An Open Letter to All Mormoms: Prepare Yourselves Emotionally and Mentally for What the Left is Going to Say About You Should Romney Be the Nominee
Consider this an open letter to all Mormons out there who may come across it, warning you of what the political Left in this country is going to say about — and do to — you should Willard “Mittens” Romney become the Republican presidential nominee in 2012.
You need to start bracing yourselves for the sustained, vicious attacks that the Left is going to direct at you if the Cocktail Party GOP establishment and the agenda-driven media succeed in pushing Romney to the nomination so that he stands in the way of Barack Obama’s re-election in November. From what I repeatedly see online and receive in email from people claiming to be Mormon, you are completely unprepared for the persecution that’s coming. Many of you seem to see the world “as it should be” and not the way the Left actually operates – with far too many Mormons thinking “his religion shouldn’t matter!” or “there’s nothing wrong with Mormonism to make fun of or attack!” or “this will be a campaign about the issues and the Left wouldn’t stoop to doing that!”.
Whatever happens, you can never say that nobody tried to warn you while there was still time to prepare yourselves for the disaster that’s coming.
The first thing you need to understand is that the political Left in America operates an Alinsky Death Star that it aims at those who stand in the way of Barack Obama’s re-election. The Left was exiled in the political wilderness for 30 years until Obama’s election; Leftists will not give up control of the country easily and will employ every attack in their arsenal to secure Obama a second term. There is no “stun” setting on the Alinsky Death Star — the one and only setting is “obliterate” and it’s being powered up to hit Salt Lake City with laser-focused persecution and ridicule you’ve clearly never imagined possible. Because Romney is not only a Mormon but served in key leadership positions in your church, Mormons and Mormonism will be targets in the all-out-war the Left wages to keep Obama in power this summer and fall. If you expect anything less than weaponized hate and distilled evil from the Left in everything it has planned for you and your church, you’re looking for decency in Alderaan places.
Later this month, Harper Collins is publishing a new book titled The Real Romney by Michael Kranish and Scott Helman that will contain accounts from former Mormon women that depict both Romney himself and Mormonism at large as anti-woman. You can read an excerpt from the book in the most recent issue of Vanity Fair, in the article The Meaning of Mitt. From what I’ve seen, there are at least two anecdotes in the book that malign Mormonism as misogynist and depict Mormons such as Romney treating women as second-class citizens.
One account was from a woman named Peggie Hayes who claims Romney came to her home and demanded she give her unborn baby up for adoption because the Mormon church leaders decided she was an unfit mother; Hayes told her interviewers that Romney threatened her with excommunication if she didn’t surrender her baby to the church. “Give up your son or give up God” and be condemned to Hell is what Hayes claims Romney threatened her. This was in 1983 while Romney served as a bishop in the Boston slate of the Mormon church.
Another claim made against Romney by a female Mormon was written in the “Exponent II Journal”, which appears to have been a newsletter that a Mormon women’s group published; this unnamed woman maintains that Romney terrorized her while she was in the hospital faced with serious medical problems during an at-risk pregnancy. The woman was advised by doctors to have a medically-required abortion but Romney appeared as an agent of the Mormon church and demanded she carry the baby to term regardless of danger to her own life. The woman was horrified by Romney’s behavior and ultimately had the abortion on her doctor’s orders. Romney’s depicted as an alien, imposing, tyrant in the account.
Here is where you, as Mormons, face an immense challenge. I’m sure reading the two paragraphs above has whipped many of you into a frenzy and you’re already ginning up hatemail to send me for bringing this up. This is what’s actually happened every single time I’ve ever drawn attention to what the Left has planned for Mormonism if Romney is the nominee. Mormons have a terrible habit of shooting the messenger and desperately trying to pretend that these attacks from the Left are not going to come. I’ve run this site for four years now and during that time I’ve seen many Mormons prove themselves to be very prickly when Mormonism is discussed in any way in the nation at large.
Well, Willard “Mittens” Romney is running for president and is serving Mormonism on a platter for the Left and the agenda-driven media to savage…and he’s very foolishly doing it in an election year where the Left will stop at absolutely nothing to secure Barack Obama a second term. This is a perfect storm of disastrous proportions for those of you who prickle when someone outside your faith comments on Mormonism. If you’re going to get upset, leave nasty comments on this article, or send me hatemail for telling you the truth about what’s coming then I sincerely worry about your personal mental health when the Alinsky Death Star is fired up the day after Romney would be anointed the Republican nominee.
The reason the Left has not hit Romney or Mormonism with its attacks — yet — is because the Left and agenda-driven media in this country WANT Barack Obama to run against not just Romney, but Mormonism too. A trial run — you can think of it as a Guerenica-type weapons test — of what’s to come occurred in California in 2008 when the Prop-8 assault on perceived gay rights’ was blamed on Mormonism in the national media; Mormons were depicted as evil zealots on a crusade against the rights of others and Mormonism was described by the media as an alien, controlling, fanaticism. The Left won’t admit it was actually Barack Obama’s black Democrat voters who passed Prop-8 — or report that if Mormons were powerful enough in California to be responsible for that discrimination against gays then John McCain should have won the golden state’s electoral votes. If you don’t understand this already, you will soon enough: the facts never matter when the Left needs the agenda-driven media to force a certain narrative to benefit Democrats.
In 2012, with absolutely nothing worthwhile or positive accomplished during his presidency and no record of achievement to be proud of, the Left and agenda-driven media need villains for Obama to rail against. The “Hopeychange” that Obama entranced his acolytes and foot soldiers with in 2008 has expired and the only hope of motivating these people to re-elect him is to rev them up with hate. That hatred is going to be directed full force at Mormons and Mormonism.
If you’re a Mormon who’s reading this, please hurry through the emotional stages of addressing this reality. For your own sake, don’t get stuck on “denial” and delude yourself into believing this isn’t going to happen. The day after Romney would be declared the nominee will come the opening salvos in the Left’s war on the Church of Mormon. You need to accept that, and skip over being angry at the people who are trying to warn you of what’s coming. Don’t for a minute think that Romney being Mormon is no different than John F. Kennedy being Catholic. That’s another delusion I’ve seen floated here and there by Mormons who optimistically put too much faith in the nonexistent decency of the Left.
Some people had a problem with Kennedy being Catholic and running for President — that part is true. But that’s where the similarities between the 1960 election and the one we face in 2012 end. For starters, Kennedy was a Democrat and his challenger — Nixon — was a Republican; the media wanted Kennedy elected and chose not to persecute him for his Catholicism (which was, it should be noted, not as alien to voters at large in 1960 as Mormonism is to the majority of Americans in 2012). In the election at hand, almost everyone working in the news media is committed to seeing Barack Obama win a second term. Men like George Soros have invested billions of dollars in the “Obama brand” and will not allow him to be defeated without an all-out-war of a campaign. Obama needs a major distraction from his record of failure and ineptitude — and that distraction will be Mormonism.
The attack on your religion is part of a two-pronged election strategy devised by the likes of David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, and other Chicago operatives on the Obama campaign team. The other half of the strategy is to gin up the Occupy Wall Street crowds into class warfare mode and use them as goon squads to hammer home the image of Romney being a greedy, job-killing, Wall Street corporate raider who shuttered factories and cost union members their livelihoods when he was palling around with Ivan Bloesky and Michael Milken in the 1980s. Please take a look at the Occupy Wall Street rhetoric that the agenda-driven media has gleefully promoted and then appreciate the foreshadowing this gives of what the Left has planned for its assault on Romney as a corporate raider.
Now, imagine the “Persecute Mormonism” second front the Left’s going to open up to unleash absolute Hell upon your church because the Left’s mission — with media complicity — will be to annihilate Romney and anyone who was ever connected to him in the Mormon church. You’ve heard of the phrase “bread and circuses” that was used in ancient Rome by those in power when they needed to control disgruntled mobs? “Occupy and persecute” is the Democrats’ 2012 equivalent and the only strategy they have to distract attention from Obama’s failed record and incite the disgruntled, unemployed, and desperate to take to the streets to re-elect Obama by demonizing his opponent in every way imaginable.
If you don’t start preparing for the “occupy and persecute” update of 2008′s “hope and change” now, then you will only have yourself to blame when the Left’s Alinsky Death Star takes aim at Salt Lake City and the Occupy Wall Street class warfare gets coupled with a Leftist crusade against Mormonism.
I am telling you this now so that you can prepare yourselves emotionally for it, but the Left is going to depict Mormons as anti-woman in order to alienate independent, non-religious female voters from Romney.
The Left is going to claim that Mormons are racist and that Mormonism itself is evil because blacks were excluded from positions of authority until the 1970s. The fact this is not true does not matter. No matter how much you wish it’s not going to happen, the Left is going to scream RAAACIST! at every living Mormon because this is the number one Alinsky tactic that’s proved effective through the years: if the Left needs to destroy an opponent, the fastest way to accomplish that is to just call the person a RAAACIST! so that the person’s friends, neighbors, and natural supporters will be too scared of being called RAAACISTS! too that they abandon the person. Mormons at large are going to be called racists in the general election because Romney is running for president and the Left will believe this is the key to defeating him in the court of public opinion.
The Left will claim that Mormons hate gays and that they are to blame for Prop-8 in California. As noted earlier, this worked so well for them in the media spin rooms in 2008 that they’re going to recycle it this summer too. The Left is planning on employing a trifecta against Romney and Mormonism: branding Mormons misogynists, racists, and homophobic bigots. You know this isn’t true. You prickle at the thought of being called these horrible names. But you need to accept the reality that Romney’s campaign is going to precipitate a nonstop barrage of accusations directed at YOU, as a Mormon, because the media’s agenda will be to help Obama by villainizing Mormonism. This is the Alinsky Method: to polarize and marginalize an opponent by calling those people the worst names the Left can think of and accusing that group of hating others based on their gender, race, or sexuality.
The 2012 campaign was always guaranteed to be ugly because the economy’s so bad and Obama’s record in office is so unaccomplished. The two substantive things he achieved were the squandered trillion dollar bailout and Obamacare — neither of which Democrats can spin as a positive in November. That means instead of running on how marvelous a job Obama has done, the Left and its agenda-driven media propaganda wing needs to create a villain for Obama to run against and defeat in a class and culture war that distracts from the realities of his presidential failures. While it’s true that a villain could be created out of any of the Republican presidential candidates, with Romney the Left attains the ability to demonize Mormons and Mormonism as a second front in an Obama re-election strategy.
I don’t believe that Romney can win the presidency because of his time as a corporate raider at Bain Capital alone; it is the wrong election cycle to be running a Wall Street caricature in a year when the public’s been ginned up to hate all things Wall Street. I know that the assault on Mormonism will be effective against Romney because the only way to make Obama seem like a safe and comfortable choice is to make his opponent seem as dangerous and alien as possible.
You won’t like this — but you need to understand that Mormonism is indeed alien to most Americans. People do not learn about Mormonism in school. Mormon communities tend to be insulated, which means they’re quite cutoff from the rest of our culture. All of this enables the Left to define Mormonism with a narrative that will depict Mormons as hateful, backwards, weird, and dangerous.
The Left intends to hammer Romney for eliminating jobs while at Bain Capital so the Occupy Wall Street crowds can gin up zeal to punish Romney for people’s economic suffering; simultaneously, the Left will alienate Romney from the public because of his Mormonism.
“Occupy and Persecute”…that is what the two-front Obama re-election strategy would be if Willard “Mittens” Romney becomes the Republican presidential nominee for 2012.
If you are a Mormon you need to accept this. Clearly, you will never like it and you most likely will never understand it since many in conservative ranks still seem to have no idea how the Left operates. But you need to understand that the Alinsky Death Star is being programmed into “occupy and persecute” mode in anticipation of Romney becoming the nominee. It is going to be the absolute worst thing that’s ever happened to the Church of Mormon. If you’re a Mormon, you’re going to be mocked with jokes on Jay Leno about “magic underwear”; you’re going to be called horrible names as the media runs coverage of Mormonism’s misogyny, racism, and homophobia; you’re going to be lumped in with Scientologists and various cults as “fringe” and “dangerous”.
There is absolutely no way to stop any of this from happening. Being angry about it happening is not going to help you. Becoming prickly when people try to warn you to prepare yourselves for what’s ahead is just foolish.
If Romney becomes the Republican nominee, this is what’s going to happen, and there is no avoiding that.
So, go to your churches and start talking about all of this with the religious leaders in your branch or slate. Start coming up with a plan for a counter attack. Start thinking of ways to not just defend Mormonism but to show the public that Barack Obama is more alien to Americans and what this country stands for than any Mormon ever could be.
Don’t just sit there, mad that I’m telling you the truth, or lash out at the messenger for giving you a heads-up on the “occupy and persecute” strategy that the Left’s been planning to use against Romney for four years now.
If Romney’s the nominee and you are a Mormon, Democrats won’t just be gunning for him…but will be firing up the Alinsky Death Star to blast away at YOU, too.
Pretending this isn’t going to happen is not an effective defense — for you, Romney, or the Church of Mormon.
© 2012, Kevin DuJan. All rights reserved.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for this Kevin! Believe me – I know exactly what the left is going to pull out against the LDS Church if Romney gets the nomination. This is probably one huge reason that the left wants Romney to become the nominee – they know they can come after Mormons with reckless abandon and no one's going to check them. They've done it for years in small ways, but this is just another excuse for them to slam us publicly. Even some conservatives will join in the fray and it's just going to be flat-out ugly. Sadly, I'm probably in the minority of LDS who are prepared for the onslaught that's coming. But I appreciate your words and the time you took to write this and I hope some of my fellow Mormons read it and take it to heart.
Jenny –
What can you do to get this letter to those in the Mormon Church?
I don’t think Mormons have accepted the reality that if Romney is the nominee then all-out-war will be launched at Mormonism by the Left…and you are correct that even some evangelicals will help the Left tear down Mormons.
A Romney presidential campaign will have to be recorded in Mormons’ history as one of the worst things to ever happen to them — it is the wrong year for him to be running, when the Left is looking for such a distraction from Obama’s failures. It’s very stupid for Romney to be exposing Mormons to these attacks.
Kevin,
I will share this with my friends and family and encourage others to do the same.
I can tell you that Church leaders in Salt Lake City are very well-aware that the media is going to come out full-tilt against us because this has happened before. Back in 2008 when Romney was running in the GOP primary, we were counseled to answer questions the best we could and not give into antagonism because it was going to come no matter what anyone said or did. Church leaders have always been very accommodating to media people that bother to check their facts – the problem this time around is that the leftist media will make up whatever they want about Romney and the Church in order to get Obama re-elected. This isn't the first time something like this has happened and it certainly won't be the last.
The Church has also been gathering and preparing documents about our history for anyone who wants to be able to see things the Church has done in the past with policy and practices because that's what people are going to attack. They've been putting this stuff together years before Mitt Romney ever thought about running for president. We've been attacked in the past for a lot of things that people just don't understand about us.
While the Church leadership is prepared for whatever the media throws at us – it's some of the members that really need to come to terms with the fact that this is going to happen. It's one thing for the official Church leadership to be able to answer questions, but it's the individual members that are going to come under attack as well. Like I said, stuff like this has happened before, but I think it's going to be on a much larger scale with the way this election is shaping out. Most Mormons have an attitude that there is no such thing as bad publicity and some will even welcome it. It's just a matter of getting mentally prepared for how it happens.
Hi there Kevin. First, it is called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have the nickname Mormons due to past persecution, but in a convenient sort of way, the name of this Book of Mormon prophet (Mormon) has come to stick over the years. For instance, Mormon.org is a pretty cool website and you should check out the church member profiles sometime. Anyway, all I want to say is your letter goes out to a certain type of Latter Day Saint a.k.a. "Mormon". Just as all mainstream Christians are not created equal, neither are we. We got some babies and we have some tough soldiers. Not all of us have no self-control and are touchy about the things you share in your letter. The children of God have no need to be afraid or fearful of your terrible prophecy. "Oh, No!" Seriously, why have faith if we have to sit and shake in our boots over the threats of men? I say, bring it on! If God be for us, who can be against us. We may lose some battles, but the war is ours to win in the end. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers us from them all. Jesus is not worried about what is happening or will happen. If anything, he looks down and allows things like the Book of Mormon musical, and Mitt Romney's rise to popularity for his own purposes. All things work together for the good. The church has to be tried and tested and that has always been the case when it comes to the righteous. Those that are true to Christ and trust his promises do not allow persecutions to get the best of them. Nothing will shake a saint whose foundation is solid. You cannot refer to all of us as though we are all that weak and having no spiritual strength to endure to the end. After all, that is why we are really here. Not to worry about the Left. If Jesus is not worried, our prophet, President Monson, is not worried, I promise you that. I will just pray for my brothers and sisters who do not follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost to just let the world do what it does. Not all of us will fear our enemies just as we do not fear the workings of the devil. Have a good new year. Those of us "Mormons" who know the deal, will keep it real. Much love to ya!
jennywildcat, no, you have lots of company. We as LDS know its coming. Some of us are preparing for it. We just have to hang onto our seats and ride it out. This too shall pass.
Thanks Kevin, for telling us the truth. I am bonified LDS and an Ron Paul supporter. Unfortunately, I've seen a few mysogynists in the LDS church. But I'm sure other churches have
their bad apples too. Also, most LDS that I've spoken with (and a few non-LDS) support Romney simply because he's LDS and they therefore assume he's automatically a good LDS! I't sad to see so many lacking in enough smarts to look at what a candidate actually professes and the track records and vote on that. I'll be a prepared as I can.
You may not have noticed that Mitt and Ron are friends and I am sure some of us are excited that a qualified Mormon is running but more important, I’m excited about Mitt’s qualifications. I have felt for years that a businessman should run our country. I’ve been waiting for someone with his qualification more than anything else. Your comments are stereotypical.
With regards to the attacks on our faith – bring it on. Good or bad PR is still PR and there are dozens of Mormon politicians in DC (on the left and right) that will also be the subject to the attacks. Great missionary tool.
If you understand the history of the Church and what is prophesied for the future you will understand that the Church cannot hide and still fulfill its destiny. Instead of running in fear, we need to embrace the fight that is to come. The Lord is in charge.
You are spot on, Kevin. Even though I am not a member of the Church (my husband's family is though), I live in a largly LDS part of the country and I can tell you that there are times the Church is forced to concede. A good example is a number of years ago, the college athletic association pressured the church to "allow" African-Americas to particpate in the hierarchy of the church. The campaign against BYU (Brigham Young University in Provo, UT) was targeted as being RAAACIST because there were no Blacks in places of power in the Church even though there were African-American students attending the University. The premise was that the church was racist because they "allowed" Black students to play and win games at the university, but would not allow them places within the hierarchy of the church. All of a sudden, the leaders of the church received a "revelation" that stated that African-Americans could, in fact, hold positions such as Bishop, etc. The complaints against BYU immediately went away.
The biggest church growth right now is in Africa. The church will be able to highlight many black Mormons in leadership positions.
This is ironic. A poser comes on to start the Barrage. Revelation concerning positions of Bishop I can assure you had nothing to do with College Sports. This is laughable and proves your point very well. The misinformed and malcreants are already proving your point with this post. Of course it may be the reality in this posters world. Truth is, this is not even close to the reasoning.
I studied PR at BYU and what you are saying is spot on concerning the agenda of the LEFT. There is no doubt the church took a pass in 2008 and even then there were some “Magical” things said about the church, and underwear
. I mean come on, why would they step into the fray when the Right was taking care of the job for them. Huckabee, although not an agent of the left, was in fact an accomplice to their mission. Why have enemies with friends like these?
The deluge of bad PR is coming. What you might underestimate is the resourcefullness of the churches PR machine. They are quite prepared for these attacks. What they will do about it remains to be seen. I have my own ideas about it.Harry Reid could be the answer. The church could evoke a leftist leader as an example of the left. Deflect the straw man arguement of how strange the church is by pointing out how he has been one of their stars, or at least leaders of the past 4 years.
What you got right for sure is that most everyday members are quite unprepared to handle the insecurity of being under the spotlight when they didn’t even ask for it. UNFAIR, yes. Nevertheless, they are gonna have to deal with it. Members that are active participants in church activities and some that are not so active, are fairly used to accepting thier status in society. Their good examples will help to defray some of the negative PR for those that know them well. For some, the odd looks and even odder questions they may encounter will be way to alien for them to handle. Once again, if Mormons are one thing, they are resilient.
My husband was always upset because the Church was not allowing the blacks to hold the priesthood. This was in 1958. Joseph Smith had baptized blacks into the Church, let them live in his home and ordained some to the priesthood and taken at least one of them through the temple. (I am getting old and, due to strokes, forgotten some names but I believe one was Elija Able who went on a mission.) It was during Brigham Young’s time that a read a white convert’s comment that he had been officiating in the temple when a black came through and he declared that he didn’t like that and it might have been others like him that made proselyting to the blacks stop. There was also the practical need of that time. Church members had been driven from place to place and were in desperate need of financial aid. Blacks did not have money and were slaves! White converts with money, tools and skills were needed. So missionaries were sent where the people who could help build up the church could be found. So the saying, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first!” My daughter married a black and I am waiting for the day when a black will be president of the Church. I know my son-in-law would qualify. Read: “All Are Alike Unto God.” To me the first story in the book showed that God gave as much Spiritual Revelation to that black person as he did to Joseph Smith. With all the freedom of religion in America we hardly made it due to the persecution. We have revelation about the end. We know it will not be pleasant.
This to Meada… you need to check your facts a little closer, dear. Yes, blacks joined the church and Joseph did ordain one to the Priesthood… however, he was advised by God that it was not to be and asked the man not to use the Priesthood… the gentleman was truly that, a gentleman, and spent the rest of his life IN the church, ACTIVE in the church, but did not use that Priesthood… his time will come. I’m curious as to where you got your information about Brigham Young, financial aid coming through well-to-do whites, etc. If you want the truth, you need to read the Journal of Discourses and Joseph Smith’s History. Don’t accept what everyone tells you… that is what is really wrong with the people today, they are too dang lazy to do their own research. Aaarrrggghh!
(P.S. We favor Ron Paul, also.)
I am sure the LDS Church is well aware of the situation they are in, but I wonder what revelation will be required to difuse the situation this time – if any. Also, keep in mind that what knocked Romney out of the 2008 primary was Missouri where the vehement feelings against the LSD church is still VERY prevelent. My sister lives in the state and I have had to correct her on a number of things regarding the church. I'm sure it did not change her or any other Missouri resident. I can also tell you that one of the reasons that Romeny got such a large amount of the vote in Iowa is because there is very large portion of the population in southern and western Iowa that are of the Amish faith and they associate with the LDS church because of their similar isolation from the mainstream.
actually the church is preemptive. Just look around at all the I'm a Mormon signs and advertisements. WE want the world to know what we are and what we stand for.
Mormon.org
Ok I’ve read far enough! If your going to come across as an expert on the LDS (not lsd) Church try getting not only your facts straight but your spelling correct!
As the poster said above- BYU sports had nothing to do with ANYTHING!
As to the author I don’t trust any of your concerns. First of all Romney’s name is not “mittens”. This writer constantly posts on other web sites about “magic underwear” and calls Gov Romney “mittens”.
Mormons have been persecuted, driven from their homes, murdered, raped and lost everything they had. Persecution is not foreign to any of us. Our missionaries are stoned just walking down the street in some countries.
We have been warned about what is coming. We are not an insulated people. You sound like your talking about the poligs, who are not members of the LDS Church.
We don’t like what’s coming, but we’ve seen it before and we won’t be unprepared for the hate. Too bad some of it comes from “Christians”, who are supposedly taught not to judge.
We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and we belief Christ is our Savior.
Well said… thank you.
Wonderful article. I am a mormon, relatively recent convert, and I have been having conversations with various members of the ward at gatherings and events. Once the initial breathless question about being excited that Romney is running is asked I give them my objections. The conversation ends quickly.
I will be printing this out for those times and places where conversation is limited. I am already hunkering down. I won't vote for a female just because we are both women, and I wont vote for a Mormon just because we are the same religion.
I pray frequently he does not get the nomination, because that will just lead to 3rd party losing challenges siphoning off voters, paving the way for 4 more years. ugh. Can you imagine the smarmy self-righteous spouting about "the Mandate" the people gave him?
I have noticed the rank and file mormons I have met are so super-nicey nice they cannot imagine the horrid flak coming their way….I, however, am mean, disputational and cynical. sigh.
If there are any LDS people out there who do not understand what is coming it is because they have not paid attention. How are we to be a light unto the world while hiding in the shadows out of fear of persecution. The time will come, like it or not, when we must stand for what we believe in or fall.
The LDS church had been running on tv/buses/billboards a "I am a Mormon" campaign for at least 6 months now. They are obviously aware that many people, even in heavily Mormon Arizona, do not look at their religion favorably. Plus, the Warren Jeffs case was big news here for months. That contributed heavily to their image of being sexist. Combatting that will be difficult.
My local paper (which has started to regurgitate what the dinosaur media posts) has recently started running articles about Warren Jeffs comparing him to Jim Jones & implying that his followers may copy what happened to those poor people.
Warren Jeffs is NOT a mormon. He's something else entirely different. If Warren Jeffs were a Mormon, he would immediately be excommunicated. Jeffs is a sad excuse of a terribly disturbed man with some foul control issues. Do not lump him in with LDS people. The LDS church stopped polygamy in 1890. A very long time ago. Weird, offshoot fringe people still doing that are entirely on their own.
Thanks Kevin, I am absolutely clear and prepared for what this year will mean for the Mormon people, the question is, are those who wrap themselves in anti biogotry prepared to defend our right to live our faith and teach our religion to our children?
Jenny Hatch
Jenny, I hate to say this, but no one is going to come to the defense of Mormons once the general election starts up.
The Republican Party will betray you and will allow Mormons to be villainized because the evangelical wing of the GOP will secretly enjoy the pounding that Mormons will get.
I think many years from now Mormons will look back on the Romney 2012 campaign as “The Great Folly”, and the negative effects of this campaign are going to harm Mormon families for generations to come. When the Left and the media gets done with Mormonism, Mormons will be thought of in a less favorable light than Muslims by most Americans and in the end the person that needs to accept this blame is Mitt Romney.
Romney knows that Obama is itching to villainize Mormons.
Romney knows that Obama has nothing to run on aside from making the election a class warfare battle.
Romney knows that the Left will do everything it can to re-elect Obama.
It’s the wrong year for a Mormon to run when Mormonism itself will be put on the platter for the Left to savage in the all-out effort to destroy the Republican nominee.
If Romney really cared about his church, he’d stand down and withdraw from the race so that Mormons at large do not become collatoral damage in this race.
Kevin,
The enjoyment Evangelicals will get from open mormon bigotry in the media won't be so secret, they can barely contain the glee now..
As for your concern about the emotional well being of me and my people, I have dealt with rejection and bigotry against my faith my whole life. I grew up in the same Detroit mormon congregation as Mitt and our parents were good friends. They weren't as snobby as you sometimes project here at Hill Buzz, but rather were friendly, down to earth people. I attended girls camp and youth dances and parties with Romney grandchildren and they were funny, self depricating, and kind, even though George Senior was governor of the state.
Faithful Mormons get a daily reality check every time we open our scriptures and read the stories of fellow travelers in Christ who throughout history were beaten, murdered, and maimed for our faith. Many of us descend from pioneers who were chased out of illinois back in the day, who lost property and family members during mob actions.
We also are continually warned by church leaders of the things that have been prophesied: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/54441/Elder…
I was a strong Bachmann supporter and am now on the fence about who would help turn things around. While I understand how crucial the presidency is, I think we should all be working hard in our states to send fiscal conservatives to congress in 2012.
Thanks for a great post, I am going to share it on Facebook with my mormon friends and family…
Jenny —
I don’t think Romney’s the least bit snobby. I think he seems like a very nice man. But I see him as a wimp and I don’t believe he has it in him to hit Obama as hard as Obama needs to be hit in an election.
Romney is patrician and effete — someone like John Kerry is snobby. There’s a difference, though both are wimpy.
I tend to gravitate towards people who are combatative. I like Governor Palin for this reason, I like Allen West, and I like Newt Gingrich for being like this (though less so than the other two). I wish Rick Perry was like this but he holds back too much for my taste. I really wish he would let Romney have it and punch him right in the face in the debates…but Perry never does that. I think I could easily be all about Perry if he just showed some fire in his belly like this. Everyone says that’s who he is and we’re going to see it…and then it never happens.
I just don’t like wimps. Republican wimps are the reason the Left has gotten so much power. I am tired of that.
I agree with you on the characterisation of effete. We've often thought he should sign himself up for martial arts classes or something. The New Hampshire speech was better – more alpha. I get your concerns and share many of them.
You paint with a rather broad brush in your assessment of evangelicals in your opening paragraph. Your evidence?
Oh I couldn't disagree more! NOW is the time for a Mormon to run for POTUS! This is the best time! 0 has not record to speak of and Romney has a wonderful capitalist record to run on! Yes as LDS we will be attacked. Nothing new. We are sorta used to it after 200 years of persecution. But we do not shy away. Already the church has begun a beautiful ad campaign called I'm A Mormon! How wonderful to spread the gospel.
And yes the media will attack us. And yes some will believe it. And some won't care and others will start asking questions. Hopefully many will have LDS neighbors or friends and will ask questions for which we are all prepared.
How better to show the bigotry of the left than to allow them to attack us as a group? Especially as one as maligned as the LDS. Who better to take on the left than a faith that has been under constant barrage since its inception? For most LDS we know what we believe and why we believe it. We don't have to defend it to our friends and relatives. WE LIVE IT DAILY.
While I'm not a big Romney fan he is a bit too socially liberal for my taste, if he is the GOP nominee I will whole heartily support him. And I will defend my church too.
You're overplaying this far too much. Too many people know too many mormons to take what the media or the Obama campaign seriously. Ted Kennedy tried to demonize Mormons and it backfired on him big time. I think politicians took note and that's one reason why they've backed off the mormon angle. I'd be surprised to see the Obama campaign even make it a central issue.
Stand down?..LOL..What a complete and utter pile of steaming panda dung. You act like Mormons are unaware of the likelihood of persecution. Claims of the left's religious bigotry like their constant harping about racism will be a powerful equalizer in any confrontation, and like the good pastor who introduce Rick Perry discovered, there is a certain intolerance among citizens for such bigotry, especially among those who despise the current direction our current President is taking us. This is the most overstated and pretentious "counsel" I have witnessed in quite some time. Don't worry about those poor dumb Mormons, too stupid to realize what's going to hit them. They seem to have managed to endure quite a lot of it over the years. After all they have survived even the likes of Harry Reid being one of them. I am sure they will cope with your predicted overdose of bigotry and hate speech, maybe even enjoy it , since it will bolster their image of being a persecuted people.. Though I am sure you will get a letter or two from some of the more devout, who will try to convert you …since you are such a friend of their Faith and all…
Kevin's right to be concerned. Many in the church who are not political have a hard time imagining why people would hate us. WE don't hate them. So it does sometimes come as a shock and a surprise, but not to church leadership, and not to politically active members.
Though now a Nevada resident after nearly sixty years in California I can reassure you that the left and their media preatorian guards in California have long ago declared war on the Mormon Church and Mormons as individual because orf that church's stand with social consrvatives. The left has a hit list of religious groups for whom they are gunning & Mormons are at the top of it well above Catholics and Evangelicals. I was traveling in Missouri the summer after the 2008 primary and personally heard the anti-Mormon vitriol still being hurled about.
Kevin, the threat to the LDS church resulting from a Romney candidacy doesn't just come from the Left; it also comes from other Mormons who believe they are doing Romney a favor by presenting their own public image of a group that has always taken pride in calling itself a 'peculiar people.' People are going to have questions about what Romney and Mormons believe.
Some groups that DO not represent the LDS church, such as MormonVoices.org are purporting to tell the media what Mormons believe. If they distort this in ways that are readily disprovable, or in ways that people who know the Mormon faith know are untrue, this make people look unfavorably upon Romney and Mormons in general. He's caught in a pincer move – attacked from the left and hurt by those who think they are doing him a favor by trying to 'mainstream' the beliefs that make the Mormons distinctly Mormon.
On Jan. 5, MormonVoices http://mormonvoices.org/776/planets published a statement that "there are no instances—zero—where it is taught that we will be “gods of our own planets.” This is not only easily disproved by anyone reading the actual LDS.org website or talking with Mormons, but it denies the essence of exaltation, one of the cores of Mormon thought and the key to the Celestial Kingdom.
This makes Romney look shifty – as if he's trying to hide something – when it's neither Romney nor the LDS church speaking, but groups thinking they are helping Romney by trying to shoehorn Mormon beliefs into a 'mainstream' vision of beliefs.
We live in an age of diversity. Romney won't be helped by 'helpers' trying to downplay his diversity by denying his Mormon beliefs at the same time that the Left is pointing at them
Wrong. If you have an authoritative reference for "own planet," please provide it instead of the nebulous "actual LDS.org website." As a 60-year-old lifelong active Mormon, I've never heard it inside the Church.
Here's the explanation of the Celestial Kingdom, i.e. exaltation, in LDS Scripture:
Doctrine & Covenants 76:
"92 And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;
"93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.
"94 They who dwell in his presence [i.e. not isolated from God on separate planets] are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace"
How is it "easily disproved" …you got references other than BS?
The best thing Utah can do is defeat Romney and make sure he doesn't get the nod.
This is one Latter Day saint that will never, never ever, vote for Mittens. Heck the man barely exposes LDS beliefs.
As for the media and Obama's bigoted lies about our beliefs, what's new. Most of what you hear or read about Latter Day Saints is pure BS. This will not change weather Mittens is the GOP candidate or not.
What is true is that most of what the left and right will say about Willard is true. Flip Flop McRomney never saw a position he wouldn't change, or a decision he will not walk back. Or a buck he would make.
What I can't understand is what the elites see in Flip Flop the dog killer. Maybe it is the shiny teeth, perfect hair, or jelly like backbone.
There is one thing though that will be front and center in the left's search and destroy mode towards Mittens and the Church of Jesus Christ, vile hate.
Bring it on leftist, nothing good will come of it, most folks have bigotry and hate in their hearts concerning the LDS Church. This will not be change one way or the other.
Dog killer? His dog lived to be over 15. Pretty darn good for a larger dog. BTW people in the west travel with loose dogs in the back of their trucks! I would rather have a dog in a CLOSED KENNEL and safely strapped down. I travel with my dog in the car. but I don’t have 5 children and 2 adults in the car.
I'm a Mormon and don't disagree with the words of this blog–it wouldn't surprise me that hellbent Marxist-Democrat-Commies want to destroy Romney and all things Mormon. After all, which of the Ten Commandments is the Left NOT trying to destroy in America? The only concern I have with this blog's author, Kevin DuJan, is his condescending, even bitter tone against Mormonism. He obviously believes Romney will be the nominee (I hope he won't because he's not a consistent conservative), and so DuJan is left with nothing but trying to scare Romney and other Mormons out of the who political arena, though fat chance since this is an obscure blog. In any case, not all Mormons will be voting for Romney (though I regretfully admit Utah will fall inline with him, since my Dad lives there and he can't see Romney for his liberalism). I am voting for Santorum here in Arizona (that is, if Santorum even lasts by late February!) To me Santorum, a devout Catholic, shares my values more than Romney because Santorum has ALWAYS been against abortion and homosexuality. Romney, on the other hand, likes to play maverick a la his newfound buddy John McCain the RINO (yuck!) So, have no fear DuJan. Plenty of Mormons aren't going to fall in line with Romney just as they will never do so with Harry Reid. Unfortunately, Romney will most likely be the GOP because my choice of candidate (Palin) never ran.
I respectfully disagree with what you said about Kevin being anti-Mormon. His reasons for speaking out against Romney has nothing to do with a religous dislike, and if you've read any of his other postings, you'd see that he hasn't said anything remoteky hiting at a prejudice against Mormons. He's seeing with clear eyes what is going to happen to the LDS church (having seen up close what they did to both Hillary Clinton & Sarah Palin) & is trying to get the point across what's coming.
I'd just like to point out that Rush Limbaugh is aware of, and has quoted positively from, this "obscure blog".
Go back and look at the things that Romney said during the 2008 campaign and compare them to what he is saying now. He hasn't changed in that time. As a Latter-day Saint I firmly believe in repentance. If Romney says he has changed I will give him the benefit of the doubt because that is what the Church teaches. We cannot look into his soul. Imagine living in a ward where everyone doubted you because of decisions you made in the past and yet repented of.
I am not worried about what the Dems will do if Romney is the nominee. I am worried about the whole world attacking Mormonism if Romney gets elected and fails as a president. If the economy totally collapses on his watch – Mormons and Mormonism will be blamed. If he mishandles some foreign policy that turns disasterous… this is what worries me. If the Dems attack Mormonism and that prevents him from getting elected no big deal. But if he is in charge as President and he fails – Mormonism will pay. Perhaps Romney will be a very successful president – then great – no worries, but I am afraid that events/forces might be in play that are too late to control and even if he gets elected and tries his best he still might fail – as will any elected President.
Based on this..maybe would shouldn't get up tomorrow…what if bad things happen and we get blamed?…yep better to just stay in bed and hope the blame will fall on someone else's shoulders…
There will be SOME who reason, that since the day might be a total disaster, THEY will do all they can to keep it from going completely to hell, maybe even make it a pretty good day… Its called COURAGE to step up, believing that you can rip victory from the jaws of defeat, and take the responsibility for having done so…gratitude if you do…blame if you don't… Whoever the next conservative President will be, I am sure he will have considered such possibilities, and will have decided that the necessity of victory outweighs the risk of being blamed for any failure. I'm with HIM…
Kevin, your words are gospel (little G…), the s*** storm is just beginning. Really, all we Mormons can do is be amicable, tell the truth, TRY to get the haters to see the FACTS (not an easy thing to do when blinded by hate, for sure), and weather the storm. After Mittens Romneycare goes down in flames (HOPEfully in the primaries!!), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will still be there. We will not change.
Okay, having said that, I wouldn't vote for Mittens in the Primary, but would hold my nose and vote for him in November, but ONLY because he's *marginally* better than Ogabe. I'd probably have to wear a gas mask when voting.
I sure wish LTC Allen West were running, he's #1 on my runway, with the likes of Santorum and Rubio close behind. Bachmann and Palin aren't too shabby, but not ready for Prime time.
I WISH THERE WAS SOMEBODY I COULD VOTE *FOR* INSTEAD OF AGAINST!!!
Sigh.
Try Ron Paul – He actually supports the constitution and your freedom to worship. He doesn't support the wars and the crazy nation building that has been going on for decades. He is against big government – and would cut the budget by $1 Trillion in his first year. To me, all of these are things I support, and I am a conservative Mormon.
I am a Mormon, and I'm proud to be. A former President of the Mormon church said: "Every time they kick Mormonism, they kick it upstairs." Most human beings don't enjoy the mud slinging and the vitriol shared by and between the candidates. This is an interesting read, and I am sure, true – sadly. So sad that our country has lost its morals. I will vote for Mitt, and I will "hang" on, and hope for the best – whatever that is. One thing for sure, I don't want to see Obama in the White House another four years.
This situation is extremely difficult for Mitt Romney and for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nick-named Mormons by the public) Mitt Romney and The Church are between a rock and a hard place. There will be little either can do right over the next year. I have wished Mitt could be more outspoken, stronger in his issues; and of late realized, as one writer hit on the head, I feel he needs to make CLEAR his VISION/S for his country — the United States of America. Still I realize he is walking the most treaturous tight rope anyone could imagine. He must be constantly vigilent about what he says and what he does, for he is under the magnifying glasses of "friends" as well as enemies. Moreover, he realizes he is representative of The Church and its members. He is no doubt a very strong moral, man with vision or he would not stand where he now stands. He is certainly willing to risk his own life. Politicians, such as he, have been assassinated on several occasions. Although I have "flip-flopped" in my support of Mitt, I will quietly hold my peace for now. I am willing to die for my beliefs — for Jesus Christ and His Church if it comes to that.
To quote a scripture, in the understand of Mitt Romneys strategy of political campaigning.. Ecclesiastes 3:1 " To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"
If you pay attention to his moves over the past 5 years, you will clearly see this is a man of great vision, and strategy. I have faith he knows what he is doing, for I have seen the outcomes of his planning, and he has done well. My job is to be the best person I can, representing my beliefs and integrity, and I will vote for Mitt Romney. I am aware Obama is planning a billion dollar campaign against him and the church… bring it on… we'll see who wins..Never has a group of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ not been willing to face the challenge of evil. You can take our home, jobs money etc, but you will never take our faith, and we will rebuild, ever stronger to stand against whats wrong with this country and world we live in. As a woman, I see the nature of the way God has planned for us and our purpose, different from our male counterparts, but no less important in the plan for salvation. with love…C
Kevin,
In my circle we have been discussing this very possibility for some time.
If you don't know, Latter Day Saint members don't vote as a block.
We are encouraged to study it out in our minds and come to our own conclusions.
We are encouraged to vote for Good, Honest and Wise men, not the lesser of two evils.
While it may very well become an all out war on Mormons if Mitt wins the GOP nomination, he has a right and is encouraged to be involved in the political battle for the rights, liberties and freedoms of all men regardless of their ideologies or affiliations.
Personally, I am not a supporter of his candidacy.
I don't believe he is the best man for the job.
If he wins though, my hope is that he will honorably perform his duties for ALL of the people of our nation, regardless of race, religion, sexual preferences or beliefs because after all the proper role of government as stated in the Declaration of Independence is to protect the lives, liberties and pursuits of men so they can "secure the blessings of liberty" and happiness to themselves and their posterity.
I appreciate your insights and will pass this on to others.
Finally, it is important to understand that some will and some won't and the whole country is in trouble if we don't all correct the path we are traveling and turn to the God of the land and align ourselves with his principled ways. God Bless America to wake up and see the writing on the wall.
What all Mormons need to do which would stun the world and stop all slander is to come clean and confess our historical sins of polygamy, Masonry, and removing the priesthood from the women since the early pure years of our history practiced complete equality without the secret combinations of Masonry or the "abomination" of polygamy…
Ann Eliza Young's book, written in 1875, "Wife No. 19: A Life of Bondage" witnesses the purity of the early Mormon Church and how evil it became with polygamy, Masonry, Blood Atonement, etc. that causes the world to ridicule and deservedlly call us a Cult.
She was one of ten wives to divorce Brigham Young which shows how abusive Brigham Young was to his wives who held to their position due to the lies of spiritual promises. Most of his 56 polygamous wives held on despite their slavery status and most of them (2/3) were from the ages of 16 to 28 much like Warren Jeffs today.
The Cleansing of the Lord's House is prophesied to begin with the LDS church among its leaders who "blaspheme his name in the midst of his house" and needs to happen due to the sheep waking up!
Why not assist Romney by requiring the "condemned" Church to repent of its "follies and abominations" immediately. Read the words of the Lord regarding our condemned church in D&C 124, D&C 64, D&C 112, 1 Ne 13, 3 Ne 6, Moses 5:29 (Masonry stems from Satan's blood oath required from Cain before the murder of Abel), etc!
I'm a Mormon. I think you are right that (1) most Mormons don't realize what is coming and (2) what is coming will be vicious. And I'm no Mitt fan. He's not as conservative as most Mormons, though most (Mormons or not) can't see past his good looks, his polished speaking ability, and his uncanny ability to tell people what they want to hear. That said, he will survive it. And the church has been through much worse persecution in its history. Actually the church looks upon persecution as a refiners fire–as is the Christian tradition, beginning with Saul, and later the Romans (who eventually converted to Christianity, mind you, but not until many Christians suffered terrible deaths). The refiner's fire is unpleasantly hot, but the result is a much purer object than before the persecution. Oh well, here we go–and I'm actually preferring Ron Paul (or any of the others besides Mitt and Huntsman, who are probably the most liberal ones left)!
I don't believe this election cycle will be labled the "great folly." I believe it will be our finest hour. Yes, questions will be difficult, yes it will make us uncomfortable but utlimately it will make us stronger in our faith and become our baptism of fire that takes us out of seclusion and into the mainstream. True, we will lose some to the rhetoric but those who spew such vile were not in the Republican camp to begin with and usually lack religious oreintation. There will always be fair minded folks who will see such bigotry for what it is. This attack will reach a certain critical mass and actually do harm to the current President. I predict an initial drop in polling by Mitt when the religious attacks begin by third party operatives and then as it piles on Mitts appeal to these very same folks increases and he wins. George W. was mocked for his religion and Mitt should plan on the same.
This is something I have been warning my fellow members of the LDS church about since 2007. I believe you are correct, Kevin, about their collective heads in the sand. However; I don't like the idea that we should completely shun the public arena because of possible persecution. That would be REALLY spineless. So, it was bound to happen eventually, Mitt or no Mitt.
Having recently lived in Missouri; and being from an anti-LDS family in Mormon country, I'm aware of the kind of stuff that will be said; and the kind of stuff that will be believed by the non-informed. But, on the other hand; it was those very same kind of ignorant attacks that have made myself and many others wonder what was so different about "Mormonism" and caused us to do our own homework. We've always withstood them before; and the church will yet survive this . . . but it will get ugly; and we won't come away unscathed.
Many foreigners like me, think that Ron Paul is the answer, I havent seen his name mentioned in these posts.
The reason I think that the Obama campaign wants Romney to be the GOP nominee is that he and the rest of the military industrial complex fear Ron Paul and what he stands for (True Liberty). I think that all mormons should do some actual research and see what Mitt Romney really stands for. He is just going to keep the status quo on the most important topics such as the financial system (i.e. Federal Reserve System) and America's foreign policy or the UN's foreign policy. These two topics alone trump all of the current event issues that I have heard mentioned so far such as gay rights because gay rights or women's rights both won't be in the back of anyone's mind when the financial system and the dollar collapses. By the way, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The saddest happening in America is the "dumbing down" in our schools so that people do not make intelligent, educated decisions. Christians…polygamy? Study your Old Testament! Blacks holding the priesthood? Study your Bible! A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. We attack that which we fear. Knowledge that is thorough is phenominal. Insanity comes when we see the intellect not being honored and the masses driven by their emotions. and in elections, the majority wins. We need to get liberals out of our educational system and put in teachers who are willing to be unbias and true to history for history repeats itself!
I've been a regular reader of HIllbuzz since 2008 election. I know that Kevin's issues with Romney are his politics and not his faith. That said, many of us LDS people wish a Mormon wasn't running because we know what's coming. We study the history of persecution in the church which included multiple forced exoduses, usually in the dead of winter, forced by angry pro-slavery Democrat mobs. Our original church leader Joseph Smith was killed by an angry mob. How to handle persecution is an integral part of our church curriculum. We saw what happened with Prop 8 – and we know it will be uglier this time because the left has so much to lose – and they will lose for a long time, I think.
Many of us have served missions when we were young, and had some very negative experiences regarding anti-Mormonism. It really does rival anti-semitism. It's hardest when they attack our children – and they will. Our daughter in high school attended a large school assembly in which the speaker was a virulent anti-Mormon who was there to talk about one book, and then transitioned to her anti-Mormon book, about a psychotic LDS teenage girl who fantasizes about shooting up her church, killing her bishop, killing her parents. My daughter's friends simultaneously turned to her and laughingly said, "oh, should we be afraid of you now?" Ugly. Yes we complained and had meetings with the superintendent and lawyers – we did not just lie down and take it. One of our supporters and advisors was from the local Anti-Defamation league. We've been in training for a bigger fight.
We will be attacked on social issues from the left, and religious issues from the right. I think many of us are ready. The Book of Mormon play which is clear bigotry – has helped steel our nerves. After Prop 8 passed, the left had a big march against the LA temple, businesses were picketed. It was quite ferocious. It was amusing to watch the big LDS Samoans with their massive arms folded across their chests – standing along the perimeter of the temple fence. We were somewhat shocked to have non-member relatives and neighbors express negative opinions about our faith after that, but we survived and the Church continues to grow.
The Church, as long as I have been a member for the past 35 years, has always encouraged us not to be insular, to be actively engaged in our communities, friendly and open with our neighbors. Because in LDS belief, non-members are NOT infidels, they are fellow journeymen doing the best they can, and we extend invitations to share with them more tools to make the journey less traumatizing with fewer self-inflicted disasters, eg, affairs, drunk driving, etc. Part of the reason Romney is where he's at is that his competition made unforced errors.
Crucial to our stance is the understanding that everyone is accountable for their own sins, and not for some group transgression, and in the end, God will judge. I can guarantee that Romney did not have those conversations with those women. A basic tenet of the faith is that we develop morally by making decisions, and that our freedom to do so – our agency – is sacrosanct. There are specific written guidelines on how to support someone who is going through a crisis pregnancy and that is with support and love. But people have to choose, and then live with the consequences. Pressure and coercion, demanding people make certain decisions, we are taught, are tools of the Adversary.
So trust me when I say, the church, and and the members have been bracing ourselves for this moment. To those in denial I would say: You have a lot of catching up to do.
I know Kevin will be crushed if Romney is the candidate, and I understand why – I am a huge Palin fan, and a former Cain supporter. But I also think that in our financial crisis of epic proportions, Romney does have a skill set that the others don't. Romney unlike Obama was raised with very pro-American values. He really does love America. Now whether or not he can but the brakes on government is a different matter. He's promising to do so.
So Thank you Kevin for your legitimate concerns, grievances, and suggestions. They are well spoken, and heartfully received.
Thank you for the article. Two things from me: (1) there are almost 6 million Mormons in the U.S. right now — so I can only assume that you are basing your opinion on a VERY small sample size. You are correct that there are a number of Mormons that are not prepared and your advice is good that they sould prepare themselves for the worst. However, I am personally connected with hundreds of Mormons (mostly the in Washington DC area) and the vast majority of the Mormons I know are absolutely prepared and ready for anything and everything that the Left or anyone else descides to hit them with. (2) consider this an official request that you (Mr. DuJan) stand up against those that will wrongfully attack the 4th largest denomination in the U.S. You are clearly concerned for the Mormon people, but your article only gives the instigators a free pass. Here is what I read: "people are going to say nasty things about you and — now that you have been warned — I do not want to hear any complaining." You should be condemning the attacks and showing sympathy for those that are victims of the attacks. What the Mormon people will really need in 2012 are good people (like you) to advocate for them against wrongful attacks.
This may become more pronounced and more people might become involved but what's new about any of this? and has it stopped us in the past? We believe despite persecution and we have the courage to retain our high standards. How does the left feel about being called bigots?
Regardless of his intent, I've no doubt DuJan is correct. However, it's my opinion that of the available choices, Mitt is the sole possessor of the economic understanding/skills that at this point in time is what our Country needs the most. As a "Mormon" I would be happy to vote for any alternate non "Mormon" candidate that possesses the same skills as Mitt. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing another such candidate. Thus my dilemma: should I not vote for Mitt out of fear of the oncoming persecution of that which I hold most sacred, or should I vote for Mitt based on what I perceive would accomplish the greatest amount of good for our Country? For me, the answer is easy…
Let's be honest here. None of this is in our hands. As LDS members, we believe what we believe. Of course we will be persecuted. We always have been and always will be. I'm daring enough to post on this public forum that only God has control of everything and it will happen in His way at His will. If Mitt Romney is supposed to be elected (and I am not saying that is what I want), he will be. As much as all these politicians and media and everyone else on the campaign bandwagon try to control how the votes go, in the end, the political agenda rule books are thrown out. The boxing gloves are coming out and insults are flying. But in the end, there is a much higher power at play here and all I can do is pray for God's will to be done. The LDS Church will always stand by the same values and the same principles and I am ready for whatever comes our way.
Thank goodness there are many LDS such as myself, who will never vote for Romney. The man is an Obama clone. His great uncle was Marion G. Romney, who gave one of the greatest talks ever about the evils of sociaism, the entrapment that results from it, and the loss of liberty for those who espouse it. Obviously Mitt never paid attention, because he's no more "conservative" (whatever that means), than Obama, Clinton, McCain, or Gingrich. The only one I see on the horizon that even remotely looks like he supports freedom and the Constitution is Ron Paul–and the attacks have already started on him in earnest.
Whether Romney and the LDS Church are attacked remains to be seen. It's a definite possibility, but putting Romney in the White House wouldn't hurt the far Left at all. He's their man.
Oh, btw, the revelation has already been received. We know the world is going to rack and ruin. Daniel told of it, John the Revelator saw it, and Jesus himself prophesied it. All we're waiting for are the fine details.
I will be voting for the most conservative candidate with an (R) behind his name because it will certainly be so much better than the excuse we have occupying the oval office today. Regardless of his liberal side, I know that Mr. Mitt has bucket loads of more sense than the incumbent, and I will vote for him if he ultimately becomes the candidate. Members of the LDS Church have had to deal with opposition for more than a century. We will continue to deal with the lies and hatred into the future. As stated by a noted leader, "What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? Or that predators claim those few who fall by the way? The caravan moves on." And so shall we.
Thank you, Kevin. Your statement that the only way for Obama to win with voters "is to rev them up with hate" strikes a chord. The Book of Mormon talks about this very thing.
For anyone interested in seeing the LDS Church's views on women, a book about this was published last year, it was to be distributed to every woman in the church. It's called "Daughters In My Kingdom". To see it, go to http://lds.org/relief-society/daughters-in-my-kin…
First of all, thanks for the “heads up”. Second of all for future publications that you do, we are NOT The church of Mormon. We are The Church of JESUS CHRIST. We don’t have “branches or slates”, we have “branches, wards or stakes”. I believe what you are saying is true, however we ARE prepared and no one is more powerful than our savior Jesus Christ.
Kevin, They killed lied and killed out ancestors, they lie about us still. SO WHAT!! Let them come , we are ready!! We have no fear.
Kevin, If you had studied Mormon history, you would have found that we are used to religious persecution. This will be just another wave, but we are firm in our beliefs, and unshaken and solid as the rock of salvation which our religion is based on, Jesus Christ. It is unfortunate that the Lefts may use our church as a way to reelect that socialist monster-Obama, but hey I say, BRING IT ON!
We waited and waited for a black man to finally get elected president- even though there were many who never thought it would happen. I say the same is true for a mormon- I think Romney's got a chance. He is just what we need right now. The number one thing on America's mind is solving the disaster that is our ECONOMY, and from everything I've read I think Romney is capable of succeeding in that department. Things have gone downhill so fast with Obama in office. I do not think people will be persuaded to vote for him again no matter what!
I think you are right Kevin. I too am LDS, and am ready fore the war on everything I hold sacred. I too will not back down or blink. I am not a big Romney guy. I will only vote for him, if he is the nominee, out of a sense of choosing between the lesser of two evils.
I was a big fan of Herman Cain. I like Santorum. He is the only conservative in the race. Unfortunately, votes are split between he and Newt(the puke).
If Mitt is the nominee, I'll hold my nose when I vote. I will also brace myself for the coming storm. Your words are no revelation to me. I have always accepted the fact that the left hates Christians, especially Mormons, and they hate Jews. Everybody else, islam included, gates a free pass.
On the right, born agains hate us too. Unfortunately, they will also join in the chorus fro the left. So be it. They do so knowing they are giving Obama a second term. Obama will destroy the nation we love. Our freedoms will evaporate. A Marxist/socialist nation will be born, to never return to its former greatness.
I am prepared for that future. I will survive. So will my faith.
At least there won't be an extermination order coming from Obama. I can't speak for Missouri, however. Who knows what those cats will do?
Well Done, Kevin. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not force or coerce . That young woman would not have been told she would burn in hell if she didn't give her child up for adoption. It is her choice to do what she thinks is best for her and her unborn child.
It is true some of the members think that all will be rosy if Mitt Romney runs and wins, but I too, being a member, have tried to talk to some of the other members that don't see the storm brewing. My brother, who is not an active member, thinks I would vote for Romney just because he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. I had to set him straight on that one. As one of the other comments stated – Romney is not conservative enough for me and yes there will be unleashed hate upon the Church and its members…we will weather this as we have all other persecutions.
It's time to get your food storage! The world is making big changes and this is part of it. The signs of the end times are showing up all over. Get your food and be prepared!
I knew I was too REAL for you all…LOL!
I, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, appreciate this article. It is apparent from your style of writing that you have had experiences being attacked by LDS people for things you have said, I admit we can (as a people) be a little overly sensitive… But what you say is correct. Those of us who study our history and know the prophecies know that we were warned of a future period when the persecution would start again, and be worse than it was at the beginning of the restoration of Christ's Gospel through His prophet Joseph Smith. When Romney first came on the political stage these warnings came to my mind and I wondered if this could be it. Time will tell. I, for one, believe what you state and hope we can all, LDS and not, stand against the evil, unAmerican acts that may be coming. For the record, I am NOT a supporter of Romney, and I think it is just as wrong to vote FOR a candidate because of his religion as it is to NOT vote for him/her because of her religion.
What's new Kevin?! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been persecuted from it's inception. We are rather used to it, and I am proud of Mitt for his courage and convictions. He has had one wife, not 4 like another candidate that is running…Good morals and good convictions of what is right and what is wrong. I have read his book and like what I read. When you get to know the "Mormon"
people you will find that they fear God rather than man. Our church is here because it was founded by Jesus Christ himself, to a prophet, and carries his name. The church had to be restored because it was lost from the earth after the time of Moses..and the children of Israel who were also persecuted, and the church was taken from off the earth, remember when the Romans killed so many of the Saints, and if when we leave this earth, we want to live there with the right group, we will live or die with them here on this earth. We are a different people, it is true…but, I trust Romney to lead us with righteous principles, because I know he is a strong man and believes in men & women being FREE! Thank you for the warning, but, we have many examples of our ancestors of how to deal with the persecution that as you have said, will be right around the corner, and I will pray for Romney, and for his safety.
The Dems have plenty ammo to use against the republicans in this year's election without bringing up religion …and so far most of the religious bigotry has come from within the republican ranks!
You're all forgetting Who's at the helm…NOT Obama! Those who think Romney is anything but honorable have already been defeated. We need Romney. We need to stand for something again instead of thinking Obama has more power than our Father in Heaven.
My suggestion to members of the LDS Church is solidify your testimony now. Before Christ returns to the earth there will be three greats cleansing periods – it will begin with the Church, continue with the United States, and conclude with the earth. If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
I have felt for a long time that if Mitt Romney were elected, it would mean persecution of those of the Mormon faith. Sad that one's religion has to be slaughtered if someone doesn't like the person. (By the way, it's not the "Church of Mormon". It's "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". "Mormon" is a nickname because of The Book of Mormon–a record written by prophets on the American continents and ancestors of American Indians, abridged by the prophet Mormon; the "Stick of Joseph" mentioned in the Bible–Ezekiel 37: 15-17. But that's off subject.) I agree with many others: we haven't much to chose from for a presidential candidate. You are right, in your article, that we need to be aware of the onslaught of persecution to Mormons should Romney be elected.
I want to post some of this again.
The first part was for a poster who wants to explain the Church even though not a member.
Ok I’ve read far enough! If your going to come across as an expert on the LDS (not lsd) Church try getting not only your facts straight but your spelling correct!
As the poster said above- BYU sports had nothing to do with ANYTHING!
As to the author I don’t trust any of your concerns. First of all Romney’s name is not “mittens”. This writer constantly posts on other web sites about “magic underwear” and calls Gov Romney “mittens”.
Mormons have been persecuted, driven from their homes, murdered, raped and lost everything they had. Persecution is not foreign to any of us. Our missionaries are stoned just walking down the street in some countries.
We have been warned about what is coming. We are not an insulated people. You sound like your talking about the poligs, who are not members of the LDS Church.
We don’t like what’s coming, but we’ve seen it before and we won’t be unprepared for the hate. Too bad some of it comes from “Christians”, who are supposedly taught not to judge.
We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and we belief Christ is our Savior.
I am a Mormon. Thank you so much for having the insight and the strength to say this. I have said this to my friends for a number of years now and they think I am way off base. They have their heads in the sand. Your analysis is right on. We are in for some really rough times.
Do you agree that Mormons are not Christian? If not please explain your belief that God was once a man and that God himself visited Mary and had sexual intercourse with her.
If this is not the belief of the Mormon LDS church please explain why this is an incorrect statement.
Of course the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christian. (Seems like a no-brainer, given its name, doesn’t it?) Your statement about God having sexual intercourse with Mary is incorrect and has absolutely never been taught in the Church. If you really want to know the Church’s doctrine, don’t listen to hearsay. Visit lds.org or mormon.org, two wonderful websites where all of your questions can be answered.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, all I have to say is bring it on! I've been persecuted my whole life- I've heard all this crap before. Mitt is still the best candidate. Mitt for President!!!
The Mormon Church, as it is nicknamed, is the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. And HE is in charge. While the Obama machine may be powerful, it is no match for the Lord of Heaven and Earth. And after the fray, whether Mitt is elected president or not, the Church will still be the Church of JESUS CHRIST.
Your letter is getting out to the LDS communities. In preparation for what is to come we all need to start talking to our non member friends and letting them know what we believe and why we believe what we do. During this process, I hope that we all use this as missionary opportunity to teach the truths of the church and many blessing that come from being a part of this church. Thank you for making me more aware of what is to come.
Mitt is cut from the same cloth as nearly all of the other candidates: collectivist-globalists! Ron Paul is the only candidate with any record worth speaking of–though I don’t put much faith in any career polititian, Paul is your best choice. However, even he will find that when elected, Presidents are pulled into a back room somewhere and reminded that if they don’t play along they’ll end up like JFK.
Threats against person, family, and friends for going against the establishment, as well as the promise of riches and glory for playing along, all work really well to get non-conformers to conform!
Romney is being propelled into position for reasons you’ve given and others. He’s certainly the right candidate to assure an Obama win (despite Obama not even being eligible to be President).
But let’s consider what would happen if Romney were to win–it would only take assuring that he did something really stupid to bring about an all out war against Mormonism anyway. So win or lose, Romney is nothing more than a pawn.
But here’s the big problem I have with Mormons (full disclosure: I am one): That they 1) think all this publicity is good for the church–well, it’s not. History has proven that persecution is good for the church, not popularity. Popularity leads to its downfall through pride. Persecution builds solid saints. 2) They like Romney for no other reason that he’s a Mormon.
LEARN THIS LESSON:
Never vote for someone just because they have something in common with you! Never vote for a woman just because you are a woman. Never vote for a black just because you are black. Never vote for a Mormon just because you are a Mormon!
Also know this: the only throwaway vote is the one cast for someone you don’t really believe in!
Kevin, thank you! It’s always nice to receive a ‘heads-up’ from a friend.
It really helps to keep the ‘big picture’ in view throughout everything.
I am also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’m not terribly politically active–so many of those I know who are politically-charged are such zealots; not altogether a bad thing, but less mainstream than myself–otherwise I’m sure I would have seen the impending storm.
What can I say? Of COURSE we’re not looking forward to persecution! But, having taken up our course in following our Savior, we will not be dissuaded. I am grateful for good men and women everywhere who desire to run for public office, and pray for help to both discern their motives and to support them in their righteous cause. I’m also thankful for people like yourself who seem to honestly want to understand us–those you call ‘Mormons’–and at the very least, try to be unbiased. We all have the opportunity to show what we’re really made of when the heat gets turned up. And in the midst of the fire the impurities are burned away. Would we ever seek that–to be put in the fire? No way! You’d have to be crazy to want that! But, do we want the end result of being what God wants us to be? Absolutely! So, I’m counting on all the faith and prayers of everyone who loves God, loves freedom, and loves this country. In the end, God’s will WILL be done. I just pray that we are all proven to be made of gold when the fire finally dwindles and dies.
Your comments would be more persuasive if you didn’t use the anti-Romney term “Mittens” to refer to Governor Romney. Do you want to prepare Mormons for what may come because one of us “foolishly” wants to stand up and do what’s right and what’s critical for this nation, or would you rather we all read your article and abandon Governor Romney for another Republican, out of fear or a desire to curry favor with those who would hate us for doing what we believe in?
I’m sure you know Governor Romney has the very best shot at the Republican nomination, because of the very hard work he has been doing for the last four years. I hope if you believe Pesident Obama and the Left are as bad as you say they are, you will strongly support Governor Romney in the general election. After all, the best way to prevent this kind of intimidation from being used in the future is to stand up to it and defeat it, right?
I pray that none of us involved in the 2012 elections do – or do not do – anything simply out of fear.
This is an outstanding article… thank you for taking the time to put it together! From my vantage point, your voice of warning is spot-on!
Your characterization of LDS members is absolutely correct, rather than seek to understand, as a group we are more prone to take offense, lash back and shoot the messenger – when it comes to latter-day saints, we profess to embrace truth… whenever and wherever it can be found, shooting the messenger is NOT the correct response – taking offense to real issues is also NOT the correct response.
You are absolutely correct; we should be discussing these issues and preparing ourselves to appropriately respond. If one is not willing to discuss the issues, what are the chances that they will ever solve the issues?
In my humble opinion, this is all good and in the end, it will backfire on the left. Below, I will give one example that I believe applies to what is about to happen.
I would say to the left… bring the best that you have, because in the end it will all backfire… and the more aggressive the attack, the more the truth has an opportunity to surface.
For LDS members, Christians, Mormons; this is all good… all of it… to have the American left, stand up and take notice of the LDS church – it is all good and we should welcome the scrutiny and embrace it in every positive way possible.
Here is my example, in 1979, I saw community leaders in a religiously sleepy town in California take an interest in the LDS (Mormon) church. The leader’s interest was one of alarm and warning the local community, they decided to advance several of the negative messages that you referenced above. They brought in “experts”, negative LDS films and convened town meetings to warn the public.
The voice of warning started out small, but in a few short weeks grew to be quite a stir, with hundreds showing up to scheduled LDS (Mormon) attack events. I saw one event with over 1500 people in attendance where a negative LDS film was played. The local newspaper carried articles regarding the events and things being said.
The local leaders of the LDS church and members discussed what was happening in their community. They were not large in number, just one LDS ward of 600 members. To their credit the LDS leaders and members did not take offense.
First, they decided to continue to live according to their beliefs – which by the way create great Americans, neighbors and community members. They ignored most of the public events choosing not to attend, picket or speak out against these events. Some of the events, local church leaders would attend to answer questions.
Bottom-line, many people attended and heard horrible things regarding the LDS (Mormon) faith that did not make sense to them. Many event attendees would address what they heard with their LDS (Mormon) neighbors. And here is where the break-down in the community leader’s strategy occurred:
“The things that were being said negative about the LDS Church did NOT make sense based on attendee’s personal interaction with LDS members.”
This cause many attendees to address the things being said with their neighbors and friends. In these conversations the truth was advanced, simply, humbly, without emotion and without reprisal to the offenders.
Within a few months, to their credit, other faiths in the community (Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian) stepped forward to shutdown the negative LDS meetings.
Many of the event attendees, having their curiosity aroused, continue to address questions with their LDS neighbors – allowing the truth to surface. The very thing that community leaders did NOT want see happen, occurred. Respect and appreciation for the LDS church and the many contributions of local LDS members was given a voice – it was all good, and turned out better for the LDS Church then in nothing had happened at all.
The same thing has the potential of happening in America at large.
A powerful as the left and the liberal media are in America, a foundation has been laid in the lives of millions of LDS members all around America and the truth has a very real prospect of surfacing – especially if we, as members of the LDS church respond as our doctrine dictates; “If there is anything, lovely of good report and praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
It will be exciting to see what happens over the next year!
As a former candidate for US Congress in MS and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I understand completely what is happening and what will happen if Romney gets the nomination. I won 43% of the primary vote, but could not overcome the hate and misinformation spread about my faith. When it got close to election day calls went out telling good Christian people they would go to hell for supporting a Mormon. Your advice is spot on… We as a people need to start talking about how we will respond and repel the attacks against our faith, not for Romney, but for our church. It is time to raise the title of liberty, go forth with boldness and not back down from the fight.
I presently defend Mitt Romneys political and church history in the LA Times. I like to copy and paste article from our church leaders from the Church website. It appears to be less confrontational especially talking about Prop 8. I also report the blog web site if I find religious intolerance,such as Mitts magic underwear comments. I also like to copy and paste articiles from http://www.allaboutmormons.com/mormon_benefits.php about benefits of being LDS. I notice less hate and religious intolerance after a couple days of posting on the blog sites.
Also, If any members have friends or family member in the swing states I encourage them to become active on their local newspaper blog sites . Here are some key states that can turn the election in Mitt Romneys favor Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. I personnelly believe that If Mitt Romney was elected as the President of our country that membership would increase in numbers. I also read about Marco Rubio the Senator out of Florida(possiable GOP VP caindidate )was baptized in Nevada when he was 8 years old and was active for few years until his family returned to Florida. While in Florida he then returned back to his Catholic faith.
Mormons are not alone ! we are all in this together. we are Americans.. join in the TEA PARTY..
FACEBOOK LOOK UP (FREEDOM WORKS) ALL CHURCHES SHOULD UNITE .. INDIANS LOST THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY WERE DIVIDED! WE MUST STAND UNITED! ALL FOR ONE ONE FOR ALL!
I believe that you have hit on a topic that many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. or “Mormons” as known by many, have not planned for. I thank you for that.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was a leader in the grass roots efforts of the Prop 8 campaign in California. During the campaign I witnessed many displays of hatred from the Left and homosexual community. On one occasion, an angry person pulled my baby stroller into oncoming traffic while trying to steal our sign. Luckily I decided to hold my baby a few moments prior.
The warnings about the persecution to come are frightening; however, anger toward the messenger is not one of the reactions I have. My fear is that what I hold sacred will be on display and criticized for all of the country to see. My values and morals will be hated and my love for Jesus Christ, our Savior, will be disputed and mocked.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not racist nor is it sexist. Women are in fact held in high regard for our important and sacred responsibility in raising the future generation and caring for the poor and needy people of the world. Women in our church spend an inordinate amount of time putting relief packages together for disaster victims and impoverished people all over the world. It is unfortunate that the good we do will be mocked by the Left and ultimately disregarded when calculating our value during this upcoming election.
I encourage all of the readers to go to the website lds.org and learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Familiarize yourselves with our values, our beliefs, and our history. Mitt Romney will be an excellent president and his religion will not govern the country, his experience, intellect and insight will. Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know. Learn all you can about our culture so that you can help elect a man that will turn the economy around, once again, putting the USA back into prosperity.
Lets not forget the Majority Leader of the United States Senate is a mormon, AND a democrat.
I’d like to thank you for your article. You’ve done a great service to us Mormons. I think you’re exactly right – things are going to get ugly. A lot of stuff will be said about Mormonism and Mormons, much of which will probably be based on truth but distorted; some will be outright lies. As a “practicing” Mormon, I will be uncomfortable. But my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ is not based on what Mitt Romney, or anyone, did when he was a church leader. One of the core doctrines of the gospel is that God has given all of his children their agency. We are allowed to choose our actions, and not one of us is perfect, even those that we uphold as leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I suppose in that way, we Mormons are all “practicing.”
I have to disagree with you on one point. I don’t think Romney’s nomination will be the worst thing to happen to our church. It could be a great thing. It will give us the opportunity to explain one of the beautiful things about Christ’s gospel – His atonement. We all make mistakes, yes even perfectly-coiffed Mitt Romney. And when we slip up, as we inevitably do, the Savior’s atonement is there to make up the difference.
So to the Left I say, Bring It On. I don’t know if Romney can take it, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can.
As others have said With the Lord on your side you will be victorious in the end, there could be a battle or many and some may even be lost, but in the end the Lord will be victorious. I stand with my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, because I believe the Lord is with the Church (at least collectively, there could be individual members who need to review their personal commitments to be a disciple (follower) of Jesus), but that is the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He (Jesus) made it possible for all to repent and return to him.
If you will research for yourself the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I believe you will find through its website(s) ample information on the values the church teaches. That website is lds.org. I suggest you read “the purpose of life”, “the 13 articles of faith”, “The family a Proclamation to the world” The Living Christ”. You can also find the complete King James version of the Bible, The Book of Mormon and other Scriptures, along with articles from our current prophet and other Church leaders. Also available are all the church instruction manuals for all ages, movies and so much more. After you have completed your research decide if those are values you support and decide if Mitt portrays those values if he does and you support those values vote for him. If you do not or he does not measure up research your other options.
The election and possible threats of men can be unnerving, but I pose we look at the real problems facing our country and the world today. It is our lack of values that has caused so many problems, We must return to living with faith in God and love of our neighbors (of all races or religions). If we have any hope of again prospering in this great nation. Because over and over again in the Bible and The Book of Mormon (scripture of the people living in America available at LDS.org) as well as history books you can find many examples of civilizations that have been destroyed or overthrown due to pride, selfishness, idolatry, and iniquity. I say we each change our self by returning to virtue and values and that will change us, our country and the world.
I think that you need to remember that Mormons already get it so hard. A lot of Mormons serve missions in The United States, and abroad, and are often verbally, and occasionally physically abused for it.
Kevin…I appreciated your article and comments and felt you even had a bit of “compassion” for us mormons…I HOPE it wasn’t for the “scare tactics” others accused you of…It HAS been prophesied that persecution would arise in the “last days” to rival that of our pioneers ancestors…(only not so much, perhaps, physically)..I don’t feel Romney is doing the Church a “disfavor” by running….there is a prophecy that speaks of the “constitution hanging by it’s thread” in the last days and “it’s up to the elders of the Church to save it”….God willing, perhaps this is what Romney and his cabinet can do for this country and help us regain our freedoms and status we seem rapidly to be losing…I also believe it will most likely take an act of God to get Obama OUT of office, since the powers behind him are so close to getting their agenda put into place….I agree with many of your statements…now i could easily understand why Sorros would endorse Romney….but, as always, God knows what needs doing…. and..whatever happens, NEEDS to happen…there are prophesies to fulfill…..in the meantime, He lets us use our agency and doesn’t interfere with that privilege…(but here’s the rub)…then WE get to live with the consequences of those choices….If we continue to stand strong and stand close to Jesus Christ, He will surely “watch our backs”…and that includes us of ALL faiths…thanks for your “heads up”…I have forwarded it to my Branch President, family and friends…the adversary knows his days are numbered… the good news is that the Creator and Savior of this world will TRIUMPH..