The Evolving Relationship Between The U.s. Government And...

Chaelee Dalton Burnett Honors World Religions November 7 2014 The Evolving Relationship Between the U.S. Government and the Mormon Church In 1844, Joseph Smith, ecclesiastical leader of the Latter-day Saints and presidential candidate, was murdered by an angry mob. This mob was fostered by the release of a newspaper questioning Smith’s practices (including polygamy), qualifications, and intentions for his potential presidency. More than 150 years later, Mitt Romney, a member of the LDS Church, launched a presidential campaign and garnered forty-two percent of the popular vote. Although these two candidates share a faith, their political roles and views are substantially different. This is representative of the significant changes in the relationship between the Mormon church and the U.S. government. A homegrown religion originating in the late 1820s, Mormonism arose as a rejection of the existing Christian sects and a return to what the Mormons considered to be pure Christianity. Similarly, the members believed their desire for a new kind of government stemmed from their disillusionment with what they believed was a corrupt government and a desire for the reestablishment of true American values and the original intent of the founding fathers. This sentiment is epitomized by Joseph Smith’s presidential platform, which states â€Å"No honest man can doubt for a moment, the glory of American liberty is on the wane; and that calamity and confusion will sooner or later destroy theShow MoreRelatedSame-Sex Marriage and Religion: An Inappropriate Relationship8330 Words   |  34 PagesSame-Sex Marriage and Religion: An Inappropriate Relationship Brittney Baker Key words, names, terms, concepts: California s Proposition 8, Prop 8; morals legislation; same-sex marriage, gay marriage; religion, religion and politics; separation of church and state; police powers; equal citizenship, equality; 2008 election. Introduction and Thesis The debate over same-sex marriage has been a prominent issue in our society over many years now, appearing in several ballot initiatives such as CaliforniaRead MoreEssay about Same Sex Marriage Controversy in the United States3686 Words   |  15 Pagesvery real sense, it is reasonable to argue that the government should have no say at all in the processes of marriage, or decide which adults may or may not legally marry. State and federal governments play a role, of course, in that marriage is a civil union, and provides benefits and legal protections for the couple. Historically, marriage serves the interests of the society by promoting stability and future generations of citizens, and governments usually act in ways to promote this very vital element