How defining were Jon Huntsman's comments on his Mormonism?

Last week my email inbox lit up like a Christmas tree. Family and friends were abuzz about Jon Huntsman's seeming refusal to make a commitment to Time magazine about his membership in the Mormon church.

The reaction in my circle was harsh, as if one of our own had abandoned his moment to flash his membership badge for the world to see. I could feel some intense disappointment and shock from the emails I read. Here's the first lesson for Huntsman's future campaign: DON'T UPSET THE MORMONS.

But it didn't bother me one minute. I could clearly see where he might have been coming from. As a public Latter-Day Saint blogger with non-Mormon readers, I find it complicated to explain Mormonism — specifically my brand of Mormonism — when it is a religion that relies heavily on personal revelation.

Take my family, for instance. Of nine siblings you will find all of us active Utah Mormons with differing beliefs on how to be a Mormon. Some don't eat meat, while some do. Some don't drink caffeine, while some do. Some don't watch sports on Sunday, while some do. Some are (lo! behold!) Democrats and some are (definitely) not.

Does it do us more harm than good to try and explain ourselves culturally when we are so different? And although we do agree on the basic tenets of our religion — first and foremost being our faith in Jesus Christ — still, many of us envelop ideas and truths found in other religions as well.

Sometimes in my own realm I feel I should say, "I am a Mormon, but not a Mormon like you are thinking. I have one mom who is the one wife of my one father." But I also want to say, "I am a Mormon, and my ancestry is full of polygamists — men who we revere, honor and name our babies after."

So, what is a Mormon to do?

And when a reporter asks about being a member of the church, are they really asking about the serious part of the religion, like the promises we make at baptism, or are they asking about a mix of feelings they've derived from "South Park" episodes and bits from "Big Love"?

Huntsman also touched on a truth; the varying degrees of Mormonism. I am a daily reader of the Book of Mormon. I pay a babysitter weekly so I can attend the temple. I sign up to bring meals to the sick and afflicted. But when my sisters and I spoke at BYU Women's Conference a couple weeks ago, we met so many incredibly humble and sweet women. Some of them even knitted during our session. Knitted! I could not help but think, "Wow, these women are way more Mormon than me."