I found the story interesting, and reasonably factual, but I had a serious problem with a quote used from the Web page of the “Rev. Brad Atkins, president of South Carolina Baptist Convention,” that read: “Romney’s Mormonism will be more a cause of concern than Gingrich’s infidelity, Christians can forgive sin, but will struggle to understand how anyone could be a Mormon and call themselves Christians.”
Perhaps I can help those who “struggle” to better understand how a practicing Mormon like Mitt Romney, and myself, believe we are Christians because I am a convert Mormon, having left Atkins faith 51 years ago. A Mormon Christian, like me, believes that Jesus is their Savior, their Redeemer and their Advocate with God the Father, and who established His Church with prophets and apostles (Eph 2:20), with priesthood authority (Matt 18:18) and then restored that Church organization, with prophets and apostles and priesthood authority in 1830 in upstate New York by a youth named Joseph Smith.
And I fully understand just how hard this doctrine may be to many who have been anchored to their family’s religious culture all their life, and who depend on seminary trained pastors for guidance.
And that is why I believe pastors like Brad Adkins are afraid of people like me, convert Mormons — afraid because, since 1960, millions have read the keystone book of the Mormon faith, the Book of Mormon, A Second Witness of Jesus Christ, and have felt its powerful biblical support that Jesus is the Christ and have, like me, converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In making this difficult transition, and it is difficult because it creates waves in their lives, mostly with those family members who don’t understand why they are leaving the family’s religious faith for such a strange and misunderstood, and often demanding new religion.
But I don’t believe Atkins’ fear that his flock will convert to Mormonism is justified. Becoming a Mormon Christian will require a total commitment of one’s life to the covenants they enter into when baptized, and few there are willing to make such total commitments.
Mormonism is a church of Christian service. Mitt Romney served a two-year mission in France, he served as a bishop (pastor) of a congregation (likely five years), and he served as a stake president over several congregations (likely nine years), all without pay. Joan and I served in lay leadership roles for many years before being called, following retirement, to serve a senior mission in Toronto Canada in 1994 and 1995, at our own expense. Our children and grandchildren have served missions and today serve in leadership roles in their local congregations.
Most local leaders of today’s more than 30,000 worldwide church congregations developed their testimonies of Christ and their leadership skills by serving one another — often on missions, without pay, and while paying a full tithe. Mormon Christians serve because they believe it is what Christ would have them do.
But before ending this column, I am duty bound to remind all of us, including evangelical Christians, that the Constitution of the United States declares in Article VI that “no religious test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or Public Trust under the United States.” I am also duty-bound to remind each of us that the First Amendment to the Constitution proclaims “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …”
Most Americans believe the America we all love is being “transformed” by the enemies of freedom today. So, instead of discussing the “Mormon factor,” while forgiving an “adulterer,” should we not be discussing which candidate has the skills, character and moral strength needed to lead America out of its economic mess.
So, is it possible for Mitt Romney to win even if he loses the Republican presidential candidacy? Yes! He will win because he is taking the “Mormon factor” out of politics — just as Kennedy took Catholicism out of the political arena in the 1960 presidential race. Thus, Romney wins, even if he loses.
Donald Conkey is a retired agricultural economist in Woodstock.
According to a 2012 Pew Forum poll of members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) 98 percent said they believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 97 percent say their church is a Christian religion. Mormons have a better understanding of Christianity than any other denomination, according to a 2010 Pew Forum poll
11 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (including several presidents) were non-Trinitarian Christians. Those who now insist on their narrow Trinitarian and salvation-only- by-grace definition of Christianity for candidates for public office are doing our Republic an injustice.
Excellent article sir. It's a pity that many commentors below have rejected out of hand all you have taken pains to say. To me, it's a genuine miracle that a church, supposedly founded by an unschooled farm boy and con man, has thrived during the last 150 years. Not only that, but continues to grow. Mormons do not threaten, all they ask is for people to read the Book of Mormon for themselves and then ask God. Instead, pastors and congregations choose to close their ears and hum loudly. :-) Then instead of reading for themselves, they pass on all manner of gossip, untruths, partial truths and outright lies because they are either afraid, or too lazy to investigate the truth. When so-called evangelical or other "christians" choose to vote for a serial adulterer, proven liar and a laundry list of other things instead of a Mormon, then they deserve what they get.....pity.
To what were you born. If you are a child of your parents they will give you every good thing.
You are a child of God, sir, and as such he is your father.... wanting to give you all he has. Whatever that is, will you reject that gift if offered?
You have but to qualify through faith and obedience to the commandments He has set.
You will find that the truth about mormonism is it is Christ centered. Check it out for yourself.
"If it were true what you think you know about the Mormons, why no one would be a Mormon."
With all due respect, no man who believes he can one day be his own 'god' equal to "God", in charge of his own planet should ever get a vote of anyone with common sense.
May all the truth about mormanism come to light. Light will show it to be far from Christian.
Mormons do not believe they will become their "own God". The God and Father of us all, will always be our God.
However, like children on earth grow up to become like their earthly parents, & do the kinds of things they do - it's only logical that children of God (Ephesians 4:6 & Hebrews 12:9)grow up to be like their Heavenly Parent and do the kinds of things He does; like create and populate worlds and other heavenly bodies (I hope you don't expect to lie around on clouds, strum harps, eat grapes, and listen to choirs throughout Eternity - just try it one weekend, how boring would that be?)
If you need scriptural witness, read (Romans 8:16&17). It clearly states we will be "joint-heirs with Christ", to whom the Father made "heir of all things" (Hebrews 1:2)
Joseph Smith was apparently a con man with a following long after he is gone and his work proven invalid.
Please read the evaluation of the Book of Abraham.
Thank you,
someone trying to enlighten people
While we revere Joseph Smith for staying the course when it would have been easier to just tuck and run when the going got rough, which was almost immediately after he announced he had had a vision, it is Jesus Christ's church, restored as His was in the beginning....with Apostles etc.
I too hope that Mitt's candidacy might help those who denigrate him and our church to maybe think twice in the future, although I am not optimistic about that happening.....but I can always hope.
We don't trust you guys because you hide behind a veil, that people un schooled in Biblical doctrine can't really see behind! And Satan allways mimics the Father so as to deceive!
Throwing that word out there is just nonsense. It is a religion.
You say Ronmney "served" - who exactly did he "serve" living in a mansion with servants? Was he there to help the poor and heal the sick as the Christ extolled his follwers? Or was he there to bring the massge that the beliefs of others are NEVER to be respected, that they be converted - even if they have to be dead to convert them? It's not service to push that message, its a subtle form of hate. Its no different than the Southern Baptist Convention spending millions of dollars each year spreading the hatred of Mormons, Catholics, Jews and Hindus by denying the validity of their beliefs and their basic humanity. You participate daily in that which you portend to decry.
You'll of course push some mumbo jumbo of how everyone needs to hear YOUR narrow message of Christianity which boils down to: "You must believe EXACTLY what I believed to be "saved." Evangelical religons are sad and pathetic. That is not the definition of Serving its the message of disrespect.
In many places this disrespect brings hatred - my own nephew was beaten up on his so-called "mission" for preaching disrespect for the belief of others. I've been subjected to that message and it is hateful.
His own mother and grandmother were denied entrance to his wedding because they were not Mormons. This is the Love of the Christ? Really? Your message is not the message of the Christ but so sadly very few who call themselves Christians have any Christianity in their hearts.
Hear the message of the Christ - Love your fellow man, feed the poor, heal the sick.
Leaving the comforts of home, going to a foreign land, learning the language is difficult. Riding a bike for transportation is a lot of work, especially dressed in a suit!
Romney nearly died in a car crash during his mission in France.
The mission home he lived in may be called a mansion, but he showed exceptional leadership ability to be chosen to take charge of his mission area. That is enormous for a young man age 19-21. And should be applauded! The schedule is very strict and the day begins at 6:30 am and ends at 10:30 pm - it is NOT easy. He served 30 months, that is 2 1/2 years, for no pay.
The mormon religion is not an off shoot of some other faith, but restored religion. The religion was announced by God to be the only true religion. Angels visited the prophet delivering messages to share with the earth. This is the pattern God follows in proclaiming his message, angels deliver it it men and they share it with the rest of the world. It is up to each of us to ask God if the message is true, he will answer you as he has me. The Book of Mormon ancient scripture and a witness of Jesus Christ. Read it and ask God. He will answer you as he has me. Please do not reject the gift.
It is too bad that your nephew's family were not able to enter the temple at his marriage, that is painful and I am sorry.
Just know he is following a difficlt path of discipleship to Christ and the temple is open to anyone who wishes to live the standard set which are strict, but good.
Too often, people judge people (or religions) by what critics say, rather than by the facts. Most people who criticize the Mormon religion have never even read The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and asked God whether it is true or not.
I have read it and asked God. I know it is true.
Just think of it. At the same time prophets in the Old World were writing about Jesus Christ; prophets here in the New World were writing about the same Jesus Christ; that he would go to the Old World, and atone for the sins of all the world and after his resurrection, visit those living here in the Americas (His visit is recorded in the Book of Mormon). These prophets were writing about Jesus, at a time when there were no newspapers, telephones, radios, ships of trade, or any other kind of communication going between the two continents.
How could the Book of Mormon prophets have known, or written, about the same Christ prophets in Jerusalem were writing about -- unless it was revealed to them by God? Since they were inspired to write it, why then, is the Book of Mormon not scripture, as much as any book of the Bible?
Another verse from John (21:25), tells us: "And there were many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormon) is the bastion of truth and priesthood authority restored to earth by the Lord, himself, through the instrumentality of the prophet, Joseph Smith. It is simply, beautifully, true.
If these things were written, shouldn't they also be scripture?