Article for opinion forum by Elva C. Martin 

 Originally Published in Anderson Independent Mail Dec. 2007  

 Mitt R-Money 2012:  Just Say NO 

       The political drug of choice for president among some conservative leaders in the five battleground states might become Mitt Romney. The behind-closed-doors “high” acclaimed is: “He’s the only one with enough money and brains to beat Obama.” 

             If Romney should make it into the White House, I can see two suitcases clinging to his legs. One suitcase shouts “Money”, the other, in point six type, whispers “Mormon”.            

       The money suitcase, when you open it, is pretty impressive, even without the campaign funds raised or donated from Romney’s personal fortune.  According to an Associated Press article by Steve LeBlanc November 4, 2007, Mitt’s net worth was estimated at up to $250 million.

             According to Romney’s website, he first gained national recognition for his role in turning around the financial crisis of the 2002 Winter Olympics. In his three-year role as President and CEO of the Salt Lake Committee he purportedly erased a $379 million operating deficit for the group.

             In l984 Romney founded Bain Capital, one of the nation’s most successful venture capital and investment companies and reputedly helped guide hundreds of companies like Staples, Domino’s and Sports Authority, on a successful course.

             As Governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007, we are told, he presided over a dramatic reversal of state fortunes and a period of economic expansion. 

             But as with all drugs of choice, there’s the downside.             Romney’s carrying another suitcase. Mormonism. 

             But that won’t matter. Right?  He can still be a money-smart, conservative, workhorse president no matter the core religious beliefs in his heart.  After all, he’s not campaigning for U. S. Pastor, just president. 

             But in case we need a strong prayer from the White House, like Washington prayed at Valley Forge or Lincoln on April 20, l863, or FDR prayed on the eve of D-Day (and like we might desperately need in case of nuclear attack from the dozen or so nations who are living only for the day they can destroy us) what are some of the core beliefs of Romney’s Mormon faith? 

             I went to the proverbial horse’s mouth to find out.  I checked out the web site (www.utlm.org) of Sandra Tanner, a great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young, the Mormon who led his people to Utah after the death of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. She and her late husband Jerald, both born, raised and married in the Mormon faith left in l959 after finding many doctrines not compatible with the Bible as well as contradictions among the Mormon teachings.  In studying the Bible, they also both became convinced of their need of repentance and a Savior and received the Christ of the Bible into their lives. 

             In 1964 they started a non-profit organization, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, in Salt Lake City as an outreach ministry to people struggling with issues surrounding Mormonism—issues like heartbroken parents whose children have converted to Mormonism and they can’t come to their wedding in the Temple.             According to Tanner, Mormons claim the Bible as one of their holy texts but actually consider three Mormon books produced by founder Joseph Smith more reliable scripture: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. 

            Tanner says converts are swarming into the Mormon church knowing little about its doctrines; converted, rather, to its family-oriented programs, its emphasis on everyone being “saved” to some level of heaven, and the doing of good deeds to become worthy to live with God.

             Mormon doctrines Tanner uncovers for seekers of truth include the belief that the Mormon Church is the only true church and that all others are false; that man is inherently good; that the God to whom they pray is but one of a whole series of gods who at one time were mortal then progressed to godhood; that their Heavenly Father was once born a spirit child of a god and wife and at maturity, he was sent to another world and was born as a human where he married, died, was resurrected, went to heaven and became the God of our world. And he and his wife continue to birth children in their heavenly world.             Further, Tanner says that the Mormon man, accompanied by his wife, who is faithful to his religion, pays his tithes, and attends the temple rituals can hope to eventually progress to become a god of another world, just like his Heavenly Father did, and continue to produce spiritual children.  To the Mormon “eternal life,” which not all will have, is the ability to forever procreate and give life, producing millions of spirit children to inhabit the earths they will form. 

             Frankly, I don’t think I can count on Romney’s prayers to his god busy birthing spiritual babies on another planet, not while Muslim terrorists with up to four wives are also busy birthing babies on our planet — physical children and countless spiritual progeny—all of whom hate infidels like us.

             So, money or not, I’m going to have to say “No” to Mitt Romney.  I’d rather count on the prayers of someone like Michelle Bachman or Gov. Perry, or Rick Santorum even if they don’t raise multiple millions; they  pray to the same God to whom the Pilgrims prayed.  Money might move some conservative leaders, but it won’t move the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when the Philistines, Assyrians and Babylonians come after us with their nuclear warheads.

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