Bridges for sale!, the story about the gold plates has nothing to do with money.  Native americans had gold...lots of it.  The people in the Book of Mormon used it to record their history, of course God doesn't need gold.  The attention-getter is the story about Christ visiting the American continent after he died.  

As for Romney, I think he's a smart, politician with good values (statements that usually don't go together).  You could use that phrase with Barak Obama as well.  I actually like both candidates, but neither will probably win their party's nomination, so I'll end up voting for a 3rd party candidate because I can't stand Giuliani or Clinton.  If they both did win, that would be a tough call.

A very small percentage of Iowa is Mormon, less than 1 percent.
Jon, Rockford, IL


Same amount that are black.  And Iowa is full of bigots, so neither Romney or Obama have a chance.

Wow, I am amazed at the hatred some folks have towards Mormons, or Latter-day Saints as they call themselves.  I have known many Mormons through the years and while they are not perfect, I find them to be more Christian than most "God fearing Christians" of other churches.  That said, I will probably vote for Giuliani because I believe he has a better chance of beating Clinton, I have much respect for Romney.  A Republican Governor in Massachusetts?  He must have some appeal to Democrats.  Giuliani is more main stream and is someone with whom most people can relate, even if he is a Yankee.  And Ron Paul, as a Texan, I would NEVER vote for him for President, Govenor, or Dog Catcher!

After several months of painfully sitting back while ignorant bloggers post bigoted (utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own - Dictionary.com) comments about Mr. Romney, and more specifically his religion, I have chosen to join the discussion.

Concerning Mr. Romney, he is a highly respectable individual who has accomplished more good in his life than people give him credit for. The sad fact is that people (yes, Americans too) don't espouse values like they used to (2 Timothy 3:1-5). They aren't so concerned with preserving the sanctity of human life and the family as they are with the right to view pornography. So no matter how good Mr. Romney is, I don't expect him to win until America remembers what makes it free. People's criticism of him are unfounded, always turning to his "religious cult." He is a man of faith, values, optimism, courage, kindliness, etc. He doesn't drink alcohol, use foul language, or endulge in adulterous activities (Matt. 5:28).

I periodically insert Biblical references to underscore that he is as much a Christian as most anyone you'll meet.

Now, concerning the "Mormon" religion. For those of you who profess to follow the Bible, but call the Mormon church a "cult", I'll remind you of Paul's word's on Mars' hill, "Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein...(Acts 17:23-24)"

The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (the church's real name) is the true Church of Jesus Christ, as it was in ancient days, restored in these latter-days. I will not speak on behalf of the church, but will gladly refer you to www.mormon.org (where you can view The Church's specific beliefs) and to www.lds.org (The Church's official site).

While Mr. Romney has hitherto refrained from making statements on religion, I think that he would like to encourage you to view the church's latest general conference proceedings to see what church leaders are teaching. You can either read, listen to, or view these proceedings at http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-775,00.html

Thank you for reading this long posting and trying to understand the truth. For America's sake, Go Mitt!

If you have specific LDS Church questions that are not covered at the church's official website, you can interact with LDS missionaries via a chat feature at mormon.org. Or you can email me at ldsmarc@gmail.com (I'll do my best to share "Marc's understanding" of the principle in question).

those who would denegrate Mormons for their beliefs will in the same breath talk about a dead man coming back from the dead.  I like Huckabee and Mitt.  Mitt, however, will be a frugal President. I think we need a frugal leader.  

Bridge-get your facts right if you're going to make silly statements!  Many of the biblical texts were written on brass or gold plates as well!

Mitt Romney has been married once in his entire life, he may be mormon but not a polygamist. How about giulliani with his divorces I'll call that polygamy before branding Romney just because he is a mormon.

Stone worked out for Moses because he only had 10 things to say at the time. I'd like to see you write an entire book on a rock and then pick it up and move it. (Maybe you work out?)

As for voting for people based on their religion, I want to know what their religion has to do with how well the will perform the duties of their office. One interesting thing about the Mormons is that they preach very strictly about the separation of church and state. Mitt has already announced that there will  be no more Mormons in his administration than the average percent population. I don't have any reason to doubt him (he knows people will be watching.)
So if he isn't going to be taking orders from the leader of the Mormon church, and isn't going to try to surround himself with other Mormons, then you end up with a guy who knows how to fix problems, and who happens to go to a different church than you. If YOU can't be at least somewhat tolerant of people who have different beliefs, then I'm glad that YOU aren't running for president.
I would be more than happy to vote for a candidate of any religion that has a strong history of not meddling in government affairs like the Mormon church.
I happen to consider myself an issue-based 'swing voter.' I don't even know if I'll vote Democrat or Republican this time around. But so far, Mitt appears to be the best of the Republican candidates.
I guess we'll have to wait and see who is still visible after the mud-slinging stops.

Based on the comments below, there are obviously a lot of people who are misinformed about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a.k.a. the "mormons"). The church is not a cult, and it teaches its members a lot of valuable, core christian values.  If you really want to know what the church stands for and believes in, educate yourself and go to the source just like you should do with any of the presidential candidates! I wouldn't go to Hillary Clinton to ask what Mitt Romney stands for, so why would I base my understanding of the mormon church on information that doesn't come from the source?  A great resource the church has put together is http://www.mormon.org

Have a great day!

I'm tired of all the bigotry against Mormons.  Focus on what Mitt's philosophy and his stance on the issues.  He has repeatedly said he is a person running for President who happens to be Mormon.  Not a Mormon running for president.  Oh, and all the polygamist were old the first time around.  Be constructive or shut your pie hole.  

ALL religions are the root of ALL evil! I must make up a new one, my little images are getting soooooooo picky.

Romney for President he looks like it.

this is a political forum and should remain political.  Take the religion discussion somewhere else.  Why is it that religion seems to not be an issue with any other candidate? Look at MR. Romney as a politician and then make your vote.  What he does in his personal life is nobody's business.  Do you know what religion Clinton was?  Even if you do... did he even participate or practice his beliefs?  And where did that get him.  At least Mitt believes and practices his Christian Beliefs.

Pat, don't post if you are ignorant of the facts.  Mitt has one wife, and has only ever had one wife.  Can't say the same for many. A better example of a "family" man than any candidate out there.  If you can't keep a family together, how do you expect to keep a country together?

Pretty boy Romeny who's only reason he is running is because of his looks is up to his dirty tricks by expanding his lead.  Mitt Ronmey would looks like a guy who is the President in the movies. I will bet on some money right now that Mitt Romney has some sexual secerets about his private life that he doesn't want the people to know about.  If it is true another hyopcrite or what I call them "HYPOCRATS" are doing.

As a moderate, a democrat,and a mormon, I find such Bigotry and hatred shocking.  Mitt has some fantstic leadership qualities proven in his business dealings and olympics, church callings etc.  I would be a major fan except he is incredibly weak on the environment and climate change-- too bad really.

Edwards for Change '08

An honest assesment from a partisan Democrat:

John McCain would be the most formidable canidiate on the Republican side in the general election, and would be a good president that would be able to reach across the aisle to the large Democratic majorities that will be present in 2009.  That McCain is being treated like a leper in his own party is evidence of the radical shift to the right of the party of Lincoln.
Romney would be the next best candidate in the general election for the Republicans.  He has serious issues with credibility and authenticity however.  If Hillary is our candidate, Romney's weakness on these issues will be muted.  However, if Obama pulls an upset and wins the nominbation he will beat Romney or any other Republican like a rented mule. McCain remains the exception to that rule.  He would match up well against Obama on many issues. McCain's liabilities of cozying up to George W. Bush will haunt him and he is tied to his support of the surge in Iraq,  an effort that is 75,000 soldiers too few and four years to late.

Mitt Romney is the best candidate to lead our country at this time.  He has shown his ability to turn around companies, organizations, government, etc.  He's talented, an optimist, enthusiastic, and has the ability to get the job done.  He has the backing of some great indivduals in the Evangelical, Economic, Governmental, and other communities.  Let's unite and elect our next AMERICAN PRESIDENT, Willard Mitt Romney!

I'm sorry if I offend anyone with this statement but I would never vote for a mormon canidate no matter what is veiws on the issues are.  I was engaged to a mormon for 2 years and see what The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is like, being from another religion myself, honestly scared me.  I'm afraid that a mormon president would try to impose mormon values on the country as a whole, without giving the people a choice. Just like the elders that show up on your doorstep and won't shut up even after you tell them your not interested.  We have seperation of church and state for a reason and in my opinion any mormon canidate would put that and the rest of the constitution in jepeordy more than the Bush administration already has.

It sure seems odd to me that people accuse Mitt of being a "flip flopper" for changing his mind once on any issue while at the same time cursing Bush for stubbornly refusing to do so. I don't expect perfection from politicians; I do expect judgment to triumph over bull-headedness. I'm not a big Mitt fan. From our Olympics experience, I got the feeling he was an elitist snob. But then again, should we expect any less from a high profile figure in Mass?
Would he be a good president? Probably so. Would he take his marching orders from Salt Lake City? Of course not! People will be watching anxiously for the first occurrence of that to jump up and down and have nose-bleeds. We've already seen how much vitriol the ignorant can spew.  Will I vote for him? That remains to be seen.

In my nearly 25 years as a moderate Conservative in NY, I have NEVER voted for a Democrat.  Not once! If you know anything about NY, compiling such a voting record is nearly impossible.  However, if Romney wins the GOP nod, I will vote for whoever the Dems nominate, be it Hillary, Edwards or Obama.  I detest phonies and Romney is in the elitist, ultra slick phony.  When you add to that his Mormon faith, which is perhaps even less credible than Scientology, you have a guy I won't vote for, under any circumtances!

I hope others who usually vote Republican will see through this guy's fake veneer and elect ANYONE else!

To Ashley: are you sure that your not just bitter about a relationship gone bad? If you didn't know, the LDS believe that the constitution is inspired of God as well as the founding of this great country. They're taught to be patriots and to obey the laws of any country in which they reside. Mitt has been taught this as well. The LDS Leaders have never told any of it's membership how to vote. They would never try to influence Mitt. It would go against many of their core beliefs.

To Mike: Where did your knowledge of the "Mormons" come from? Anti-LDS literature? Why don't you ask someone who knows or atleast do some real research.

Isn't it funny that all of those that are displaying anti-LDS attitudes are the same people who would be outraged if their own religion was under attack? They probably find the fact that the LDS church membership was persecuted and driven from state to state in it's early existance an alright thing.

stopbigots.com

Don't chase away the only solid block of GOP voters!

My name is Monalisa Puaina and yet also a memeber of the church.I don't know why everyone is talking about the church.You guys are suppose to vote for him and if you guys don't want too, than it doesn't mean you guys have to talk about the church.Romney Mitts can be a president,he is born there,so he has the right.For all you haters may god bless you.I want to share with all of you my testimony that the church of"Jesus Christ Of latter-Day Saint is the true church,and i know that Romney Mitts also belive so.Don't say anything bad about the church you have not been to or visit our church.....VOTE FOR ROMNEY MITTS....

Fake Christians you obviously don't even know what mormons are then. That is very ignorant of you to say that they arn't christians. Maybe you should do real research on him and get true facts about the religion and you would know christ is the center or it. And also about multiple wives really do some research because that isn't even allowed in the religion. You people who say stuff like that are so ignorant to the truth that you are willing to believe false statements by anyone on the streets!!! Also not only mormons are voting for him and not all mormons are voting for him. Before you judge why don't you learn what he is really about

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