Romney's principles, not LDS faith, focus of RNC

TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of supporters, delegates and journalists traveled to Tampa to participate in the Republican National Convention and to make Mitt Romney the party's nominee. And while the convention is the central purpose for being in the Sunshine State, there appears to be an underlying purpose for being here.

Nearly everyone — particularly journalists — wants to know the same thing: What is Mormonism and what does it say about Mitt Romney?

The Utah delegation has been one of the best sources of information on this topic. Reporters from the New York Times to USA Today and media outlets from Canada to Jerusalem have sat through various delegation meetings and pulled delegates and elected officials aside, all asking the same thing: What is Mormonism?

All of the journalists observe the speeches given by Utah's elected officials who speak of their service as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the various religious acts that define these people. It's an attempt to existentially learn about the principles that define and shape Mitt Romney as a person, as a candidate, as a potential president of the United States.

Members of the LDS faith call themselves a "peculiar people," and no doubt they are. It's the reason why so many people want to know about them.

Is Mormonism a cult? Will Mitt Romney govern the United States based on what religious leaders tell him? Is there anything to fear with a Mormon as president? While the questions seem silly or ridiculous to members of the LDS faith, they are legitimate questions for people curious about a relatively unknown religion.

In 2007, as a candidate for president, Romney addressed his faith at a press conference, saying: "I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers. I'll be true to them and to my beliefs. There's one fundamental question about which I'm often asked: What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the savior of mankind."

Since those remarks nearly five years ago, Romney has spoken little of his Mormon heritage or religious practices, saying only he is active in his faith. The silence has only added to the intrigue of those curious about his religion.

On Tuesday, Ann Romney uttered the word Mormon in her convention speech, making it known for any who may not have known that the Romney family was Mormon. A day later, former Gov. Mike Huckabee addressed the differences in their religions, saying he was more concerned about having a great leader.

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Is Romney embracing his Mormon faith on the campaign trail?

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.

Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan followed up Huckabee's speech later in the evening, saying: "Mitt and I also go to different churches. But in any church, the best kind of preaching is done by example. And I've been watching that example. The man who will accept your nomination tomorrow is prayerful and faithful and honorable."

"Our different faiths come together in the same moral creed," Ryan added. "We believe that in every life there is goodness; for every person, there is hope. Each one of us was made for a reason, bearing the image and likeness of the Lord of Life."

Romney is expected to touch on his faith in Thursday night's speech, telling the nation a little more about the religion that has shaped his life, his character, his family and the way he would govern a nation.

"I think that the fact that he's LDS — a man of faith — is going to be something of a curiosity still for some people," Gov. Gary Herbert said. "But it's not the single motivation factor of why you vote for or against Mitt Romney. He's a man of principle, values — American values — and I think he's going to lay out his vision of how we turn this country around."

"I think it's becoming more of a secondary issue and people of good faith, of good will throughout the country can embrace Mitt and Ann Romney regardless of their faith or background," Gov. Herbert added. "Whether they have a faith or don't have a faith, it's the principles that are going to unity us, it's the principles that he espouses that are going to lead this country in the direction that we need to get back to again."

Following remarks made to the Utah delegation on Tuesday, U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz from Texas said he did not think there was much of an issue with religion, even with evangelical voters who have been hesitant to put their full support behind a Mormon candidate.

"I don't think it will matter.," Cruz said. "I don't doubt that the Democrats will attempt to use his faith against him because unfortunately we have seen already their willingness to engage in the politics of division."

Many will be watching Thursday night to see if Romney will answer their questions about his faith, but more importantly, whether he is the right candidate for the office of president.

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