Deseret News | Reader comments: Mitt Romney to give speech on his Mormon faith

Reader comments
Mitt Romney to give speech on his Mormon faith

cougarkeith | 3:20 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I am for one glad he is going to take the opportunity to do this. It will help "disspell" many myths and falsehoods about his (Our) faith I hope. So many have taken "Pot-Shots" over the years in ignorance, and this will be his oportunity to be honest and flat out straight forward with America on the topic of "Mormonism" and the fact it is a clear cut Christian Faith which doesn't happen to believe in Man Made Articles and Creeds from the first 500 centuries A.D. and all the Paganism that goes into Mainstream Christendom of the Mainstream faiths which have so ensnared and coderized the Christian Belief System. Why can't God speak to man in this day and age, why can't their be living apostles and prophets, and where does it say they are gone? In fact the Bible tells us the opposite, but the mainstream has blinded mankind to the facts of the matter. I wish him well, and hope the Lord is with him in his speech.

Reality | 3:23 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Let's hope it will be on target and not just another political spin on the subject.

Tai H. | 3:43 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Mitt Romney's remarks on faith are inappropriate. He is a Latter-day Saint. So what?

He is not a national spokesman for the faith.

He is not a public affairs specialist.

Since Mitt Romney has entered the Republican Primary, I hear the same message from his liberal fanatics: If you donï¿½t vote for Mitt, you are ï¿½anti-Mormonï¿½.

Itï¿½s a dishonest tactic that only works among the gullible and feeble-minded.

Rudy Giuliani isnï¿½t running an anti-Catholic defamation or anti-Italian defamation campaign. Hillary Clinton isnï¿½t running as the ï¿½female candidateï¿½. Fred Thompson isnï¿½t saying ï¿½vote for me because I like buttered grits and country musicï¿½. Each candidate is running on their record. Mitt Romney has a liberal record, so he therefore is claiming faith.

Mormonism is Romneyï¿½s gimmick ï¿½ and sadly, Mormonism is what Mitt Romney will use as his excuse as to why he lost the GOP Primary.

Well, Mitt Romney, I am a Mormon, and I will never vote for you because I am a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN. I cannot vote for someone who raised the capital gains tax, legislated gun control, and legalized gay civil unions.

Mitt Romney should leave something as sacred as faith and doctrine out of his campaign.

Comments continue below

far side | 4:04 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

As a former LDS public affairs person this concerns me. Some of what he has already said, though no doubt well intended, makes me cringe a bit.

Anonymous | 4:09 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

So what does his faith have to do with Romney as a viable presidential candidate?

Anonymous | 4:11 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Whether you like Romney's politics or not, you have to admit that his faith has been more of a sticking point than Clinton II's gender, Obama's race, or any other personal characteristic of the other candidates. Wrong or right that's how the country feels. True, he's no spokesperson for the Church, but he should address the issue. How he does it will be interesting.

Reality Check | 4:16 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

This speech will do little to change many Americans opinion of the Mormon religion. JFK's speech was not so much to explain Catholocism as it was to ease people's fears that the Vatican would have a huge influence in the White House. No one has such fears since the Mormon leadership is no where near as influential and powerful as the Vatican.

Re: Tai | 4:16 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

How can you say Gov. Romney is using this so called "anti-mormon" method when he has tried to stay away from the subject of religion for the most part of this process. I believe the speech is necessary because people have been taking many shots at not only him but at our religious beliefs as well. Good luck to Governor Romney.

Great Caution | 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Mitt, you are walking into a mine field. Not that the speech should not be given but, watch out!

Henry Drummond | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I'm not sure there is a lot he can say.

Ultimately Christian Evangelicals are offended by Mormonism's claim to be the "only true church" and their missionary program that is aimed at getting Evangelicals to switch their religion. That is what led to the "Mormons are not Christian" campaign that was launched in retaliation more than thirty years ago.

Romney can say what he wants but the Mormon Church will keep proselyting and Evangelicals will continue to resent it and take it out on Romney. I don't see anything he can realistically say that will convince them that he is really "one of them".

Carl | 4:59 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Mr. Romney:

Be brutally honest or your campaign will be over. Don't stutter over the hard stuff.

cj | 5:00 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I dont think Mitt is trying to convince anyone that he is "quote one of them". I think the goal will be to have people see that even in differences you can accept Mitt and support Mitt.
For too long now the narrative has been that Mitt is fantastically qualified, but he is Mormon so he cant be taken seriously. Anyone that would believe in such a thing can only be said to be easily duped or not very bright.
This speech is more about debunking that thought process and hitting straight on those who would otherwise vote for Romney but are using faith as an excuse.
Personally I dont believe that Romney is going to get on stage Thursday and go through the tenets of Mormonism. I think those who are afraid of this dont understand the context in which this "speech" is being given. No one is saying that Gov Romney is a spokesperson for the LDS faith. He knows he is not and so do most everyone else.
I wish the man good luck as he tries to diminish the hatred and ignorance of the LDS faith in this country. AS LDS shouldnt we feel the same

Igor | 5:26 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

If he tries to spin he's done. I'm not LDS and don't care if he is or not. I care more about what he is going to do about Iraq, Iran, and $4.00 gas than if he is LDS. If he pulls out Iowa and New Hampshire then he won't have to worry about those Southern Baptists destroying him. He won't win in the south. Not only because he's LDS--but because he seems to perfect. He's not as charming as Bill Clinton.

Tom | 5:41 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Most people will still be turned off from a Mormon President, irregardless of a speech. The faulty assumption by the LDS faithful is that if people actually truly knew what the LDS believed, then they would accept or respect it within the hierarchy of the larger relgions. Clearly this is an assumption that is not correct.

all in the game | 5:45 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Faith is not the point!
Political party leaders will tell you,
any isolated speech allowed is a jewel in the candidates purse/billfold.
Mitts speech will grab the news medias attention for days, if not weeks.
And right here before the Iowa vote, it will be Mitt Romney's name all up and down the air waves.
Congratulation's to his Republican handlers, and lets hope his speech writers come close to the truth.

I Don't Care | 6:06 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I don't care about any of their religions. I want to know their position on illegal immigration, national debt, huge negative trade balances, and other national issues. He owes no one an explanation about LDS doctrine or history, any more than Huckabee does about the Southern Baptist doctrine and history, which is not so good when connected to the slavery issue.

Reality | 6:32 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

As someone who has lived all over the nation I can tell you that one speech will not change those with a negative perception about the LDS faith. Mormons are such a small part of the American population that it is impossible for one speech to warm people to the LDS faith.

David in CA | 6:39 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Good Luck Mitt!!

There's a lot of Ignorance out there on some basic
concepts. There are different ways to see basically the same eternal truths, but for years the "anti"
promoters have been spewing exaggerations and many "things out of context" to the point that many
have the idea the LDS don't even come close to being Christian. The "anti" have a desire to promote "wildly and to distort" the areas of difference and basically ignore ALL the VAST common ground.

The "Anti" agenda generally is get their listerners and followers to "hate" that which is presented. It's easy for those who don't know better (knowing the actual LDS positions) to become convinced by a well gifted speaker and follow in that hate and disrespect.

Good Luck Mitt in dealing with this situation, which you didn't create. Hopefully you can pierce through the distortions and bad feelings and get the message through. LDS do Believe in Christ and Worship Him in Sacrament Meeting Weekly!! Many don't really know that. The LDS DO actually believe that Jesus Died for their sins too! And they PRAY in His Name!

Again Good Luck and God Bless!!

Tom's right | 7:35 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

There is a big difference between Romney's faith and Huckabee's faith, at least so far as caucus and primary voters are concerned. Those players are, for better or worse, more at home with evangelical christianity than with LDS. Romney is in a pickle b/c he needs to address concerns about his faith, but if he gets too specific (e.g., Manifesto, 1978, living prophet, etc.) he will only lose support.

Hence Romney's will 1) gloss over doctrinal matters, 2) emphasize commitment to common Christian values, 3) seek to distance himself from the LDS hierarchy while 4) claiming a close personal relationship with God.

He will speak in very strong but very vague language. If he chooses to address unique LDS tenets or history he will only lose votes.

I wonder | 7:36 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

If Romney does speak about his faith, it will be extremely interesting to me. I hope it goes well, not for him, but for the good of the Church.

Cirrus | 7:49 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

This speech of Mitt's will not change people's opinion about the LDS Church, or Mitt, one way or another. With regard to the clarification of LDS theology as some posters desire, there is no way that can be incorporated in a political speech without it sounding like an LDS "infomercial" which is the exactly the opposite effect that Mitt is trying to accomplish!!!

Earl | 7:50 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

JFK had to assure voters he wouldn't be influenced by positions taken by the Vatican or any other influential Catholic leaders. What non-Mormon voters want to hear is that he won't change his positions based on new proclamations from church authorities. In other words, he needs to prove to voters that he's as good a Mormon as JFK was a Catholic, i.e., not a very good one. Voters would be more comfortable with a "jack-Mormon," not a devout one.

GoodGuyGary | 8:29 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Good idea or not, let Mitt decide. He is entitle to bear his testimony about God and the Church. If it has negative effect on his campaign, so be it. No one can take away the relationship between Mitt and God.

Go Mitt. God bless you!

Rachel | 8:35 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

From what I have seen, Mitt hasn't asked for religion to become part of his campaign, but the media has. There are many interviews that have gone from politics to religion that Mitt has tried to get focused back on politics without too much luck. At this point in his campaign he has to say something because of how much his religion is brought up. I don't think that this speech will change the minds of people who are against the LDS church, but it may help those who are confused or do not know about the church. I honestly don't think that he will become president because of all that he has against him, but I hope that he can get an honest perspective on the LDS church out there for those who do not know anything about "Mormons."

Joe | 8:37 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I believe it is great timing. Mitt Romney will do well. People have fear of what they don't understand. This will be a great opportunity for an articulate "believer" to dispell the fear of many good people who essentially are fearful because they have heard false information or have not heard enough information.

David in New York | 8:42 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

It's about time... and it had better be good. Romney's continual minimization of his religion its influence on leadership sickens me. I love Huckabee's statement that his beliefs don't just influence him, but that they define him. I'm a Mormon and I'd probably vote for Huckabee right now. I've been waiting for Mitt to stand up and quit hiding his religion under layers of apologetic rhetoric. I want a president with a spine, someone who can tell me what they believe and what they are going to do about it. It speaks volumes about a man's character when he refuses to acknowledge that his belief in God impacts every aspect of his life.

gosh guys | 9:01 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Sounds like Romney is darned if he does, and darned if he don't! I wish a speech like this was not necessary. But with folks like Huckabee (who I like) states junk like "We don't drink the same Jesus Juice", or Sen. Clinton wondering alound how many 'wives' Romney has hidden away, he is forced to address the religion issue. It is better he puts out and defines what he belives, rather than have someone like Clinton or Huckabee do it. And who know? The truth about us might make some folks decide were just like them, but with just a different view of things.

J Smith | 9:13 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

RE. TAI H.
You have completely missed the issue at hand. There are many misconceptions about Mormons. Mr. Romney has never set out to run as a mormon. However, the media and his rivals have made it an issue not himself. He has no choice but to address the issue. People dont care what religion a candidate is until they are mormon. Although this is similar to the JFk situation, I think this is even more challenging then what Kennedy experienced. The fact that 1/3 of all republicans say they would not vote for a mormon. They clearly have no idea what the mormon faith believes. How narrow minded and rediculous are they to base thier decision on a person religion when it is christian based.
Romney is not using this to win but he has no choice but to address it. Even Mr. Huckabee, who until this week I was very impressed with, is now trying to use the Mormon Weakness against him. Huckabee has just as liberal past as Romney and therfore has turned to trying to scare people that Romney is not a Christian. How Rediculous. Why is Huckabee not just concentrating on his own record?

cougarkeith | 9:29 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Where is the faith of those thinking he should not address this? If you are members of the church where is your faith in the Holy Ghost, in the Spirit of God, and the ability of this man, a former bishop and former stake president, to have the gift of the Holy Ghost abide with him and radiate the spirit of truth. He will not be representing the church, he will be trying to put "America" at ease about his possible presidency and how he will handle the office of the presidency. As with JFK, there were, as are now those thinking Romney will let the First Presidency rule over him over political matters in running the nations policy. This he needs to address, and put down the "Nay-Sayers" who insist "Mormons" are not Christians which is so bogus. Explain the Book of Mormon and his belief in it and the Bible, in Jesus Christ, and bear testimony, and put down the falicy of poligamy, is about all he has to do. Bear testimony of Jesus Christ and let the Spirit take care of the rest. Where is faith people?

Shelley Maughan | 9:42 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

If Romney is a man of conviction, and through much prayer has come to the conclusion that he should run for president, which obviously is the case, than who are we to doubt the decision to share his religous beliefs with the voters. What better missionary opportunity could you ask for, a highly ranked presidential candidate for the world's most powerful nation. Even if it is not the Lord's will for Romney to become our next president; it is an excellent opportunity for those around the world to hear about the church.

Bold or Bust | 10:10 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Gov Romney has no choice but to face this religion issue head-on. He has not tried to make religion a political issue in his campaign but his critics, so-called "Christians" won't let it rest. No matter what he says, few will likely be convinced enough to accept a "Mormon" in the white house, but to let the Huckabee's of the world do all the talking is an insult to the common sense and good of all Americans. Maybe Romney's religion will cost him the nomination but not confronting his critics will cost him his integrity.

Anonymous | 10:20 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

This is mostly a response to Huckabee's ads in Iowa. The media has been wanting this all year. Something new and interesting to inject into bore of presidential stumpping. This might be the best time to do this. Saying that I am worried of the possible troubles to put Mitt's church under the microscope. It has not been that loong since congress would not seat Reed Smoot because of his faith.

wannabet? | 10:34 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

The opposition against Mormons being expressed across this nation because of Mitt Romney is only the tip of the iceberg. This speech isn't going to explain Mormonism, or be a "bearing of testimony" as some might suppose. It's going to attempt to appeal to a broad-based diverse Christian audience that routinely unites against Mormons. The days of open hostility and religious bigotry are not even in full bloom yet. I predict Romney's candidacy will only serve to mobilize that hatred against the Mormons in ways that have never been imagined until now. Buckle up for a rough ride. He's bet on early success in IA, NH and SC, and if he loses the early momentum he's dead as a candidate and the whole debate over religious influence is dead instantly after that. And that, friends, is the ONLY reason he's giving the speech.

Bookaholic | 11:48 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

There a couple of reasons that Romney's religion has become an issue.

The first is that evangelicals are a big block of the Republican party and some of their churches really worried about losing members to the LDS Church through our proselyzing. So, they came up with some really virulent claims to scare their paritioners away from investigating the Church. Anti-Mormon movies and writings have weirded out a lot of people who believe the things they've been told. This has produced lots of people who are suspicious of Mormons.

The other reason is that the competition wants to take Romney out. They don't have many legitimate complaints to make, so they've tried to blow this issue into something massive, hopefully politically fatal. I've read a number of sites where comments about Mormons are so vile and virulent, it'd make your hair stand up. They make hateful anti-Mormon books look mild. I think they're Democrat sourced.

I'm glad to see Romney address this issue. For me, JFK's money quote was--"it's not about the religion I believe in, it's about the America I believe in" (paraphrased). I believe in that America, too. Mitt should use that quote in his speech. Good luck!

Manda7 | 6:18 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007

I think Mitt must have prayed and given this important decition a heap of thought. According to the article "he personally feels this moment is the right moment." I'd say he's acting on devine inspiration.

Unfair | 6:45 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Why is Romney the only candidate that needs to defend his religion? This is an embarassment for the nation. Why doesn't Huckabee need to defend his Baptist faith? This issue is a slap in the face to Romney, who is overqualied to lead this nation, and also to the Mormon church. This demonstrates that America in general are hypocrites, who claim no discrimination on race, gender, RELIGION, etc. but when push comes to shove...discrimination.

proud2bAmerican | 10:59 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Who says that Romney has to be a spokesperson for the LDS Church to clarify his dedication to God and Country?
Perhaps there are people "on the fence" who need to hear this speech before jumping on board with Mitt.

Raymond Takashi Swenson | 11:15 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007

The media have been hoping to stage an event like this speech for some time. They are unable to tell stories except from a limited file of outlines, and they feel a need to have Romney play the part of religious underdog that they have assigned him.

Previously, it would have just served to exacerbate the controversy, but now that Reverend Huckabee has told people to vote for him because he's a Southern Baptist minister, and is promoting religious division, Romney can step forward and take the opposing stance that he is asking for votes NOT due to religious affinity but because Americans have created a unique nation, where conflicts between religions are not avoided by suppressing religion, but by people believing strongly enough in their religion to have love for their neighbors and accept them even if they disagree with them on a variety of religious questions. America includes not just Evangelical Christians, but also other varieties of Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Amish, and so on, as well as Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindu, and so on. We do not have second class citizens based on religion. All are Americans, and can vote and run for office.

Darrell Wright | 2:55 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

I do not care if Romney is a Mormon but i think he would be an excellent man to clean up the corruption in Washington. If not as presedent then as vice president. Guiliani for president and Romney for VP would get my vote.

if Romney tries to defend the Mormon Church he will have too much to handle and it will sink his chances. My davice is to just talk about the Choir, the good they do and how it helps anyperson to be a better citizen to live the christian standards his church teaches. Romney did not choose the mormon church, he was born into it. He has done very well with his own life so let us get the advantage of those skills in Washington.

David K | 6:40 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Mr Romney is not campaigning to be prophet of the entire earth.He is running for President of the United States of America.

When applying for employment with a State, Federal or private corporation, you may identify your religious and ethnicity on the employment application voluntarily.

At no time in America a person applying for a job or
campaigning for public office, he or she has to explain their religious belief to anyone. I think he or her civil rights are being violated.Mr Romney
don't have to give the speach. He is a great candidate for President of the United States.

Picknchewz | 4:35 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

This should be the standard for all sides of this controversy: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of this heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
The best way to sway those under the influence of the modern-day evangelical sanhedrinists is to get them to think for themselves, to say "though ye believe not me, believe the works."
Mitt's life is a great example for anyone to emulate, that speaks louder than mere words.

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