Mitt Romney’s Mormonism

I have so far avoided posting much about Mitt Romney or my views about the 2012 election in large part because my views are still in formation. I am undecided and could be persuaded in either direction in the next two months.

I must say however, that the fact that Mitt Romney is an active member of the church and that he has served in such leadership positions as Bishop and Stake President makes me much more inclined to vote for him. Its not so much that he has the same faith that I do, but that I know that the kind of experiences that he must have had as a bishop make him highly qualified for the highest office in the land!

All  of  these articles are worth a read ! ( Those are 9 different links!)

These articles convey an incredible variety of voices some of which are strong supporters of Mitt Romney and others strong critics. There are incidents that liberals can use to portray Mitt Romney as radical or insensitive ( Advising women to not have abortions of to put children up for adoption for instance), but I challenge anyone to read these articles and to not be touched by the range of compassionate service rendered by this man.

Those that are concerned that Romney is out of touch with the poor should read these reflections published in the Washington Post 

“Nolan Don Archibal, a former member of the Cambridge congregation who went on to become executive chairman of the board at Stanley Black & Decker, said Romney picked up the phone to help the unemployed members of his congregation find work. He acted as a marriage counselor and a mentor to troubled teens and provided a willing ear to lonely widows. He called on those in his flock struggling with a crisis in faith to publicly meditate on their problems at sacrament meetings.

He believed in avoiding problems before they started. Bennett recalled Romney, who set aside Tuesday nights for annual one-on-one meetings with young members, poring over lists of birthdays to make sure he saw everyone.

In a building that prominently featured a depiction of Jesus instructing a rich young man to give his treasure to the poor, Romney reached out to the network of business leaders in the congregation to help put people on solid financial footing. He arranged for one member with money problems to sit down with Steven Wheelwright, a Harvard Business School professor who went on to run Brigham Young University at Hawaii, to develop a personal budget and a path to a better job, according to Bennett.

On one occasion, he dropped Barlow off at his home and the two discussed the array of challenges their congregation faced.

“The one that bothers me the most that I’ve thought a lot about over the years,” Romney told Barlow, “is how genuinely to help the poor.”

And how can those who dismiss Mitt Romney as robotic or indifferent do so after they read this touching account 

“Bryce Clark was a recipient of Mr. Romney’s spiritual advice. Late one summer night in 1993, distraught over his descent into alcoholism and drug use, Mr. Clark, then a 19-year-old college student, decided to confess that he had strayed from his Mormon faith. So he drove through this well-heeled Boston suburb to Mr. Romney’s secluded seven-bedroom home.

As the highest-ranking Mormon leader in Boston, Mr. Romney was responsible for determining whether Mr. Clark was spiritually fit for a mission, a rite of passage for young Mormon men. Mr. Clark had previously lied to him, insisting that he was eligible to go. But instead of condemnation that night, Mr. Clark said, Mr. Romney offered counsel that the younger man has clung to for years.

“He told me that, as human beings, our work isn’t measured by taking the sum of our good deeds and the sum of our bad deeds and seeing how things even out,” recalled Mr. Clark, now 37, sober and working as a filmmaker in Utah. “He said, ‘The only thing you need to think about is: Are you trying to improve, are you trying to do better? And if you are, then you’re a saint.’ ”

That encounter with Mr. Clark provides a rare glimpse into the way Mr. Romney — now a Republican candidate for president — expresses his faith and exercised authority as a religious leader”

Most impressive to me was how Mitt Romney handled the tensions with the Feminist leaders of the Exponent II

“Mormon women in Boston still talk about an extraordinary 1993 meeting Romney called to address the women of the stake.

More than 250 members poured into the Belmont chapel. One by one they called out their issues while he stood at the front with three pads labeled: policies we can’t change, practices we can change, and things we can consider.

Nearly 100 proposals were made that day, including having female leaders give talks in various wards as the men on the high council do; letting women speak last in church; turning the chapels into day-care centers during the week; letting women stand in the circle while blessing newborn babies; recognizing the accomplishment of young women as the church does of Boy Scout advancements; and putting changing tables in the men’s rooms.

Many women left with a new appreciation of Romney’s openness.

He was “so brave,” says Robin Baker, who has worked on Exponent II.

Sievers, who worked with Romney to set up the meeting, was ecstatic.

“I was really surprised,” she says. “He implemented every single suggestion that I would have.”

Additionally, Romney showed his ability to surround himself with men of diverse views and perspectives. Renowned Scholar Philip Barlow was a member of Romney’s Bishopric. I also really liked this quote in the Salt Lake City Tribune article

“By all accounts, Romney the religious leader was a good listener and an innovative manager who considered various positions before making any decision. He was occasionally willing to work around bureaucratic edicts from Salt Lake City to better serve his people. He allowed divorced men to continue in their leadership positions, rather than remove them as church policy dictated at the time. He did not discipline outspoken writers and activists within his ranks.”

I also appreciated that the New York Times and other reporters recently attended sacrament meeting with Mitt Romney and reported on the meeting! This is exactly the kind of publicity that the Church has been encouraging.

From all of these accounts, it seems to me that Mitt Romney was an incredible leader. He managed to be compassionate and maintain a human touch while at the same time showing true leadership and guiding his stake and ward to great prosperity. Having served in the church, I know how serving the Lord can help us become better men: More patient and loving and charitable. It seems to me that Mitt Romney was influenced greatly by these experiences! Because of this, I believe that he would make a phenomenal President and I am strongly leaning towards him!

International Legal Issues Facing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

I attended a fascinating class during education week focusing on International Legal Issues Facing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by William F. Atkin office of the general counsel

I am posting my notes from the event which are of course not comprehensive. First, I wanted to share some of my impressions and insights.

First of all, I got a glimpse at the complexity of running such a large international organization. The church is absolutely meticulous about doing everything absolutely by the books, and this leads to a need to hire and use lawyers. Of course, countries often will try to make it as difficult as possible for the church. Often, laws will be changed in opposition to the church and much legal diplomacy and craftsmanship is necessary. One example mentioned took place in my mission in Novosibirsk. Young missionaries were in the mission office one day when a tax inspector came to visit. There as of yet were no legal stuff, and the inspector looked through records and grilled the young missionaries. The church eventually received a very large fine. Since then, the church has made sure that in each mission there are trained individuals to help out with legal matters.

The variety of legal issues facing the church also stood out to me. Brother Atkins spoke about tax issues, diplomacy concerns, immigration, data privacy, cyber attacks, terrorism and many other issues that emerge in our complex and increasingly challenging world.

Secondly, the greatest asset the church seems to have is the positive impressions of those that come into contact with members. A story in Slovakia highlighted this: 

A law was passed in Slovakia right after the divide with the Czech Republic. It required 20,000 follwers to register a church. The word follower could mean an adherent, members etc OR just someone that will declare support. They started a petition drive and could not get enough signatures. Had to give social security number and legal address  so only got 300

Sent missionaries in from Czech republic.  In the end of a week they got the 20,000.

Newest missionaries got the most signatures.

 

They had a good relationships with Czechoslovakian government before divide. One of the leaders had attended a symposium in Salt Lake City years prior. Those that we had a good relationship with were the heads of the new government and they accepted the definition of follower we wanted. 

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly was the message that Brother Atkins expressed very memorably as 

“When the adversary looks at the lord and says check and the lord looks back and says check mate.”

TIme and again, as the church has faced challenges in its spread, it has been clear that the lord has prepared a way for his church to continue to grow. The church’s history in Russia perfectly illustrated this 

” Back in 1997, Conservative leader General Alexander Lebed of Russia called Mormons ‘scum and mold.’ He was the opponent to Boris Yeltsin and widely expected to win election. After his remarks, leaders of the world were calling us to support us.Russia was member of g7 and president Clinton took prime minister aside and he asked why there was this persecution.  The Prime minister ended up going up to Russia and inquiring about the church.  On his staff, he had someone who had been to a  symposium  in Salt Lake City and was friend of church and it dramatically improved relationship with church.

Later, when in Russia they passed a new registration law that required presence for 50 years. The church was worried because they seemed to have no good legal options.  Because of good relationships they were informed that the legal structure in place was perfect because it had local legal entities. They are only loosely affiliated. Drafted a template in 1992 before the law which had language of affiliation which saved the church in Russia! At the time, those that organized the church did not know how critical that decision would be!

I was struck by the great prophecy of Joseph Smith

““The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; … the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

I know that this is true and that the church will roll forth despite all opposition! This class truly strengthened my testimony in this regard!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

International Legal Issues Confronting the Church ( August 14th, 2012)

William F. Atkin office of the general counsel

 

His children jokingly labelled him President Monson’s ‘hit man’

 

Why does the church need lawyers?

Formed in 1996

One of president Hinkley’s first acts. Called a general authority to lead it

D&C 44:4-5

4 And many shall be converted, insomuch that ye shall obtain power to organize yourselves according to the laws of man; 

5 That your enemies may not have power over you; that you may be preserved in all things; that you may be enabled to keep my laws; that every bond may be broken wherewith the enemy seeketh to destroy my people. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 44)

 

Purpose is to advise the first presidency on the legal matters that affect them

 

Do day to day legal work (mostly outsourced)

They focus on strategic matters

 

Lance Wickman, William Atkins, Boyd j. Black

 

1995- president hinckley – two big concerns- 

Abuse of children- Organized hotline and abuse training for ward councils.

International legal structure of the church- dramatic growth but struggles to keep pace

 

Hired area legal attorneys ( started with 6 and now 13)

 

Robert b Lochhead in Moscow

 

Associate area legal council- senior missionaries working in area offices

 

Larry Walker in Moscow

( definetly an option as a senior couple) ( 30 have gone out)

 

Government relations missionaries

Un-Geneva un-NYC eu-Brussels

 

Diplomacy- the art of lying to ones neighbors

Or to communicate and develop a relationship of trust

 

Franklin s Richards was the first general counsel for the church. Son of apostle. Was called by Brigham Young to be a lawyer.

 

Legal structure today- the church is distinct from its legal entities. Difference between ecclesiastical and legal structure. Legal structure must be in place to support the ecclesiastical structure

 

What is a church

 

A community of believers sharing common faith and doctrine- a spiritual body

( in America a church requires no legal organization

 

A legal entity

We are an unincorporated legal entity

 

Church us corporate structure

Statute in new york for religious organizations required from 3-9 founders. Signed some kind of incorporation document

 

No incorporation in Ohio Missouri or Illinois

 

In Utah at first state and church were very closely related. Incorporated according to territorial laws. Dissolved by federal government

 

When brigham young died it was hard to sort affairs or young family and church 

 

Franklin S. Richards- corporation sole- each western state encorporated this into its charters

 

Corporation of the presiding bishop (cpb) 1916 – each stake and ward was also a corporation sole

 

Corporation of the president of the church ( cop) 1923- holds properties outside of Utah

 

Now each ward and stake is not organized as a corporate entity because of lack of fear.

 

Now no more of these  in utah law but the church is grandfathered in

 

Now a lot of legal entities like the Deseret management corporation

 

International reserve inc ( copyright laws)

 

FamilySearch international ( Utah genealogical society)

 

Two perspectives

 

Our internal view:

–areas ( area presidencies)

– stakes districts wards and branches

– missions, temples and mtcs

– area offices and service centers ( dtas, controllers and managers)

 

Governmental view

 

–legal entities

– management

 

One of the challenges is integrating the two.

 

Moscow tax attorney- 500,000 tax assessment in Novosibirsk. Tax inspector came and the missionaries didn’t know how to respond. For it negotiated down to 30,000 dollars, but from that began legal training for missions in Russia

 

“respect the box”- 

Legal existence

Tax problems

Piercing the corporate veil- liability issues

Internal and external confusion

Accountability and reporting

 

Church itself does not employ a single person- temporal affairs church does have employees

 

Helsinki temple- vendor in Spain sold chandlers. The Spanish entity bought it for the finnish one. Big problem under articles of encorporation

 

Garments are manufactured in brazil and legal entity in brazil manufactures it. In america production and distribution is part of same entity. In brazil they think there are different entities so they are over paying in taxes

 

Legal and political trends

 

Taxation- in the last decade it has become of greater interest. Where do you find new taxes and tax revenue. By going after entities and looking for lack of compliance

 

Always looking for non-profit tax exempt structure- been able to do so world-wide

Want direct first presidency control but it’s not always possible so we need creative lawyering.

In Ukraine there is a five year old case.- tax audit found a problem. We had purchased property and had a dilapidated building on it.  We demolished a building but failed to get a demolition permit ( had a building that you demolished— need to pay Capitol gains tax on it)

 

We try to do everything in accordance to law of land sometimes at great cost to the church.

When in Russia it was very difficult to be in full compliance (1992). Their laws were to use sovietlaw until replaced with new laws. Soviet law was designed for command economy.

 

We need to comply with laws to the best of our ability 

Southern baptist in Siberia did what all in Russia was doing. Rubble was begged to dollar and so people would use black market. Orthodox priest complained and he was reported. He was deported and black listed. 

 

Tax story in Italy- family search international hire local people to perform digitizing. We Declared it as a product or service that is being exported. Could apply for vat refund.

(laws changed so that vat is not required, but since you did pay it we are not going to give it back to you).

 

Elimination of tax exemptions– getting harder and harder. “Pure religion” is often not covered. Charity is often define differently. Fast offerings often not exempt but humanitarian works are.

 

Russia- If a branch president givens fast offering money to needy it is a taxable payment. Mostly set up on a withholding basis so need to pay taxes on it.

 

Cpb is not a legal entity in Russia so you can have cpb do humanitarian activities- appoint branch president as agents for purpose of aid. Have powers of attorney. Can disperse Welfare funds.

 

Transparency- unclear exactly what the net worth of the church is. We are not very big into disclosure. There is a historical reason why not– careful about disclosure because of history of government

 

Church has to be transparent in certain countries by laws 

 

In us money laundering and terrorism laws require greater disclosure

 

How does the euro crisis affect the church. Great control over export of dollars. Okay for church because we usually import them. But now greater currency limitations implemented

 

Argentina had a distribution center for Latin America but had customs and export taxes. They will take 30% and keep it and give it back but then it devalues.

 

Money flows mostly from America to elsewhere. When we had currency devaluations it cost a lot more to run internationally. Started to equalize.

 

Data privacy- now its an issue that impacts the church enormously. There are lots of privacy concerns. Financial, genealogical, employment information, missionary applications etc…. Eu has directive so throughout Europe makes it very hard to transfer data across borders. Need to give data transfer consent. Now on baptism forms.

 

Law suits from ex members in england– they want to see their disciplinary records. We do not keep records of disciplinary accounts. They are confidential and sent to salt lake. Require first presidency approval. 

 

Immigration restrictions-

Visas- go to country through the front door. No underground churches. We are patient until we can do things legally.

 

New law allows to only get visa renewals so can do it in one day.

 

Western European country will no longer give westerners visas- Switzerland. Exceptions if there is a strong need ( granted for cabaret dancers)

 

Business travel visas- we will only go in on business visas rather than just go in without it.

 

Anti- discrimination legislation- gender age ethnicity nationality etc

Gender discrimination is a big issue here. Us state department is pushing that agenda.

 

Employment/ temple worthiness is the major concern. If you don’t have a recommend you will lose your employment! Have to discriminate based on standards. Work really hard to find exemptions for churches based on religious belief

 

Uk passed an omnibus anti-discrimination law and they narrowed it significantly so that only exemption was clergy. They worked in a religious coalition except for Catholics and anglican church because they are large enough. They ultimately joined. The church is small in the Uk but when the priesthood is involved they become leaders. Legislation passed house of commons but in the house of the lords there was a proposed amendment that passed 97-92 .

 

Church autonomy cases in Europe where the church has prevailed. In Germany church won a case they expected to lose by an ex- member. Amicus was written by church in lawsuit against germany by that ex- member.

 

Secularism

Churches no longer have favored status.

 

Zoning laws are large concern 

Temples usually have concerns over stepples.

 

Terrorism and security issues-

 

Technology crimes/ cyber attacks- church is attacked many times a day.

 

Experiences in representing the church.

 

Registration in Slovakia-

 

Required 20,000 follwers to register a church.

For word follower could be adherent, members etc OR just someone that will declare support.

 

Could not get enough signatures. Had to give social security number and legal address  only got 300

Sent missionaries in from Czech republic.  In the end of a week they got the 20,000.

Newest missionaries got the most signatures.

 

Had good relationships with Czechoslovakian government before divide. Those that we had a good relationship with were the heads of the government and they accepted the definition of follower we wanted.

 

Monterrey mexico temple- could not get building permit from city.

Found another site and were actually then supported by government

 

Church rarely sues because you don’t win very much through it.

 

Adversary looks at the lord and says check and the lord looks back and says check mate.

 

General Alexander Lebed of Russia called Mormons in 1997 as ‘scum and mold.’ was opponent to Boris Yeltsin

 

Leaders of the world were calling us to support us.

Russia was member of g7 and president Clinton took prime minister aside and he asked why there was this persecution. Prime minister ended up going up to Russia and inquiring about the church. Had someone who had been to symposium and was friend of church and it dramatically improved relationship with church. They passed a new registration law that required presence for 50 years.  Because of good relationships they were informed that the legal structure in place was perfect because it had local legal entities. They are only loosely affiliated. Drafted a template in 1992 before the law which had language of affiliation which saved the church in Russia!

 

President hinckley- ‘Brethren, be peacemakers.’

 

Law is there to maintain peace.

 

Questions

 

Supreme court case on boy scouts- not directly involved

 

Recognition in Italy- what does it mean. Catholic model has been to have treaties. Modern legislation in Spain and Italy continues. Give special treatment to churches that can enter into these treaties . Had association for years, but we’re second class and now developed a treaty. Now allowed to get tax deduction, ministers can do civil marriages etc. largest benefit is public image.

 

Israel- deal very carefully.

 

Byu has its own legal structure that owns center. 

‘what are we going to do about the look in their eyes.’

 

China progress- strict separation between foreigners and chinese. Two or three ex pat districts.  Two Area 70′s. 

 

In France many of the investigators are Chinese mandarin speaking.

 

Growth in Latin America came in second generation once the youth served missions. In china it’s different the best and brightest end up joining. Chinese lets locals share the gospel with friends and family.

 

Kennedy center English teaching in china.

 

Humanitarian aid is a strategic tool. We have built good relationships through them. Lds charities registered through UN.

 

Elder brown in Japan when they first opened Russia the far east of Russia was part of Asian area. Gov brown had no success meeting in vladivostok. The last morning there he followed an impression to get in touch with catholic charities. He had been a leader in Somalia when the church gave money there. Opened the door to them.

 

Churches relationship in muslim world- do not proselyte to Muslims. There is a stake in Bahrain. Little toe hold. 

 

Legal entity in turkey but the missionaries were denied work permits.

 

Samoa- village chiefs have great authority. Mormons have largest percentage of population but many villages prohibit villagers from leaving to go to other churches. Working with government to stop restrictive law.

 

France- commission on dangerous sects. Cole derm- working on an article on dangerous sects. Very inocuous seeming but use it to make groups illegal.

 

Gana- kicked out in 1992. Half brother of leader was member so the church was able to regain status.

 

Prop 8- probably will be up to supreme court.

 

General authority was once in a building that was shot up but they just missed them.