Deseret News | Election sparks spirited debate about Mormonism

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Election sparks spirited debate about Mormonism

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JCNY | 1:00 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

Politics is a worldly manner in which worldly people debate over worldly issues. I for one donï¿½t want Romney to win. He will (and already is) being pigeon holed and looked at upon by people who arenï¿½t knowledgably of the "Mormon" faith. President Hinckley is the only authorized "voice" to forcefully move the church forward into popular culture or for clarification. Mitt is a man, a man that is involved in politics, it is very hard for me to accept the fact that anybody involved in any form of polios to have not involved themselves directly or indirectly with a corrupt force. And this is completely irrelevant to his faith, that's for his him and his beliefs to battle out, and unfortunately the public doesnï¿½t want details they want headlines and clip art. And, to the matter of everyone speaking up...PLEASE Don't. The LDS church really needs to invest in some Public Relations professionals, many people feel they are doing their religion good by defending it whole heartedly but often end up digging the ditch deeper.

under reported | 1:09 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

Make that catholic figure 1.07 billion at year-end 2002.
Sorry about the under-reporting.
But number-crunching is not a big deal with Catholics.

Mark | 1:40 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

Oh please stop that LDS moaning that you are persecuted. You are the ones that disrespect other faiths by saying that we are an abomination.

Comments continue below

To Lots of Luck | 2:15 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

Yea, 80 million or so catholics, but how many ACTIVE? I know a priest (and I'm LDS who was once engaged to him before he decided to become a priest), who complains quite often how empty his pews are - except on Christmas and Easter. I did a rough count at sacrament meeting yesterday, and our pews (except the front row) were full. In fact, they had to open the overflow again. My friend wishes he could get that kind of dedication.

clarity | 3:27 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

the LDS church does not preach that all other churches and religions are false. We beleive that we are the one 100% true church. I am a teenage LDS church member. i have not made the right decisions in my life and the repurcussions of those decisions could have ruined my life for eternity. in my weakest hour with nowhere else to turn i knelt down and prayed to my heavenly father and although i did not believe the church was true i took a leap of faith and submitted myself to the teachings of the church. Christ as my savior i am on the path to forgiveness and have never felt more joy in my life. now i seem to be "lucky" but i beleive that luck is a blessing given from our heavenly father when we are doing what is right. all it takes is a leap of faith and true investigation to find that this is the true church. I would NEVER criticize someone elses religion. Anything that brings you unto Christ is a wonderful thing. and the only thing we can do to bring you to our church is share our testimony of Christ with you.

killing 3 hrs each week | 3:31 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

I think Mormons are jealous of Catholics because what Mormons do in 3 hours every Sunday, Catholics can accomplish in 45 minutes.
Less is more.
I thought EVERYBODY knew that!

Sorry, "Clarity" - you're wrong | 3:57 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

In Godï¿½s supposed revelation to Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ told him to join no other church for "they were all wrong . . . their creeds were an abomination . . . those professors [members] were all corrupt" (The Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History ï¿½1:19). Mormons teach that after the New Testament all churches became heretical and no true saints existed until the "Church of the Latter-day Saints" was organized, hence their name. Non-Mormons are thus called "Gentiles." The new revelations given to Smith, the institution of the prophet and apostles in the church, the restoration of the divine priesthoods, and the temple ceremonies make the church authentic. True and full salvation or exaltation is found only in the LDS Church. Biblical Response: The true church of Jesus Christ has had an ongoing presence and witness in the world since Pentecost. Jesus Christ promised that His church, true baptized and regenerate believers, would not fail (Matt. 16:17ï¿½ 18). The marks of a true church include faithfulness to the teaching of the first apostles (Acts 2:42)ï¿½not the creation of new doctrines.

Yeah..... | 3:59 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

I haven't ever checked out the Cathlolic Church. Some of these posts sparks my interest. Thanks!

Anonymous | 4:15 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not at all -- true teaching form original apostles - yet only mormons practice baptisms on behalf of the dead - this is one of dozens of examples

Amos - thats in the old testement for all you christians spoke of the time when Christs church would not be found upon the earth due to the great apostasy

Jesus Is Lord | 4:29 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

I believe our country was founded on christian beliefs and our founding forefathers came here to escape the tyranny of Rome. I cannot say that a majority of our country wants to see a christian president because I think our country is no longer a christian majority. Since the founding of this nation, we have seen so many false religions come into existence. They all basically have the same claim that they are the only true church and that all other churches are wrong. Since they can't all be right, how are we to find truth. I know some say they have the truth because it was given to a 14 year old boy back around the year 1820. If I were to tell you that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to me last night and told me that all the churches today are still wrong and an abomination in His sight, would you believe me? Of course not...and for good reason! I thank God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the truth found only in
the Scriptures. And by the way, I believe that the 1611 KJV is "The Most Correct Book Ever Written"!

Baptisms for dead | 4:41 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

Are not necessary. This is because a loving God would not require all people to think the same way. There was an ancient ritual of this, but not for very many. The current day ritual for this (in a temple which IS NOT like the temples of old....check out the specifics of what these temples were like) can never baptize everyone since everyone did not even have records (not to mention the billions in numbers). This is a hurtful, and ridiculous belief for people everywhere who have family they knew or would have loved to know in their own religions. The Jews have already rebelled against this practice and many more people will too.

Jimmy | 5:01 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

It's funny how religion and politics, possible the two things that spark the most controversy contention and hatred between people is the focus of the 2008 elections. It really shows the lack of intelligence on the part of voters when people start making their voting decisions based on race, gender, or religion. Nobody who has the capacity to actually think should vote for someone based on those criteria. Would I vote for Hillary Clinton, no. Not because she is a woman, there are plenty of women I would vote for (including Oprah Winfrey even though I don't like a lot of her views, but I think she would be good at the job). Would I vote for Romney based on my belief in the LDS faith? Not at all, in fact he's my number 2 choice right now based on his position on the issues, but my non-LDS father is supporting Romney. Religion shouldn't be a factor and if it is maybe there is no hope for the world.

Told by our Bishop? | 5:43 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

Roy Roberts | 3:22 a.m. Dec. 16, 2007
"We see anti-Mormon articles in our local news papers almost every week, here in Alabama. We have been told by our Bishop to not respond to these articles. I wished that we could get get the real truth printed.I have been concerned about this but what can I do?"

This is exactly why non-Mormons don't trust Mormons. The Bishop speaks and the Mormon obeys.

get real | 7:40 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

You continue to not understand the debate of why you ask Mitt if he follows his church. It is simple, the LDS church was Racist until 1979. We do not need more hate in this country, so I think the concern is valid.

Illinois Cougar | 7:41 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

Told by our Bishop?- Boy, that was a great one liner. Man, I bet lots of people up and quit the church because of that comment!

Actually bishops, like thier renumerated counterparts often give counsel from the pulpit. Like most faithful members of any congregation, they have respect for thier ecclesiastic (Big word for clergy)leader. I dare anyone to identify a Brainwashed Mormon. Generally speaking, we are a fairly independant lot, who can think on our own.

Oregon Mormon | 7:57 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

I have been very interested in the media frenzy over the church membership of Mitt Romney. At first I was very disturbed by the rantings of Lawrence O'Donnell on PBS. Then I thought that the comment by Joseph Smith very appropriate, it was the "Braying of a jackass'! For all the negative comments I have only one thing to say - "Fools mock, but they shall mourn".

Buster | 8:22 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007

All you LDS zealots need to realize that religion, the belief in god and the zomby montra "I Know This Church is True" (see insecurity) is the root of the problem. Conflict over religous beliefs has consistently led to murder and mayhem throughout the worlds history. Atheism is much better. We don't recruit, put down or attack others who don't believe as we do. You should try it. Why do you live your life trying to please a fabrication, a myth? Do you need the false promise of a better life to live a good life now? What would Jesus do? You might as well reference Scooby Doo.

why the incessant repetition? | 5:50 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

It seems to me if Mormons really believe their church is "true" they would not have to spend so much inordinate time telling themselves it is.
At an LDS meeting I once attended, I noticed that this message (I guess they call it their testimony) has to repeated and repeated and repeated until I thought I was in a hypnotic trance.
Auto-suggestion is the term, I believe.

Team Player | 7:56 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

All you anti-LDS zealots need to calm down and let other people believe and live how they want to.

indifferent | 9:41 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

The sad wretch (team player) is typically stuck on anti-LDS rhetoric (this is how he's indoctrinated).
If only these types knew how sorrowful non-LDS people feel for Mormons.

Unity | 6:33 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

You know what most faiths besides Mormons teach that all other faiths will condemn them, on the bright side mormons believe all churches have good in them what more can you ask for than that? Mormonism is unity.

Anonymous | 11:37 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Message to Buster:
So you Atheists don't "put down" others who don't believe as you do. Did you actually read your post or did you just spew out a bunch of nonsense while intoxicated? Apparently, according to the doctrine of Buster the Atheist, hating a Mormon is OK, it's just "putting down" others (i.e. Atheists) that is so outrageously unthinkable. Sounds like someone is pouting because they weren't acknowledged in President Romney's speech. And by the way, I do KNOW that this Church is True. Sorry that bothers you, but last time I checked this is still a free country. For you that means you don't have to be a Mormon. You should be happy we live in America. But I champion your right to be an Atheist, as would any member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

What more can I ask? | 9:56 a.m. Dec. 19, 2007

I can ask for a world where everyone will one day respect everybody for their various beliefs; where they realize that although many people can be different than them; they are equal in respect and importance. I am an optimist that it can happen someday.

what were they thinking? | 11:55 a.m. Dec. 19, 2007

People are getting farther and farther apart rather than coming together.
Have Mormons ever considered how "Gentiles" will feel after they learn Mormons view their religion as bogus?

Huckabee lied | 9:36 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Every Baptist preacher whith a degree has taken one or more "Comparitive Religion" courses, and part of every one of those courses, if taken at an evangelical instiution, includes indocrination on "Cults".
So when Huckabee says he does not know much about the LDS faith, and that it was an innocent, sincere, question, Mr. Huckabee is not telling the truth.
His knowledge of LDS doctrine may be from a different perspective, but he knew exactly what he was saying and what it's implications were.

a lie? | 9:53 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

With all due respect, I don't think pointing out the LDS belief that Jesus and Satan were brothers is a lie.

Huckabee lied | 1:17 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

"With all due respect, I don't think pointing out the LDS belief that Jesus and Satan were brothers is a lie."

Well, I guess you could call it a distortion. What was a bald-faced lie was his statement that he "didn't know much about Mormons", and that his question was an honest, sincere, inquiry. He may only know the Baptist line about the LDS church, but you may be assured that he has read the chapter, done the assignment, and taken the test. For him to claim otherwise is, to use today's vernacular, "disengenuous". That's a fancy word that means he lied.

Anonymous | 2:05 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Perhaps YOU could call it "a distortion" or anything else that you'd like, "Huckabee lied."

The fact remains that odd-beliefs like Jesus and Beezelbub being brothers, will continue to surface more than ever before, so you better learn to live with it rather than suggest somebody is lieing all the time.

Think of it as proselytizing and you might feel better.

keepin' 'em honest | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Don't you just love the Internet!
If somebody says somebody was lying about something
ie., Jesus and Satan being related, Blood Atonement doctrine, Urim and Thummim, that sort of thing - all you have to do is do a quick, easy google search and voila!

Huckabee lied | 5:03 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

You miss my point completely. Whether his interpretation of this doctrine is correct, distorted, or whatever, for him to state that he is not well informed about the beliefs of the LDS church and was merely asking an innocent question is deceptive on it's face.
According to his Bio: "He graduated magna cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University, completing his bachelors degree in Religion in 2ï¿½ years".
A degree in Religion at a Baptist school means he had to study "New Religions", including LDS.
His "question" was not an honest inquiry, it was a political molotov cocktail.

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Election sparks spirited debate about Mormonism