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23 October 2012
Church Statement Regarding Increase in Missionary Service Interest
October 23, 2012
“As Church leaders had anticipated when the change was announced, the number of individuals who have begun the missionary application process has increased significantly. Typically approximately 700 new applications are started each week. The last two weeks that number has increased to approximately 4,000 per week. Slightly more than half of the applicants are women.
“These are early numbers and it is difficult to say exactly where we will be over the coming months but we are grateful for the willingness of our members to make the sacrifice to serve people around the world. We recognize that Church members are interested to know additional details on the logistics of this change as discussed after the announcement and look forward to providing more details as the program moves forward.”
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Mormon blogger, facing excommunication, resigns from church
October 23, 2012
Washington Post
Rather than wait for possible excommunication, Mormon blogger David Twede has resigned his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Twede — who was accused of apostasy for writing critical online essays about Mormon history, temple worship and contemporary issues — took the action during an “open mic session” Friday (Oct. 19) at the Exmormon Foundation’s annual conference in Salt Lake City.
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Mormon missionary applications spike after minimum age is lowered
October 23, 2012
Reno Gazette Journal (Nevada)
Church officials say they’ve seen a more than five-fold jump in applications after lowering the eligibility age for becoming a Mormon missionary.
New numbers released this week show The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is receiving 4,000 applications every week since announcing the change, up from about 700 applications normally.
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Meet the Mormons tomorrow evening
October 23, 2012
The Citizen (Georgia)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Peachtree City invites the community to attend a special brief presentation to “Meet the Mormons,” Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. The presentation will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 101 S. Peachtree Parkway, corner of Ga. Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City.
http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/10-23-2012/religion-briefs-102412
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Mormon missionary applications explode 471%; half are women
October 22, 2012
Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)
LDS apostle Jeffrey R. Holland predicted that lowering the age limits for young Mormon missionaries would trigger a “dramatic” uptick in their numbers.
Turns out, dramatic was an understatement. Try a 471 percent jump in applications — so far.
Just two weeks since LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announced that young men could go on full-time missions at age 18 (down from 19) and young women could go at 19 (down from 21), the Utah-based faith has seen applications skyrocket from an average of 700 a week to 4,000 a week.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55129357-78/missionaries-lds-missionary-converts.html.csp
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Mormon missionary applications spike after age change
October 23, 2012
ABC 4 (Utah)
The missionary program for the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints changed forever during October’s general conference. The age requirements changed for when young people could leave and now the number of people signing up to go, has exploded.
President Thomas S. Monson announced Young Men can now leave when they are 18. Women can go on their missions when they turn 19, two years earlier.
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Mormon missionary applications explode by 471% – and more than half of them are women
October 23, 2012
Daily Mail (United Kingdom)
The Mormon church is bracing itself for a surge in the number of converts after applications for missionary work exploded by 471 per cent – with more than half coming from women.
Just two weeks ago the age limit for young men to be sent on full-time missions was reduced from 19 to 18 and the limit for young women from 21 to 19.
As a result of the move, the number of applications for training shot up from an average of 700 a week to 4,000 a week.
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Inside Mitt’s mind
October 22, 2012
Renew America
I know that Mitt has always been viewed in Mormon circles (which are infused with deep-seated pragmatism) as the church’s best hope of taking Mormonism “out of obscurity” and into the national spotlight, in fulfillment of predictions in Mormon culture that the church would ultimately “fill the whole earth.” When his father, George, made his ill-fated attempt to carry that banner for the church, he was viewed by Mormons with much the same reverence. Having obtained Ivy League business and legal credentials, as well as unimaginable wealth, Mitt the son has now assumed an even more prophetic mantle of destiny than his dad.
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/stone/121022
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New missionary applications up dramatically for LDS Church
October 22, 2012
Rexburg Standard Journal (Idaho)
An announcement two weeks ago by LDS Church officials about lowering the age requirement for its missionaries has already resulted in a dramatic hike in new missionary applications, a church official confirmed Monday.
Michael Purdy, spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Monday that new missionary applications initiated each week have climbed from an average of 700 to approximately 4,000 per week. Slightly more than half of those are women.
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Religious absence of students
October 22, 2012
UVU Review (Utah)
Twenty-five percent of students may have felt a seismic shift to their life plans Saturday, Oct. 6 upon hearing the age change decision made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to lower the eligible age for missionary service.
Thomas S. Monson, President of the LDS Church, announced Saturday morning in its 182nd Semiannual General Conference that, “All worthy and able young men . . . will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. Worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21.”
Michelle Taylor, Associate Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Enrollment Management, said this decision will have a significant impact at UVU, where more than 70 percent of males have served or will serve missions.
“First of all, it’s going to change the way we recruit. We have to really reach out [to people serving a mission] before they leave,” Taylor said. “We want them to apply and accept any scholarships. We’ll be deferring all scholarships for those that choose to do so.”
http://www.uvureview.com/2012/10/22/religious-absence-of-students/
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Going on Mormon Mission Does Not Equal Military Service
October 23, 2012
Huffington Post
I thought I had heard it all from the Romney/Ryan team. Then Ann Romney went on The View. Whoopie Goldberg may not have been “nice” in her question regarding Mitt’s military service or lack of it but for Ms. Romney to suggest that going on mission for the Mormon Church is the same as going into the military is repugnant. Mitt Romney and I are the same age and, contrary to President Obama, when Romney and I were eligible for service there was a draft.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-d-rosenstein/ann-romney-military-service_b_1997845.html
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My Literary Flip-Flop for Mitt Romney
October 23, 2012
Huffington Post
According to pollsters, Mormons were reviled by both the evangelical right and the secular left. Evangelical Christians viewed Mormons as religious competitors and so would balk at a political alliance that put a Mormon in charge of the Republican Party. This, many conservative Christian critics warned, could lead to the Mormonizing of America. Liberals such as Bill Maher, Lawrence O’Donnell and Jacob Weisberg viewed Mitt Romney’s religion as a particularly false, authoritarian religion. They argued those people who take it seriously should not be trusted with nuclear launch codes.
The experience of Mormons in American politics, and the Romneys’ experience in particular, puts the lie to both of these visions, which is why voters are seriously giving Romney a second look. George and Mitt Romney both ran for and won the governorships of states that were not heavy with Mormons, presided over administrations not featherbeded with Latter-day saints, and proved willing to buck the leadership of their own church on issues ranging from civil rights to gay rights. Moreover, if Mitt Romney does win the White House, it’s likely one of his fiercest opponents will be Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a man who is not only a Mormon but a convert to the faith.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-lott/my-literary-flipflop-for-_b_2006328.html
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David Twede, Blogger, Resigns From Mormon Faith
October 23, 2012
Huffington Post
David Twede, the Mormon blogger whose faith was questioned by the Church of Latter Day Saints, is now an ex-Mormon.
Twede took the step of leaving the LDS church on October 19th at the Exmormon Foundation’s annual conference.
Twede, who had been the managing editor of the website, MormonThink, claimed that he was facing excommunication by the church for apostasy and articles critical of presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/david-twede-mormon_n_2004705.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
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Evangelist Laments Billy Graham’s Support of Romney, Says Mormon ‘Lies’ Spreading
October 23, 2012
Christian Post
With two weeks to go before the presidential elections on Nov. 6, Internet evangelist Bill Keller of LivePrayer.com is still insisting that Christians cannot allow themselves to support a candidate like Mitt Romney, because his Mormon faith does not align with the teachings of Christ.
“It is no wonder why God is judging this nation by giving us a choice between two son’s of Satan when high profile men of God like Billy Graham and supposed Christian leaders like Ralph Reed, Mark DeMoss, David Barton, and scores of others are publicly telling Christians that it is OK to compromise their faith and put temporal politics over the eternal souls of men to support a Baal worshipper,” Keller said in an email to The Christian Post.
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Mormons take stock: Culture emphasizes food storage
October 23, 2012
Rochester Post Bulletin (Minnesota)
Healthy living and eating was very important to the Church’s founders, and it still is today. Members are counseled to eat very little meat, and to concentrate on fresh produce and fruit, as well as whole grains. Church doctrines forbid coffee, tea and alcohol. Interestingly, root beer is a popular beverage, since it does not contain caffeine.
Regardless, there are a few dishes that have stuck around for decades. Though not as popular as they once were, they still show up at potlucks and celebrations. There would likely be that famous lime jello salad, a mixture of whipped topping and pineapple, or grated carrots, and funeral potatoes, a hot dish using grated potatoes, sour cream, lots of cheese and a cream soup.
http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1512535
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Liberals Plan Anti-Mormon Lit Drops at Evangelical Churches
October 23, 2012
Life News
I was on a conference call yesterday regarding intelligence gathered from a highly placed source that liberal Obama surrogates are planning to target Evangelical mega-church parking lots with bigoted anti-Mormon flyers the final weekend before the election in key battleground states like Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Mega-church pastors are being notified to have parking lot attendants be on the lookout for such a lit drop. But please forward this post to all pastors of both Protestant and Catholic churches, particularly in battleground states.
http://www.lifenews.com/2012/10/23/liberals-plan-anti-mormon-lit-drops-at-evangelical-churches/
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TEXAS FAITH: Is religion playing a shrinking role in this election?
October 23, 2012
Dallas Morning News (Texas)
Billy Graham met with Mitt Romney this month, offering what some considered his approval of the campaign of a Mormon seeking the presidency. And earlier in the campaign, mostly during the primaries, there was discussion about the definition of religious freedom.
But, by and large, religion has not played a major role in this year’s election. There have been few religious-themed debates over issues such as gay marriage, abortion, the Middle East and Islamic extremism. And there has been little high-profile courting of pastors such as Rick Warren, Jim Wallis or T.D. Jakes.
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Tolerance? Atheist Group Attacks Mormons with Nasty Billboard
October 23, 2012
Gather
Really? An Atheist group attacks Mormons with a billboard in Boca Raton, Florida. The nasty and intolerant message proclaims, “No Blacks Allowed (until 1978)” and “No Gays Allowed (Current).”
The religion of Harry Reid is clearly only an issue when a conservative subscribes to Mormonism. The NY Daily News reports that the President of the group responsible for the billboard, David Silverman, justifies the attack by saying, “We feel that America doesn’t know or understand the possible ramifications of a Mormon president.” He continued to state, “Mormonism is marketed to us as another sect of Christianity. But it is not.” Why does he care? He does not believe in anything. He is clearly making a political statement.
http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981717632
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Does Romney’s Religion Condone Torture? [UPDATED]
October 23, 2012
Religion Dispatches
Nobody asked Governor Mitt Romney or President Barack Obama about torture during Monday night’s “foreign policy debate”–but someone should have.
Because recently disclosed Romney campaign documents are raising new questions about the candidate’s position, and the recent appointment of a Spokane, Washington LDS bishop who in his professional life as a psychologist pioneered so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” after 9/11 has raised new questions about whether Mormonism condones torture.
Washington newspapers are reporting that Bruce Jessen was called and “sustained” (or approved) to serve as bishop by his Spokane-area congregation in mid-October. [UPDATE: Sources have confirmed that Jessen stepped down from the position last Sunday.]
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Calgary Mormon temple visited by more than 100K
October 23, 2012
Metro News (Canada)
Calgary Mormons say curiosity over their massive new temple in the city’s northwest has opened doors for dialogue with outside members of the local community.
From Sept. 29 to Oct. 20, 101,035 visitors took a tour of the Calgary Alberta LDS Temple in Royal Oak.
Temple recorder Bob Hamilton said many of those attending the series of open houses had little prior knowledge about the Mormon faith.
http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/414035/calgary-mormon-temple-visited-by-more-than-100k/
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Mobile billboard attacks LDS Church
October 22, 2012
ABC 4 (Utah)
A mobile billboard attacking Mormonism is causing controversy in Utah.
The sign reads “No Blacks Allowed (Until 1978), No Gays Allowed (Current). Shame on Mormonism.”
Dave Silverman, President of American Atheists, is the man behind the billboard. The sign has followed Mitt Romney on the campaign trail.
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World religion classes offered at BYU-Hawaii
October 23, 2012
Ke Alaka’i (Hawaii)
Besides requiring all students on any BYU campus to take Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants classes, including those who are not members of the LDS Church, world religion classes are also offered. BYU-Hawaii offers students a variety of religion classes and it’s mission statement on the university Website says: “We are to teach, encourage, and assist each student as he or she strives to live a perfect life -temporally and spiritually – as described by ancient and modern prophets. We additionally work to accomplish the University Mission Statement in, ‘Educating the minds and spirits of students within an intercultural, gospel-centered environment and curriculum that increases faith in God and the Restored Gospel, is intellectually enlarging, is character building, and leads to a life of learning and service’.”
http://kealakai.byuh.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5345&Itemid=60
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It’s not about voting, it’s about values
October 23, 2012
Hindustan Times (India)
One of the reasons we had left our Amtrak train in Provo was to gauge opinions on the election. Would these young Mormons all favour Romney? Would we even find any Democrats? The answers were not entirely what we’d expected. It’s not about voting for a Mormon, most said. For the majority we chatted to here, it’s about values. They were adamant that they’re not automatically voting for Romney – although the fact that he hasn’t bothered to campaign in Utah tells you how secure this state is. If the man in the Oval Office shares their values, they’ll back him. You could argue that the fact Romney is an alumnus of their college and a member of their church amounts to the same thing of course. On the whole you would be right.
We did manage to find some exceptions though. The Democratic society at BYU has around 250 active members; its president claims he would be proud to see a Mormon elected, just not this one. He doesn’t see how Romney’s policies can deliver the kind of caring, inclusive society he wants. He doesn’t want to see his religion’s stance on issues such as same sex marriage and birth control imposed on all whether they like it or not. Interestingly, he doesn’t see that as betraying his faith. Mormonism is not, he contended, about dictating to others, or assimilating them.
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Couple Talks About Romney’s Aid to Their Son in New Crossroads Ad
October 23, 2012
New York Times
One of the more compelling stories from Mitt Romney’s time as a senior member of the Mormon Church is the subject of a new television commercial produced by a super PAC that has, until now, supported the Republican nominee mostly through attack ads.
The commercial, which was produced by Crossroads GPS, the group run with the help of Karl Rove and other top Republican strategists, features Ted and Pat Oparowski, a couple who lost their young son to cancer 30 years ago.
They first told their story to a national audience at the Republican National Convention in August. But now they will start sharing it with voters in swing states, in hopes of pushing Mitt Romney over the edge.
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Herford: Perhaps Christians should permanently abstain from voting
October 23, 2012
Summit Daily (Colorado)
Steve said Mormon polytheistic teachings are blasphemous because they “take away from (God’s) sovereignty and uniqueness?” President Bush’s claim did too. Do we really know what any candidate believes? Perhaps Christians should permanently abstain from voting? I know many non-Christians who would appreciate that.
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20121023/LETTER/121029951/1078&ParentProfile=1055
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The Killers take the stage on ‘The Colbert Report’
October 23, 2012
Celebrity Cafe
After Colbert did a majority of his show, he then sat down with singer Brandon Flowers and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. briefly. He discussed the band’s clean-cut reputation, how presidential candidate Mitt Romney is a fan, and the band’s Mormon affiliation.
http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/10/killers-take-stage-colbert-report
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PLAYBOY: This Is What Your Sex Life Would Look Like Under Mitt Romney
October 23, 2012
Business Insider
If Mitt Romney wins the presidency, his policies would take American sex back at least 60 years, according to a new column from prominent historian Nancy L. Cohen, featured in the latest issue of Playboy.
Romney, a Mormon, is against freely available birth control and abortion, Cohen writes.
“When Willard Mitt Romney entered high school, in 1961, birth control was illegal in some states, abortion was illegal except in rare cases, sodomy — often including oral sex — was a crime in every state and young single women had to lie to get the pill,” Cohen writes. “Is America going back to those days? That depends on what happens in November.”
http://www.businessinsider.com/playboy-romney-sex-life-women-2012-10
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Potential president’s Bedfordshire roots?
October 24, 2012
Bedford Times and Citizen (United Kingdom)
With the final US presidential debate looming Barack Obama’s opponent Mitt Romney could put a tiny Bedfordshire village back on the map.
As a follower of the Mormon religion Romney would be the first person from the faith to become US president. But few know that founding fathers of the faith originated from Staploe.
Mary Fielding was born in Bedfordshire in 1801 and her parents were active in the growing Methodist movement. But when Mary and other villagers emigrated to Canada in 1834 she would become one of the earliest members of the Latter Day Saint movement attending regular Mormon study groups.
http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/potential-president-s-bedfordshire-roots-1-4396928
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Why Arizona Isn’t a Battleground State (and Why It May Be Soon)
October 23, 2012
New York Times
While Phoenix itself skews Democratic, most of the vast suburbs do not. “The East Valley — including Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa — tend to be quite Republican,” Mr. Berman said. The East Valley also has a large Mormon community. (Arizona is the fifth-most Mormon state, but members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make up just 5 percent of the state over all).
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Letters | Todd Akin, car crashes, Iran and war
October 23, 2012
Kansas City Star (Missouri)
Mormons are wonderful people.
However, if they subscribe to Mormon teachings, they simply are not biblical Christians.
We are never to judge; only God makes those judgments.
To be a Christian one would need to denounce the Book of Mormon and the teachings of Joseph Smith.
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/23/3881791/letters-todd-akin-car-crashes.html
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Reid: A one-man Romney wrecking crew
October 23, 2012
Politico
Reid and Romney’s shared Mormon faith makes the Nevada senator’s scorched earth approach all the more fascinating. At a time that’s being called “the Mormon moment” because of the historic nature of Romney’s candidacy — he’s the first Mormon major party nominee — and at a time when the former Massachusetts governor has overwhelming support among fellow members of the LDS Church, the nation’s other top Mormon in public life ranks as one of Romney’s harshest detractors.
One byproduct of the strained relationship is that it expresses the spectrum of LDS political thinking to a nation that’s unfamiliar with it. But it also raises questions about what kind of relationship the two could ever hope to have if Romney were to be elected president.
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New Verse-by-Verse Resource on the Book of Mormon
October 23, 2012
PR Web
FAIR (The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research) announced today that as a new part of the FAIR Study Aids project, it has created a verse-by-verse resource for study of the Book of Mormon. For over thirty years, scholarly organizations such as the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (“FARMS”), the Maxwell Institute, and now the Interpreter Foundation have published a vast quantity of useful research on the Book of Mormon. Much of this research is now available for free online, however, students of the Book of Mormon have at times been limited by not knowing that such articles exist or in not knowing where to look for them. “FAIR is seeking to make access to the scholarly literature on the Book of Mormon more accessible to the non-specialist by creating an index of articles organized by what chapters and verses of the scripture the articles relate to,” said Neal Rappleye, one of the editors of the index.
“This is a work in progress in terms of scope and depending on how this is used it may eventually be expanded to include more of the Standard Works,” said Hales Swift, another of the editors of the index. FAIR also noted that the index will grow since readers can contribute to the index by contacting FAIR when they find articles that should be added. The index can be accessed online at fairmormon.org.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/10/prweb10045853.htm
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Democrats’ October Surprise May Be Good for Mitt Romney
October 23, 2012
Caffeinated Thoughts
The October Surprise that some are predicting surrogates of President Barack Obama to roll out may in fact be good for Mitt Romney. In fact it may likely energize his base which has viewed him with skepticism, especially over the life issue.
RadarOnline.com reports that liberal civil rights attorney and Obama surrogate, Gloria Allred, is attempting tomorrow morning to have a gag order lifted and unseal testimony that Mitt Romney gave during a case heard at the Norfolk Probate & Family Court in Canton, MA. They say that Justice Jennifer Ulwick will oversee the hearing set for 9:00a. Allred would not comment.
Steve Ertelt of LifeNews.com points to speculation surrounding Carrel Hilton Sheldon, a former Mormon, that Mitt Romney helped during his time as bishop of his local congregation. Allegedly Romney helped Sheldon during a difficult pregnancy and tried to talk her out of having an abortion.
http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2012/10/democrats-october-surprise-may-be-good-for-mitt-romney/
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CAN THE DEMOCRATS SINK ANY LOWER?
October 23, 2012
PowerLine
Sure they can. Hey, there are two weeks to go until the election! The party of slavery, Jim Crow and corruption is just getting warmed up. Gloria Allred has not yet been heard from, which I guess is another way of saying that the fat lady has not yet sung. And on YouTube, the Democrats’ unofficial brigades have launched the anti-Mormon smears that we have long been expecting.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/10/can-the-democrats-sink-any-lower.php
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And God Spoke to Abraham (Lincoln)
October 23, 2012
New York Times
There was no disappointment for Joseph Smith, for whom Jesus and God were very much alive. He met with them in upstate New York around the same time Sojourner Truth was earning her freedom, and Smith’s “first vision” became a central element of Mormon theology and belief. Indeed, the notion that God still intervened in this world was critical to the emergence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and during the Civil War, many Mormons believed that the carnage was evidence of Smith’s prophetic powers. In 1832, he had prophesied that “war will be poured out.” It would begin with South Carolina and envelop the entire nation. “For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States.” Nat Turner’s spirit would take over, and “after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war.” At the time of Lincoln’s election, one Mormon diarist wrote excitedly, “The south is angry; the North is no better and from what I can see they are both hastening to fulfill the Prophecy of Joseph Smith Jr.”
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/and-god-spoke-to-abraham-lincoln/
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Faith, Debating
October 23, 2012
Houston Chronicle (Texas)
Romney, a Mormon, practices his faith in a highly structured, hierarchical, male-dominated environment. A central part of Mormon life is the mission – the time when young Mormons go out into the world to share their faith and bring others into it. I hear echoes of this in Romney’s repeated assertion of American authority, in his talk of helping to replace leaders of other nations so that they’ll be more friendly to our interests, and in spreading democracy and free enterprise around the world.
http://blog.chron.com/keepthefaith/2012/10/faith-debating/
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Why my Bible seems to differ from Billy Graham’s
October 23, 2012
CNN
When Mitt Romney was running for the GOP presidential nomination, many on the religious right were highly critical of his faith. The Southern Baptist Convention and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association characterized Mormonism as a cult.
But Billy Graham’s association scrubbed that view from its website in the wake of the Rev. Graham meeting with Romney. And at least one prominent Southern Baptist leader who called Mormonism a cult has put that aside in order to endorse the Republican nominee.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/opinion/martin-billy-graham-politics/index.html
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Texas Pastor’s Comment On Presidential Campaign Stirs Controversy
October 23, 2012
News 9 (Oklahoma)
A Texas-based Southern Baptist pastor says he refuses to vote for a Mormon or a man who supports gay marriage. In fact, he says he’d rather cast a fishing pole than a ballot.
It’s a story that has gained national attention after Pastor Dwight McKissic said, “They are comparing their sin to my skin.” He is a part of a growing number of African American pastors who do not support the president based on his support of same sex marriage.
http://www.news9.com/story/19898087/pastors-comment-on-presidential-campaign-stirs-controversy
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MSG TO CHRISTIANS: VOTE … OR YOU LOSE
October 23, 2012
OneNewsNow
Hibbs noted that some Christians are planning to avoid the election altogether, saying they cannot vote for President Obama because of his track record — and they cannot vote for Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon.
Grudem, who spoke at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills on Pulpit Freedom Sunday (October 7), offered his take on the matter.
“We’re voting for a president, not a pastor,” he stated. “I think surely if a Mormon has views on moral and political issues that are consistent with the Bible, then go ahead and vote for that person.”
http://www.onenewsnow.com/church/2012/10/23/msg-to-christians-vote-or-you-lose
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Alleged date rapist Greg Peterson commits suicide
October 23, 2012
Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)
March 2011 » Peterson allegedly drives a woman he met at a Mormon church-sponsored fundraiser in Draper to his cabin in Heber, telling her he has a gun in the center console of his car. At the cabin, Peterson allegedly assaults and rapes the woman.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55136572-78/peterson-cabin-woman-heber.html.csp
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Romney, used to role as fixer, might find different managing challenge as president
October 23, 2012
Bellingham Herald (Washington)
Guided by strong Mormon values, Mitt Romney followed the family maxim that good politics could go hand in hand with good works.
“I met early presidents,” he once told McClatchy, recalling the night when, as a teenager, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower came to dinner and recalled World War II campaigns – and problems he had with misconduct by his own troops.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/23/2739499/romney-used-to-role-as-fixer-might.html
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Will October Surprise Show Romney Talking Woman Out of Abortion?
October 23, 2012
Life News
Speculation thus far has centered on the case of Carrel Hilton Sheldon, a former Mormon Romney helped during his time as a pastor and church leader. Romney reportedly was helping Sheldon during a difficult pregnancy and talked her out of having an abortion.
http://www.lifenews.com/2012/10/23/will-october-surprise-show-romney-talking-woman-out-of-abortion/
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Release of abuse files a new challenge for Boy Scouts of America
October 23, 2012
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (Washington)
But the Scouts have legions of staunchly loyal supporters, including several of the nation’s major conservative religious denominations who have given no sign of disaffection. The Mormons’ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints charters more than 37,000 Scout troops with a youth membership of more than 420,000; Roman Catholic parishes charter about 8,500 units with about 283,000 members.
http://union-bulletin.com/news/2012/oct/23/release-of-abuse-files-a-new-challenge-for-bsa/
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Candidates present stark contrasts on foreign policy
October 23, 2012
South Coast Today (Massachusetts)
“Why do we have to be morally responsible for the whole world?” asked 62-year-old Linda Williams, of Mattapoisett, retired from the financial services industry. “Romney seems to think these other nations should be happy to have America guide them.”
“He’s a Mormon,” retorted Mason Almeida, of New Bedford, a 33-year-old manager of family real estate properties. “That’s what they do. They get in an airplane to go to other countries to tell them how they should be.”
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121023/NEWS/210230341/-1/NEWS
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