In 1960 a young Senator was beginning to foster a ground well of support when he decided to run for the President of the United States. As interest grew for the young Senator, so did the debate about his faith. Can a Catholic be the president and keep the Vatican out of the picture. When John Kennedy was elected as president the debate came to an end. And he went on to be an effective president. The question of his faith would never interfere with his decisions.

Even though it is early, in the current election cycle we have similar debates growing. Two of our candidates are the question of religious concern. Berach Obamah is drawing up a debate among some Demarcates he represents. His Islamic back ground is of some concern. However, the larger debate is that of the Mitt Romney campaign. In contrast to the Obamah question, Romney’s faith is of concern across the whole of conservatism. And like Kennedy before him is due to the lack of understanding in the faith and life of a Mormon. A question of faith should not cloud the candidacy. A candidate should be able to run on his or her principles. A free discussion of the Mormon faith would be good for all involved. He will have a message for the people; it should not have to be one of how he prays. Instead people should become educated on the subject. And let us start here.

The history of the Mormons, formally known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is actually the story of two peoples. It is the story of the saints of ancient times and the later day saints. The Book of Mormon (1830) is the history of the ancient saints and their witness of the message of Jesus. The book is a compilation of stories of one of the tribes of Israel who left and traveled east. From there the Nephites, as they were called, crossed a vast ocean and settled on the continent we call the Americas. There later generations would have a witness to Jesus when he died. (Burton, 1994) Jesus is said to have appeared to thousands of people, teaching the message of his father and the love for your fellow man. Jesus would give them a teaching similar to the Sermon on the Mound from the New Testament. His message would be lost to the ancestors of the American Indian due to tribal warfare. One surviving member of the tribal conflicts would document the history and the message of Jesus. He then left for a quest guided by and angel to sequester the golden plates he has documented the story on. In what is now up state New York, Maroni buried the plates (Fisher, 2005).

The story of Joseph Smith and the later day saints does not start with the discovery of the plates. Joseph Smith was not part of a wealthy family as Buddha was. However, he was disenchanted with the religions of the day as was Buddha (Fisher, 2005). At a young age he to would set out to search for guidance. At the age of 12 Smith would venture to a grove of trees to pray for guidance as he read about in the bible. There he was visited by two personages. His story says the two identified themselves God and Jesus. Smith was told by the visitors not to continue with any of the churches of the day. God and Jesus told him he would receive further instruction. After some time of persecution in relating the story, Smith was visited again. When Smith was visited again, the visitor was a person called Moroni. He said he was sent by God and was to give him further instructions. He would also tell him of the plates he had buried as well as other items used to translate. Smith would be visited many times. After these visions he was given the plates and the means to translate them as well (Clark, 1976).

After being expelled from Missouri, he reorganized his church. The Mormons would build a home and militia in a town named Nauvoo, Illinois. The Governor of the state was concerned about the power Smith was gathering among his followers. He ordered the militia disbanded. Smith would become politically involved, and eventually make a run for President of the United States. His campaign will be cut short when he is accused of aiding in an attempted murder of Governor Boggs. He had earlier declared Mormons enemies and called for their extermination (Hewitt, 2007). Fleeing to Iowa, the Mormon people took refuge there. Smith retuned to Illinois under a promise of safety from then Governor Ford. Smith was arrested, jailed and assassinated by a mob. The Mormon people’s attempt to live among fellow citizens had failed. His successor as leader of the church and prophet Brigham Young would lead the followers to the Utah territory (Hewitt, 2007).

Although Christians will debate the claim, Mormonism is a monotheistic faith. Followers believe in one God, and worship one God. It is believed that if man was to be as perfect as God, he could become a God. The nature of their God is that of a nurturing father. He created man in his own image, and of human form God is. Being considered Judeo Christian in origin, Mormons believe this is the same God of Abraham, Noah, Moses, and even Mohammed. With the love of a father he would reward those who worshiped and praised him, and punish those who did not. However, he was a God with a plan. His plan was a demonstration of that love for man.

Mormons believe Jesus is the Savior of man. And that he is the son of God, born of mortal man. As most of Christianity believes, he is the final sacrifice needed. He would atone, suffer, and be crucified for the sins of man. Mormons, as did Christians, believe he rose from the dead three days later. The act of resurrection would fulfill his and previous prophecies. The book of Mormon is where Mormons may differ from other Christian organizations. The Book of Mormon accounts of a man named Jesus, who was crucified, appearing the people in the Americas. There he would teach them the same message as the apostles (Burton, 1994). The next nature of Jesus is the main one of debate with the Christians. His place in the God head is as the son of God. He is a separate being (Burton, 1994). Christians will debate that Jesus is God. Christians will say that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all one being. It is interesting to note that this is an interpretation of the Constantine era. The original twelve never taught The God head was one being. The Eastern Orthodox would omit the teaching as well (Fisher, 2005). Mormons do not worship Jesus as they worship God. Jesus is the savior. The only path to God is though him. He is man’s spirit brother who works on man’s behalf. There for it is his church, that is why it is called “The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints”.

Community involvement is a natural part of the church structure. These social programs began in the days of the pioneers and their trek across the plains to the Salt Lake valley. Brigham Young ordered the militia to reorganize when the United States Army needed their assistance. These men would leave their families for a year, yet for the love of their country and commitment to Young, the men agreed. The mission would earn them the blessing and the protection of the President. The church does not support or employ the clergy. Because the church structure is made of the community, the involvement in the community is required. All members are called to a position in the church to perform a duty to help with the functioning of the church and its services. The church has a food bank of sorts, called the Bishop’s Storage House. The food collection is supported by the local congregations. The church also has several farms to produce some of its own food storage. (Fisher, 2005) The first function for the storage, though far from the only, is the welfare of the members. It exists to supply food and other goods to get members through rough times. There are assignments for each other to look after some one. A male member will be assigned up to four families to look after, both for welfare and spiritual needs. The membership welfare is not the only use for the assistance program. After national and international disasters the church opens these stores for use in relief efforts. Tsunami relief is still going on today.

The members are asked to share the message of the church. Some members will commit to a two year mission. The mission of the church is now 65,000 people world wide, and is responsible for it being one of the largest growing churches in the world. (Fisher, 2005) The appeal is due to a message of clean living and strong family values. The clean living is demonstrated by giving up alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Focusing on a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits, and grains, members believe their body will be raised in the finest health it was in. Clean living is by not a new idea to society. If one travels to south, the country is littered with what are called dry counties. The country had passed federal law dealing with the issue. The church believes that it is a matter of commitment. The previous efforts were argued for the same reason as the church. Family is foundation of the church. Break down the family and the morals and ethics of the church and society are in jeopardy (http://www.lds.org, 2006). Interesting, the Catholics hold the same beliefs.

The instructions for the family are the ethics and morals of the church. Mormons define marriage and rolls for all the members. These rolls are not a new strange through back to subservience. The instructions describe the way people should treat each other so the family is a working partnership. In a proclamation, the first presidency gave these instructions:

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are a heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations. (The First Presidency and the counsel of Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus, 1995)

The church believes razing children cannot be done alone. These instructions are said to come from God and reflect the members’ dealings with fellow man.

Jesus taught man to love his enemies and his neighbor. His teaching is at the heart of the social morality. Mormons are instructed to be fair in their dealings with others. These instructions are as strong an order as any commandment of the church. Members believe a commandment that comes from Jesus comes from God. It holds the same accountability as the instructions in the proclamation. These ethics Honesty, fairness, and forgiveness, start in the family. If one cannot forgive ones own family it will be harder to do that of a complete stranger. The family is important to the beliefs, and brings us to their message about the family.

There is so much grief when man looses a loved one. The Mormon message is that the loss is not forever. Part of Gods covenant with man is that we will all be together again. And his covenant to Mormons, if they choose, is their families can be together forever as well. If you think about the message, it reasons that man would want to be fair with each other. The message of together forever, presents a strong appeal to the church. It seems like a new message, however this is part of the reason ancient Hebrews maintained a lineage. (Fisher, 2005)

The fact that it is a new religion does not separate it from ancient roots. The Book of Mormon lays down its origin from the tribes of Israel. Some of his doctrine agrees with that with structure of the priesthood. The concept of a living prophet and progressive revelation is also in the Catholic Church. The Pope does have the ear of God. To have a prophet here to day and deal with our issues is appealing to people. The mission of the church is very effective in delivering its message, and explains the 13 million people membership. The church has an almost self propitiating structure. Even a good structure like the Mormon Church will not survive without a good message.

This author could not cover all the questions about Mormons, so the debate grows because people do not understand. It was true of Kennedy as well. A Mormon for President will be a catalyst of fear, as it was with Mohammed and Mecca (Fisher, 2005). Every one has a belief, even atheists have beliefs. When divisions in these beliefs creep into politics, every one suffers. Mitt Romney has a message; however it is not about his church. If you ask him he will tell you, it is what he is commanded to do. He will also tell you he is not the best source for the message (Hewitt, 2007). If you want to know, do what this author did ask a member.

References

The First Presidency and the counsel of Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints (1995). The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from http://www.lds.org

Clark, James R. Aug 1976, “Our Pearl of Great Price: From Mission Pamphlet to Standard Work,” Ensign. Retrieved April 10, 2007, from http://www.lds.org

Hewitt, Hugh (2007). A Mormon in the Whitehouse? 10 things every American should know about Mitt Romney. Published by Regenry Publishing, INC.

Burton, Rulon T. (1994). We Believe. Doctrines and Principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. Published by Tabernacle Books.