Article VI Blog

As we began to explore the issues in Hugh’s book, and as John notes in his post just below, the two of us expected that we would find no significant differences in the way evangelicals and Mormons are likely to view those issues. That’s certainly true of this one. Most American Mormons who are Republicans (which I am confident is a large majority) would agree with Hugh regarding the liberal attack on the military. As a life-long, practicing, multi-generational Mormon, a President Mitt Romney may be expected to share that view. Here is some background into the strong patriotic tradition in Romney’s faith.

I think it is safe to say that Latter-day Saints, although not militaristic, have a strong sense of duty to our country and we find miltary service exceedingly honorable. For an excellent overview of what Mormons believe on war, peace, and military service, I recommend this LDS General Conference address by President Gordon B. Hinckley. It is a sweet and touching treament of the subject, and is authoritative. (Mormons consider President Hinckley God’s prophet on the earth today.) Here’s an excerpt:

This places us in the position of those who long for peace, who teach peace, who work for peace, but who also are citizens of nations and are subject to the laws of our governments. Furthermore, we are a freedom-loving people, committed to the defense of liberty wherever it is in jeopardy. I believe that God will not hold men and women in uniform responsible as agents of their government in carrying forward that which they are legally obligated to do. It may even be that He will hold us responsible if we try to impede or hedge up the way of those who are involved in a contest with forces of evil and repression.

Doctrinally, as a Mormon I find everything in John’s post in full agreement with my church’s beliefs.Â A few facts fill out the picture of a deeply patriotic religious culture:

Historically, and like most Christian churchmen, the First Presidency of the Church decried the carnage of World War II, but Mormons served, oftenÂ heroically and by the thousands.
Mormons cannot be conscientous objectors on account of their faith, because the Church is not pacifist.
Mormon doctrine expressly recognizes the right to defend one’s liberty and family “even unto bloodshed,” althought efforts at forebearance are necessary.
There are many Mormon Medal of Honor recipients.
A number of cadets and midshipmen at the military service academies are Mormons. Here’s an interesting example of a Mormon cadet at West Point who also was on the basketball team and left for two years to serve a mission for the Church. At this writing, the top midshipman at the Naval Academy is a Mormon; so is the top cadet at the Air Force Academy.
We believe the United State Consitution was divinely inspired, and that the Framers were men raised up by God for that very purpose.
If you walk into any Mormon meetinghouse in the United States, you’ll find a display case with the photos and addresses of the young men and women who are serving as full-time missionaries for the Church.Â Alongside the photos of the missionaries will be photos and addresses of any member of that ward (congregation) who is serving in the military.Â

In short, voters who support the military, whatever their religious background, will find no reason to be concerned on the basis of Mitt Romney’s faith.Â Instead, they’ll have to evaluate his positions on military issues.Â And that seems very right to me.

And by the way, this recent action is not the sort of thing an anti-military public officeholder does. Nor is this one.

We’d love to have your thoughts.Â You can discuss this on the comment forum here.

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