The Mormon Democrat, Part I

Here I go with the Roman Numerals again. That means it's time for annother series from me.

This time, we're going to delve into the world of the Mormon Democrat.

OK, so it's more of a deeper look into the heart of why I am a Democrat, with a religious twist. I will try to include references in footnote form to some of the uniquely LDS things I say along the way to fill the rest of you in.

I started thinking of this when I read a post from Cliff about some "Special Conversations" he has had with LDS Democrats who feel outside the loop in the wardhouse.

Because I sometimes feel outside the loop as a Democrat in the Wardhouse.

But I alos feel outside the loop as a Mormon in the Democratic Party.

So, I sat down to write a post about this.

The post got longer and longer and longer. Then, Steve Olsen (Candidate for Congress in Utah's first District) wrote a great post, followed by a response from Phil Windley.

My long post got even longer.

So, afetr reading a post on the same subject by Rob Miller, I Decided to break it down into segments. As I've gotten them organized, Each individual post has gotten longer and more in depth.

This series will stick with us through most of the summer, as some of the later ones are still being taken out of outline form.

The following can be called "Bob's Articles of Political Belief" and will serve as the general course of the discussion. It is modeled after the LDS Church's "Articles of Faith."(1)

1) I believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and sanctity of the world They created.

2) I believe that man must be punished for his own sins, and not the sins of others.

3) I believe that through the grace of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by choosing the right from the wrong.

4) I believe the are more principles to vote on than Guns, Gays, Abortion, and whether the guy seems like a good guy.

5) I believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, by the laying on of hands. I also believe in the ability to know for myself that the man is called of God.

6) I believe the Constitution to be inspired of God.

7) I believe in electing Honorable and Just individuals.

8) I believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9) I believe all that God has revealed, and that he stiil does reveal.

10) I believe that Zion can and will be established on the American Continent.

11) I claim the privilege of worship God according to the dictates of my own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, what or if they may.

12) I believe in being subjects to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in honoring, and sustaining the law.

13) I believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. Indeed, I may saythat I follow the admonition of Paul -- I believe all things, I hope all things, I have endured many things, and I hope to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, I seek after these things.

-Bob

(1) The articles of faith were written by Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, in response to a newspaper reporter's questions as to what the faith believed. They are printed in a book of scripture called the Pearl of Great Price, and can be found here. The Articles of Faith are usually memorized by children prior to their 12th birthday.