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Texas Governor Rick Perry entered the race for the Republican nomination for President, and immediately became the front runner in polls, surpassing former front runner Mitt Romney. One reason for Perry's surge may be that he is perceived to be more conservative than Romney, but also, substantial numbers of registered voters in recent polls say that they would have a problem with a candidate for President who is a Mormon. Republican primary voters show a greater percentage who would be concerned about a Mormon candidate, and a new book asks, "Can Mitt Romney Serve Two Masters?"
This is reminiscent of the race between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960. Kennedy was a Catholic and Nixon, a Quaker. Some feared that Kennedy would be beholden to the Pope, and Nixon--well, someone quipped that he might answer to another guy in a funny hat--the man on the Quaker Oats box!
With two Mormons currently running for President of the United States and prominent Mormon newsmakers like Glen Beck in the news, questions arise about just who the Mormons are and what they really believe. Sites where Mormons answer such questions, former Mormons interviewed, and the book on Romney serve as a source of some insight into Mormon beliefs--revealing that Mormons are more than Donnie and Marie Osmond, the only Mormons many Americans of my generation would recognize.
If Mormons are Christians as some claim, do they use the cross? They don't use the cross in their churches, wear the cross, or include it in any of their symbols of Christ. Some Mormons say that it symbolizes death, and they prefer other symbols affirming life. Christians see this as a back door way around the need of a Savior for fallen man and for the blood of the Lamb who washes away all sin. Mormons tilt to a works based "what we do" salvation, which is contrary to scripture. Fruits of your labors may be indicative of your commitment to Christ, but scripture is clear ---works do not save; only Jesus Christ saves. Mormon President Gordon Hinckley said that they do not choose to use a symbol of the dying Christ, but mean no offense to others. Some Mormons say that Jesus was speaking metaphorically when He said to "take up your cross and follow Me."
Do Mormons use something resembling the blood of Christ for communion? They do not use anything but clear water for what they call the sacrament. They do not believe that they are actually partaking of the blood of Christ, but say that they honor His sacrifice. It is administered by teenage "priests" who bless the water and bread and even younger "deacons" who pass it out in long, formal ceremonies. Christians see this as a way around the need for the saving blood and sacrifice of Jesus, and complain of Mormon missionaries who come behind Christians in foreign missions to convert new Christians.
Do Mormons believe that they will become "gods" as in the oft quoted, "As He was, so are we. As He is, so shall we be?" They deny that they think they will be equal to God or replace God, but they believe they will evolve and become "god like." Some Mormons say that they disavow writings of their prophets on this subject, but others say that the belief is still prevalent that they will become gods with their own planets, just as they say God is now over this planet--a deal breaker for Christians.
Is Jesus God? They acknowledge Jesus as their Savior, but do not believe that Jesus is God the Father as mainstream Christians do, but rather a member of the Trinity, a separate being chosen to be the Savior of the world after Satan sought and did not get that role according to Mormon prophets (a deal breaker for Southern Christians who cite John: "In the beginning was The Word (Jesus Christ), and The Word was with God, and The Word was God"). This is denying scripture to Christians--for Jesus said He was God. When the Mormons say God, they do not mean Jesus.
Do Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers? They do, but they now say that we are all brothers created by God. They say we should ignore their prophets from the past who have written extensively on this from Joseph Smith on down. Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Spencer Kimball and many other revered Mormon prophets and presidents have written that Jesus was the first born and Satan the next "son of the morning." Mainstream Christians acknowledge Jesus as the only begotten son and Satan as a created being.
Do the writings of Joseph Smith and the Mormon prophets add to the Bible as scripture condemns? They acknowledge the "adding to" the Holy script of the Bible by the writings of Joseph Smith but defend it, and compare it to writings from Nicaea on the trinity some 400 years after Christ. They say that some Christians accept those. Adding to the Bible is another deal breaker and an example of the perceived cult aspect of the Mormons where one man, who did not walk with Christ or learn at His feet, expands or changes scripture--unlike the disciples of Jesus who were contemporary with Him, learned all from Him and adhered to His teachings. Smith's views are held to mysticism by Christians--something condemned by the Bible. A former Mormon said that he left the church because, "We were worshipping Smith, not Jesus."
Clearly, the lifestyle of Mormons is politically conservative and in sync with most Republican primary voters, but the question remains--can conservative kinsmanship trump religious differences? In Iowa where social conservatives are strong, the straw poll tilted to Christian conservatives like Michelle Bachman--reflecting the view that it is not the little c in conservative that defines many political voters, but the big C in Jesus Christ.
Still, conservative Christians desiring to defeat Barrack Obama might support anyone who they think could defeat him--so strong is the animus toward Obama, but carrying the Mormon banner is not helpful at the moment in the Republican primaries.
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