Hi David,

I will continue to keep you informed about New Orleans-related events, and hopefully one will strike your fancy

I enjoyed your post. I like to read other’s opinions and thoughts concerning the Latter-day Saint faith. And I love reading about how people view this election race, because it is a monumental one isn’t it? A woman, a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) and an African American all running for the presidential candidacy. Interestingly enough, I am all three, which makes me even more excited about this election.

I understand your perspective about men of color not being able to receive the priesthood. I have been asked questions about that by family members of mine. I am convert to the church and was baptized the end of my freshman year of high school. I do not fully understand why men of color were not allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978, but I do have a strong conviction that this is the Lord’s work and that he knows what he is doing. In Isaiah 55 it says: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” I believe Heavenly Father is in control and that he knows what He is doing. I also believe Mitt Romney feels the same way. Perhaps you are right, perhaps he should be a little more open-but then again, he is running for President. Would people really take the time to understand how he feels and what he believes?

Thanks for your comments, Jessica. I would like to add that it’s critical for candidates —not just Mitt Romney — to shed some light what they “feel” and believe. I’m not asking for a full fledged autobiography, although most candidates have one, but some truly candid conversations that aren’t coached or couched in political double speak.

On the other hand, too often voters are only concerned with only what a candidates feels and believes. It is just as vital (probably more so) that voters become familiar with how candidates, in their various offices, have responded to various issues and how they plan on responding to them if they’re elected president. Get the total picture, not just a People Magazine syrupy profile.

Hi David,

I completely agree. Candid thoughts and convictions out in the open… genuine and heartfelt. I thought that Mitt Romney’s speech lacked those things, and I thought he could have been much more open.

Are you familiar with the independent film “Article VI: Faith. Politics. America” coming out in the next couple of weeks? Here is a link to the trailer and a brief synopsis about it:

http://www.articlevithemovie.com/trailer.php

The film was directed by Bryan Hall and Jack Donaldson. It is an intense discussion of the role of faith in politics. The title is taken from Article Six of the United States Constitution: “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

I think you may find this pretty intriguing.

Hi there, just thought I throw in the point that Huckabee is a part of a church (Baptist), which, like the LDS church has roots in racial descrimination and also disallows the ordination of women.