Posted on 12/23/2009 9:04:30 AM PST by Colofornian
IDAHO FALLS -- Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell will be mixing what he calls doctrines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his gubernatorial campaign in a series of meetings slated for LDS elders only.
In January, Rammell will kick off a series of special meetings targeted specifically at "faithful priesthood-holders of the LDS Church" to discuss the so-called "White Horse" prophecy.
The first meeting will held at the Hampton Inn in Idaho Falls between 7 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 19. Subsequent meetings will be held in Rexburg, Blackfoot, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Boise, and only men active in the LDS Church have been invited to attend.
"There is nothing secret about the meeting -- it's just the sacred nature of the things we will be talking about," said Rammell. "We are going to talk about (LDS Church founder) Joseph Smith's prophecy that the Constitution will be hanging by a thread and that the Latter-day Saint elders will step forward and save it.
"Only LDS elders are invited because I don't want people there that don't believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Any active member of the church is welcome to attend."
Rammell said that though LDS women were not invited because of lack of space, he hopes that the men will take the message home to their wives.
Rammell says the LDS Church isn't sponsoring the event.
The church had no comment on Rammell's meetings, and officials directed the Standard Journal to the church's political neutrality policy, which states that the church does not "endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms."
There is also question about the legitimacy of the "prophecy" to which Rammell is referring.
The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) weighs in on the "White Horse" prophesy Rammell is referring to.
"The only accounts of the alleged White Horse prophecy were provided second hand, years after Joseph Smith died and can't be corroborated with other sources," said Scott Gordon, the president of FAIR. " For many people it is a faith-promoting rumor that been around for a long time -- it's a rumor that never dies."
FAIR has published an academic paper on the subject, which quotes LDS leadership on the validity of the prophecy.
FAIR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of LDS doctrine. The organization is not affiliated with the LDS Church.
In the past, Rammell has been criticized for using his faith to further his campaign.
In response, he cited his believe in freedom of speech.
"Religion has always played a significant part in the making of America and I believe it should be included today," said Rammell. "If there are LDS people that are offended by the fact that I would have an only LDS meeting -- I would have them come and listen to me before they criticize the contents of my speech."
Although Rammell's meetings are by invitation only, he says that if people would like to attend, they can contact him at (208) 716-2053 or by e-mail at rex@voterammell.com.
Let's hope Rammel's "campaign" experiences a worse defeat than Romney's. All idiots need to be banished from politics. 2010 in Reid's banishment from politics.
Don't ever forget that we are a Christian nation. Mormons need to forget any ideal of political aspirations. Oil and water don't mix.
The quote is included in John J. Roberts journal (who was present) in 1843, therefore at least one source was not 3rd party, nor after JS’s death.
It has also been mentioned/referred to by many LDS prophets/apostles. Are they all wrong?
Furthermore, it was common belief/topic when I was at BYU (during Clinton’s campaign), they were discussing then when would an “elder of Zion” run for POTUS.
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