Mark Hemingway of NRO has gone to the trouble of writing what the thinks Romney should say tomorrow. I’m afraid much of Hemingway’s offering is pretty boring. But it includes some interesting ideas, like these closing paragraphs:
I do acknowledge that some aspects of Mormonism as it has been practiced in the past have been controversial. My Church abandoned polygamy over 110 years ago. And though African American men were originally granted equal rights in the early church, my Church did not allow them to hold the priesthood — authority that otherwise was given to all males of age in the church — until 1978. Since then the Mormon Church has been incredibly active in mission efforts in Africa where the church is booming, as well as involved in missionary work and outreach among nearly every other culture in the world.
That the church made this change in my lifetime was enormously important to me. My father marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and I was always raised to believe in the primary importance of civil rights. In my career as public servant, I have fought and I will continue to fight with all I have in me for the basic protections of all Americans that allow them to be treated fairly.
In the end, I sincerely hope that by the questions raised by my candidacy, have helped Americans better understand Mormonism as well as their own beliefs. But while I encourage dialogue, I will not discuss the doctrine of my church. Not because I have anything to hide or do not wish to do so, but rather because it is a distraction. So with that, I will take this one opportunity to discuss the beliefs of my church only insofar as they are relevant to my public life.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has thirteen “Articles of Faith” that concisely outline what we believe. So fundamental are they that Mormon children are encouraged to memorize them. As I said before, I won’t pretend that some of these articles of faith are universal. But the last three articles of faith are the most instructive here so I will read them:
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul — We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
It is my hope that all Americans, and not just Mormons, subscribe to these three articles of faith. I have tried to live by them, and as always is the case, I have not lived up to these standards perfectly. But I have learned a great deal in my struggle to be privately virtuous and publicly honorable, and I believe that what I have learned makes me the man best suited at this juncture in history to lead this nation. But I will not deny that my private faith has always guided me and will continue to guide me as a leader. It guided me as I served capably as governor of Massachusetts, and will guide me ably when I serve as your president. Thank you.
Is there any problem with Romney expressing these ideas? Well, the first that comes to mind is this: There will be endless stories and commentators, some featuring rogues with an axe to grind, some featuring men and women of good will, some simply mistaken, all exploring those comments, ad nauseum. That’s all we’ll hear about Romney for days afterwards. What was that priesthood and African American men issue all about? (For those who don’t know, aside from polygmay it is one of the most controversial, misunderstood, and confusing parts of Mormon history.) And polygamy . . . need I say more?
I am now off to Texas to hear the speech. More later.
Sphere: Related Content
