A Mormon President?

John Anthony Dunne

Today is the infamous US election day. The current polls seem to point to Obama winning the electoral college vote by 50–100 points. But what if these aren’t entirely accurate and Mitt Romney pulls away? What if America has the first Mormon president in its history? If the ‘Redskin Rule’ proves true, then Romney will be president. Of course, people have to actually get out there and vote for any of the polling to actually matter. So happy voting to all of my American friends across the pond!

I’m not very political. And so I don’t wish to talk about Romney’s political views in this post. In fact, I don’t intend to say much at all. I’m more curious to know what you have to say. Whether or not you side with Romney politically, what do you think about the fact that he’s a Mormon? Ryan M posted earlier this year here at The Two Cities on this very issue and suggested that Romney’s Mormomism is “irrelevant.” Do you believe this?

If Romney doesn’t win, I imagine that he’ll be back in 2016. And if the Obama administration can’t turn things around with four more years of opportunity, I imagine that the GOPs will win big in 2016, and this could mean that Romney will be president.

So, whether in 2012 or 2016, what do you make of a Mormon president in America?

No doubt the LDS church will utilize this in their advertisements. It will help them enter the mainstream in an unprecedented way in their history. If they’ve recruited Brandon Flowers from The Killers, no doubt there will be some presidential advertisements about the LDS Church. The appeal of Mormonism will surge because of this, both in our country and abroad. So what are we as evangelicals to make of this? Is this a bad thing? Is this “irrelevant“?

Thoughts?

John Anthony Dunne
John Anthony Dunne
John holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews, where he studied under Professor N. T. Wright. He currently serves as Associate Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN).

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13 responses to “A Mormon President?”

  1. Andrew Kelley

    I don’t care that Romney is mormon, but I doubt that he’ll be back in 2016 if he loses. For sure it will be Chris Christie 2016. At least that’s my guess.

    Reply
  2. Cole Matson

    Re: the Redskin Rule: http://xkcd.com/1122/

    Re: Romney’s Mormonism: I’m not worried. The Mormons of my acquaintance have been some of the most Christ-like people in their behaviour that I’ve known, whatever their theology. My only concern would be lest Mormonism prove too attractive, especially with its emphasis on America. Could we rise to an evangelistic challenge from the LDS by improving how we live our Christianity, instead of fear-mongering?

    Reply
  3. Tina

    I am much more concerned about the Marxist background of the president than Romney’s Mormon views…

    Reply
    1. Rick Hollar

      Thank You Tina, What religion & party does Hussein fall under?

      Reply
  4. Dan

    I’ve wondered why Romney is keeping his budget balancing strategy a secret. Maybe the LDS church is more rich than we know, and they’ll bail out the fed in order to buy converts.
    Then again, maybe he doesn’t have a good plan yet. Who knows.

    Reply
    1. Stefanie

      By Converts, really? please…

      Reply
      1. Stefanie

        *Buy

        Reply
  5. Carrie Allen

    I also don’t care if Romney is Mormon but I do think it’s strange that so many Christian organizations have taken Mormonism off their “cult list” to encourage Evangelicals to vote for him. Oh, Billy Graham.

    As for 2016, there is no way Romney is coming back. He is an awful candidate for president. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Paul Ryan… or anyone who isn’t white. I think the GOP needs to play the diversity card if they ever want to win another election again.

    Reply
    1. Rick Hollar

      Go to school. Preferably American history & Economics… good lord

      Reply
      1. Carrie Allen

        I am not sure what you mean by this? You think Romney IS a good candidate, Mormonism is not a cult, or I should just go to school? Or all?

        Reply
      2. Carrie Allen

        Thought of our “conversation” tonight after I read this on Fox News. Now do you believe me, Rick??

        http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/11/06/where-republican-party-goes-from-here/

        Reply
    2. Carrie Allen

      Just for the record, by accident I just clicked the thumbs down on my own comment so one of those negatives doesn’t count! 😉

      Reply
  6. Jon Baker

    So the primary concern seems not to be how a Mormon might act in high political office or whether his actions might coincide with one’s ethical preference, but rather about the appeal or ‘legitimacy’ that Mormonism might gain in the public sphere as a result. I can empathize strongly on this point with evangelicals that have a heart for Mormons (not least yourself, John!) and would prefer not to see such misguided gains, for the sake of the gospel. I am not sure that this concern is justified, however, given that it would be balanced by numerous spotlights in new public forums. Every time historically that Mormonism has made ‘political progress’, so to speak, it has been forced to retreat slightly toward its quasi-evangelical origins. Every time, doctrinal baggage is left behind for stragglers in an effort to save theological face among potential converts.

    I know that I can only speculate on this hypothetical reaction of the LDS church, so here is a more practical suggestion:

    1) President Romney or not, Mormonism is now and will be an even bigger topic for the world. Why not view this as an opportunity to share more fervently its origin and evolution with others?

    2) Is it really a bad thing that with popularity gains, Mormonism retreats toward orthodoxy (at least on its surface presentation)? This will never change how devoted members or clergy view and accept the Mormon doctrines that so trouble evangelical hearts. However, it does add to their numbers less informed members, who are exposed on a daily basis to the words of Scripture and encouraged strongly to live out gospel principles. I know many a Christian that came to faith through this fertile path.

    That potential converts might be lured by ads featuring an American President is, in my view, an invitation toward all who love the gospel. It does not, in reality, bolster arguments in favor of Mormon doctrine. Neither does it erase the spurious origins and practices of the LDS church. It only sheds more light on a faith that cannot afford to be known so well by those outside the community.

    Reply

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