SALT LAKE CITY — With less than a week to go before Republicans from around the country flock to Tampa, Florida to nominate Mitt Romney as their party's nominee, the Romney campaign has seemingly embraced the candidate's faith.

While Romney's membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never been the main issue of the presidential race, his referencing of his faith has been much more muted during the 2012 race than his first attempt at the presidency in 2008. Romney has remained relatively silent about being a member of the Church, referencing it occasionally only as his faith.

Many, including Romney, contend part of the reason he lost in 2008 was because of his membership in the Church. However, a poll released by Pew Research last month said Romney's faith will have little impact on how a voter casts his or her ballot in November.

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And while much of the attention of the media has been focused on Mormonism and Romney's beliefs, which is drastically different this election cycle, the presumptive Republican nominee has seemed to distance himself from the rhetoric and has stayed on message: "Obama Isn't Working."

However, the political winds appear to be shifting as the Republican Convention draws near, with campaign officials looking to cast Romney as an inviting candidate who served as a compassionate leader in his church. The message is intended to be highlighted next week at the convention where his experience as a Mormon bishop will give voters a glimpse into how he would govern the United States.

On Sunday, Romney's campaign invited the traveling press to attend church with him near his lake house in Wolfeboro, N.H. The invitation was the first time the campaign has given access to Romney while attending church services.

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'Anti-Mormon' pastor now supporting Romney

Outspoken Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, who last year attacked presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney and his "non-Christian faith," announced he will support the former Massachusetts governor for the Republican nomination.

The Republican National Committee announced Monday a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will give the invocation at the convention on the day Romney delivers his address. The Associated Press questioned whether the Romney campaign would allow for a "Mormon blessing" at the convention.

Adding to the increased attention on the Church leading up to the convention, NBC's "Rock Center" will air its "Mormon in America" one-hour special Thursday on KSL-TV. The special will look at high profile Mormons and the LDS faith.

"I think we're just serious about life," JetBlue founder David Neeleman told Rock Center. "You know, we are taught that it's not bad to make money in life. It's not bad, but it's not your money, it's Heavenly Father's money and you should be good stewards over that money."

NBC's special will be one of many other programs looking at the LDS faith as the attention is focused on Romney at the Republican Convention.

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