Romney's Run Brings Attention To Mormons

Presidential Campaign Has Put A Focus On Mormonism To Mixed Response From Adherents

(AP)  To Don Lounsbury, it's just another chapter in the same old story - his church is being maligned, misrepresented and misunderstood - only this time it's happening as part of the campaign for the White House.

Like Republican candidate Mitt Romney, the 72-year-old retired teacher is a Mormon, and he is keenly aware of the white-hot spotlight Romney's run for president has focused on the faith.

"It's the same old thing," said Lounsbury, who retired to St. George, Utah, from Oregon 15 years ago. "We've always been picked on, but of course, so were the early Christians." "I'm not bothered by it," he added. "Because I know the church is true."

His wife of 52 years, however, has some trepidation.

"I'm afraid of the backlash on the church," 69-year-old Ethie Lounsbury said. If Romney becomes president "and it doesn't go well, they will bash not only him, but the church."

Despite Romney's attempts to keep the campaign focused on issues, questions about Mormons and their religious practices such as wearing sacred undergarments and conducting secret ceremonies inside their temples have dogged the candidate and, by extension, the 178-year-old Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Some Mormons are frustrated by persistent misconceptions and stereotypes - for example, that all Mormons are polygamists (The Mormon Church renounced polygamy in 1890) or have horns. They have also been hit with allegations that Mormonism is more cult than religion, that it is a heretical perversion of Christian doctrine, that it is secretive, exclusive, elitist and racist.

"You can feel persecuted just from having people every single day misunderstand what you believe," said Jana Riess, a Mormon convert and the Cincinnati-based co-editor of "Mormonism for Dummies."

Riess is frequently tapped by reporters as an expert on her faith. The good news, she said, is that the news media are getting it right most of the time. But "I'm not sure the memo is getting down to the people in the pews," she said. Sometimes "I'm banging my head against a wall."

Romney's first-place finish in Tuesday's Michigan primary suggests Mormons won't soon get a break from the scrutiny.

While some see the attention as an irritant, others regard it as a blessed opportunity to do what the faith says they are called to do - spread the Gospel.

"I've enjoyed it and hope it doesn't end. I'm not fatigued. I'm proud of the church and could shout it from the rooftops," said Robert Nye, 48, president of the Des Moines Stake, a collection of Mormon congregations much like a Roman Catholic diocese.

In Iowa, Nye caucused for Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, and turned local curiosity about Mormonism into a teachable moment. He went on a radio talk show to discuss Mormon beliefs and taught a Sunday school class at a Methodist church.

"People just wanted to know a little bit more about what we believed. For them it was 'Why is religion even an issue and what's so different about the Mormons that we should be worried?"' he said.

Persecution is a central part of the Mormon story.

The church was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, who claimed that God and Jesus appeared to him in a forest grove and implored him to restore the true church to the world. Smith further said that an angel, Moroni, led him to a set of buried gold plates that when translated from its ancient script became the Book of Mormon.

During the 1800s, Mormons were repeatedly attacked and driven from their homes, making their way west from New York to Ohio and Illinois, where Smith, a candidate for president, was shot and killed in 1844 by a mob while in jail. Mormons again fled, settling in the Utah Territory.

Today the faith claims 13 million members worldwide, more than 5.7 million of them in the United States, where Mormonism is the fourth-largest denomination.

Randy Parker, a 36-year-old Mormon living in American Fork, complained that religion is being used as a test of political fitness for Romney but not for the other candidates. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a onetime evangelical Baptist minister, has not been asked to explain his faith in the same way, Parker said.

"At what point does a religion attain the status of just being accepted generally?" Parker asked. "I don't know, but Mormonism isn't there. It's kind of opened my eyes, really about the rest of the country."

Similarly, Ken Jennings, the Mormon software engineer from Salt Lake City who won $2.5 million on "Jeopardy!" in 2004 to become the most successful contestant in the game show's history, said: "I guess my feeling is I expected better of America. As a Mormon and an American, I'm feeling a little disillusioned."

Publicly, leaders of the church are dealing with the Romney ride as they do everything - with optimism.

"I think over the long term this is going to be a very, very positive thing for us," said Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ballard and others have been visiting the editorial boards at newspapers and magazines to discuss Mormonism.

"We're wanting to be a part of the conversation because we do not want people defining us," he said. "Whether we clear up all the misunderstandings is something else, but we certainly had the chance to talk to them about real issues."

[cs4466]

Ohhh we mormons are so persecuted!!

uh-huh.

Lets see. You despise gay people. You believe that women are subordinate to men. As a group, you wouldn''t vote for an atheist because he''s not a christian. Lets see.. who''s persecuting who?

[candide777]

"We''ve always been picked on, but of course, so were the early Christians."

LOL - gee, the new kids on the block always get picked on the most! Well, hopefully someone will invent (out of whole cloth) another religion today, and take some of the heat off you. By the way, if it makes you feel any better, the early Christians got picked on for the same reason: inventing a religion out of whole cloth.

[candide777]

more cult than religion?

Is that possible?

[denn034]

Where "wearing sacred undergarments and conducting secret ceremonies inside their temples" is concerned, the Masons like George Washington did and do so secretly as well. Where "Mormonism is more cult than religion, that it is a heretical perversion of Christian doctrine, that it is secretive, exclusive, elitist and racist" is concerned, there are a variety of approaches to cultism that conflict with other approaches. It must be admitted that the first section of the Mormon D&C does refer to Mormonism as "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth with which I the Lord am well pleased" so, the exclusive argument must be viewed as valid with the understanding that it''s ecumenism and willingness to work with other churches to make the world better blunts that. The church wants to put it''s racist past behind it and I say we should let them. Let me finish by pointing out that churches other than the Mormons also believe in the Book of Mormon like the RLDS (see http://themormonites.blogspot.com/ for more details on that).

[denn034]

The words "Persecution is a central part of the Mormon story" couldn''t be more true. It should be noted though that the polygamist fundamentalists and Mormon apostates do feel persecuted and harrassed by the Mormons in Utah and have complained publically about such. In the end, America was founded by people that wanted religious freedom and that freedom must extend to the Mormons or were all less free!

[almanojodo]

Some comments are SO MISINFORMED AND INACCURATE. Mormons believe all people of all races and all sexual persuasions are God''s children and are to be respected and treated as Christ taught in the golden rule. Mormons hold women in the highest esteem and do not in any way believe they are inferior to men. While blacks were not ordained into the "clergy" (priesthood) until 1978, blacks did not serve as ordained ministers in any of the white churches throughout the south at that time. The black membership of the Mormon church is growing rapidly, especially in Africa. Many Mormon congregations exist in Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire, Zimbabwe, South Africa and other African nations. Mormons also believe it is unfair and unkind to make unfounded statements about other faiths. Please go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints site (that is the correct name of the Mormon church) to find answers to your questions and get factual information.

[syropsponge]

cs4466,

Mormons do not despise ***, I am a Mormon and have some great friends who I love dearly who are gay. I (and the church) disagree with their actions, but love them as individuals. I reserve the right to stand up for certain values, but have to make sure I do so in kindness.

Not voting for someone because they don''t hold the beliefs that you want to see in a leader is not persecution it is just a political choice.

On women, we believe that man and women are equal and of equal value with different roles that each has been given, both of which are glorious. It is true that we hold that a father presides over the home, but in goodness, gentleness, in obedience to God''s commandments and with enormous respect for their spouse.

If you have personally had a bad experience with Mormons who have acted with intollerance, I do apologize, it is not how we are taught to act. We do not claim to be perfect like Jesus, but we want to emulate his example.

[denn034]

"While blacks were not ordained into the "clergy" (priesthood) until 1978, blacks did not serve as ordained ministers in any of the white churches throughout the south at that time."
Posted by almanojodo

Actually, two blacks were ordained in Mormonism during Joseph Smith''s lifetime called Elijah Abel and Mr. Williams. The Mormons recognized Elijah Abel''s ordination during Joseph''s day in Utah under Brigham and even ordained Elijah''s sons but, Elijah''s death in the late 1800s resulted in his sons being stripped of the priesthood and the long denial of priesthood to blacks began in Mormonism until Spencer W. Kimball issued Official Declaration 2 that gave them the priesthood again. That''s the full truth of the matter. The second largest Mormon religion, Community of Christ, has been ordaining blacks since 1865. The RLDS weren''t the only Mormon religion to give blacks the priesthood before the Utah Mormons either (see http://themormonites.blogspot.com/ for more details). That''s the full truth.

[syropsponge]

Neoconism,

Are you saying that democrat ideas are more like Christianity than conservative ideas? Where do you get this from? Christianity was about people choosing to be good, not being obliged to be good, choosing to share, not being obliged to share. You can only be Christian when you are given the choice to be good or bad, when you are forced to share or be good, that is a satanic plan. Therefore the best chance for true christianity is under the political model that offers the most individual choice with responsibility, rather than a restriction of individual choice, being forced to share, and a lack of individual responsibility. It is christian to want to share wealth, but not to be forced to share by government decree, there is nothing christian about that.

Which model gives the most freedom to choose what to do with ones resources??? Which model has the least intervention by government???

[joyous88]

christianity is all BS,

and Romney?

Do we really want another religious nut in the white house

[hueffenhardt]

I was an active Mormon for many years, taught at the Missionary Training Center, graduated from BYU, and was an amateur defender of the faith against the attacks of critics. I am no longer a member, not because I came to believe the misrepresentations of anti''s, but because I studied original sources instead of the whitewashed church manuals. Frankly, most Mormons don''t know about the evidence that challenges their beliefs. A few have found a way to reconcile their faith with the true history.

I personally feel that the Book of Abraham is the strongest evidence that Joseph was a fraud. The text has anachronisms, plagiarized ideas from the Book of Jasher and many other sources (which we have statements Joseph was familiar with), and is not as Joseph claimed a translation of ancient papyri written by Abraham''s own hand. The apologists'' explanations do not work under further scrutiny.

[formrusmcsgt]

"I''m afraid of the backlash on the church," 69-year-old Ethie Lounsbury said. If Romney becomes president "and it doesn''t go well, they will bash not only him, but the church."


Not to worry Ethie.

2/3 of the electorate say they won''t vote for a mormon. No one has ever won the presidency with 33% of the vote.

I heard an ad from Romney here in Nevada today saying that he will "defend marriage".

Who in the hell does he think is attacking marraige anyway?

[teejmac1]

Interesting article, and no question the attention is there. To me one of the critical questions for any religion is: "how does it impact the lives of its adherents" or in biblical terms: "by their fruit ye shall know them." In any group as large as the Mormons (13 million in the world, 6 million in the U.S.) I''m sure you can find an example of about anything. But seriously, you won''t find a better people overall than the Mormons. They value family, education, hard work...you can go on and on with all the good qualities and values they have. Just that ought to rid people of their prejudices against Mormons.

[formrusmcsgt]

Just that ought to rid people of their prejudices against Mormons.

Posted by teejmac1 at 08:26 PM : Jan 16, 2008

It''s still a cult.

[jackie0428]

I''d take 10 Mormons picked at random to be in the White house for the next 20 years before I''d trust Hillary to handle it for a week. Every Mormon I''ve ever met was hardworking, responsbible, successful, and family-oriented, with great values and morals. Never had one cheat me or lie to me. Yes, it''s a strange religion, with unsuual customs. You could say the same about Catholics or Jews, though. Many religions seem weird to outsiders. Romney would make an awesome president, if we just give him the chance. He has an amazing track record, and an incredible brain.

[sgtrds]

Just that ought to rid people of their prejudices against Mormons.

Posted by teejmac1 at 08:26 PM : Jan 16, 2008

It''''s still a cult.

Posted by formrusmcsgt at 08:28 PM : Jan 16, 2008

All religions are.

[hobbes1831]

ask mormons about joseph smith''s claim that all of christianity was an "abomination." NOW they want to be included in the mainstream...not because they agree with it, but so that they can proselytize it.

they have every right to believe what they believe. i have a right to NOT vote for them because of it...AND to point out the facts that they hide. my mormon friends say, "if we tried to explain that early, it would scare everybody away. you have to get into it to understand."

ask them if they believe they''ll literally be a GOD someday...of their OWN PlANET...spiritually reproducing with many wives a planet like they believe God did on earth.

by the way, they believe God was a sinful man who through good works became a god.

[ontheleft]

The title for the story should have read "Romney''s Run Brings Attention to Morons" because only morons would vote for him.

[cpaide]

2/3 of the electorate say they won''t vote for a mormon. No one has ever won the presidency with 33% of the vote.
Posted by formrusmcsgt

funny. 2/3 of the electorate won''t even vote, so who cares what they say now. no one knows how they will actually vote.

bush won in 2004 with 62 million votes out of 220 million people of voting age. that''s closer to 28 percent. and he only got 50 million votes out of 211 million potential voters in 2000 and still won. that''s less than 24 percent.

if your analysis is correct, you got any smart ideas on how rommel won the michigan primary and placed second in new hampster and crazy iowa while huck faded? probably 2/3 won''t vote for a evangelical christian zealot, a black muslim or an old lesbian, which is bad news for huck, osama and billary.

[cpaide]

ask mormons about joseph smith''s claim that all of christianity was an "abomination."
Posted by hobbes1831

jesus told me the same thing about christianity. told me to keep it under my hat, though. didn''t want to get in trouble with the evangelical christian zealots on the cbs message board. told me that he was a jew himself and that if people wanted to follow him, they would be jews too. and good ones besides!

[bdrlnt4rl]

neoconism

you know first hand what a delusional fool is, you see one every time you comb your hair. it is obvious in you comments.

[bdrlnt4rl]

neoconism

has anyone today that you are a neocon who need to live in the middle east with the rest of the neocons?

[jdharman]

My, my, neoconism. One can just FEEL all the love you have for your fellow men oozing out from your rant about Mormons and Republicans. What a tolerant, respectful and civil person you must be. No "demonization" of those who disagree with you politically here. Nosirreee! You sound alot like that other pious hypocrite, Jimmy Carter...Hmmm, is there a pattern here?

[bdrlnt4rl]

neoconism

what planet do you live on? are you on medication? maybe you should go see a shrink or something. you are disturbed and need help. maybe you can talk to you right hand after you wash it off after jacken off.

[bdrlnt4rl]

neoconism

and yes i have done business with them, i even live next door to some. very clean, respectable and very proud to fly the US flag in front of their home and their businss, unlike yourself. i would rather live next to them than your neocon azzzz

[denn034]

From the story: "Smith further said that an angel, Moroni, led him to a set of buried gold plates that when translated from its ancient script became the Book of Mormon." Muhammad insisted that the angel Gabriel appeared to him and revealed the Qur''an so, Joseph Smith wasn''t the only one to claim something like that.mination.
From the story: "Randy Parker, a 36-year-old Mormon living in American Fork, complained that religion is being used as a test of political fitness for Romney but not for the other candidates. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a onetime evangelical Baptist minister, has not been asked to explain his faith in the same way, Parker said. ''At what point does a religion attain the status of just being accepted generally?'' Parker asked." One would think that "Today...in the United States, where Mormonism is the fourth-largest denomination" would constitute "being accepted generally." Where the book of Abraham that an earlier posting mentioned is concerned, rational people can differ as whether that made Joseph a fraud or not. One would think that Joseph acting contrary to the book of Abraham by allowing two black men to be ordained to the priesthood and the fact that Joseph never presented the book of Abraham to the church for acceptance as scripture or ever stated his intent to do so would favor the RLDS view that the book of Abraham was viewed by Joseph as uninspired speculation only. See http://themormonites.blogspot.com/ for more details.

[denn034]

I am not a Mormon (an atheist actually) but spent a summer in the Salt Lake City area a couple of years ago. I was treated with kindness and respect by everyone I encountered. People were friendly and helpful. The people I met seemed dedicated to the family, their jobs, and their religion. If Mormonism is considered an evil cult by some then those people do not know what they are talking about. It takes all kinds of people to make up a diverse and vibrant society. Mormons are just one group in our society that deserves what they give everyone else - respect. Bigotry, in all forms, has no place in a tolerant society.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by madjayhawk1

Mormons are missionary minded so, I''m not surprised you, a non-Mormon, were treated kindly. There are those, anti-Mormons and some Apostates, who''ve complained of being harrassed and mistreated by the Mormons in Utah though. People can view this differently I guess.

[brahms2]

They will come to you as wolves dressed in sheepsclothing. 666

[brahms2]

The Mormons deserve every bit of abuse that can be heaped on them. After all, they support a party that actually hates blacks, Mexicans or any one that disagrees with them. I grew up in the South and the Conservatives are exactly what they portray, Why do you think the South became Repug''s? The Mormons are worse, they just have their Sheep''s clothing on.

[tryhonesty]

I have a simple test for those considering the LDS (Mormon) faith (having lived in Utah for over 18 years and worked for the Utah State government. Live in Utah for one year. But, belong to any other religion other than the LDS faith. You will experience discrimination in the work place, in your neighborhood and social events once you make clear that you have your own faith, and will not be converted to the LDS faith. Your children will experience many negative pressures as they progress toward High School in the Utah public school system as a "non mormon" or "gentile". I still have many, many friends in Utah, but moved my family out of Utah for this very sad reason. After living in Utah for these many years, I found a majority of Utah''s society as very narrow minded and not to be trusted. I loved the state of Utah as a beautiful area. It is an "outdoors" paradise, but the constant pressure to convert to the "Mormon view of the world" drove me and my family away from Utah. There is no "separation of church and state" in Utah. Disregard of the United States Constitution (sound familiar?) as with the present Bush Administration.

If you want the United States run the same as the last 7 years, vote for Mitt Romney. I do not feel that the country can survive another administration like the present administration. Please vote Democratic. Thank you.

[winnersedge4]

Brahms2 - I think you need a little reflection of who you really are before you "judge" others. You lived a negative life--that''s why you cannot find anything good on others. "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). Listen to yourself!

[merlgrey]

War on drugs.

Since Richard Nixon declared his "War on Drugs" in 1970, the so-called "law and order" approach has prevailed among Republican politicians.

John McCain when asked if he saw any similarity between Alcohol Prohibition and the War on Drugs, he replied that there was no similarity at all.

Mitt Romney has stated we need to "reinstitute a campaign as powerful as ''Just Say No'' was."

William F. Buckley, Jr., longtime editor of The National Review and the individual regarded by many as the father of modern conservatism. "Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value," he wrote, "marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could."

Republican economist Milton Friedman, a Nobel laureate, spoke consistently against Drug Prohibition until his death in 2006. Friedman wrote "As a nation, we have been destroying foreign countries because we cannot enforce our own laws. As a nation, we have been responsible for the murder of literally hundreds of thousands of people at home and abroad by fighting a war that should never have been started and can be won, if at all, only by converting the United States into a police state."

Ron Paul is a very notable Republican politician who says things like "I''ve always been very clear that the Drug War is a lot worse than the drugs themselves."

[silvertlc]

Wow, lots of hate here!
I Love all people! :) I served a mission for the LDS church and did so because I feel I have found the truth about God and Life. This truth brings me great Joy and Happiness. I worked hard on my mission because I felt I have a precious gift to give to others. It is a very difficult thing to go outside of my comfort zone for 2 years talking to so many people, often getting criticized for beliefs that are so precious to me. If someone were motivated by a hate for others or their religion and not out of Love they would not likely last more than a week as a missionary!

[kaliveotin]

The BOOK OF MORMON and the story of Cain and Able! No one has talked about that yet. The teaching is that the Black race is black because of Gods wrath. Furthermore, that dark skinned humans are inherantly
evil, lazy and not to be trusted. The Book of Mormon
teachings that no one has brought up yet will come to the surface. Democrats are hoping that Mitt is the Republican nominee for that reason. A religious principle that goes way beyond racism.

[papabc]

Romney''s Run Brings Attention To Mormons - Because that is what the media is play up.

Now lets hear about Obama''s Black only church

What is Hillery''s beliefs and why does she allow Bill to victimize Women. How come she wont try to stop him.

The Media is tell us who we should and should now elect.

They point to the beliefs and flaws of those they are against

Then ignore the beliefs or flaws those they wish to have elected. No matter how bad they might be.

[papabc]

Posted by Brahms2 :
The Mormons deserve every bit of abuse that can be heaped on them. After all, they support a party that actually hates blacks, Mexicans or any one that disagrees with them. I grew up in the South and the Conservatives are exactly what they portray, Why do you think the South became Repug''''s? The Mormons are worse, they just have their Sheep''''s clothing on.
------------------------------------------------------



You do not know what you are talking about.

[clgt1]

I find the amount of hateful comments generated toward Mormons amazing. My experience with members of this church are that they are a loving people who try to live Christlike lives. I fear for our country when I see such hatred expressed. I don''t have to agree with others to be able to appreciate their goodness. I have friends from many religions and others that are atheists. Do we need to put each other down when our country needs so desperately to build each other up? Bitterness, anger, hatred, corruption, greed, deceit,lying are all characteristics of a society in trouble.

[graygrizzly-2009]

NEOCONISM?

Is that a snake? You know out West some of us folks have never seen a snake called a "neoconism". How did you learn to type on a computer keyboard?

How can you tell a "neoconism" from a rattlesnake? As they say it''s hard to tell one snake from another.

In fact, there seems to some other wriggling creatures who have posted here. It would be good if we could figure out how many other snakes are posted here. Maybe each of you should get out from behind your "alias''.

IN SUMMARY:

All you "haters" should get a life. Spend some time reading about some great religious leaders...your choice. It would do you good...and the rest of world!

Kent Sibbett alias ''graygrizzly'' [e-mail]

[news4all]

Mormons are good people--- visit their official church site at LDS.ORG
There is a 10 minute video on that site narrated in part by Steve Young (click on News and Events and then Newsroom.

[news4all]

Mormons are good people--- visit their official church site at LDS.ORG
There is a 10 minute video on that site narrated in part by Steve Young (click on News and Events and then Newsroom.

[news4all]

Mormons are good people--- visit their official church site at LDS.ORG
There is a 10 minute video on that site narrated in part by Steve Young (click on News and Events and then Newsroom.

[news4all]

Mormons are good people--- visit their official church site at LDS.ORG
There is a 10 minute video on that site narrated in part by Steve Young (click on News and Events and then Newsroom.

[news4all]

Mormons are good people--- visit their official church site at LDS.ORG
There is a 10 minute video on that site narrated in part by Steve Young (click on News and Events and then Newsroom.

[news4all]

Mormons are good people--- Google The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and visit their official church site.
There is a 10 minute video on that site narrated in part by Steve Young
(click on News and Events and then Newsroom.)

[pelosistilho]

Three words for Mitt and for Mormons -

Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Until you apologize publicity for the "blood atonement" I cannot trust Romney. I might still vote for him but to belong to a cult that murdered 140 innocent people including teenage boys and girls and tried to shift the blame on Paiute Indians, a cult that gave us Warren Jeffs and Elders unwilling to denounce him, well, sorry if I sound intolerant, but so are you, Mormons.

Publicly apologize, Mitt and Elders for something your ancestors did - and perhaps even Brig Young on another 9/11, otherwise you do NOT deserve my vote for the guy who did missionary work when others went to Vietnam.

[news4all]

Mountain Meadows was an awful part of history! The people responsible will answer to God. The LDS church did not kill those people. Warren Jeffs has nothing whatsoever to do with the LDS church. As for Romney serving a 3 year mission (donating the money and time to help others selflessly), I''m sorry you feel that way. I have a son in the military right now and I wholeheartedly support Romney for President.

[billpl-2009]

Romney being Mormon isn''t such a big deal,

the problem is

his money is too

[billpl-2009]

News4All:
Warren Jeffs has nothing whatsoever to do with the LDS church.

New4You
The FLDS are not only Mormon, they''re better Mormons than the LDS
Warren Jeffs isn''t evil, he was just doing his job as Prophet

but what can expect from a religion that was started by a 19th century version of Flavor Flav

[farmerbb]

Reading/watching all this stuff, where ONE religious cult (mormons) complains about being attacked/persecuted for their religion, BY people from other religious cults, is truly amusing. Atheists are being attacked by almost ALL religious cults. Hmmm. The common thread here is that if you belong to a religious cult, you MAY be prone to attacking other religious cults. Oh, right, unless you are an atheist, which is NOT a religious cult (by definition), in which case you are more likely to live and let live, in peace. Anyone see a possible cure for all these attacks ? And make no mistake, some of these attacks involve firearms or swords. Dump the religion.

[hwy71so]

Uh, who''s this guy, Jack? You know? Jack Mormon?

If the mormons are not a cult, then why do they need fortified compounds such as the one they have near Eldorado, Texas?