Why Mormons should support Ron Paul in 2012

Why Mormons should support Ron Paul for President in 2012

David O. Mckay, 9th president of the LDS (Mormon) Church said “Next to being one in worshipping god, there is nothing in this world upon which this church should be more united than in upholding and defending The Constitution of The United States.

Two Mormons are likely to Run for President in 2012. Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. Both are considered moderate Republicans. Many Mormons will be torn between the two. Huntsman's father currently serves in a high position in the Mormon church and Romney at one time served as a stake President in the church. (A Stake President is a regional leader of the church. )

Romney and Huntsman have held views on the past that make many Mormons cringe. For example, Mitt Romney at one time supported Gays in the Boy Scouts, Abortion and socialized mandated health care in the state of Massuchusetts. To be fair, he has since flipped his positions on all those except for socialized mandated health care which he still defends. (if you don't believe Romney once had these positions just watch this you tube video, it may shock you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IJUkYUbvI

Recently Huntsman didn't elaborate much on whether he still considers himself a Mormon but the few words he uttered made waves in Utah. When asked about his Mormon faith he said "That's tough to define."

It is interesting that Ron Paul is staunchly pro life, having delivered over 4,000 babies. He has been married over 50 years, he has 5 children and over 20 grandchildren. On his faith he said the following “I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator.”

Mormon scripture states that the Constitution is divinely inspired. Joseph Smith the first prophet of the Church once prayed saying “May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever” Smith also said ”The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner.”

Ezra Taft Benson a Libertarian, personal friend of former Senator Robert Taft and 13th president of the church said “ Unfortunately, we as a nation have apostatized in various degrees from different Constitutional principles as proclaimed by the inspired founders. We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” Benson also said “Every true Latter-day Saint should have a deep love and respect for the Constitution of this land.”

From modern scripture, we learn that America was raised up as a nation “by the power of God” to be a land of liberty (see 1 Ne. 13:12–19) and that God “established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom [he] raised up unto this very purpose.”


Some Mormons may not like Ron Paul's foreign policy views. However, lets compare Ron Paul's views to Ezra Taft Benson's foreign policy views.
Benson believed in a foreign Policy of non intervention. The same foreign Policy that Ron Paul, Thomas jefferson and George washington believe in. Benson defended Non interventionism saying “Already, I can hear the chorus chanting “Isolationism, isolationism, he’s turning back the clock to isolationism.” How many use that word without having the slightest idea of what it really means! The so-called isolationism of the United States in past decades is a pure myth. What isolationism? Long before the current trend of revoking our Declaration of Independence under the guise of international cooperation, American influence and trade was felt in every region of the globe. Individuals and private groups spread knowledge, business, prosperity, religion, good will and, above all, respect throughout every foreign continent. It was not necessary then for America to give up her independence to have contact and influence with other countries. It is not necessary now. Yet, many Americans have been led to believe that our country is so strong that it can defend, feed and subsidize half the world, while at the same time believing that we are so weak and “inter-dependent” that we cannot survive without pooling our resources and sovereignty with those we subsidize. If wanting no part of this kind of “logic” is isolationism, then it is time we brought it back into vogue.”

Its not only President Benson who had basically the same views as Ron Paul but J Rueben Clark (a member of the first presidency) also advocated for a foreign policy of non intervention. “The international gospel of the Founding Fathers was forecast by Jefferson in 1793. It was voiced by Washington in his Farewell Address in 1796, when he declared we should have “as little political connection as possible with Europe,” because Europe has a “set of primary interests” with which we had “none or a very remote relation,” wherefore “must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concern;…why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice? It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”

Clearly Ron Paul's views should resonate with at least some Latter Day Saints. The foreign of Policy J. Rueben Clark, Ezra Taft Benson the founding fathers and Ron Paul are basically one and the same. The belief to avoid entangling alliances and build a strong national defense here at home rather than abroad.

Ron Paul greatly respects the Latter day Saint faith. In his book End the Fed Congressman Paul talked about a neighbor he had that was Mormon. Ron Paul was impressed that the church had taught him self reliance and frugality.



Some great Talks by Mormon leaders on the Constitution and Liberty :
Ezra Taft Benson
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/articles/ezra-taft-benson/the-constitution-a-heavenly-banner/

http://www.latterdayconservative.com/articles/ezra-taft-benson/the-price-of-liberty-eternal-vigilance/

J. Rueben Clark
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/articles/the-constitution/

David O Mckay
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/articles/two-contending-forces/