JACKSBORO, TX., April 17, 2012 — There have been many articles written about Mitt Romney with regard to his faith. They often ignore the fact that Harry Reid is also a member of the Church. Why? Is it because he sits on the left side of the Senate? You decide.
A common perception of the Church is that it is a secretive cult. In fact, we’re happy to share information with anyone who wants it. If you want to know anything about the Church, we have missionaries all over the country, in almost every city and small town, and they would be delighted to tell you anything you want to know about Church doctrine and practice.
Our meeting houses are easy to find. Meeting schedules are often prominently located near an entrance. If you can’t find a chapel or a schedule, you can find meeting times and locations online. Visitors are always welcome.
Partisan politicking is not allowed in our chapels. They are reserved for teaching about Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ is a subject that offends you, then you may find our meetings offensive, but you’re welcome to check them out for yourself.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a deep and lasting love for their country. We believe its Constitution is divinely inspired of God, and so we have spilled our blood in its defense. We are taught to work hard to make it a better place and be good citizens.
While many of us are excited to have a member of the Church as a possible presidential nominee, we don’t all plan to vote for him (remember Harry Reid). We won’t be voting for a church leader, but for the President of the United States of America. Whether it is Mitt Romney, Ron Paul or Barack Obama, we expect him to represent all citizens of this great nation, and to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their religion, are treated fairly before the law.
At this moment a Christian pastor in Iran is facing the prospects of death. His Name is Youcef Nadarkhani. Pastor Youcef is given the choice to convert to Islam, and deny his Christian faith, or death. The civilized world seems to be just sitting by, uncaring. There should be an outcry from the Christian world. If there were ever a time for Christians to stand together, this is the time.
At a “Values Voters Summit” last year in Washington, Robert Jeffress, a prominent evangelical leader, told reporters that Mormonism is a cult, and that Mitt Romney isn’t a Christian. Jeffress went onto say, “Do we want a candidate who is a good person, or do we want a candidate who is a born-again follower of Jesus Christ?” He added, “In Rick Perry we have a candidate who is a committed follower of Christ.”
Who made Robert Jeffress judge? Can he discern one Christian from another? No.
There are movements around the world that preach ideologies of hate. One of them is preparing to execute Yousef Nadarkhani if he does not renounce his Christian faith. When we ignore them and as Christians fight among ourselves and accuse each other of not being Christian, we are in trouble.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We will be examples in word and in deed, teaching the principles that Jesus Christ himself taught. We invite Jeffress to do the same, and hope that all, whatever their religions, find joy in serving God through service to their fellow men and women.
I do not write this as a spokesman or official representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but as a member of the Church. It is my hope that Christians will learn to stop fighting and join closer together, for we all have a work to do!
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