brigham young's great-great granddaughter on mormonism and mitt romney

[niyad]

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.”
. . . . . . ”

Regarding Romney and the presidency, Emmett cites a bit of Mormon lore called the White Horse Prophecy that has floated around since the time of Mormon founder Joseph Smith. It suggests that Mormons believe a time will come when the U.S. Constitution is eroding and Mormon leaders will save it and usher in a new theocracy with Mormons in charge. Emmett’s great-great-grandfather talked about it. In a discourse from 1855, Young wrote that "when the Constitution 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."

Romney has said that he considers the White Horse Prophecy just a matter of speculation by church members. "I haven't heard my name associated with it or anything of that nature," he told The Salt Lake Tribune in 2007. "That's not official church doctrine…I don't put that at the heart of my religious belief."

. . . .


http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/07/exclusive-brigham-young-s-great-great-granddaughter-on-mormonism-and-mitt-romney.html

[catbyte]

1. So the Mormons will shred the Constitution to "save" it?

I don't think so. A Mormon theocracy? My but that's a grim prospect...

[niyad]

4. frightening is the word that comes to mind, but that is true of all fundie-run societies

[nanabugg]

15. Hmmm, wonder what Scalia thinks about this? nt

[cr8tvlde]

2. This is not that far from Right Wing Fundamentalists

...it's just not quite so obvious. Lots of references in the New Testament, specifically Revelations. I believe it may have been the inspiration of later cults/denominations/religions. For instance, women ... New Testament, after Christ ... were told to put head scarves on and go sit in the corner, among other unbelievable teachings.

Liberals can pick and choose...RW fundies/literalists are like Paul Ryan trying to walk back his tax cut votes.

[aletier_v]

3. I lived in Idaho for five years

And I saw Emmett's version of Mormons.

My parents raised us without any preconceptions about religion but actually living with Mormons convinced me to avoid them when possible because they do lie often. I do not want Romney as president.

[defacto7]

5. brigham young's great-great granddaughter

Like, so what? Mormons are keen at not only lying, but half truths, twisted statements, anything to promote their agenda or to seem to be unbiased.

Sorry... I don't trust this person either. Just the fact that she is introduced as "brigham young's great-great granddaughter" sound so Mormon to me. They love those family trees.

[boppers]

6. Just like that other religious group painted with a broad brush, the...

Catholics?
Jews?
Muslims?
Baptists?
Protestants?
Atheists?

[defacto7]

13. point taken.

I am being a bit trite. I'm living in the middle of a situation which makes me feel a little touchy at times towards Mormons. Broad brush toward this person?... yes. Wrong about Mormons? No I am not.

Atheists? That's a different post.

[Brother Buzz]

7. So, what did you think about what she had to say?

[defacto7]

14. Interesting.

I already know that most of what she says about Mormons and Mormonism is correct. Romney?...

[Blue Idaho]

8. Every male member of the church enters the lay priesthood.

Unlike most Christian churches Mormons do not require any formal training to become church leaders. Instead, young boys are routinely given the priesthood at age twelve. As boys grow into men their authority and power grows with them. Eventually they are selected for larger roles at the Ward or Stake level. Women do not hold positions of religious authority in the LDS CHURCH and are taught to obey male church leaders unquestioningly. In this system, many Mormon males have a naive and immature understanding of authority, responsibility, power, and community.

This is not a good training ground for Leader of the Free World.

I grew up in a Mormon household and while the Church may not officially recognize the White Horse Prophecy I can tell you it has the weight of church doctrine in every Mormon home I have ever been in. Bishop Willard won't tell you because you aren't a church member- but he believes in it too.

Finally, Bishop Willard gets approval of the Church President and his Council of the Twelve Apostles before making any political decisions. You see in Bishop Willard's world its always church first and country second.

[niyad]

11. thank you for sharing this with us

[boppers]

9. "that gives men power when they are 12 years old"? LOLOLOLOL

Guess what this AWESOME power is? Go ahead, guess!

You get to carry sacrament trays between pews. (You aren't allowed to actually shred the bread, yet, that's a superpower you get later.)

Oh, and you can collect charity money for fasting day, and visit other church members.

Shocking, I know.

[Initech]

10. A Mormon theocratic government in America? Fuck that!!

[Arugula Latte]

12. Same goes for ANY theocratic government in the US!