Be American! Rise Above the Difference

A Mormon: Why does it matter?
Why Sterotype when you can Accept?

Elder Russell M. Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, recently emphasized the political neutrality of the Church in an interview on the Church Newsroom website. The 2008 Presidential Campaign of LDS member Mitt Romney has sparked the attention of the media causing the church to emphasize this information even more. The controversy throughout his campaign of being a member of the Church, a “Mormon,” has kept many people from wanting to vote for him, let alone listen to him. We as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and as students at BYU recognize the importance of fulfilling our responsibility as citizens, to take on the duty to vote and be informed of political issues within our country and throughout the world. However, why do we really vote? Relevant to this question is the fact that the 2008 Presidential Election will be the second time in history that a mormon has run for office. Many LDS members will be voting for Romney, but why? Is it because it is just easier for a Mormon to trust a Mormon? The fact that Mitt Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will change the way many people vote. Yet, there are some who criticize him for “not being enough of a Mormon” in regards to his social policy. Whether you are for him or against him, our nation has labeled Mitt Romney for being a Mormon, stereotyping him for what he believes in. In essence, all citizens must stop stereotyping Mitt Romney for being a Mormon and rise above the difference maturely. Be American!