Comments about ‘Linda & Richard Eyre: The 'Mormon speech' we wish Romney would give’

That was very appropriate - you should be his domestic speech writer!

Your emphasis points out a really great aspect of our religion: investing time and effort without thought of material gain. Our service in the church is for others without thought of material gain. Our service on behalf of families is the same.

The fourth verse of the song, America the Beautiful,says, Oh beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years. We need leaders in America who are willing to see beyond their years in office, or our country is headed for ruin.

I hope he reads this a then delivers it! Well done!

His opponents would love that speech. It would turn the debate into a referendum on his faith and evangelicals - already not excited about Mitt's inconsistent record - would have more reasons to stay home.

The thought is a good one, but this speech as it stands would be seen as too much of an advertisement for Mormonism. It would ignite--or reignite--paranoia that Romney is attempting to usurp the office of the President and make it a vehicle for selling his religion. Some people are so deeply distrustful of Mormonism that a few explanations of why it is necessary to talk about the faith will not change the fact that they would come away from such a speech all the more convinced that the Romney campaign is a Mormon conspiracy.

Now I'm waiting for people to start emailing this around under the subject line, "Fwd: fwd: Did you see this great speech Romney gave??"

FYI, there is a separation of Church and State for a good reason. For Romney, or any politician to bring up their "religious" opinions, upbringing and history is completely out of line. What would most of you think if Obama gave a dissertation of the important of the Islamic culture and how it's made him a better man because of the values it's imprinted on his abilities to preside over the country? Wouldn't sit very well would it.

I live in the Bible belt and the majority of my friends are not member of the LDS Church. have several so-called "evangelical" friends who are very convinced that my church is not what I say it is, but they still love me and respect my devotion to my standards. The only reason evangelical Christians would be distrusting of Mitt's Mormonism is they don't have a friend who is a member of the church or they have a Mormon friend who doesn't live up to their beliefs. We, as members, need to reach out and have friend outside the circled wagons. Stop making your Ward your only set of friends. This need is NOT just for the sake of missionary work or to help alleviate misgivings about voting for Mitt---it is to benefit US. I've learned so much and been so blessed by my friends. We've had such a great time together. I love working with them in booster clubs, PTA's, Scouts, etc. Make some new friends with a different perspective than your own, then maybe we can alleviate some of the misery in this world caused by all this misunderstanding.

I don't think this would be a good speech because he'd have to be held to what he is outlining. In other words would his policies be family friendly for more well to do citizens but hurt middle class citizens? Would his immigration policies help children of illegal immigrants? Would talking about Jesus Christ and his testimony be appropriate considering how many in this country do not believe in Jesus Christ or the constitutional amendment prohibiting the establishment of a state religion?

While I'm excited that we have an LDS presidential candidate in Mitt Romney, I want someone who will represent all citizens not just the privileged few or the believing or those interested in business. I do not want a president that will ease the burdens on the rich or on business and just place those burdens on to someone else. Finally I want a president who follows the rules instead of changing them to help himself.

If Romney gave that exact speech, it would dash all hope for him to win the White House.

I don't want a politician telling the world what I believe.

The speech says, "It is not appropriate for me to speak or on behalf of the church"..."But today, I would like to point out a couple of aspects of my church."

From then on, Romney should not speak for Mormons, but only for what he believes. So, change all of the "we", "our" "Mormons literally believe..." to "I", "my", "I literally believe...".

Then I think you have it.

These comments are not directed to the authors of this article, they are merely and boldly directed to "progressive, open-minded" intellects that just don't get it.

This is not about Brother Romney's faith. Brother Romney is not claiming to be deity like someone else we have had to deal with for the last four years.

It really never ceases to amaze me how the self proclaimed, "educated", progressive, unifying, open-minded media is so obsessively fixated on what Mr. Romney "should" say about his Faith.

Mormon is and was a great, patriotic man/Prophet, who, you would think, open minded progressive intellects would want to study and learn from. Very few men in history are or have been as great and God-loving as the Book of Mormon prophet Mormon.

The true question or proposition that should be brought forth is, are the intellects who write such weak and presumptuous articles progressive enough to study it out in their own minds?, why are you so afraid? Take it from me you have nothing to lose and eternal happiness to gain; you may even get the chance to "interview” the prophet Mormon face to face.

I am excited to see a LDS candidate running for the presidency. However, I will not be voting for him as his politics and mine are miles apart. I have 2 complaints with respect to this article. First, there seems to be the underlying accepted belief that only a LDS candidate is acceptable to a member of the LDS church. I firmly believe the Republicans and the religious right do not have the corner on the Gospel. Secondly, what about the separation of church and state principle that has been such an important part of our legal and social structures. It seems like that idea is OK when it's a faith other than ours, but we don't need to be concerned about it when it involves our faith?

This hypothetical speech, as its authors call it, is a harmless Mormon fantasy. But the last thing the American people want to hear from a Presidential candidate who is failing to get his message across is to suddenly hear him using the pulpit to explain Mormon theology. So far, Romney has handled the loaded religion issue very smartly. It's one of the few things he's actually done right.

I would like to hear from his own lips WHY the US Constitution is fundamental to guaranteeing the 'rights and protection of all flesh' (D&C 101:77-80).

According to his understanding of that principle, I would be better able to determine his qualifications for the Office of President, and...how well he comprehends the basic tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ taught in the latter-day Church.

He doesn't need to say anything about his faith.

He needs to let his actions speak for themselves.

He needs to clearly outline his policies for getting the government out of the way of over-regulating businesses.

He needs to stress the importance of individual responsibility and accountability and to state with passion that it is the individual that determines outcomes.

People already know Mitt is a Mormon. People want to see what he has president of the USA will do to get the country back on track to prosperity, liberty and tear down the walls to the pursuit of happiness.

Mitt has done enough to explain his religion. He now has to move on to the business of what matters most to the voters and that is how will his policies get this nation back to growth and a reigning in of an over intrusive federal government and to reverse the trend towards dependence on someone else to take care of the individual.

He will win, but if he defines himself first as a Mormon, then we will see 4 more years of BHO.

"It is not appropriate for me to speak for or on behalf of the church"

Why is that.

Isn't Mr Romney as well versed as anyone about the practices and beliefs of his church?

Mr Romney was a Missionary, a Bishop and a Stake President. I would think that he knows about everything there is to know about official doctrine and church position and policies.

We see Bishops, priests and clergy from various other religions interviewed all the time.

Why is it inappropriate in the LDS church? And who would it be appropriate for?

From Thinkman: "He needs to clearly outline his policies for getting the government out of the way of over-regulating businesses."

So far, Thinkman, Romney hasn’t clearly outlined his policies on anything. Neither has Obama which leaves a void that one would think Romney would seize upon and rush in to offer himself as the only candidate of substance in this race. That he’s content to bank on vague generalities and voter discontent with Obama to carry him to victory defies reason and logic.

If he gave the speech on his religion that some in here would like to see him give, it would make Mormonism the one issue on which he’s willing to offer substance. That would leave half of most of the country scratching its head and asking, ‘where on earth did the Republican party ever find this guy?

RE: I would like people to know that most of Mormonism is very much like most other Christian churches,??
A few differences between Mormonism and Christianity:
1. Christian Churches: Do not deify man. Say that man may become god ,he only needs to progress.
2. Christians(Catholic, Protestants, Orthodox, Salvation Army church )believe there is only one God eternally ,The Triune God. . They do not Humanize God.
3. Christians do not minimize sin. Man’s very nature is separated from God versus specific acts and hell is redefined.
4. Christians do not ostracize Scripture, add to it or claim that there is error in God’s word, with continual change.
5. Christians believe Jesus is God the son, not A son of God or exalted man.
6. A Modern day prophet. Founded by a man, followed by others who claims to be the true spokesman, accountable to no one but God.
7. The only true church, Their group is the only true way to perfection. Deny the spiritual union of believers.
8. Secrets, closed to the outside, no communion with others in the Christian body, all others are outsiders finances not public.

While I appreciate Governor Romney's family and faith, I think he and all Mormons would be better off if he simply doesn't bring it up. At this point everyone knows he is a member of the Church, and highlighting it in a speech is unlikely to garner any brownie points politically. Instead, he should demonstrate his faith through his actions and words, rather than by using it as an advertisement. If someone asks, then by all means explain to them what they need to know.

While I do not doubt his good intentions, politics and religion make strange bedfellows, and I fear that should he, as a man and leader, make an all-to-human error or grave mistake in judgment, it might carry over into the perception of the Church and its members by non-members.

Religion has its place in our daily lives, but we must be careful to not appear to be using our beliefs to force others into doing anything that might be contrary to their free agency. Hopefully, as other experience the light, they will recognize and embrace it for themselves.

Great thoughts. He should add one more comment though related to the lay ministry. "When I am elected I will not be serving in a lay ministry capacity during my service as president. My duties to the people of the United States will require devotion of all my time and energy."