A plea to non-Mormom Congressman Ron Paul MD supporters...
I am an ex Mormon. I grew up in the church. I went on an LDS mission when I was 19. I went to BYU (the church private university for a semester--I transferred). I married in the temple. I have read the entire Bible 4 times, the New Testament 16 times, and the Book of Mormon 30+ times.
I went through 4 years of High school seminary (kinda like Sunday School but every day in a building across the street from the high school). I went through 4 years of institute (religious study in college).
I have studied just about every Mormon book from Jesus the Christ, Mormon Doctrine, Doctrine and Covenants, et cetera.
I have also left the church, think it's false, but still support my Mormon wife who takes our kids to church. We have a happy life. I have no fealty to the church tho and hope our kids reject it. But if they don't reject it...well...I was Mormon until I turned 30 and am happy with my life.
I have the experience (both in the church and leaving the church) and education to speak about Mormonism with some insight.
IT IS A DISSERVICE TO RON PAUL TO MORMON BASH ROMNEY SUPPORTERS.
I get it. I do. The buses shipping in people, the organization, and the social pressure that some people feel in the church to support Romney. I get it...probably better then most people on this forum.
HOWEVER...the church doesn't endorse a candidate. There is a STRONG pro-constitutionalist sentiment in the church. Prophets have compare it to an inspired work close to the bible and Book of Mormon.
There is a strong Mormons 4 Paul community. Dr. Paul himself has said we should not focus on religion but on platforms and message.
Mormons will be isolated and self-encouraged to support Romney if we attack their faith. I almost had a entire family to support Paul until I showed the youtube video that talked about Paul not bringing baggage to the presidency as it showed who all was divorced...and Romney having polygamy in his family back-ground. They felt attacked, clammed up, and lost interest.
As much as I like that video, I avoid using it now in Utah.
Please, for the sake of Paul's presidency and for common decency don't attack Mormonism, their faith, their habits, or how you view them as a group. It is ineffective, a little mean spirited, and not in keeping with Paul's message.
Please...there are Mormon Paul supporters. Lets encourage them. We are all people wanting what is best for us. Let's have faith that those of different faith will be united in liberty.
That is all. Thank you.
EDIT: Thank you everyone for the positive feedback. mikileo gave a great link down this page. I will add it here so it is in the top/original post. It is a youtube video of a Prophet of the church who was also the secretary of agriculture (before he was a prophet). He defends the constitution here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdD0xbubWs
As you can see...Mormon's can be, and probably will be, big allies in electing Ron Paul.
Great post! I know some
Great post! I know some mormons that are just terrific people.
SIGN UP NOW for the RON PAUL THANKSGIVING!
Nationwide Grassroots Food Drive!
http://ronpaulthanksgiving.com
Sign up and INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS. Get your meetup groups involved.
very good point
i aggree
T.
Your letter changed me, thank you
I am as guilty as any other for Mormon bashing, but your letter makes sense and I hope all of us read it and heed it. Thanks very much!
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
AMEN!
Amen, brother.
As much as I honor the individual and the contribution that each of us brings to this world, ultimately we're all in this together. With our without labels, we're screwed if we don't realize that quickly and work together with everyone to get the good Doctor elected. Our rights are granted from a higher power than man (according to our founders and the Constitution), and Ron Paul understands this more than needing to defend himself or discount someone else's belief. "What Would Ron Do?" We need his strong moral and honest leadership in this country. He is the opposite of an evangelist or naysayer because he actually lives his life as a good person without preaching to anyone. He follows through with his word and speaks the truth despite all the corruption and deceit in government. Turning people off to Dr. Paul because of our own issues with how another man or women lives their life is the opposite of what Dr. Paul's message is about. My life is mine. Yours is yours. And yet, we are still in this together. No matter what the label, I want my LIFE back. I want you to have yours back, too. Somewhere along the line, we as humans stopped living our own lives and began living the life that was dictated to us. Our belief systems, religion and government have created a lot of artificial divisions, removing us from our true Gifts and Blessings. May we each soon return to that "true self" or "true nature" we have been missing for so long in human history. The Native Americans and the Aboriginals and the First Nations, peoples of the world, they had lived in harmony with nature for so long that we have today forgotten what our connection was with each other.
Liberty means to me that I not only expect my own freedom (so long as I do no harm to another) to be respected, but that I would not infringe on another person's freedom to practice as they wish. No harm, no foul.
I always believed that we should be good to each other. I don't have to put a label on what I believe to recognize that.
Christian,Mormon,Jew,Muslim,Anarchist-whatever!
Ron Paul is the man who will look out for the freedoms of all Americans.
Opresso De Liber
Life,Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!
Conscious of Our Creator and Source of our Liberties.
I agree 100%. It really
I agree 100%. It really bugs me when I see any racists (or religionists?) among the grassroots, every once in a while you see someone bashing either Mormons, Religious Right, Jews, or Athiests. It's silly. Why try to divide such a big tent movement? We're all in this together, we're all seeking liberty. It's really arrogant for people to think that one group is more pro-liberty than another, and it's really selfish for people to let their own prejudices divide such an important movement. If you are prejudiced that is fine, that's your beliefs, but don't bring your trash to the dinner table.
I am a STRONG practicing Mormon ... He is right
Lem is right about the fact that we should not be bashing Mormons - not just because I am one, but it does no good and may be harmful. Mormons do have a STRONG belief the Constitution was inspired of God. If they can be gently walked down the path that Mitt does not follow the Constitution, they will likely support Ron Paul.
Ron Paul is already the #2 favorite among Mormons and his base is growing FAST. Mitt is loosing ground because he does not reflect our beliefs. Lem is correct - the Church does NOT endorse, support, encourage or in any way promote Mitt - not at all !!! I can not state this any more strong.
The way Mitts "gang" votes multiple times and the other strange practices Mitt does will turn off MOST Mormons. The fact that Mitt "buys" much of his votes will also be a negative for Mormons looking at Mitt.
Many Mormons - like the rest of the nation - are sheep ... just following others. I know ... some of my family will not look at ANY candidate on their own - they go ask someone else what they think. But this is true with every religion.
Gently, kindly find a way to talk about the Constitution and show Ron Paul's record. They may become strong followers fast - others in my family have and they are STRONG dedicated, active supporters.
BTW .. The New Hope 2.0 video took out the part about Mitt's Ancestors. It should be OK to show. It does still show Mitt during that section of the video but your are left to wonder why - they may wonder perhaps it is because of Mitt's previous stance on Abortion or Gay Marriage in the past . I do not feel like it is offensive like the first version.
My $0.02 ---- Thanks Lem for posting.
I love the fact that I am in huge sign waving rallies with those that are Pro-Life and Pro-Choice, those that are very religious and atheist. Liberty is what it is about.
... in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity ...
Amen.
.
Thank You!
As a resident of South Jordan, UT I can confirm the accuracy of this post. Ron Paul's message is in lockstep with mormon doctrine on gov't. A very recent church president, Ezra Taft Benson is famous for his warnings of the country being taken from the inside by corrupt officials and how we should strictly adhere to the constitution. He was critical of Social Security long before it was popular. Ron Paul will easily take second place in UT and could take first if we can get people to look at Ron Paul with an open mind.
See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdD0xbubWs
I know many religions take issue with the mormons, but to use it as an attack tool for Mitt Romney is bigotry. The LDS church has survived 200+ years and is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. No matter how many websites pop-up debunking the church's origins, the church will thrive. One of the keys to their success is the LDS culture of supporting each other. If you attack Mitt Romney based on his religion, it will be instinctive for many mormons to vote for Mitt. This will hurt Mr. Huckabee, don't drag Ron Paul's grassroots movement through the same mud.
Freedom, Prosperity and Peace!
-Mike
I agree
some supporters are maybe new at this, instead of going with just the issues
they go overboard. My neighbor is Mormon and she is voting for Dr. Paul.
Dr. Paul himself is very vocal that a person's religion, or anything else should not be a factor, just the message. We are all learning in this journey and will
make mistakes. With the help of Dr. Paul we will all be better people by the end of our journey to the White House. Thank you for posting
Prepare & Share the Message of Freedom through Positive-Peaceful-Activism.
May it be that we were inspired.
If we remember nothing else from this campaign, may it be that we were inspired.
Dr. Paul walks his life upright and honestly. He lives his life to its fullest and gives passion to his beliefs. For this, I will always be able to remember how Dr. Paul brought the movement a legitimacy that I'll never be able to deny.
No question about it, this man sets an incredible example and would be a wonderful role model for us and our children. A true statesman. For many of us,o ur apathy was cured by the good Doctor. Now our passions are only limited by our imagination, creativity and personal action. We are the change we wish to see in the world. Gandhi would be proud. Ron Paul would be proud.
Thank you for that post.
Thank you for that post.
I agree..
No one's religious beliefs should be trashed here ever.... after all, Dr. Paul is for religious freedom for everyone. We have a lot of Mormons working for Paul as well. Mormons do respect the Constitution and there are many of them in NH.
Excellent post. I agree
Excellent post. I agree with you.
There's somethin' happenin' here...
Power To The People?