Mormons Hit The Mainstream

TAMPA, Fla. — As the Romney campaign put its candidate’s faith on display Thursday night at the Republican National Convention, Mormons in the Utah delegation recognized an opportunity to convince America they’re not so weird after all.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney formally accepted the Republican Party nomination for president on the final evening of the convention here. Before he did, testimonials from members of his church highlighted Romney’s Mormon faith.

As a candidate, Romney has chosen not to discuss his religion. The fact that he is a Mormon has been seen as a liability to his bid for the presidency, much as John F. Kennedy’s Catholicism was considered a liability in the 1960 presidential campaign. After months of internal debate about how to tackle the question, Romney’s advisers decided to publicly present and embrace his faith rather than run from it. Mormons, appearing as Mormons, not politicians, took the stage before Romney’s climactic appearance.

Which, among the faithful on the floor, was something of a god send..

“I’m deeply touched,” Utah delegate Brent Bishop (pictured) said after those guests had finished speaking.

There have been well-known Mormon politicians and celebrities in the past, but ​“not on this scale,” Bishop said. Romney is poised to become perhaps the world’s best-known Mormon.

“It does put a spotlight on the church,” Bishop said. ​“A lot of questions arise.”

Bishop spoke after the campaign put Pastor Grant Bennett onstage, to speak about Romney and religion.

Bennett served as an assistant to Romney during the time that he was a lay pastor for a Mormon church in Boston. He spoke about Romney’s dedication and compassion in the position. ​“He had a listening ear and a helping hand.”

Bennett’s remarks were followed by emotional testimony from three former members of the Boston congregation. Ted and Pat Oparowski talked about how Romney helped their family after their son was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. Pam Finlayson (pictured onstage) spoke about Romney helping her when her daughter was born prematurely.

While the speakers highlighted Romney’s kindness and service, they largely avoided using the word Mormon or the full name of the religion, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Utah delegate Bishop said Mormons are misunderstood. He said that’s partly because the church is not often described by its full name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When people hear the full name, said Utah delegate Gayle Ruzicka, they’re more likely to recognize that Mormonism is a Christian faith.

“Mormons are like all other Christians, we believe in Jesus Christ,” she said. ​“We are truly a Christian church.”

People tend to focus on the ways Mormons are different, and say that they keep things secret about the religion, Ruzicka said. That’s not true, she said. The church sends missionaries around the world to preach about Mormonism. she said. ​“We don’t share? That’s a secret?”

Romney’s candidacy could begin to change people’s perception of the church, Ruzicka said. ​“I think they’re learning.”