Heart of the Matter: Where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity

“LIVE FROM THE MECCA OF MORMONISM”
SALT LAKE CITY UTAH

This is Heart of the Matter, where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face. Show 28 The Mormon Way- Politics
July 10th 2012

And I’m Shawn McCraney, your host. We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this ministry. May He be with you (and us) tonight.

Programs and Broadcasts

SUNDAYS – Two things:

• We hold church “deconstructed” every Sunday. Go to www.c-a-m-p-u-s.com for more information.
• AM 820 replays Heart of the Matter every Sunday from 1 to 2.

Friday Nights at 8pm right here on TV20 tune in as Bishop Earl interviews people who were once LDS and are now born-again Christians. The name of the show? The Ex-Files. Want to be interviewed. Email Bishop Earl at www.exmormonfiles.tv

From the Word

How about a moment, “From the Word”

In John chapter ten we come to a parable that the Lord tells. It’s all about sheep, the shepherd of the flock, the door to the sheepfold, and thieves and robbers who seek to enter into the fold through some other way. I would love to go through this verse by verse but the last verse of the teaching (verse 16) is the MOST applicable to the Mormon/Christian debate. What is it about? After telling a parable about the sheep and the fold, Jesus says:

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

In Matthew 15, a non-Israelite woman pursued after Jesus seeking healing. Here the Lord said to her in verse 24:

“I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

When He sent the twelve out to share the Good News, he said to them in Matthew 10:

“Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

These verses make it perfectly clear – completely clear – that when Jesus was in the flesh on earth during His mortal ministry, He came to save the House of Israel – the Jews. NOT the Gentiles. Not Samaritans. Jews.

So when He said in John 10:

16 “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

He was referring to ANYONE and EVERYONE who was NOT a Jew – or in other words, to the gentile world. I think this fact is pretty clear. Unless you’re LDS.

Why?

Because Mormon missionaries take this passage and say something like this:

(New camera angle – whetted lips, heavy breathing)

“Mr and Mrs Jones, when Jesus was on this earth, he said to the people living in Jerusalem, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them I must also bring . . .” Do you know what ‘other sheep’ Jesus was speaking of? Thaz right? The people of the Book of Mormon, living across the sea in the new world.”

Just another example of Mormonitious teachings that can be confronted and proven false . . . with a contextual reading of the Word of God!

Alathea Summer Sales Spectacular

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Adieu! I gotta tell you, I’ve a sticker on my laptop and it has really opened up some

The Heart of the Matter: Challenging the Status Quo

conversation when I am out and about. (Opens you up to a lot of really mean stares too, but what the heck).

You know, because of the responses we get I think it’s important that every now and then I point a few things out about this program. This is NOT a “church program,” nor is it some pathetic time set aside to “share and exchange beliefs” (lalalala) or to “build bridges” with the world or play “nice-nice” with Mormons (or with anyone else, for that matter). It’s a time to shout (figuratively and literally) that the freaking house is on fire, the exit doors have been blocked by man-made debris, and there is only ONE WAY out – through Him. I am a teacher – a pastor/teacher – nothing more. I’ve learned a few things in this capacity.

Teaching Through Provocation

First, the best thing I can offer is NOT to tell people what to think, but to get people TO think, to consider. Additionally, I learned in college that the instructors who were able to get the most out of their students were professors who challenged them . . . prodded them . . . and who refused to allow their students to hide behind their subjective little notions as a means to feel safe and secure. (wa, wa, wa) And these “spectacular secular instructors” used all sorts of tactics to light a fire under their students.

We air this program from the middle of a State that has long had “total control” over the residents and has gotten away with imposing its “will” on others. For 150 years they have made good people feel bad for enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning, a beer in the evening, or a Sunday afternoon fishing with the family. Using the very name of God they have forced people to stand outside their whited sepulchres while “recommended” family and friends exchange ghastly rites of allegiance . . . to their machine.

We KNOW our methods will not reach everybody – not even the majority. But we also KNOW they reach some. And typically those who begin to think and consider don’t just walk from the machine, but they walk into the arms of Him who came to give life and liberty . . . not to take it. With that preface, let’s have a word of prayer.

A Story of Changed Promises

This is an important show tonight. A Heart of the Matter Special, if you will. Let me say from the “get go” that neither I nor anyone in Alathea ministries has a position pro or con for any candidate running for any political office. Tonight I am NOT talking about ANY political candidate. I am talking about an element of Mormonism that needs to be seriously considered. Let me begin by sharing a true story with you taken from the Daily Herald just last week. In the 1970’s the Mormon church broke ground in a residential area of Utah County and created what is known as the MTC – or Mission Training Center.

At that time the residents of this neighborhood were concerned that this campus (of sorts) would infringe upon the residential feel of the community. These homeowners were promised by the LDS Church a number of things – one being that no building would ever be constructed that was higher than five stories. Today that story has changed, and the LDS church revealed plans to construct a nine story building on the MTC campus.

Okay. Things like this happen. We live in an expanding world and what was promised thirty years ago might today be considered short sighted. I get that. I also get that when the residents of the neighborhood learned of the LDS plans for putting up a nine story building they were outraged. With many of them being LDS, in March they collectively crafted a letter to the President of the Mormon church, Thomas S. Monson, expressing their concerns. In the Daily Herald article, written by Genelle Pugmire, and dated July 6th, it said that SLC church leadership contacted the stake president in reference to this letter, and told him to convey to the members – LISTEN – to convey to them that “such concerns are of a secular nature, and the issues are for Provo city to discuss.” Left at this, I would applaud the LDS leadership. This is separation of Church and State. This is how things should be.

A Model of Mormon Influence in Secular Matters

We have seen thus far, it appeared that this was the way it would be, with the Mormon Machine trying to build, the residents getting angry over the building, and both parties letting those in charge of the civil matter handle it. Listen carefully to this, please, because in light of what this nation is about to do, it presents the actual model of how Mormonism works – from the top down.

Having been told by the LDS top that the matter was a secular one, the residents of the neighborhood believed their leaders, formed a petition, wrote proposed amendments, and became quite vocal in their resistance to the nine-story building being built by their church. This community group was spearheaded by an LDS man (and BYU employee) by the name of Paul Evans. The Provo Planning commission was set to vote on the proposed amendment to limit the height of buildings erected in residential areas to five stories.

Two days before the Provo Planning gathered to vote, Paul Evans bowed out as the leader of the residential resistance. Why? I mean, this was a civil and secular matter, right? Brother Evans surely wouldn’t have bowed out from pressure from the Mormon church, right? What would cause this concerned resident and property owner to suddenly back away from fighting the nine-story monstrosity the Mormon church wanted to stick in the middle of their lives?

The Role of Church Authority

Well, Paul Evans sent an explanation for his resignation to the director of Provo city's Community Development department, and the Daily Herald obtained a copy of it through GRAMA, the state's “open records law.” This is what Evans wrote:

"On Monday, June 25, 2012, I received an invitation from a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ecclesiastical leader (relayed from a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, the second-highest governing body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The invitation was to support the decision of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to build a 9-story building at the Provo Missionary Training Center. I accept the invitation."

(beat – face -)

Can I translate this to you all in case you missed it? The LDS hierarchy told Evans that the matter was secular, but when Evans went ahead and fought against it through “secular means” the matter became ecclesiastical – and using the “office of First Presidency and First Quorum of the Twelve” as muscle – Evans acquiesced, and threw in the towel as leader of the resistance. THIS! Is how Mormonism operates.

Community Impact

But even with Evans having dropped out, there were others who did not get the same invitation from the “BRETHREN” and so they continued to resist the construction in their neighborhood. Hmmmm. What to do? Oh, that’s right, how about applying some ecclesiastical pressure on all who haven’t yet caved.

So, a similar invitation was then extended to church members in the MTC area who continued to resist the nine story building. How was this invitation extended to the members? Last Sunday, in a sacrament meeting of the Pleasant View First Ward — the LDS ward nearest the MTC campus — stake president Chris Randall read a statement from the pulpit (which he said came from Elder L. Whitney Clayton, the area representative of the church for east Provo).

Ward members in attendance at the meeting said that Randall, in a tearful delivery, said the church's “Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency” had carefully and prayerfully considered the issue of growth and development at the MTC and had decided that the 9-story building should be built. According to church members in attendance, President Randall then delivered what he said was an "invitation" to the congregation to "sustain" the leaders in this decision.

(beat)

Again, for those of you who don’t understand, where the Church at first said the matter was of a secular nature, it then came in and had the Stake President actually read a letter in the affected ward which stated that the top leadership, having prayed about it, decided that the nine-story building is to be built. They “invited” members in that neighborhood to support them.

One ward member (who asked not to be identified) said, "To refuse an invitation to sustain the brethren would be difficult." And here, in this little example taken from little old Utah County, we see how Mormonism “works.” Why would the anonymous member, in the face of this invitation from the leadership say, "To refuse an invitation to sustain the brethren would be difficult." Our answer leads us into the very reason why active, faithful, Mormon.

Influence of Mormonism in Politics

Men and women who seek to be elected to public office cannot ever be considered truly autonomous (or free) from the influence of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Gangsters… apostles. Temple-attending Latter-day Saints make covenants before (whom they believe are) “God, angels, and human witnesses,” where they promise to give their total allegiance to the “building up of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” – all that they have or will have… ALL that they have or will have… to the building up of the Mormon church!

All that they have, all that they will have or obtain (including positions as elected officials) to building up Mormonism. Such covenants are what would make “refusing an invitation to sustain the brethren difficult.” But how far can the LDS attempts at total control reach? Many people today tend to downplay the idea that a Mormon president would ever be influenced or controlled by his or her ecclesiastical leaders – to their thinking, it’s just too Orwellian, too far-fetched, or conspiratorial in this age of enlightened living and thinking. But just last week we witnessed this oppressive influence in living color.

National Influence of Mormon Leadership

“Oh, come on,” scoffers may cry, “Provo, Utah politics is a far cry from the bureaucracy of Washington DC.” Let’s look at this. First, how influential is Mormonism nationally and around the world. According to Dan Gilgoff, a CNN religious editor: “The nation’s capital has become a Mormon stronghold, with Latter-Day Saints playing a big and growing role in the Washington establishment.” The article goes on. “Congress now counts 15 Mormon members, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.” (end quote) With only 2% of the US population being LDS, the religion is overrepresented on Capitol Hill. Add the number of LDS who are working in the FBI, CIA, and higher levels of the military, and Mormonism is well connected in and throughout the nation. That’s a factor.

Then we have to ask, Well, can these “Mormon methods of control” extend out and over to a Mormon sitting in the Oval Office? I think there are a few factors we might consider in trying to determine the answer. First, we might look around and see if Mormonism has ever (and if they currently are engaged in) influencing civic affairs by virtue of ecclesiastical force. Again, our story out of Provo proves that Mormonism currently flexes its ecclesiastical influence to get what it wants in the secular world. And the MTC example of late is just one of thousands of examples, dating all the way back to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, where Mormonism was intricately involved in national politics.

But still, Provo is a much different story than the most powerful office in the world. Is it? Take Mormonism out of the equation and just pretend for a moment that today we are faced with a candidate running for President who has throughout his life been a member of a subversive group of fifteen MILLION militia radicals. Let’s pretend that they are all armed to the teeth and just chomping at the bit to lead the country into embracing its ideals. Would you vote for such a man, believing that he would never use or appeal to these radicals while running the country? You’d have to be naïve to think it.

The White Horse Prophecy

Would you be willing to elect a man who swears his undying allegiance to the L. Ron Hubbard’s organization, or to the KKK, or to the Illuminati? If your answer is no, how do you justify electing an active, faithful Mormon to any public office? My point is NOT to compare Mormonism to these groups but to only illustrate that electing a Mormon to public office will enhance and allow Mormon influence to have its way. Another way we might determine whether the “Mormon methods of control” can and will extend out and over to a Mormon in the Oval Office is to examine how Mormonism has long seen their specific role in American Politics?

Here we will examine what is commonly called in LDS parlance, “The White Horse Prophecy.” Essentially, it has been said, taught, and referenced in the LDS church that Joseph Smith once said (and I’m paraphrasing) that the constitution of the United States would someday hang by a thread and the Elders of the Mormon church would be the ones to save it. Opening the “Encyclopedia of Mormonism,” which is a semi-official publication of the LDS church, we read: “LDS attachment to the Constitution has been further encouraged by an important oral tradition deriving from a statement attributed to Joseph Smith.

The LDS White Horse Prophecy

To which the Constitution would "hang by a thread" and be rescued, if at all, only with the help of the Saints. Church President John Taylor seemed to go further when he prophesied, "When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States the Elders of Israel (the Mormons) will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men" (JD 21:8). (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.1, 1992) Again, this “constitution hanging by a thread” teaching is known in LDS parlance as the “White Horse Prophesy.” In and of itself, the title is intriguing because in the Book of Revelation it is the Lord Jesus who appears on a white horse to save the world.

Interpretation of the Prophecy

Revelation 19:11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” But in Mormonism, the White Horse Prophecy” does not refer to the Lord but to the Mormon priesthood coming in when the United States constitution is hanging by a thread and saving it. Is there anything of substance to the LDS White Horse Prophecy even being taught?

Today, most LDS apologists and defenders of the faith (down at Farms, and Fair, BYU and North Temple) have tried to downplay the teaching, suggesting it has never played a role in the mindset of Mormons today or yesterday. BYU professor of church history and doctrine Susan Easton Black, reported in 2006 that "the (White Horse) prophecy as a whole is false.” In January of 2010 the LDS Church issued the following statement on its Newsroom blogsite: "The so-called 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine." This is the ecclesiastical equivalent of Bill Clinton saying: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”

Historical Context and Teachings

First, I was LDS. And the concept was taught whenever politics, government, the constitution, or the ambitions of the Church came up among the members. It was not just “allowed to be taught,” it was encouraged by the leaders and was a subject that flowed forth excitedly among all faithful Mormons. I can prove this (thanks to the work of the Tanners at UTLM.org).

Take a minute and listen to what LDS church LEADERS have said over the years about the White Horse Prophesy.

“How long will it be before the words of the prophet Joseph will be fulfilled? He said if the Constitution of the United States were saved at all it must be done by this people. It will not be many years before these words come to pass. JOD 12:204.

“When the Constitution of the United States hangs, as it were, upon a single thread, they will have to call for the "Mormon" Elders to save it from utter destruction; and they will step forth and do it. JOD 2:182.

“The present Constitution, with a few alterations of a trifling nature, is just as good as we want; and if it is sustained on this land of Joseph, it will be done by us and our posterity.” JOD 8:324.

“I expect to see the day when the Elders of Israel will protect and sustain civil and religious liberty and every Constitutional right bequeathed to us by our fathers, and spread these rights abroad in connection with the Gospel for the salvation of all nations. I shall see this whether I live or die.” JOD 11:262.

“Will the Constitution be destroyed? No; it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, "The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At this critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction." It will be so. JOD 7:15.

Joseph F Smith, sixth president of the Mormon Church said: “Joseph Smith, the prophet, was inspired to affirm and ratify this truth, and he further predicted that the time would come, when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints, above all other people in the world, would come to the rescue of that great and glorious palladium of our liberty.” (Gospel Doctrine pg. 403)

Mormon President Ezra Taft Benson, said: “The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted

The Constitution Hanging by a Thread

That the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time "this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction" (Journal of Discourses, 7:15). It is my conviction that the elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of constitutional government.” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 618-619)

Historic Perspectives

J. Reuben Clark, Jr., in an LDS Conference Report, dated all the way back in October 1942, p. 58 said: “You and I have heard all our lives that the time may come when the Constitution may hang by a thread. I do not know whether it is a thread, or a small rope by which it now hangs, but I do know that whether it shall live or die is now in the balance.”

So, contrary to BYU professor Susan Easton Black’s stating to the world that the teaching is “false,” and the LDS church today claiming it is “not doctrine,” I think we can see that the teaching was taught, was present, was believed, and I would even suggest that today, it serves as secret code when politically minded Mormons want to rally the members behind them.

Mormon Influence in Politics

This brings me to a final question. How will Mormonism influence over its own, the strategic placement of believers in and through Washington DC, and its history of believing that its own members will save the nation when it hangs by a thread coalesce into a working form? Quietly. Subtly. Persistently. And just like the secret handshakes they exchange in their temples, always in Mormon code.

In 1999 when Senator Orrin Hatch announced his candidacy for the US Presidency, he was interviewed on a Mormon-owned radio station here in Utah. In the interview the Utah senator, while complaining that “Democrats' political correctness will be the ruin of the country,” said: "They tolerate everything that's bad, and they're intolerant of everything that's good. Religious freedom is going to go down the drain, too. I've never seen it worse than this, where the Constitution literally is hanging by a thread." The radio interviewer, also LDS, said that Hatch was clearly "talking to his folks" (meaning the LDS in the audience).

On Fox News with Bill O’Reilly in 2008, Mormon devotee Glenn Beck sent a coded message out to Mormon forces right after Obama was elected, saying: "I feel the Constitution is hanging in the balance right now, hanging by a thread unless the good Americans wake up." (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-milbank/post_996_b_749750.html) I would suggest that it is time for good Christians to wake up – because right now all I hear are believers intimating that their pocketbooks, and their peace of mind is more important that their love and devotion for the living God.

How could anyone who loves the Lord and is familiar with the tenets of Mormonism, the ways and wiles of all politicians, and the obvious dark principalities of this world even consider being involved in the filthy business of saving ourselves through the means being offered by Man? When will real Christians stand up and say: We are done with this world and its machinations. We will not vote until the one in office is Christ. Until then we’re going to focus our time, resources, and attention on sharing Jesus as the only way . . . and with regard to this country letting the dead bury their dead?

Let’s open up the phone lines:
(801) 973-8820
(801) 973-TV20
First time callers please.
LDS callers preferred.
Turn your sets off!

Have the Revelation 19:11 passage show up on screen as I mention it, but I’m not gonna read it.

GRAPHIC: “The White Horse Prophecy, as a whole, is false.” BYU Professor of Religion, Susan Easton Black, www.opinionjournal.com November 2006

Personal Accounts

EMAILS

Shawn,

I was born under the covenant, baptized and confirmed at 8, served mission in Carlsbad, CA 99-01, temple marriage 2005 in Idaho Falls, ID, and fulfilled callings until I was 30 in 2010, meanwhile having 2 boys who are now 3 and 2. I came across your show, Heart of the Matter, while trying to answer a question for a friend on LDS doctrine in 2006. Anyways, enough with the same old story right? Here is why I am writing. I found out the truth about the LDS church and it affected me greatly. I developed hate for my parents and their indoctrination, hate for Joseph Smith for…

Theme of Forgiveness and Spiritual Awakening

being a liar and hate for the current leadership of the church for standing by something they knew was errant. To my parents favor they at least didn't know the facts like Joseph Smith and the hierarchy since his "legacy". Life was unpleasant, I had been deceived by those closest to me and my whole foundation crumbled, to say the least I hated God for it all. I gave up on God but he didn't give up on me. To say the least he broke me down and humbled me and again so I would looked toward him. I WAS BORN AGAIN IN JESUS. All the hate toward my parents, LDS apostles and prophets, and Joseph Smith vanished. I forgive them and leave the rest to God. Just wanted to say thanks.

A Brother,
Kelly Palmer

Reflections from Jamie

FROM our good friend Jamie out in Alabama who has a ministry reaching out to the LDS and the Jehovah’s Witnesses:

“I have a new series of questions that I've started asking my evangelical friends. I thought you might find them helpful.

If someone talks bad about your Mom does that make you mad? Well of course. If somebody were spreading false rumors about your Sister would you be ready to fight? Without a doubt!! If someone speaks blasphemies about your Lord and Savior do you vote for them for President?”

Burning Heart Event Details

Hey, on Saturday September 1st we are going to hold out annual Burning Heart Event at the Murray Park Amphitheater.

Now, I have it on my heart to make this event a time for the Christian residents of Utah to come together, worship the Lord, take communion, and then go to the river and perform our annual open Water Baptisms. What do you think? Whether there are ten people present or ten thousand, we will use some of the time to socialize and eat and hear speakers and music, but the focus is going to be a never denominational time for a State-wide communion service where we come together and remember our Lord. I think it will be nice.

If you want to attend, please do. Even better, tell your pastor to rally his flock together. I would love to have any pastors attending help distribute the elements to the gathering. Wouldn’t that be cool?

Saturday, September 1st, Murray Park Amphitheater, 3-9pm

Go to www.hotm.tv for more information.

Personal Testimonies and Life Changes

Hey Shawn my name is Dylan I'm sixteen almost seventeen now. I've been watching your show since it started in 2006 and it has helped me find the truth. I was raised and baptized in the LDS church. Even though my family stopped going to the church about a year after I was baptized they still taught me its beliefs. Inside I was always at war with myself and I broke down went to the lord and asked him to show me the truth. So I found your show and everything you talked about I would look up for myself and it led me to the truth. I was still going through a hard time and I rejected the Lord for a couple years until earlier this year I saw your interview on YouTube with Mormon Stories. That's when I looked at myself and broke down went to the Lord asked him to come into my heart, to take over my life and he has! I was born again I knew I was saved because of what Christ did for us on the cross! I know that when I prayed for truth he led me to your show. Your a huge inspiration to me I can't thank you enough for what you do! You have made a big impact on my life! Now I'm planning on going to the Calvary Chapel here in Murray and I'm also seeing a change in my Mom now that I talk to her about being born again. I'm also going to be buying your book Mormonism: A to Z later today can't wait to read it. Again thank you so much Shawn I hope to meet you someday maybe at one of your events. God bless!

Political Climate for a Mormon President

Republicans warming up to idea of Mormon president
Party’s anti-Mormon bloc drops to only 10% as Republicans jump on Romney express.
By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune
Published: July 7, 2012 07:59PM ?Updated: July 7, 2012 10:59PM ?Charles Dharapak | Associated Press file photo GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney
Washington • Five years ago, as Republicans were getting to know Mitt Romney, a Gallup poll showed 30

Shifting Attitudes Toward Mormon Presidential Candidates

Percent of GOP voters expressly saying they wouldn’t vote for a Mormon for president. Now, with Romney a lock for his party’s nomination, that anti-Mormon voting bloc has dwindled to 10 percent in the latest Gallup survey. It is a seismic shift in voter attitudes that could be attributed partly to the idea of rallying around the GOP standard-bearer or, more precisely, to the notion that party loyalty trumps long-held religious objections.

Comedian Jon Stewart highlighted that change in Republican minds recently while noting that Texas Pastor Robert Jeffress, who had once dismissed Romney’s Mormon faith as a “cult,” now argues that there’s “every reason to support Mitt Romney.” “Simple math,” Stewart joked in mimicking Jeffress’ change of heart. “I hate Barack Obama more than I love Jesus.” Gallup first polled on whether Americans would vote for a Mormon when Romney’s dad, George Romney, sought the White House in 1967. Back then, 17 percent of all voters (and 13 percent of Republicans) said they wouldn’t vote for a Mormon commander in chief.

Overall wariness about a Mormon presidential candidate has fluctuated a bit in the 45 years since, with some polls showing a quarter of Americans opposed and others stretching higher. Republicans have varied in their stated angst about an LDS nominee, but never to as low as now. Evangelical voters had backed other contenders — Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry — in the Republican primaries, but “they’re all swinging over” to Romney now that he’s the nominee, says Frank Newport, editor in chief of Gallup.

Historical Context of Voter Attitudes

“People who have a strong party allegiance will, in some instances, hold their noses and vote for that nominee,” Newport says, “particularly when [that nominee] is opposed to someone they don’t like, which is certainly the case with Republicans and the current incumbent.” Voter thoughts toward supporting women, black and Jewish candidates have changed dramatically through the decades. In 1937, for example, a third of Americans said they would vote for a woman for president. That number shot up to nine in 10 Americans in the 2000s. Voter objections to a Mormon White House hopeful, though, have averaged 18 percent from the 1960s to now in Gallup surveys — with the exception of the latest Republican bloc.

Newport says voters often think of a specific presidential candidate when asked about gender, religion or race. “The [Mormon] question had no mention of any particular person,” he says, “but I think a lot of Republicans hearing the question said, ‘Sure, no problem’ because they were thinking in their own minds it was Romney and they’d certainly want to vote for their party’s nominee.” In fact, for the first time ever on the question, zero percent of Republicans in the June survey said they didn’t know or were unsure of their answer on whether they’d vote for a Mormon president.

“Increasingly, people are aware that Romney is Mormon,” says Quin Monson, director of Brigham Young University’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. “It’s probably a function of people who are more partisan who are aware. You’ve got some Republicans who are not very open to a Mormon who are reconsidering now that their party has nominated a Mormon.” Translation, GOP disdain for Obama could be wiping away the fear of what church a potential Republican replacement attends.

Republican Nominee and Voter Dynamics

With the exception of a major speech he gave in December 2007 detailing how LDS leaders wouldn’t dictate his actions as president, Romney has largely avoided talk about his faith — one shared by a mere 2 percent of Americans. He mentions God in stump speeches and occasionally cites the Bible but hasn’t been as open to talking about his belief in the Utah-based faith’s signature scripture, the Book of Mormon, or other LDS theology. Monson, himself a Mormon, doesn’t think Romney has done much to prompt the change in those now willing to vote for a Mormon. “He’s benefited from the run-up to the nomination,” Monson says. “It was a monumentally weak field, and there is an incumbent Democrat that Republicans love to loathe. That’s allowed him to make it through the nomination gantlet.”

The key to all polls on the Mormon question may be how independents view it. Republicans are expected to back the Republican nominee. But, in the latest survey, 18 percent of independents said they would not vote for a Mormon, about the same number, give or take a few points, as all along. Nearly a quarter of Democrats (24 percent) said the same. A Salt Lake Tribune national poll late last year showed 26 percent of U.S. voters were either “very” or “somewhat”

Perception Shift on Political Candidates' Religious Background

Uncomfortable voting for a Mormon for president. Among Republicans, 14 percent were uncomfortable with the prospect of an LDS commander in chief, compared with 27 percent of independents and 36 percent of Democrats, according to The Tribune survey.

Republican Views on LDS Candidates

Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, The Tribune’s pollster, finds the shift in GOP thinking about an LDS president particularly interesting. “All of a sudden they’ve done a 180 [degree turn] in three months,” Coker says. “All of a sudden, Romney’s not a Mormon anymore, he’s a business guy. They start looking at every other aspect of his life and they suddenly could not care less about his religion. There may be a few out there holding out. There aren’t many.”

Importance of Election Day

Of course, the ultimate poll — the only one that counts — will come on Election Day.