Romney said he's often asked what he believes about Jesus Christ. Because Mormons claim Jesus visited North America after his resurrection and other stories not found in the Bible, mainstream Christians often say the Mormon faith is not truly Christian. Mormons say they view Jesus as their savior just as other Christians do; they simply have additional narratives about their messiah revealed in the Book of Mormon.

Romney said he believes Jesus Christ is the son of God and the savior of mankind: "My church"s beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths. Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance."

Among the invitees, Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the Pat Robinson-founded American Center for Law and Justice, which specializes in cases defending religious freedom and freedom of speech, said Romney"s emphasis on religious liberty could have staying power with Americans.

Contacted afterward, Sanford Levinson , a professor of law and government at the University of Texas with an expertise in religious constitutional issues, said the underlying theme seemed to be "you have to be religious to be American; I can see where people would be irritated."

Gerry Hince of Bryan, Texas, a Bush library volunteer who has two sons in the U.S. military, liked the speech, though Romney did not clear up "any of the mysteries of Mormonism. That just means I'm going to have to do more homework" as a voter. Robert Millet, a professor of religious education at Brigham Young University, attended the speech with the Rev. Gregory Johnson, a conservative Baptist from Lehi, Utah. The pair have written a book on bridging the divide between a Mormon and an evangelical.

Both men said the speech served its purpose. "He threaded the needle he needed to thread," Johnson said, "to affirm the common good, as people of faith we can come together."

Johnson said Christian conservatives already skeptical of a candidate of the Mormon faith could remain so. "Prejudice still exists," he said. "If you already have a pretty negative view of Mormonism as a cult, this speech could come off as platitudes."

Christian evangelical voters, who typically turn out in GOP primaries, are believed to be skeptical of the Mormon faith. It's uncertain how such skepticism will play into the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses, which kick off the presidential election year.

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said the speech "will alleviate the fears and the concerns of some" Christian conservatives. Kelly Shackelford, president of the Plano-based Free Market Foundation, supports Huckabee. Shackelford expressed doubt that Romney will recapture religious conservatives who have flocked to Huckabee.

It's "not about speeches," Shackelford said. "It is more about who people are, what they truly believe and how long they've been consistent on those beliefs."

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Contributing: Eileen E. Flynn