This Mormon Guy who's running for President?

Question

How worried should I be?

Where do Mormons stand on:

- Evolution/creation in schools
- Other people doing things Mormons shouldn't (like drinking etc)
- Seperation of Church and State
- USA's "role in the world"

Answer 1

Well, only be worried if you hate families and want to see them destroyed.

We like science. We teach science in schools.

We don't walk around to bars and stuff actively shutting them down. We believe that man is free to choose what actions he takes in his life, whether we agree with them or not. So I'm not going to stop you from chugging that beer.

We believe in separation of Church and State. We do not believe that religion should enter into politics.

As for USA's role in the world...well, if you know anything about the Mormons, they donate generously to victims of disaster and try to alleviate suffering wherever they can. Millions of dollars and lots of food and stuff was sent to the Tsunami victims, the Bishops Store Houses (this is where we keep food for the poor) were opened to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and on and on. In my congregation, we have women who crochet bandages for lepers to be sent to the third world countries.

We don't like war as a rule, but we believe in liberty. We believe that freedom is a gift from God and we choose to defend it. We would rather be peaceful, but we will be patriotic.

The Mormon running for president is not going to take away your lifestyle. He is not going to advocate for beer, but he's not going to prevent it either.

Answer 2

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints does not take an official stand in political matters other than to incourage people to exercise their right to vote.
We do however believe we should obey the laws of the land, so as long as there is a Seperation of Church and State, we will obey it.
Also, we believe that we should not even try to have control over someone else and their choices (except young children Example: Don't touch a hot stove, or Don't run into the street, and other things that you do to protect your kids from harm). We call trying to control someone else's actions "unrighteous dominion".
We believe that the United States of America is the best country in the world, because we have so much. And that because we have so much we should make a concerted effort to share with those in need (for example the Church donates millions of dollars in humanitarian aid each year and the funds to do so come from members of the Church). So I guess you could say we take the stance that we as individuals should help those in need. Does that translate into some foreign relations policy? I don't know, but I don't think so.
Hopefully I've pointed out that it is individual Mormons who have taken a stance on certain issues and not the Church itself. So while I also agree with many concerning various social issues, there are some with which I disagree with. That doesn't make me any more or less a Mormon, because political issues are not discussed "from the pulpit".
If someone in or out of our faith chooses to drink alcohol, that's their decision. I don't have the right to legistlate away that persons rights. It's their choice.
Just about the only things that the Church has said that could be construed as a statement on political issues are: 1. Marriage should only be between a man and a woman, 2. a statement concerning that while it is the woman's right to choose, there are other alternatives like adoption when it comes to deciding whether or not to have an abortion. To that end, LDS Social Services was created which in part is a pro-adoption resource.

I wouldn't be too concerned. I thought he answered the religion question pretty well on George Stephnopolis's show on Sunday.

Answer 3

I wouldn't be too worried. Mormons respect all people regardless of their beliefs or practices. On the issues:

They obviously believe in creationism (because they believe in the Bible), but they don't or haven't outwardly taken a stance on the education issue. I grew up in Utah and only remember learning about evolution; creationism wasn't mentioned in school. There have been legislatures in the state of Utah that have tried to get schools to mention that evolution has it's critics and there are other theories such as ... but it didn't pass. This is because they do favor a Seperation of Church and State, to a pretty strict degree. Of course, the legislature in Utah is very Mormon, so their ideals and morals do come across, but it isn't at the urging of the actual Church.

As I said, Mormons don't want to impose their own moral standards on others, at least not in a doctrinal sense. They don't have a problem with someone choosing to drink or smoke or whatever, that is their choice. They encourage their members to stay away from these things, and I'm sure many of their members are advocates for smoking bans, etc., but so are many non-Mormons. Let me just say, in Utah, land of Mormons, you can pretty much do anything you want, literally.

As to USA's role in the world: As I said, they are out of politics, and that's a political issue. As far as the Church, they beleive in looking out for the sick and afflicted, the needy, etc., and they have a very large service and welfare program that helps those in the US and those outside. Their welfare system was lauded by the U.N. as a model system; it requires accountability. The Church understands the world is shrinking, and that our actions may affect those abroad. They believe we have a responsibility to all people, but that all things begin in the home.

The best way to sum it up is that they really don't get involved in politics, even though they've take a stand on a couple issues. They leave it up to their members to be educated and make decisions based on their own values, etc.

My two cents: Romney appears to be a good guy, and someone's religion shouldn't be a factor, at least not the religion alone, but only the affect the religion has on a person, like their values, etc. I've often voted Democrat, but I look at each individual and don't vote by party. I'm anxious for the campaigning to begin!

Answer 4

Is he a Mormon or a Latter Day Saint? There is a definite difference between the two on several levels. Other than multiple marriages I know little of the Mormons. However I've studied both with and about The Latter Day Saints with some frequency and am NOT a member of that or any other Church.

Evolution/Creation : they encompass and meld together both with ease and without conflict.
Tolerance of Others is a high priority of the Church. They too wish to be tolerated.
Separation of Church and State: This phrase is not part of the Bill of Rights nor the Constitution and never has been. You might want to refrain from using this "catch phrase" as so many others do.
USA role: To provide leadership where wanted, guidance where needed and protection where necessary
Abortion/Adoption: what a woman does is between her, the doctor and God. Enough said.
I'm hoping this resolves your questions. His personal views and values may differ from the general population of Latter Day Saints.

Answer 5

I have no fear in voting for a Mormon, and don't see why this is a big issue. He is not from the branch of Mormons that is for polygamy. He's probably pro-life and against gay marriage, which as a Christian, is fine with me. What you have to realize is, not matter how weird his thoughts, he can always be overrided with a 2/3 vote...

Answer 6

ive heard he doesnt have a chance!
people would probably vote For Hillary before they vote for a mormon.
i think you will find that mormons believe in submitting to the laws of the land, therefore separation of church and state are practiced highly.
I also think mormons let people who want to drink that they will let them drink, but You wont be able to join the church or be baptized until you repent.
Joseph Smith Exalted the constitution as a divine manuscript, inspired of God, (jesus).
as for evolution and creation, mormons are creationists
I dont know if any mormon believes in evolution per se.

My personal opinion in the education system is that Relgion classes should be elective classes in high school but most mormon young adults attend a "private" Seminary either before school or in a separate building off school grounds.

Answer 7

You're not voting for every Mormon, just Romney.

People tried to say Kennedy owed his obedience to the Pope because of his Catholicism, and I think the Kennedys have well-proven they do not care what church teaching is.

Answer 8

If a Mormon gets elected President I will pay for you to move wherever you like.My Golden Retriever has a better chance of learning Spanish.

Answer 9

You should be concerned with whether the person is qualified to run the country. Religion is low on my priority list. I want to know where a candidate stands on the War, health care reform, abortion, etc...
Is the candidate actually willing to put in the required work for the job.

Answer 10

evolution should not be taught as fact or the only theory in schools... that would not be excluding religon form the classroom, that would be substituting one religion for another

sepration of church as state does not mean seperation of state form accountabilty to God... in fact the constitution did not use that language and used the establishment clause instead

as far as Mormonism specifics... Mormonism has allot of eccentrisities and I would not agree with its fundamentals anyhow