"Early church fathers taught of an early pre-mortal existence," Flake said. Joseph Smith's "revelation is catalyzed by his reading of the Bible in every instant."

Scholars note that Joseph Smith revised the King James version of the Bible — crossing out some passages, expanding others. He also produced the Book of Mormon, covering 1,000 years of history.

Because Mormons believe God continues to reveal himself, new revelations are compiled in a volume titled "Doctrines and Covenants." Another book, "The Pearl of Great Price," is also considered part of the church's scriptural canon.

Mormons believe in Jesus' resurrection, with a uniquely American twist: Smith taught that after Jesus' resurrection he had a mission in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. will be a focal point after the Second Coming.

"The city of Zion, spoken of by David in the 102nd Psalm, will be built upon the land of America," Smith wrote in 1833.

Mormons tried to build a temple in Independence, Mo. before they relocated to Nauvoo, Ill., the site of their first temple. After Smith was killed by a lynch mob, Brigham Young led the Mormons west, settling in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah, where the church is centered today.

It is the temples which spark so much curiosity, even fears, among non-Mormons. Once dedicated, temples are generally closed to all but worthy Mormons.

Even among themselves, Mormons try not to speak about temple ceremonies outside the building itself. Mormons do not consider this secrecy, but reverence.

"For Mormons there is no language to describe the experience they have in a temple," said Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, associate professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. "Voices are kept very hushed in there — certain ritual things said. An encounter with God that Mormons have in the temple that is beyond words, they leave it that way."

Mormons are grateful for their new visibility. But they wish it came through true conversation, not political banter.

"If you don't contextualize these one-liners they'll never make sense," Flake said of Huckabee's question. "People of goodwill generally assume that believers have a basic rationality to their religious convictions. Politics doesn't lend itself to that kind of goodwill."