Mitt Romney does not speak for this Mormon

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:09 am by Faithful Democrats

Mitt Romney does not speak for this Mormon 2013-05-09T06:09:07-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I just heard the Mitt Romney concession speech. And as a Mormon, I am incredibly offended.

I just heard the Mitt Romney concession speech. And as a Mormon, I am incredibly offended. Romney's speech was opposed to everything I've been taught to believe as a Christian and member of the LDS church.

We are taught from youth to "do what Jesus would do". That when you
are in the service of your fellow man, you are only in the service of
your God (as taught by the Book of Mormon). The words of Jesus that
even as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my bretheren,
ye have done it unto me.

Instead, Romney's campaign ending
speech was full of hate. That those who are poor should suffer – it's
they're own damn fault for being such lazy sots. Ignoring again the
words of King Benjamen:

16
And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your
succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in
need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to
you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

17 Perhaps thou shalt
say: the man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay
my hand, and I will not give unto him of my food, nor impoart unto him
of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just-

18
But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great
cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he had done he
perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.

(Mosiah 4:16-18, Book of Mormon)

Romney's
last speech in his campaign was against the evils of Liberalism, and
how it would expand Medicare, Medicaid, and the ways we try to help the
needy, those who either can not provide for themselves (single mothers,
those with ailments), or can not do so because of a lost job or other
reasons. He talked about how countries that do well do so because of
their culture, while ignoring that in places like Canada, Britain,
France, and the like have health care and systems to provide aid to all
who need it – and enjoy a higher standard of living than in the United
States, were we allow *millions* to go without health care.

He
spoke about the need to continue the War on Terror, and peddled fear.
Ignoring that perhaps we have caused our own oil dependency, and blamed
it on Chavez and Putin and others – and his solution? Well, use coal!
After all, going from one dependency to the next doesn't fix the
problem. Changing the structure of our cities so more people can use
public transportation (oh, noes, teh evil – public works!) actually
does. I saw it in Utah, the most conservative state, embrace public
transportation – and the entire state benefited.

Romney spoke
about protecting marriage and stopping the evils of pornography.
Ignoring the 11th Article of Faith, given by the Prophet Joseph Smith
to explain our beliefs to the world:

We
claim the privilege of worshiping Almight God according to the dictates
of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them
worship how, where, or what they may

Instead, Romney would
force his religious beliefs upon others in the name of "protecting
marriage", once again scapegoating someone else (teh gays, oh noes!)
instead of having people look and decide for themselves what they will
believe and worship – or not.

It's ironic – in part of his talk
me mentioned how we have never taken land as part of our wars. Well,
other than Texas, and the mid-west I guess, if you don't know your
history. But then to blatantly ignore Iraq, and how we *have* claimed
land, and property, and oil, and businesses, and forced the new Iraqi
government so sign contracts that gave away their resources to US
companies. Yeah, we didn't take land for ourselves during the 20th
Century – instead, we waited until the 21st and used the War on Terror
to justify taking what we wanted from a country that had never attacked
us.

So I'm sorry – but if his speech is the center of
Conservative ideals, then I'm proud to be a Liberal. I'm proud not to
demonizing people for their beliefs. I'm proud to let people believe
how they will. I'm proud to be willing to give up some of my income –
even with three children to support – to help those in need.

And
if Mitt Romney is going to speak out against those ideals, then yes, I
believe he speaks against the faith he and I profess to believe in.
And I am ashamed to have him count him as a fellow member.

Reader Blogs

lds

romney

true Christian values

Previous Post

February 4, 2008

Just a Thought

Next Post

February 9, 2008 Obama: Disturbing "Change"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What meal did the Israelites eat before leaving Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Passover Day of Atonement meal Firstfruits Feast of Booths