Ex-Mormon Cartoonist Says Romney Not Telling Truth

Source: Editor & Publisher

As an ex-Mormon, Arizona Republic editorial cartoonist Steve Benson has strong opinions about current Mormon Mitt Romney. He said the Republican candidate's recent speech on religion should not be trusted by media people and other Americans.

In his talk, Romney said "I believe in my Mormon faith" while also noting that the church's "teachings" would not influence his decisions if elected president.

"Yeah, right," responded Benson, adding that "Romney also believes in misrepresenting what his Mormon Church actually espouses."

Benson is the grandson of former Mormon leader Ezra Taft Benson.

He told E&P that, in his view, a Mormon believer is required by church doctrine (as dictated by the church's "living prophet") to "obey God's commands" over anything else. He said "Romney, like all 'temple Mormons,' made his secret vows using Masonic-derived handshakes, passwords, and symbolic death oaths that he promised in the temple never to reveal to the outside world" -- and that Romney also secretly vowed to devote his "time, talents" and more "to the building of the Mormon religion on earth."



Read more: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003686826

---

What is with men and all their stupid secret oaths, handshakes, etc? Geez this sounds just like the Skull & Bones or Opus Dei!

but I took a sacred oath not to ...

empathy for what Benson endured. Must have been a nightmare for him.

church and it almost took his life to get away.................. Romney will never be elected President. Too many people know about Mormonism.

I generally stay away from religions, as I find that spirituality and religion are two disparate things.

I remember reading a book - a true story - about a bombing in the 70's, I think, and getting some insights into Mormonism from that. It's been so long I can't even recall the book - faked documents, lots of money, dual identities - nothing is gelling. Oh well, I'll do some research.

I think. I can't remember the name of the book, there are a couple of them. But yeah, faked documents and 2 ppl killed with homemade bombs and the guy doing the forging accidently (or intentionally) injured himself with the same type of bomb while trying to deflect attention from himself.

I've been a Mormon for over 20 years, and I have never heard of "17th level priest." My husband, who actually holds a priesthood office, laughed out loud when I showed him your post. There is no such thing.

certainly is. It was called a certain type of Priesthood, I will ask the exact spelling. They had the sacred underwear, secret rituals and all of it. We've all known this for years and years. He's been away from the church for a long time now but it was awful getting out.

I'm sure you've heard of this?

there's no 17th level.

I even did a google search on "17th level priesthood" and the only hit I got that had anything to do with the LDS church was your DU post, the rest I saw were all role playing/Dungeons and Dragons type thing.

I do believe that your uncle had to jump through a lot of hoops to get his name off the rolls, but you're a bit confused about the 17th level stuff, there's just no such thing.

I'm lucky I remembered the Priesthood name.

eventually excommunicated.

I think that's where these things originated...

thinks Steve Guttenberg is hot...everytime we see Police Academy, she has fits of desire for him.

I don't get it...he's funny and charming...but...i don't get it.

Back to Mormons....

Steve Gutenberg is their man.
But the song also says...
"Who rigs every Oscar night. We do..."

How come Steve has never won an Oscar????

I thought that was a given with Mittens? In fact, tell me something he doesn't lie about, now that would be News!:silly:

steve never minces words (as was demonstrated in the article);
mormons really do make secret covenants(including the handshakes)
in their temples to give their all to "uphold the kingdom of god on earth." BTDT

signifying death as a violation of this oath.

But your comment w/regard to the hell many former mormons endure is spot on.
The source of that pain? Feeling fundamentally betrayed - lied to. That's
why this article is important (to me).

The old man was basically Reagan after office, and the Temple faithful kept up the charade that their Seer, Prophet and Revealator and 47th Degree Grand Master Temple Novus Ordo Nova Hierusalemisis was still calling the shots. He also has copies of the letters from Benson the Prophet to his grandchildren.

Very good and moving read. Wish I had the link. Google out to find it for all.

posted at exmormon.org.

He did not hide his identity. His wife, who has been supportive during his entire ordeal of leaving the church, had some posts there too.

It is good stuff, and very revealing.

I can't imagine his disillusionment with his former way of life. It must have been crushing.

used to be kind of a stodgy in=house rag for big wheels in the news biz...

great stuff!

"That's our Thang. Smirk, smirk, smirk."

- Commander AWOL,
Beloved Hero, Skull & Boner Occult Division of Republicon Homelander Chickenhawks

all believing in German occult things and Valhalla.

The circle is complete...

nt

to "give milk before meat", in other words, when sucking in converts, just tell them about all the nice touchy-feely parts about Mormonism, all the family crap, etc. Only after you suck them fully in, do you tell them about all the crazy crap Joe Smith thought up while trying to be a god of his own town on the Illinois frontier.

One Talibanistic "your wife should be your humble servant" father of abusive, fat-lard, animal-torturing kids (Huckabee), and a flip-flopping career liar who intends to push his Mormon faith on everyone.

I just hope America is not dumb enough to actually elect either of them...but I've lost faith in America's cognitive abilities in these last 8 years.

I'd rather have a Scientologist in office

Then come back and tell us who he is.

How come no one asks him hard questions about his Mormon faith?

Ask him about their beliefs in extraterrestials. Ask him about the oaths...ask him about all the weird stuff....force him to either disown his religion on public television by denying the truth, or actually have to reveal it.

Romney's being able to coast on his Mormonism because no one ask him. Belonging to a cult should disqualify this asshole once and for all.

Oh you mean like the DAR? or the PTA?

But, the poster was right: there are quite a free male-only "secret" clubs. That's not a slam against men, just an interesting point.

I also know the PTA isn't an exlusive club.

...as long as you don't take it literally.

Under the Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer, is a great book. It will scare the bejeezis out of you too.

a best seller about a decade ago and still around I think ---
maybe at your library?



Secret Ceremonies by Deborah Laake (Mass Market Paperback - Mar 5, 1994)
20 Used & new from $1.99
(98)
Other Editions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette

Amazon still has it listed!!!