Review: An Unmitigated Hatchet Job
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 10 5, 2012
Mitt Romney and the Mormon Church: Questions- KindleThis book was disgusting to read. I am an adult convert to the LDS (Mormon) Church. I have a Ph.D. and a tested IQ of over 170. I studied the Church intensely and extensively before I became a member. This book deliberately lies, quotes out of context, misquotes, and quotes people who have broken their sworn word in order to "prove" that Mitt Romney will keep Temple promises in order to bring the entire United States under the law of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The author is obviously unaware that one of the Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith and never tampered with by anyone, says, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." In other words, nothing that anybody swears in the Temple excuses them from obeying the law of the land. As an ordained but not standing Bishop, Governor Romney is bound by the Articles of Faith and has no more authority in the Church than my husband, who also is a High Priest, does.Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's."There is no conflict between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Constitution and laws of the United States. In fact, Doctrine and Covenants 134 emphasizes the responsibility of every Mormon to uphold the laws and constitutions of their respective countries, "holding sacred the freedom of conscience. . . . that to the laws all men show respect and deference. . . human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man ...." In particular, D&C; 134:9 says, "We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government ...." That clause alone does away with the entire argument of this book.We as Mormons take part in government and election to the limit of the law, and there we stop. Every election year, a letter from the First Presidency is read from the pulpit, reminding people that the Church takes no part in electing candidates, and that no Church resources are to be used for any political candidacy, including membership lists that are distributed in every congregation so that members can reach each other. The LDS Church does take part in moral disputes which result in elections, but so do most other churches. Frequently we side with the Catholic Church and frequently with the Evangelical movement, which denies that we are Christians.If Governor Romney's desire were to bring the country under LDS law, which he could not do if he wanted to, he would be forbidden by that Article of Faith and Doctrine and Covenants, and would be roundly chastised by the President of the Church for making such a attempt. If he were driven by such a desire, would the so-called "White Horse Prophecy" be so often quoted by others (not by himself) to refer to him, why would it say that a Mormon will save the Constitution, which is hanging by a thread? Judging from the number of people who want to do away with it and who do ignore its provisions regularly and get away with it, if the White Horse Prophecy is legitimate, which I doubt, there is a possibility that Romney may be its fulfillment, but if so, he will be saving the United States, not harming it.There are churches which are predominantly Liberal and churches which are predominantly conservative. The LDS Church is indeed, in the United States, predominantly conservative, but by no means is it all so. We know a good many "Mormons" who are good Democrats. During the 27 years I have lived in Utah, there has been no mayor of Salt Lake City who was a Mormon. That sounds not like a theocracy. The liquor stores are state-run. You can buy coffee, tea, and alcohol in some businesses owned by Mormons, and coffee and tea in some businesses owned by the Corporation of the President, which by the way DOES pay the same taxes as would be paid by secular businesses in the same field.There is no reason to fear that Governor Romney's religion would in any way mitigate against his being a good President. This Church does not preach hate sermons against the United States or any citizens thereof, whereas the church that President Obama went to before he became President of the United States, regularly preached hate-filled sermons against all white people.We personally have Hispanic, Black, and Oriental friends, some of them very close friends whom we have helped out of jams and who have helped us out of jams. I joined the Church after the Black men were given the Priesthood, and I have met only one member, in Texas, who considered that a wrong thing to do. Although there is racism in the Church, as there is in any organization, there is no racism in Church policy.This book is appalling to all thinking persons. It is a source of hate teaching. It is not true. If I could give it a minus star, I would.