From Deseret News archives:

A Mormon president? New film shows links between Smith, Romney

Published: Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 1:17 a.m. MST
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People who have seen the two-minute trailer have had various reactions. A group of Baptist ministers asked him if he worked for the Romney campaign and whether the film was LDS. "Others who've seen it think it's anti-LDS."

Typically, he said, "it's all in your perspective," and that's what the film hopes to point out. Romney's campaign presents a Catch-22 for people "who have Mormon neighbors that are the finest people they know, but they've heard all these critical things about the church.

"When it comes to electing a president, people want almost a father figure who's more than just a political leader, kind of like Ronald Reagan; he was our dad," he said, adding many Americans are finding it difficult to get that comfortable with a man whose faith they don't necessarily understand or trust.

Though Christing sees religious prejudice at play in Romney's bid for the White House, he said one LDS scholar told him the tide is bound to turn at some point.

"Richard Bushman told me that, over time, people will realize Mormonism is not an infection. America is the history of inclusion: blacks can't vote and then they can, women can't vote and then they can. He said, over time, people will realize they can vote for a Mormon president because there will be less fear."

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For information or to watch the film trailer, go online to www.amormonpresident.com.


E-mail: carrie@desnews.com

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Image
Creek Park Pictures

Darren Kendrick portrays Joseph Smith in the new documentary "A Mormon President," which examines Mitt Romney's bid for the White House.

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