Topic: Ron Paul
Why Mormons Should Support Ron Paul Mitt Romney was supported by millions of LDS (Mormon) voters. This candid letter from a fellow Mormon explains why LDS members should support Ron Paul for President.by Jake Morphonios
(Libertarian)
Friday, February 8, 2008
My name is Jake Morphonios. I am a Mormon and I support Ron Paul for President. I recently moved back to North Carolina from Provo, Utah. Although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) does not support or endorse any candidate, it is a fact that the vast majority of LDS members support the candidacy of fellow Mormon, Mitt Romney. I want to tell you why I have supported Ron rather than Mitt and ask you to consider putting your support behind Ron, now that Mitt has dropped out of the race.
The defining characteristic of the LDS church is its emphasis on the virtues of the family unit. We all know by heart the phrase, "No amount for worldly success can compensate for failure in the home." Our temples dot the earth, a testament to our belief that families can endure through eternity. We lovingly address God as our "Heavenly Father" and revere the beautiful relationship between Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Naturally, we want to elect people to represent us in government that will support our values. Mitt was such a man, but his departure from the race leaves a void which must be filled. Mike Huckabee presents himself as a Conservative Baptist Minister. However, Mike is, foremost, a politician. He says and does what is necessary to secure power – including rallying his evangelical base by calling our religious faith into question and implying that we are not Christians. He has a history of raising taxes and supporting expensive welfare programs. John McCain is a warmonger. A week ago McCain told reporters, "I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live." McCain, in response to a question about Iran, sang "Bomb, bomb bomb – bomb, bomb Iran!" He has been called "McCentury" by many after suggesting that our soldiers should stay in Iraq another 100 years. McCain’s desire for war reminds me of the arrogance of the Nephites just before their destruction at the hands of the Lamanites.
This leaves one other candidate: Ron Paul. Ron does not wear his religion on his sleeve, but he is, nonetheless, a devoted Christian and is dedicated to preserving and protecting the US Constitution. He is 72 years old and has been married to the same woman for 51 years. He served in the Air Force and worked as an OBGYN, delivering over 4,000 babies. In the 20 years he has been in Congress, Ron Paul has never voted for any program that would raise taxes. He tirelessly advocates for the government to stop borrowing money it doesn’t have to fund unconstitutional programs. He, himself, has never taken a government-expense paid "junket" and he returns a part of his Congressional pay to taxpayers each year.
Ron Paul is called the "Champion of the Constitution". He believes in the principles of limited government taught by LDS scholar Cleon Skousen. I challenge any of you to pick up any book on the role of government written by former LDS President Ezra Taft Benson and compare his words to those of Ron Paul. President Benson, as a private citizen, strongly opposed the Vietnam War. He said if the government insists on fighting the war, at the very least let Congress DECLARE war, establish clear objectives and get out quickly. Ron Paul has taken heat from fellow Conservatives for promoting the exact same philosophy about Iraq. In fact, Ron Paul has consistently advocated the same type of counsel that Elder Russell M. Nelson gave in General Conference just prior to the outbreak of the Iraq War. Elder Nelson said, "Now, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what does the Lord expect of us? As a Church, we must ‘renounce war and proclaim peace.’ As individuals, we should ‘follow after the things which make for peace.’" You will not find a candidate past or present, in either party that has tried so hard to apply this wisdom in government. Ron Paul is honest and his conduct with his fellow man has always been above reproach. He is a man of integrity!
I wish to return to LDS theology and the emphasis on the family for a moment. In the document, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World", the leaders of our church wrote: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
I take that charge seriously. The greatest stumbling block to the security of our families is the interference of our own government. The US Supreme Court has ruled that each state must allow abortion on demand. We believe this is a sin. Ron Paul fiercely opposes abortion and has tried to pass many pieces of legislation to protect the unborn. In fact, he has the endorsement of Norma McCorvey, aka "Jane Roe" (yes, THAT Roe) herself. Federal welfare programs are designed to enslave single moms by giving them financial incentives to NOT get married, but to raise children out of wedlock. Ron Paul is fighting to abolish these programs.
He is also seeking to help families by taking the mammoth tax burden off their backs. LDS members have been encouraged to try to live off of a single income so that mothers can raise children in their homes. By abolishing the IRS, Ron Paul seeks to help our families accomplish this goal. He supports homes schooling, raw milk and other healthy choices without government interference. Ron Paul supports "measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family" as recommend by the First Presidency. I feel proud to support a candidate who places such great emphasis on protecting my rights and restoring liberties that have been usurped by an out-of-control government.
I want to encourage you to visit Ron Paul’s website, http://www.ronpaul2008.com and click on the section labeled "Learn" to find out more about his positions. Go to YouTube and type in "Ron Paul" to watch some of his speeches and debates. If you previously supported Mitt Romney, I adjure you to consider supporting Ron Paul. You don’t have to throw your votes away on John McCain. Remember, a vote for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil. I feel overjoyed to be able to support a candidate who believes in the importance of family and freedom as I do. I invite you to join me in supporting Ron Paul for President.
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2008 Jake Morphonios, all rights reserved.
Published: Friday, February 8, 2008
Last modified: Friday, February 8, 2008
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Great article! As members of the LDS church we know that the Constitution was inspired by God. Ron Paul is the only Candidate running with the Constitution as his platform.
I am a former Mitt Romney supporter who also happened to donate to Ron Paul's campign -- because I thought Paul's message needed to be heard, and because I was aghast at the media tyranny against him. I am LDS as well.
This campaign has stunned me. I had no idea so many people hated me. Personally. The things they were condemning Mitt for, things they said made him unfit for office, were actually things that applied to me.
I have modified my views on complex issues, and I don't wear the right style of panties.... Go figure.
Well, as much as I have felt personally maligned these last months, I have not seen this vitriol coming from the Paul campaign. And inasmuch as Ron Paul is actually RIGHT about a very great deal, he will be getting my vote tomorow in Washington State.
And my husband's... But my husband was a Ron Paul supporter even before Romney backed out. Heading off to the war, again, he is one of the many senior military officers supporting Ron Paul.
Amen. I think every LDS should be voting Ron Paul. Okay, I think every US citizen should be voting Ron Paul, but I think LDS members have even more reason to vote for him.
There are many members of the Church who see Ron Paul as the best choice. And, as a member myself, it's easy to see that Ron Paul follows what the Church teaches as far as the proper role of government. Frankly, I am quite amazed that most active members of the Church do not support Ron Paul. No one running for President, except for Ron Paul holds up the Constitution as a "Title Of Liberty" .Really, I don't understand why most Republicans haven't voted for Ron. If you look at his brief on his voting record, over 20 years of NEVER voting to raise taxes, no unbalanced budgets, . . . . etc. I mean, come on, can you really be a Republican and not like that?
Well, if you read in the Book of Mormon in Helaman Chapter 5 verse 2 you will see that the people will get what they vote for. If you vote for good people, good results, you vote for bad people, well, I think you understand.
I have made it a point to see Ron Paul every single time he has come to Utah for the past several years. He has gone out of his way to express love, thanks and support for his many Mormon friends. Frankly, I was quite flabbergasted to only see 3% support for Ron Paul in Tuesday's primary election. Of course, it is likely that even his fervent supporters might not have known he was running for president, the way the Gaddianton Robbers in the news media have completely blacklisted him and any coverage at all.
Mormons should also vote for Ron Paul because McCain is not qualified to be president. He was NOT born on US soil as required by the constitution. Read the 14th amendment and check out this link.
Posted By: Charles Neighbors
Date: 2008-02-09 17:26:18
Here is something strange...my precinct caucus in Colorado was flooded by Mitt Romney supporters, and they were even being rude to throw out any Ron Paul Supporters to go to any delegate convention. They lied to the RP supporters...in order to prevent a RP in going to the convention. One Mitt Romney supporter even challenged a RP supporter and wanted a re-count of delegates....go figure. Is this the norm for LDS Church ??
I am also LDS. I have to disagree that "Bro. Romney" is a good example of a member of our church. I find his wavering stance on abortion disturbing - it smacks of compromising his position to gain power. The way he and his wife present themselves smacks of "Peter Perfect" and "Molly Mormon"-ism. The closest analogy I can think of to "Mitt" is that of a snake oil salesman.
I consider Dr. Paul, Church ordinances not withstanding, to be more of a Mormon than Mitt Romney. Dr. Paul always tries to tell the truth. He doesn't waver in his principles to gain power, nor does he alter his platform to please whatever crowd he happens to be addressing. His words echo the words of Moroni "I seek not for power, but to pull it down!" These are principles that every Mormon should be espousing.
Ron Paul is a true statesman - and whether or not he survives the primaries and goes on into the election, he has my vote. I only wish there were more people like him to vote for and hopefully, if the Ron Paul Revolution continues to grow, there will be.
I'll try this again, since my first comment doesn't seem to be showing...
"The US Supreme Court has ruled that each state must allow abortion on demand. We believe this is a sin. ...He supports homes schooling, raw milk and other healthy choices without government interference."
As an active member of the LDS church, I've got to point these out. The Church's official stand on abortion is here (for clarity's sake):
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2aq94a
And there is no Church doctrine on home schooling or raw milk.
I'm disgusted with the NEA, but that's a personal choice, not a Church party line. As for milk, and other foods, there may be personal reasons to go one way or another, but the Church doctrine on foods, the Word of Wisdom, says nothing about milk.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3c2352
I voted for Ron Paul in the Utah primaries, and plan on voting for him in November, even if I have to write him in. I do so because of my own research, not because of my religious beliefs. Some things align, others do not. I have made an informed decision to support Ron Paul, finding in him the candidate who I believe can best solve some of the terrible problems this country faces.
I really appreciate this article, although, as Tesh above me, I acknowledge the importance of making rational, personal decisions about the candidates, rather than jumping to hasty generalizations--one of the reasons I never supported Romney.
As an LDS Youth, I am anti-Iraqi war, as are many of my fellow classmates here at BYU Provo. While it might be true that people my age tend to be indifferent to, or ignorant of, the issues, those of us who do care, who are making a difference, and will continue to do so, are smart enough to seek out the truth. We are questioning everything. We are mistrustful. We are analyzing the information coming to us, and we are broadening our perspectives.
Regardless of how the media has treated him, Ron Paul has not passed by the Y unnoticed.
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2008 Jake Morphonios, all rights reserved.