December 6, 2007

TO: Opinion Column Editor, AJC

dbeasley@ajc.com

Perhaps the headline to Robert Parham’s column (AJC December 5) should have read “Romney opens up needed dialog on meaning of religious freedom,” rather than “Romney has a cross to bear.” Because that is exactly what Romney’s presidential candidacy has done. He has opened a much needed dialog on the role or religion and morality in American politics.

          Romney’s “Faith in America” speech in Texas on Thursday was powerful, equally as powerful, perhaps even surpassing Jack Kennedy’s similar speech in 1960. But it will not satisfy those whose view Mormonism as a cult. And unfortunately the AJC’s “Romney Hopes Faithful Follow” front page story in Thursday’s paper added support to those who view Mormonism as a cult by failing to quote a practicing Mormon. And neither did the story on the Mormon mission (D1) help erase the cult mentality.   

          As a youth I used to recite the Apostolic Creed in my small country church. That creed, more Greek orientated than biblically orientated, was demanded by Constantine in 325 A.D. to settle religious differences in his kingdom and to strengthen his dictatorship. That creed continues to dominate orthodox Christianity beliefs even today. That non-biblical creed confused me as a youth and still does today.

          In 1956 I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior following a strong spiritual experience. And for four years I studied the Bible, especially the words uttered by Christ. Then in 1980 two Mormon missionaries knocked on my door. When they left I knew their message was true and set about to bring my life into harmony with the teachings of Christ and his apostles. It was difficult. If I wanted to be baptized I had to give up my worldly habits. Then, following three months of intense study and prayer, I was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost by those I believed to be authorized by Christ to convey that gift. In 1960 it was a church of one million, located primarily in the western United States. Today it is a worldwide church of 13 million and projected to grow exponentially in the years ahead. Being a part of this growth has made me feel needed and useful for 47 years doing His work, as He would have it done.

Why then is this church growing so rapidly? Because what it offers fills its adherent’s spiritual hunger. It offers meaningful answers, no mysteries, to everyone, regardless of race, culture, or nationality, who is seeking to understand who they are, where they came from, why mortality, what follows death and the role of opposition in their lives. Perhaps my conversion from Protestantism to Mormonism, now the fourth largest church in America, may be useful to those who continue to search for religious truth but still consider Mormonism a cult and not as a legitimate Christian Church.

Personal agency and accountability are foundational doctrines of this church. So leaving my family’s traditional Christian faith at age 33 was not easy. It was the hardest decision I ever made, but well worth it. Accepting the appearance of the embodied God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ to the boy Joseph Smith in 1820 was not difficult. My biblical studies helped me comprehend the angelic pattern God used to “restore” His Gospel through Abraham and Moses. Even Christ’s birth and ministry were announces by angelic messengers. Their role was to restore the essential ordinances to gain exaltation plus authority to administer those ordinances before committing His Church into the hands of His prophets and apostles as He did through Abraham, Moses and Peter.

Today, at age 80, I remain an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am content, happy, and enjoy watching my 72 member family grow both spiritually and temporally. My wife and I served a church mission and have a son and five grandchildren, with more to follow. . 

So when Mitt Romney gave his “Faith in America” speech Thursday he indeed did America a favor by opening up this needed dialog on the role of religion and morality in America. We both believe America was “chosen” as a land where personal liberties and religious freedom could be restored, not for one religion but for all religions, even many religions, each according to their own chosen doctrines. Mine just happens to be Mormonism. Thanks Mitt for your contribution to religious understanding and liberty.

Donald Conkey – Woodstock, Georgia – 770-592-7811 – dsconkey@bellsouth.net