Al Sharpton's opinion to exclude Mitt Romney (or any other candidate) based on religion is no better than what he claims Mormons have done to Blacks in the past. 

His reference to "anyone who believes in God...", although intended to insult, should be a reminder to all of us that if we really do believe in God, religion or color will never exclude us from being one of God's children.  As such, we have an obligation to each other to widen our circles of acceptance and tolerance.

I think the Mormon Church really tried to practice the teachings of the Person they profess to follow by turning the other cheek and welcoming Reverend Sharpton in spite of his insults. 

No matter what our religion is, as a COMMUNITY, it is time to put aside the things that keep us from embracing each other.  We need to follow these wise words of the poet Edwin Markham:

CIRCLE

He drew a circle and shut me out
a renegade, a heretic, a thing to flout
But love and I had wit to win
we drew a circle that took him in.

 

 

 

 

If anyone should be apologizing it's the mormons. Brigham Young is one of the many who intiated this so called religion of "Jesus Christ." The Mormon Meadows Massacre? Ring a bell? Or do you have selective memory when it comes to history? Or do you choose to study ONLY what YOU believ to be the truth? And this facade the Mormon Leaders are putting on about loving and welcoming Al Sharpton to Utah anytime? What a joke. You have to be pretty blind to get sucked into this "turn the other cheek " attitude the mormons are trying so hard to flaunt while holding in their hatred underneath. I know. I have been listening to Mormons talk all day about Al Sharpton. Oh and is Gordon B hinckley too "white and delightsome" that he won't shake hands with a black man? Sounds like Brigham Young's spirit has returned. Tell me LeAnn why couldn't blacks hold the priesthood until 1978?

Hate of ANY KIND is not the solution to the problems of society.  Until people are able to get rid of the hate in their own heart, this world will never be a peaceful place.  I have never tried to guess why history was the way it was.   I don't know the answers and quite frankly, I don't need to know them.  

Being angry or staying angry is a choice.  Anger and hate prevent peace.  Peace needs to begin somewhere.  As for me, I have a circle of friends that includes many religions and nationalities.  I don't distinguish them by what their parents or grandparents did. 

As for Gordon Hinckley --- My own dad is his age.  Did you ever think he may have been too ill to meet with the reverend?  My own dad, although sometimes as spry as Gordon Hinckley, has days when he can't even move.

 

Smedley, It is clear that you hate Mormons and feel that they are foolish misguided people.  What you don't understand is that all people throughout history have felt the same way towards others different than themselves. That is why we have the problems and wars we see today.  Mormon massacre... History...   Please get a clue! What about the floods and Noah, Pharaoh and Egypt, Spanish inquisition, Christian crusades, the Holocaust, American Indians, Muslim extremism, Yes smedley, all people are foolish and have either been killed by god or by each other at one time or another because of their ignorance and pride!  Because they suppose they know the truth and have license to judge others that fall short they breed hate and intolerance!  I would truly like to know which religion or belief you subscribe too.  It does not appear to come from a Christian faith, as you do not espouse the teachings of Jesus Christ, or any other great prophet that has come before or has or will come after his mortal ministry.  As for the Bible, which you speak so much about, which version do you accept as god’s word?   The New Testament… How about the Torah or even the Koran???  What about the Old Testament?  And again just for clarification, is that the NIV, KJV, NKJV, NIV, NASV, ASV, RSV, Roman Catholic New American Bible (NAB), etc.   Yes smedley, you have me befuddled, all I see in your posts is an angry person wanting to persecute anyone who is not cut from your mold!  I don’t see the teachings of Christ in your words, nor do I see a person who is secure in their belief and personal relationship with their God!  Else I think I would see compassion and service and understanding but most of all charity towards your fellow man.  Now, lets see…  What were those two great (Greatest) commandments that Jesus spoke about?

I am no expert on being perfect.  I am learning as I go.  But I do know that peace starts with one person -- ME.  Obviously from your comments, now there are two.  More of us need to come together with a voice that reaches out to all people.  Thank you for being who you are!