Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide

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Mitt Romney

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Faith Snapshot:

_{Last Updated: 01/30/2012}

Issues of faith and religion come to the forefront quite often during elections and presidential campaigns. In preparation for the 2012 elections, I'm providing a "faith snapshot" of each of the presidential candidates. This project will be updated as I find additional faith-related statements from the candidates. Please check back often!

Mitt Romney's Political Profile:

Party: Republican
Age: 64
Education:
Brigham Young University, B.A.
Harvard Law School, J.D.
Harvard University Business School, M.B.A.
Current Position: Candidate
Experience: Businessman, Governor of Massachusetts
Declared Candidacy: June 2, 2011
Website: Mitt Romney for President

Mitt Romney's Faith Snapshot:

Religion/Church: Mormon (Latter-day Saints)

Mitt Romney, a fifth-generation Mormon, attended Brigham Young University. He served as a young missionary in France for more than two years, and was active in the church lay ministry until he became a bishop and later a president over a group of Mormon congregations in the Boston area. In his "Faith in America" speech on Dec. 6, 2007, he said, "I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers – I will be true to them and to my beliefs." Mitt and his wife Ann have been married for 42 years and have five sons.

Mitt Romney's Expressions of Faith:

"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom," said Romney also in his "Faith in America" speech. "Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone." On religion and politics he said, "A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith." Romney states that his spiritual convictions will "inform" his presidency, but assures "that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions."

When asked what he believes about Jesus Christ, Romney said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. My church's beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths." This particular expression of faith is important because many Christians have misconceptions about Mormon beliefs. This has caused problems for Romney, especially among Evangelicals. Here he affirms his beliefs about Jesus Christ, yet makes the clear distinction in his view. The deviation from traditional doctrine is that Mormon's do not accept the doctrine of the Trinity.

Mitt Romney and the Bible:

Inspiring applause from the audience at the CNN/YouTube 2008 Republican Debate, Romney said, "The Bible is the Word of God, absolutely." When asked by the moderator, "Does that mean you believe every word?" Romney responded, "Yeah, I believe it's the Word of God. I might interpret the Word differently than you interpret the Word, but I read the Bible and I believe the Bible is the Word of God. I don't disagree with the Bible. I try and live by it."

More About Mitt Romney's Religion:

• Pew Forum - Religious Biography of Mitt Romney
• For Romney, a Role of Faith and Authority
• Romney's "Faith In America" Address

More Faith Snapshots:

Complete List of 2008 Presidential Candidates