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**SeattleGirl** · 08-07-2012, 11:27 PM

The piece is 3 pages long; this section is from page 2:

Emmett has watched Mitt Romney very closely throughout his public life and has strong opinions about what shaped his personality and his character. “Mitt is a product not only of his wealth, but of an organization that gives men power when they are 12 years old,” she says. “That is when boys are ordained with the priesthood. It is a big moment in a Mormon male’s childhood.”

As for what pundits say is Romney's difficulty connecting with people, Emmett blames it largely on what she calls “the entitled Mormon male syndrome, where the leadership professes compassion and concern but leaves the manifestations of that to the drones. All male leadership is not this way; there are some wonderful men who do their best to exercise their power compassionately, but many do not.”

Emmett says Romney was a bishop, “a position where everyone defers to you. What a bishop says goes. People come to them to receive blessings.” He then became a stake president, she says, which means he presided over several congregations, and at that point bishops deferred to him.

“Mitt has had people defer to him and not challenge him his entire life,” says Emmett. “In the Mormon church if you challenge your priesthood leaders it’s a very bad thing to do, especially for women. As the world can now see, Mitt has a very hard time with being questioned and criticized; he’s had so little of this in his life."

Link to full article: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/20...omney.html

**Willinois** · 08-08-2012, 12:50 AM

Interesting article. It's a religion that has a public face and then another set of teachings for those Mormons who do the temple ceremony. Does Romney think about politics the same way? There's his private ideological beliefs separate from the side presented to the public.

**SeattleGirl** · 08-08-2012, 01:01 AM

(08-08-2012 12:50 AM)Willinois Wrote: Interesting article. It's a religion that has a public face and then another set of teachings for those Mormons who do the temple ceremony. Does Romney think about politics the same way? There's his private ideological beliefs separate from the side presented to the public.

I think he does. And I think he believes in the White Horse Prophecy and that he is destined to be President.

I think the most interesting thing about the article was the bit about why he doesn't like being questioned.

**Willinois** · 08-08-2012, 01:42 AM

(08-08-2012 01:01 AM)SeattleGirl Wrote: I think the most interesting thing about the article was the bit about why he doesn't like being questioned.

It's a good insight. There's a common saying among Mormons about discussing theology. "When the prophet speaks the debate is over." The prophet is the head of their church. Does Romney feel the same thing should apply to himself as a CEO or potential President?

**SeattleGirl** · 08-08-2012, 01:45 AM

(08-08-2012 01:42 AM)Willinois Wrote:
(08-08-2012 01:01 AM)SeattleGirl Wrote: I think the most interesting thing about the article was the bit about why he doesn't like being questioned.

It's a good insight. There's a common saying among Mormons about discussing theology. "When the prophet speaks the debate is over." The prophet is the head of their church. Does Romney feel the same thing should apply to himself as a CEO or potential President?

I would venture to guess that he does.

**Brainwreck** · 08-08-2012, 07:11 AM

Wow! Interesting and scary. There is no way this man should ever be in the White House! And it is understandable that he walks around with that arrogant stiffness and blurts out such stupidity. It also explains why he couldn't care how his actions effect others. Vote everyone! And drag your friends and family to vote as well. And keep an eye out for any suppressive activity. We've got to win this one!

**Born_A_Truman** · 08-08-2012, 07:59 AM

Haven't read the link yet, but am reminded that he said something like economic inequality should not be discussed, or should only be mentioned in “quiet rooms”.

When your whole private life is wrapped in secrecy how can your public life be transparent?

**Born_A_Truman** · 08-08-2012, 08:27 AM

On the page linked in the article (Exmormanfoundation.org) are stories by some who left the church. Here's an interesting quote as one of the reasons he left:

Quote:Third, the Mormon church is becoming more prominent and more powerful in our society. In my state (which, unlike Utah, is not thought of as a "Mormon" state) it is now the second-largest religious denomination. Our present U.S. Senator is a devout Mormon. Mormons are occupying influential positions in our state and national governments far out of proportion to their population in the United States. The church has become a mega-wealthy financial enterprise, with billions of dollars worth of money-making businesses and property all over the country - a fact of which most non-Mormons are unaware - with wide-ranging (and usually unseen) influence on many aspects of American life. Its income has been reliably estimated to be millions of dollars per day, not only from its thousands of businesses but also from its faithful members, who are required to donate a minimum of ten percent of their entire income to the church.

The Mormon church boasts of its rapid growth. This growth, in addition to its stance in favor of large families, is because it maintains a large voluntary corps of full-time missionaries who are a well-trained and thoroughly indoctrinated sales force whose sole purpose is to bring more people into the church. Their goal is not to convert, but to enroll, not to enrich lives, but to baptize, not to save sinners' souls, but to enlarge membership rolls. This missionary force is not directed by caring clergymen, but by successful businessmen, because the Mormon missionary effort is a business, and a very successful business, when judged by business standards.

But the ultimate goal of the church, as stated publicly by its early leaders Joseph Smith and Brigham Young (but not mentioned so publicly by more recent Mormon leaders), is to establish the Mormon Kingdom of God in America, and to govern the world as God's appointed representatives. The church is already influential in the making of secular policy, as was proven not so long ago when the Equal Rights Amendment was defeated with decisive help from the Mormon church.

To me, the possibility that the Mormon church might control America is a frightening prospect.

**jaxx** · 08-08-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:“Every Mormon grows up with the idea that it’s OK to lie if it’s for a higher cause,” says Clark, who now works for a company that markets employment and labor market data. “But what happens is when this becomes a part of your ethical tool kit, you develop a condescending attitude toward people. Like Ann Romney saying 'you people.’ This idea of lying for the Lord gives you license to place people on an inferior level. It’s OK for Mitt Romney to ignore the principle of full disclosure because it’s in his DNA. Look what he’s doing with his taxes, and how he talks only in generic and sanitized terms about his religion.”

This country is being duped by Romney. Purposely. I think the GOP has no idea of what they are nominating to be president.

**suzie** · 08-08-2012, 12:07 PM

Strangely, the crazed evangelicals who are wary of Romney because of his Mormon identity may, for once, not be off course.

**Willinois** · (This post was last modified: 08-10-2012 01:13 PM by Willinois.)

Whether or not the White Horse prophecy is accepted, there is a common Mormon belief that Mormons will swoop in to save the Constitution one day. Here's former Mormon church President (and John Bircher) Ezra Benson talking about it in 1986 during an official church worldwide broadcast

Quote:"I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by citizens in this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this church."

Benson's rabid anti-communism may explain why Romney's people keep talking about the Soviet threat. They're probably stuck in the mindset of fighting a holy war against communism.

**jaxx** · 08-10-2012, 02:05 PM

(08-10-2012 01:12 PM)Willinois Wrote: Whether or not the White Horse prophecy is accepted, there is a common Mormon belief that Mormons will swoop in to save the Constitution one day. Here's former Mormon church President (and John Bircher) Ezra Benson talking about it in 1986 during an official church worldwide broadcast

Quote:"I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by citizens in this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this church."

Benson's rabid anti-communism may explain why Romney's people keep talking about the Soviet threat. They're probably stuck in the mindset of fighting a holy war against communism.

He says it may cost us some blood. Who's blood? This creeps me out.

**SeattleGirl** · 08-10-2012, 06:02 PM

(08-10-2012 02:05 PM)jaxx Wrote: He says it may cost us some blood. Who's blood? This creeps me out.

You can bet there won't be any Mormon blood spilled.

***azmouse*** · 08-10-2012, 06:11 PM

If you haven't yet read "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer, I highly recommend it. It's well written and a bit frightening.
I'm about half way through reading it and I can hardly put it down. It's mainly about Fundamentalist Mormons, and religious fanaticism in general.

**SeattleGirl** · 08-10-2012, 06:17 PM

(08-10-2012 06:11 PM)azmouse Wrote: If you haven't yet read "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer, I highly recommend it. It's well written and a bit frightening.
I'm about half way through reading it and I can hardly put it down. It's mainly about Fundamentalist Mormons, and religious fanaticism in general.

I was listening to Mike Papantonio Wednesday (he was subbing for Thom Hartman) and he and a guest were talking about how Romney's religion should be fare game because other religions are. Then he brought up this book. I am going to HAVE to get it!

***azmouse*** · 08-10-2012, 06:25 PM

(08-10-2012 06:17 PM)SeattleGirl Wrote:
(08-10-2012 06:11 PM)azmouse Wrote: If you haven't yet read "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer, I highly recommend it. It's well written and a bit frightening.
I'm about half way through reading it and I can hardly put it down. It's mainly about Fundamentalist Mormons, and religious fanaticism in general.

I was listening to Mike Papantonio Wednesday (he was subbing for Thom Hartman) and he and a guest were talking about how Romney's religion should be fare game because other religions are. Then he brought up this book. I am going to HAVE to get it!

I heard John Fugelsang mention it as a must be read book. I'm glad others are mentioning it as well.