Defining, Declaring Our Faith

[thesometimesaint]

Nofear:

Sure why not? The Lord expects us to at least desire to start the repentance process before we become a member, and we do believe we will be given the desires of our heart.

[Mordecai]

I've decided not to judge Huntsman on his lack of zeal for the Church, personally. Since he was raised Mormon and hasn't fought against it, I figure there's a decent chance he retains most of the values. Of course, he supported Crap and Trade, so I figure he's probably... uh... crap... as a candidate at least.

As far as judging his comment, "That's tough to define," please. It's not like he himself hasn't thought about it enough to define it and answer the question clearly. Still, it's not the worst response possible. It still makes me question his integrity.

[thesometimesaint]

Mordecai:

You'd be surprised at the people who were for Cap&Trade BEFORE they were against it.

[Jeff K.]

Cap and Trade aside, it is clear that his response was a weak move politically that alienated him from the very group that helped raise him and give him the tools of success. And baptism is not the first step but well along in the process, we don't or shouldn't baptise people until they understand why and what they are doing.

[Jeff K.]

One might be forced to ask if Huntsman was pandering to the bigotry held towards the church, but in the end news cycles being what they are, he may have had a moment of weakness in which he said something he regrets.

I understand later he fully affirmed himself a "Mormon". So looking at it through the eyes of the one interview alone, not so good, but with a longer overview, one can see the entire context as perhaps a slight verbal stumble versus a disengagement.

[thesometimesaint]

Jeff K.:

"we don't or shouldn't baptise people until they understand why and what they are doing".

Depending on how rigid or loosely one defines "Understand" I seriously doubt many 8 year old's meet that qualification.

[Jeff K.]

touche and to a certain extent I agree. In such a case it is more the cut off as to how young everyone should be and so everyone rushes to the opening date. Though most parents I know spend some time trying to teach.

[thesometimesaint]

Jeff K.:

That is what I did with my children.

[ERayR]

I think this idea that members of the church must pass a litmus test of orthodoxy like the one Card describes in order to be a real Mormon is exactly what makes it complicated for somebody like Huntsman to describe whether or not he is a Mormon. Apparently, Huntsman isn’t orthodox enough for Card to consider him a “member of the community of believers,” despite how Huntsman is in fact a member of the church that accepts and reveres some of the things the church teaches and stands for.

I honestly don't think Huntsman fits neatly into a box--when the question presumes everybody does, how do you answer?

It is not a litmus test. It is about having some solid principles in your life. All too many in public life lean to whichever wind is blowing. My mind can't help but go to Revelation 3:16. "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth".