Growing up in a devout Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) family in a suburb of
Salt Lake City, I knew my religion as well as my name. My mom played
the organ in a Mormon temple, I was a Boy Scout, and there was rarely a
Sunday when we would miss church. Praying at least three times daily
and studying the Book of Mormon were as essential as brushing our teeth
or making dinner.
For the first time in American history a Mormon is the presidential nominee
for a major political party. And while the Romney campaign has swiftly
dismissed questions about his religion as inappropriate and irrelevant, it
may seem that much of the media have tiptoed around this topic and have
discussed the LDS church in glossy, broad terms. But here's why Mr.
Romney's religion is relevant: For Mormons, there really is no such thing
as separation of church and state.
From as early as I can remember, I was taught in church that the framers
of our Constitution were directly influenced by God to create a nation
where Jesus Christ could come to Earth and his true gospel could be
restored. Essentially, Mormons believe that the United States was chosen
and created specifically by God as the Promised Land where Earth's one
true religion -- Mormonism -- could finally be discovered and then flourish.
One doesn't need to look far to learn more about this version of American
history. On the Mormon website DesertBook.com (a Mormon Literature
bookstore), there are dozens of books about American history -- one of
which cites "evidence of God's hand throughout the unique history of the
United States." According to Mormon doctrine the Garden of Eden was in
America (Missouri, to be specific), and Mormon founder Joseph Smith
discovered sacred gold plates that would later be translated into the Book
of Mormon, buried not far from his home in upstate New York in 1823.
The sometimes-blurry lines between the LDS church and politics can be
illustrated by the 2008 passage of Proposition 8 in California, which
amended the state's constitution to ban gay marriage. The First
Presidency of the church issued a written statement asking members to do
all they could "to support the proposed constitutional amendment by
donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is
legally defined as being between a man and a woman." Top Mormon
officials also held a special, emergency satellite broadcast from Salt Lake City in which they warned, "You are a mighty army. You'll be responsible
for holding true to the doctrines of the Church."
When LDS church leaders issue directives like this, their members listen
and immediately mobilize. And when it involves a political agenda, their
army is ready to roll. Despite a rather murky money trail, an estimated
50 percent of the money raised for Prop 8 came from Mormons, and a vast
majority of door-to-door volunteers (an estimated 85 percent) were Mormon. A
Mitt Romney PAC reportedly donated $10,000 to support the measure.
Members of the Mormon church vow to give as generously as they can to
support the church, its beliefs, and its mission for mankind. In addition to a
standard tithing of 10 percent of their annual income, they also donate incredible
amounts of time and additional money (in the form of monthly offerings, or for
special emergencies like Prop 8) to further the agenda of the church and
remain obedient to God. If members break this vow to steadfastly follow
God's teachings, they risk losing eternal salvation, in which they believe
they will live with their (non-plural) families forever in paradise.
Mormons believe that their leader is a modern-day prophet who speaks
directly to God -- and that's why their stance on many issues or practices
seems to evolve or change abruptly. In 1890 the prophet instructed
members to immediately end the practice of polygamy (which Congress
had outlawed in 1862 but which church members continued to practice for
decades). Then, in 1978, fifteen years after racial integration was
mandated by the federal government, God revealed to Mormon leaders
that African-Americans could finally enter into Mormon temples
and hold the full privileges of membership. Mormons can't anticipate when
these kinds of revelations from God may come, but they live as righteously
as possible in order to be ready to adapt to commands from their leaders.
From the written word in Mormon scripture to melodic hymns in church,
members are often referred to as the Lord's "soldiers," "sheep," and
"children."
Let me be clear: I'm a firm believer in freedom of religion, freedom of
speech, and the freedom to support the policies and candidates one
chooses. I also believe that it's not only OK to question authority
(whether it be teachers, religious leaders, or politicians) but an essential
part of human development and the journey to becoming a better-informed
citizen. In the case of Mr. Romney, the political agenda of the Mormon
church (of which he is a devout, lifetime member) potentially carries
significant political implications -- and that's why it needs to be more
openly discussed. This kind of political discourse should be at the heart of true democracy. Yet somehow the political landscape in the U.S. has
fostered an environment where asking tough or uncomfortable questions is
the equivalent of using "gotcha" tactics or is considered just plain
unpatriotic. I disagree.
If Mitt Romney is elected president, what happens the next time top
officials in the Mormon church instruct members to take a specific political
stance because it is God's will? Because Mormons are expected to put God
before everything else, this puts Mr. Romney in a tricky position that might
jeopardize his eternal salvation. As the leader of our nation, who would he
put first: God or the American people?
Mr. Romney has said repeatedly that his religion would not get in the way
of his presidential responsibilities, but the simple fact is that his presidential
responsibilities would get in the way of his religion.