Christian. Learn more at the official site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and companion to the Bible. Request your free copy.

Mormons are Christian. Learn more about Jesus Christ.

When running for president during his first campaign, Mitt Romney faced several hurdles in regard to his faith. Ironically, Protestants, and especially evangelicals (the Christian group with whom Mormonism has the most in common) are Mormonism’s biggest opponents. While these groups share a largely Republican base and strong, conservative social values, the central doctrines they contend on include works vs. grace, the Protestant understanding of the Trinity vs. the Mormon doctrine of the three distinct members of the Godhead, and the need for a restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mark Driscoll, a pastor, expressed what he believes is a large hurdle for Romney: “He supports our values; he doesn’t worship our God.” Clearly, Driscoll does not understand Mormon doctrine, because Mormons do worship the same God and the same Savior—Jesus Christ—as all other Christians. This general misunderstanding of Mormon beliefs is Romney’s true challenge. Pew analyst John Green said in a February 2011, commentary that Mormonism has been, and continues to be, among the least popular religions in America. Green shed some light on this when he said that many Protestants view Mormon missionaries as competitors. This makes religion into a race or challenge of some kind, instead of welcoming all people to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. Mormons and Protestants have more in common than they have different. They should be focusing on how they can come together and support one another.

Christian leaders seem to be even more cautious in the upcoming presidential race to support candidates with different beliefs. Driscoll told The Christian Post in an interview that “sometimes those candidates turn out to be not that moral.” We have certainly seen a lot of this in politics, but there as been no reason to suspect Mitt Romney of any wrongdoing or indiscretions. In addition, immoral acts do not seem to be connected with one denomination more than another. They are the poor choices of individuals.

Romney certainly will face challenges in the upcoming presidential campaign, and many of those will be because of his faith, but despite enormous pressure, he has not denied his faith. He stands by it because he believes in it. He also pointed out that this country does not like people who believe according to convenience, and believes that (despite the pressure he continues to get to deny his faith) he would in fact lose respect if he chose to deny his faith. He would certainly lose his self-respect.

Deseret News, in exploring both the candidacy of Mitt Romney and the assumed candidacy of Jon Huntsman, states, “[Though] no one knows how Huntsman and Romney will fare in the Republican presidential primaries, it’s now looking more and more like their Mormon affiliation won’t amount to a de facto disqualification.”

Kathleen Flake, a professor of American religious history at Vanderbilt University, recently said in a Washington Post article:

“There’s no denying it: Mormonism is a pre-modern religion. It is full of miracles and grand providential acts of God, such as church members’ pioneering exodus to the West in 1846. It preaches and promises epiphany, such as the appearance to founder Joseph Smith of two divine beings, God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. It builds temples and demands sacrifice of time and tithes. It has a dietary code that abjures most of what makes the social world go round, and its believers do not buy their underwear at Victoria’s Secret. It insists on proselytizing a postmodern world convinced of a plurality, if not relativity, of truth. . . .

While their stories may seem crazy, the Latter-day Saints have proved themselves to be good neighbors and good citizens, and even trustworthy politicians. It’s time to admit them to that well-populated club of people whose religion is not our own and even seems fantastical . . . but who are deemed perfectly acceptable presidential candidates.”

There seems to be a call from several respected people unaffliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon Church is officially known, for people to recognize candidates and people for their good qualities, beliefs, and values, and to not get so hung up on prejudices.

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