White House campaign puts the focus on Mormons
Like Republican candidate Mitt Romney, the 72-year-old retired teacher is a Mormon, and he is keenly aware of the white-hot spotlight Romney's run for president has focused on the faith.
"It's the same old thing," said Lounsbury, who retired to St. George, Utah, from Oregon 15 years ago. "We've always been picked on, but of course, so were the early Christians." ''I'm not bothered by it," he added. "Because I know the church is true."
His wife of 52 years, however, has some trepidation.
"I'm afraid of the backlash on the church," 69-year-old Ethie Lounsbury said. If Romney becomes president "and it doesn't go well, they will bash not only him, but the church."
Despite Romney's attempts to keep the campaign focused on issues, questions about Mormons and their religious practices such as wearing sacred undergarments and conducting secret ceremonies inside their temples have dogged the candidate and, by extension, the 178-year-old Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"You can feel persecuted just from having people every single day misunderstand what you believe," said Jana Riess, a Mormon convert and the Cincinnati-based co-editor of "Mormonism for Dummies."
Riess is frequently tapped by reporters as an expert on her faith. The good news, she said, is that the news media are getting it right most of the time. But "I'm not sure the memo is getting down to the people in the pews," she said. Sometimes "I'm banging my head against a wall."
Romney's first-place finish in Tuesday's Michigan primary suggests Mormons won't soon get a break from the scrutiny.
While some see the attention as an irritant, others regard it as a blessed opportunity to do what the faith says they are called to do — spread the Gospel.
"I've enjoyed it and hope it doesn't end. I'm not fatigued. I'm proud of the church and could shout it from the rooftops," said Robert Nye, 48, president of the Des Moines Stake, a collection of Mormon congregations much like a Roman Catholic diocese.
In Iowa, Nye caucused for Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, and turned local curiosity about Mormonism into a teachable moment. He went on a radio talk show to discuss Mormon beliefs and taught a Sunday school class at a Methodist church.
Recent comments
Romney put the political focus on Mormonism through his statements…
ROBERT | Jan. 16, 2008 at 10:19 p.m.
Tai H. - Your comments do not make sense to me.
Every time Mitt…
LDS Convert - Texas | Jan. 16, 2008 at 8:11 p.m.
We, as Mormons, have choosen to be different. We have different beliefs…
ynot | Jan. 16, 2008 at 7:01 p.m.
