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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Does Mitt Romney really believe that Jesus visited Missouri? -- Questions on his Mormon beliefs sure to arise as campaign continues

Posted on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 08:13 AM

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Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Campaigns In Wisconsin (Credit: Getty Images)

Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith teaches that Jesus visited Missouri between his death and resurrection and that the Garden of Eden is located there.

Pretty bizarre don’t you think but the next occupant of the White House will hold it as a tenet of his faith.

Most religions have strange beliefs but somehow Jesus in Missouri does blow my mind quite a bit.

Did he visit St. Louis; did he like it there? What did he think of the Wild West – we don’t know, as he left no account

Mormonism is unique in the sense that it is an American-founded, funded and based religion, which may be why it is so popular and growing here.

It was the Scientology of its day, bitterly resisted by the established religions, and based on an heretical concept as far as they were concerned. Scientology preaches we are descended from aliens who came a calling millenniums ago.

Whether Joseph Smith was directed in the 1820s in Palmyra, New York by an angel named Moroni to a set of buried golden plates containing the ancient script that created his new religion is highly debatable.

Perhaps no more debatable that Jesus rose form the dead but certainly passing strange. Imagine if someone appeared today and made the same claims – every network would have investigative reporters on the case seeking to expose a fraud.

Nonetheless, Smith and his successor Brigham Young convinced millions it was all true and the Mormon religion was founded and has lasted and prospered.

Me I’ll take and leave religion as far as it goes and people are welcome to believe or not. But there is something about Jesus arriving in Missouri that upsets my critical faculties more than almost anything.

Maybe Mitt will show up in Jerusalem and proclaim himself the hidden imam—I mean would it be any more oddball than Jesus saying “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

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BrianO | Aug 18, 2012, 07:09 PM EDT

Eiriamach, Harry Reid, Mormon, does he scare you.

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eiriamach | Aug 18, 2012, 04:12 PM EDT

The Mormons have lightened up over recent years. They are not in the same "hate group" category as, say, the Family Research Council or Fred Phelps' church. But Mormonism is extremely conservative on "social" issues, which Americans have traditionally left to individuals to decide without interference from government. For example, a recent statement by Mormon Church elders considers homosexual feeling a form of "temptation" that is "controllable," and they advocate a Constitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage. And although Mormon women have been pressuring their church for equality, they are far from equal to men within the hierarchy and within the family. Mormons oppose abortion and sterilization, but consider contraception to be a private choice. According to their official doctrine, "Adultery, fornication, homosexual or lesbian relations, and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are sinful. Members who violate the Lord’s law of chastity or who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline." I don't care whether Mitt believes Jesus visited Missouri, but it's cause for concern that his religion advocates government control of personal choices that affect no one except those who make them.

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EamonnDublin | Aug 18, 2012, 02:41 PM EDT

Can anybody tell me if Hussein is a Christian or a Muslim? Does anybody care? Then why do the Dems suddenly care about Romney's Mormon beliefs? As for "Is féidir linn", Hussein has already proven that ní féidir leis - at all, at all. At all! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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Maggie47 | Aug 18, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT

I thought it was "In the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant" that was the mormans.

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Maggie47 | Aug 18, 2012, 01:32 PM EDT

why not Susan, he is as good or better than what we have.

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lokionline | Aug 18, 2012, 01:16 PM EDT

Ooops I messed up my tags in that comment. Too bad Irish Central doesn't have a preview feature for comments. :)

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lokionline | Aug 18, 2012, 01:13 PM EDT

"Like Huntsman, he's an Anglican Mormon who parks his religion at the church each week".

Good point dickmac1 Substitute the religion of your choice for "Anglican Mormon" in the above sentence.

Anyone who pretends to be religious for community acceptance, personal gain or particularly for political advantage is the worst kind of hypocrite.

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dickmac1 | Aug 18, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT

I think that evangelicals will probably have a problem voting for the GOP/Tea Party ticket. I have been told many times by evangelicals that, I am a Catholic, therefore, I am NOT a Christian. It is also my understanding that most evangelicals do not consider Mormons to be Christians.

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dickmac1 | Aug 18, 2012, 11:26 AM EDT

No, I don't think he believes any of that stuff. Like Huntsman, he's an Anglican Mormon who parks his religion at the church each week. And I would say that is a good thing.

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BrianO | Aug 18, 2012, 10:06 AM EDT

Hollabackgurl have you ever heard of Democrat leader of the Senate Harry Reid? You know that Mormon Harry Reid Democrat Senate leader. Sheesh it's like shooting fish in a barrel.

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seanomelb | Aug 17, 2012, 11:55 PM EDT

No Tom they're all bullsh##t.

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hollabackgurl | Aug 17, 2012, 10:42 PM EDT

Mormonism subjugates women, let's men make all the decisions, and seems to belong more to the 19 century than the 21. Which is why it's a perfect fit for the GOP.

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shop tom | Aug 17, 2012, 08:46 PM EDT

Since when is the Mormon myth any worse than any other religious myth, including Christianity?

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pilib04 | Aug 17, 2012, 08:09 PM EDT

Just release the tax returns, mittens. Is feidir linn.

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pilib04 | Aug 17, 2012, 08:07 PM EDT

Missouri? You have got to be kidding me. I was almost ready to ignore the magic underwear. But Missouri???

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