cinepro Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 As the election year continues, it seems a popular "defense" for Romney's Mormonism is that it isn't much different than the Christianity embraced by previous Presidents. "No need to fear!"In other words, the argument is that having Romney in the White House wouldn't be that much different than having any other good, moral, Christian (or generally religious) man or woman.But as LDS, what do we really see as the benefits to having a Mormon Melchizedek priesthood holder as President? He has the Priesthood; he as the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Do these give him access to guidance and wisdom unavailable to previous Presidents?And in spite of fears about any undue influence from the Prophet, if we truly believe that President Monson is God's chosen Prophet in our day, would there not be an appropriate line of communication between the President and the Prophet? Or have our views about "Church" and "State" become so sensitive that such an idea is anathema?Does anyone believe that, because the Church is true, Romney would bring unique spiritual gifts to the Presidency, and if so, are we brave enough to say it in mixed (religious) company? Should we be?
Aliwe Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 Does anyone believe that, because the Church is true, Romney would bring unique spiritual gifts to the Presidency, and if so, are we brave enough to say it in mixed (religious) company? Should we be?Mittens' religious beliefs have absolutely no bearing on how I will vote in November, nor should they. The Constitution forbids a religious test for office. And just because he claims membership in the CoJCoLDS doesn't do much to recommend him in any event. After all, John F. Kennedy was Roman Catholic, but he made Bill Clinton look positively celibate.
cinepro Posted June 21, 2012 Author Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) Mittens' religious beliefs have absolutely no bearing on how I will vote in November, nor should they.The Constitution forbids a religious test for office. And just because he claims membership in the CoJCoLDS doesn't do much to recommend him in any event. After all, John F. Kennedy was Roman Catholic, but he made Bill Clinton look positively celibate.That doesn't answer the question I asked. Do you believe that Romney (as a worthy LDS, assume the worthiness part if that isn't too much to ask), has access to spiritual guidance and knowledge that is not available to non-LDS?If not, then it's a moot point. But if he does, it would be a huge point, and I can understand why such an advantage would be downplayed by LDS, but I'm asking if it should. Is pretending that Mormonism is no different than all the other religions in this regard the price we have to pay? Edited June 21, 2012 by cinepro
DBMormon Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 And in spite of fears about any undue influence from the Prophet, if we truly believe that President Monson is God's chosen Prophet in our day, would there not be an appropriate line of communication between the President and the Prophet?Like Alma and Mosiah right?
DBMormon Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) That doesn't answer the question I asked. Do you believe that Romney (as a worthy LDS, assume the worthiness part if that isn't too much to ask), has access to spiritual guidance and knowledge that is not available to non-LDS?I think he has plenty of leadership ability that gives him an advantage. Along with being a corporate leader, serving as a Bishop and Stake President certainly helps one develop leadership abilities. Not sure I want to comment on spiritual gifts as president Edited June 21, 2012 by DBMormon
KevinG Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 George W Bush and Barak Obama have the same right to heavenly light when it comes to their sphere of influence (The Oval Office and Presidency) as a President Romney would. I see no doctrines that say Mitt Romney having the Gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion would receive special revelation God would not give to any leader of a nation if they were of a mind to receive it. GW often thanked people for their prayers and said he felt their positive influence.On the other hand if GW or BO wanted to be a Bishop there would be some ordaining involved.
CV75 Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 Does anyone believe that, because the Church is true, Romney would bring unique spiritual gifts to the Presidency, and if so, are we brave enough to say it in mixed (religious) company? Should we be?Sometimes spiritual gifts make thosewith mediocre presidential capabilities sufficiently less mediocre to be able to keep their heads above water, and even then, only when the Lord sees fit to unleash them.Certainly a faithful LDS US President has access to guidance and wisdom unavailable to Presidents without the Gift of the Holy Ghost or the Priesthood, but do does every 12-year old Deacon, and whether this would make him a better President, or whether the Lord cares in specific matters how his presidency affects the nation/world, cannot be determined.The Lord arguably can and has influenced events with or without a Mormon president. He would bless any individual and nation according to their righteousness, and so I believe His grace covers those who haven’t the Priesthood or Holy Ghost to guide them but are doing the best with what they have, and will protect the nation and others from those who don't, whether tehy have teh Priesthood and gift of the Holy Ghost of not!I think President Monson would follow the Lord’s prompting in dealing with an LDS President just as he has with any other US President. Whether he would use his religious position to influence the President politically really cannot be determined, as well as an LDS President's personal susceptibility to such.So I believe that the Church is true and that Romney could theoretically bring unique spiritual gifts/powers/advantages to the Presidency (two separate beliefs, by the way), but certainly do not expect the Lord’s involvement (which governs the use of these gifts) in the outcome of governmental policy processes and practices to be any different than with any other President.I think righteousness of all involved, including voters and the governed, makes all the difference in how the powers of heaven can be harnessed to bless a nation.
mbh26 Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) Does anyone believe that, because the Church is true, Romney would bring unique spiritual gifts to the Presidency, and if so, are we brave enough to say it in mixed (religious) company?I sure don't. The Brethren aren't saying much about it either. The Catholic Church seems more willing to influence voters than Mormonism does right now. But I deeply believe that it is critical to my nation as an American that Mitt win this election, not because he's Mormon but because he's a Republican. Edited June 21, 2012 by mbh26 2
GingerRed Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) What I would hope is that if Romney is President....that by having the spiritual gifts bestowed on any worthy priesthood holder..that the would use those gifts abundantly when making important decisions. Like any good honest decent LDS man, it is my hope that he would go to the Lord with questions and sincere prayer and that the personal revelation he receives is what the Lord wants him to do, be it personal or it involves our nation. That he is in tune with the spirit and promptings of the Holy Ghost. As I would like to see it...that the Lord has a hand in running this country like never before.That's MY biggest wish!Red Edited June 21, 2012 by GingerRed 2
KevinG Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 The only additional keys Romney will have are those to the White House men's room and those will probably reside with the Secret Service.
altersteve Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 The Constitution forbids a religious test for office.The Constitution forbids the government from having a religious test, not the voters. 1
bcuzbcuz Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 When Romney is president, will that mean that as senior priesthood holder for his family, and the nation, that God will direct his every decision?
altersteve Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 When Romney is president, will that mean that as senior priesthood holder for his family, and the nation, that God will direct his every decision?No. The "senior priesthood holder" for the nation (and the world) is Thomas S. Monson.
zerinus Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 But as LDS, what do we really see as the benefits to having a Mormon Melchizedek priesthood holder as President? He has the Priesthood; he as the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Do these give him access to guidance and wisdom unavailable to previous Presidents?That doesn't answer the question I asked. Do you believe that Romney (as a worthy LDS, assume the worthiness part if that isn't too much to ask), has access to spiritual guidance and knowledge that is not available to non-LDS?If it does, there hasn't been much evidence of that during his campaign trail; so I wouldn't hold my hopes too high if he became President.George W Bush and Barak Obama have the same right to heavenly light when it comes to their sphere of influence (The Oval Office and Presidency) as a President Romney would.For once you said something that I can agree with!
KevinG Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 For once you said something that I can agree with! Whaddya mean "for once"? (I tease)
Aliwe Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 The Constitution forbids the government from having a religious test, not the voters.That is true, it automatically rolls out from the concept of a secret ballot. What it means is you can't impeach a President because he's a Mormon, and you can't exclude him from the ballot because he's a Mormon. I myself would go further than the letter of the Law, and adopt the spirit of the Law, and discount Romney's Mormonism from my calculations entirely. It should be a non-issue both ways. We aren't electing the Pope after all, but the executive of a diverse republic. I have a dream that someday men will be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their hymnal. I wanted Ron Paul, but he didn't make it to the nomination, so sign me up, I'm on board with Romney.
altersteve Posted June 21, 2012 Posted June 21, 2012 That is true, it automatically rolls out from the concept of a secret ballot. What it means is you can't impeach a President because he's a Mormon, and you can't exclude him from the ballot because he's a Mormon. I myself would go further than the letter of the Law, and adopt the spirit of the Law, and discount Romney's Mormonism from my calculations entirely. It should be a non-issue both ways. We aren't electing the Pope after all, but the executive of a diverse republic. I have a dream that someday men will be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their hymnal. I wanted Ron Paul, but he didn't make it to the nomination, so sign me up, I'm on board with Romney.Right. But it does NOT mean that someone can't refuse to vote for Romney because he's a Mormon. We have the freedom to vote (or refuse to do so) for any reason. 1
volgadon Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 That doesn't answer the question I asked. Do you believe that Romney (as a worthy LDS, assume the worthiness part if that isn't too much to ask), has access to spiritual guidance and knowledge that is not available to non-LDS?He doesn't have any more access to the Holy Ghost than you or I, and I strongly oppose his politics, so, the answer is no. If President Monson ordained him as king by the grace of God, that might be a different matter. 1
volgadon Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 Right. But it does NOT mean that someone can't refuse to vote for Romney because he's a Mormon. We have the freedom to vote (or refuse to do so) for any reason.That is the beauty of freedom, that even bigots can use it like any other could. 1
Glenn101 Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 The key, to me, is personal worthiness, whether it be Romney, Obama, or whoever and the willingness to humble oneself and really seek the Lord's guidance. I think that having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion should be an advantage, but the worthiness aspect and the willingness to seek that guidance would dictate whether that advantage was used effectively.Glenn
Bikeemikey Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 Until the presidency becomes a church calling with keys and a mantle etc etc his access to the priesthood is irrelavant, unless he plans on using his priesthood to cure the sick etc etc.As to the holy ghost. We do believe that the holy ghost gives a deeper, more consistent inspiration than the universal light of christ, therefore Mitt Romney would have that advantage over a non-holy Ghost gifted individual.However, the holy ghost primarily brings things to your remembrance, and I don't think i like Mitt's politics enough to be pleased by the kind of things he would remember. I will probably go for Obama, but will see how the debates go and what mitts actual platform looks like.
Pahoran Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 Neither President Monson, my bishop, my Stake President, nor any other Priesthood leader has ever presumed to try to direct me in how I do my day job. All any of them have ever said about that is to give general advice to the effect that I should do the best job I can for my employer.Why should a job as an elected official be any different?Regards,Pahoran 1
Kenngo1969 Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) The only additional keys Romney will have are those to the White House men's room and those will probably reside with the Secret Service.It's such a big house, and there's only one restroom??? Edited June 22, 2012 by Kenngo1969
volgadon Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 It's such a big house, and there's only one restroom??? It is a big restroom. 1
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