“Mormonism has far more that distinguishes it from the historic Christian faith than unites it to Christianity”

Frank Pastore of TownHall.com:

Just as Christians and Jews, by definition, cannot ignore their differences over the resurrection and the New Testament, so too Christians and Mormons cannot ignore the differences between the Bible and the three books of Mormonism: the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Yet many Mormons in recent years have taken to calling themselves Christians, and a grow-ing number of Christians are willing to speak of Mormonism as something akin to another Christian denomination. But, Mormonism is not a Christian denomination, nor is it merely “a non-Christian religion.” To be theologically precise, though perhaps politically incorrect, Mormonism is a cult of Christianity (www.apologeticsindex.org/c09a01.html) – a group that claims to Christian while denying one or more central doctrines of the Christian faith.

The polytheism of Latter Day Saints is a striking contrast to the monotheism of the Bible. The Mormons also deny original sin (central to a Christian understanding of the human condition) and believe that Jesus was conceived through sexual intercourse between God the Father and Mary [actually, they only hold this to be potentially true, and say we shouldn't care about it either way]. I could go on, but Mormonism has far more that distinguishes it from the historic Christian faith than unites it to Christianity.

So, though I am willing to unite with and befriend Mormons in common cause to advance our shared values, I am hoping to be a voice of clarity – unwilling to allow Mormonism to be mistaken for orthodox Christianity and unwilling again to disqualify a candidate simply because he is from a faith tradition so different from my own.

“Mr. Romney should avoid using language that blurs fundamental differences among religious traditions”

Kenneth Woodward in the New York Times:

Mr. Romney must be sure to express himself in a way that will be properly understood. Any journalist who has covered the church knows that Mormons speak one way among themselves, another among outsiders. This is not duplicity but a consequence of the very different meanings Mormon doctrine attaches to words it shares with historic Christianity.

For example, Mormons speak of God, but they refer to a being who was once a man of “flesh and bone,” like us. They speak of salvation, but to them that means admittance to a “celestial kingdom” where a worthy couple can eventually become “gods” themselves. The Heavenly Father of whom they speak is married to a Heavenly Mother. And when they emphasize the importance of the family, they may be referring to their belief that marriage in a Mormon temple binds families together for all eternity.

Thus, when Mr. Romney told South Carolina Republicans a few months ago that Jesus was his “personal savior,” he used Southern Baptist language to affirm a relationship to Christ that is quite different in Mormon belief. (For Southern Baptists, “personal savior” implies a specific born-again experience that is not required or expected of Mormons.) This is not a winning strategy for Mr. Romney, whose handlers should be aware that Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals know Mormon doctrine better than most other Americans do — if only because they study Mormonism in order to rebut its claims.

Especially at Regent University, Mr. Romney should avoid using language that blurs fundamental differences among religious traditions. Rather, he should acknowledge those differences and insist that no candidate for public office should have to apologize for his or her religious faith.

Finally, there is the question of authority in the Church of Latter-day Saints, and of what obligations an office holder like Mr. Romney must discharge. Like the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church has a hierarchical structure in which ultimate authority is vested in one man. But unlike the pope, the church’s president is also regarded as God’s own “prophet” and “revelator.” Every sitting prophet is free to proclaim new revelations as God sees fit to send them — a form of divine direction that Mormon missionaries play as a trump card against competing faiths.

“People are… afraid of being labeled a religious bigot or worse if they reveal what Mormonism is about.”

“Mormons don’t want to talk about the specifics of the Mormon religion. People are also afraid of being labeled a religious bigot or worse if they reveal what Mormonism is about. Some fear for their livelihood. I know of radio hosts who talk on stations owned by Mitt’s company. Do you think they’re going to talk about Mormonism? Mormonism and censorship is real today, especially since Mitt started running for president… The Mormons I’ve met through living in Nevada are not First Amendment supporters. It’s my opinion that if you say a word wrong or talk about the Mormon church you’ll be censored or have your business pulled faster than you can say Joseph Smith.” (>>)

High Exposure

Katie Baker of KUTV reports:

“Now people of all faiths are taking a closer look at Mormonism and since evangelical Christians make up a large part of the republican base their opinion may matter the most. Romney’s religion is front and center.”

Besides my meager personal video project, Mitt Romney and Mormonism, three films this year publicly focus on Mormonism:

• Jesus Christ / Joseph Smith (LaBarge Media; easily viewed here)
• The Mormons (PBS)
• September Dawn (Christopher Cain)