Analyst's note:  Absolutely must read and carefully consider this timely analysis by our friend and associate William J. Dell  To this article I add my "Amen."

Throughout the Republican Presidential Primary race, much has been said about the Mormons and in particular about certain Christians, particularly Evangelical Christians, not being able to support a Mormon candidate. Their reasoning seems to stem primarily from their perception that Mormons are NOT Christians. These folks might be interested in knowing that I heard recently on Fox News that there are currently 30 Members of Congress who are professing Mormons.

Little or no coverage has been given by the media as to what the Mormon’s believe concerning government. For that reason I thought it might be good to do an Internet search on what Mormons believe concerning government. In this effort, the reader should be aware that I am NOT a spokesperson for the Mormon church or as they prefer The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, everything quoted here can be verified on their official website www.lds.org and/or en.wikipedia.org.

Most churches have available on-line a basic statement of their beliefs. Whether you agree with the following is not the issue. What I am endeavoring to do is let you know from my on-line searching what Mormons think of our government and our Constitution.

According to Wikipedia, John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, wrote a letter and asked Joseph Smith in 1842 what the basic beliefs of the church were. As we begin our search for understanding, this seems like a good place to start. In his answer, the Mormon leader listed thirteen basic Articles of Faith. The twelfth Article states: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Further search led me to three additional statements, or as they proclaim “revelations,” recorded in their Doctrine & Covenants on how Mormons view government and the United States Constitution. The first two follow and are dated 1833:

4  And now, verily I [the Lord] say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
5  And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6  Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7  And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8  I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
9  Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.
10  Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. [Doctrine & Covenants Section 94:4 - 10]

76  And again I say unto you, those who have been scattered by their enemies, it is my will that they should continue to importune for redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as rulers and are in authority over you—
77  According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78  That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
79  Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.
80  And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. [Doctrine & Covenants 101:76 - 80]

From these two statements I have to conclude that Mormons believe in and support the Constitution and the Founding Fathers as a matter of religious principle. In my study of world religions and Christian sects, I know of no other religion or Christian sect that makes any similar declaration that God caused the Founding Fathers to be raised up so that they could write the Constitution and establish a government based upon the unalienable rights of man – Life, Liberty, Property. Do you?

And consider this, these same Mormons were driven out of the United States by persecution in 1846, the area of present day Utah was then still part of Mexico. Yet, an open minded and intelligently honest research seems to affirm that they continued and still continue to declare their support for the Constitution based on what they believe is “revelation from God.” This is true even though they felt, throughout their early history, that their First Amendment rights were being violated.

The third “revelation” Section 134 of their Doctrine & Covenants is dated 1835, two years after the above. [http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/134?lang=eng] The lead-in to this Section reads:

A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church held at Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835.  HC 2:247–249.  The occasion was a meeting of Church leaders, brought together to consider the proposed contents of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.  At that time this declaration was given the following preamble: “That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present at the close of this volume our opinion concerning the same.”

1–4,    Governments should preserve freedom of conscience and worship;
5–8,    All men should uphold their governments, and owe respect and deference to the law;
9–10,    Religious societies should not exercise civil powers;
11–12, Men are justified in defending themselves and their property.

Again the question here is not whether you believe that these are “revelations from God.” The Mormons believe that they are. And based upon their belief, the Mormons view the Constitution as coming from God! Further based upon their belief, it appears that the Mormons have supported the Constitution and our government through bad and good times as a matter of religious principle. Why then should we “fear” a Mormon in the White House? It is my opinion that the current professing Christian, “pro-Muslim,” occupant of the White House has done far more damage to our Constitutional Republic and our heritage than a Constitution supporting professing Christian Mormon ever would.

Additionally, since Article VI Clause 3 of the Constitution states “no religious Test shall be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States” – Mitt Romney’s religion should NOT even be open for discussion concerning his being a viable candidate for the Presidency. The discussion should be limited to and centered on his intended policies for:

1. Leading our Constitutional Republic back toward the vision of our Founding Fathers;
2. Restoring our unalienable rights to Life, Liberty and Property;
3. Reestablishing economic freedom;
4. Developing energy independence;
5. Returning to States Rights in accordance with the Tenth Amendment; and
6. Reducing the scope and size of our federal government through the elimination of unconstitutional Cabinet Departments and the plethora of unconstitutional bureaucratic regulations which are enslaving a free people.

If, however, the election is to be decided on an unconstitutional religious test between a “pro-Muslim,” professing Christian’s Black Liberation Theology which spews hatred against America as taught by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright or a pro-American professing Mormon Christian’s Constitutional principles as taught by Joseph Smith – I will take my chances and vote for Mitt Romney.

May God Bless and Save the United States of America
Our Constitutional Republic !