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LDS Blogger Who Claimed Church Targeted Him Over Anti-Romney Views Officially Leaves the Faith

Oct. 23, 2012 4:56pm Billy Hallowell

In September, editor and writer David Twede’s battle with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints made headlines. At the time, TheBlaze extensively examined the Mormon blogger’s claim that the church was threatening him with excommunication. Last week, he subsequently took the extraordinary step of officially leaving the church, announcing his decision during an open mic session at the Exmormon Foundation’s annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Last month, Twede, editor of MormonThink.com, sparked media interest after he publicly claimed that he was facing excommunication threats from the church over criticism he waged on his blog against Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. That said, the situation has been a complicated one to nail down. Perhaps The Salt Lake City Tribune best recapped the confusion surrounding the reasoning behind the call for excommunication:

On Sept. 16, officials in the LDS Hunters Creek Stake in Orlando, Fla., gave Twede a letter, summoning him to a church disciplinary council for “apostasy,” which they attributed to his writings.

The Florida blogger initially told the news media that the threatened church action was due to his Romney remarks. Hours later, Twede told The Salt Lake Tribune his LDS leaders never brought up the candidate in their exchange with him. The next day, Twede returned to “a feeling in [his] gut” that his Romney comments had triggered the now-delayed disciplinary council.

Clearly, it was difficult to assess how much of a role — if any — that politics played in the church’s decision to investigate Twede’s writings. While LDS leaders refused to comment in detail about the blogger’s case, spokesman Michael Purdy claimed that it was “patently false” that a Mormon would be disciplined for questioning his or her faith or for holding certain political views.

“The church is an advocate of individual choice. It is a core tenet of our faith.” Purdy explained at the time. “Church discipline becomes necessary only in those rare occasions when an individual’s actions cannot be ignored while they claim to be in good standing with the church.”

In an e-mail commenting about his recent decision to leave the Mormon church, Twede pointed to doubts about his faith that he had purportedly held for some time. But he also said he was disenchanted with the way in which his disciplinary situation was handled.

“While I’ve been in serious doubt about the veracity of LDS claims for some time, I had become so disillusioned with how my situation was handled,” he wrote, according to the Tribune. “That I just wanted to be free.”

Despite the fact that the disciplinary council meeting ended up being suspended and postponed indefinitely, Twede said that he realized it was time to leave the faith. He cited “disenfranchisement” and said that the experience led him to conclude “that church leaders at all levels are not divinely inspired.”

Last month, TheBlaze reached out to David Buckner, LDS’s New York City stake president, to gain further insight on the situation. In an e-mail response, he shared his doubts about the political nature of any disciplinary action that may be taken.

“The likelihood of the blogger’s membership issue relating to politics in my experience and estimation be zero,” he wrote.

In a subsequent phone interview, Buckner explained that, in his experience, there are typically two reasons why someone’s membership in the church would be questioned. Either the individual becomes openly agressive to the faith, denouncing its central tenets. Or — he or she encourages others to engage in activities that compromise the integrity of the church.

The Mormon church has declined to comment on Twede’s decision to leave the church, but a spokesperson says that former members are always welcomed back with open arms.

–

Related:

LDS Blogger Claims Church May Excommunicate Him Over Anti-Romney Views — But Is This True?

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Comments (158)

OperationNorthwoods
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:02pm
No godhood and planet ruling for you buddy.

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- P8riot
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:09pm
  And so it begins… and of course it winds up on top of the page…
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:35pm
  Where in the Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Convenants/Pearl of Great Price does it specifically say members of the LDS Church get planets? Show me.
  
  Report this comment
- DarkJello
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:21pm
  Twede pretended to be in good standing. Only the ignorant will believe him.
  
  Reid is mormon, and so is Romney. They almost never agree on politics. Meanwhile Twede wants us to believe politics was the reason he was going to be excommunicated. What an obvious lie. I know gay mormons, I know feminist mormons, I know liberal mormons. This guy wanted a big show before he removed himself from the church, that is all. Good riddance.
  
  Report this comment
- Locked
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:36pm
  @Nofx
  
  D&C 76:95: And he (God) makes them (“those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end”) equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.
  
  D&C 84:38: And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
  
  Abraham 3:2-3: …saw the stars, that they were very great, and that one of them was nearest unto the throne of God;….and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me, for I am the Lord thy God: I have set this one to govern all those which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest.”
  
  Easy to connect the dots. A righteous Mormon man and woman who serve God will become equal in power, might, and dominion to God, and will receive his kingdom, which according to Abraham, is closest to Kolob. Kolob is called a star, but then both the stars and planets (including earth) are referred to as Kokaubeam, so it could be either.
  
  Happy to help :-)
  
  Report this comment
- loneindividual
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:22pm
  Billions of planets and the faithful don’t get their own? What….we all have to LIVE WITH EACHOTHER!?!?!
  
  **** THAT!
  
  That’s pretty messed up.
  
  Now if they have to make their own planets…ok…that still makes sense.
  
  HEY NEWBS! IT’S CALLED MOVING OUT.
  
  Report this comment
- Machtyn
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:32pm
  Locked: Of course there are these gems:
  St. Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
  Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the cwater of life freely.
  7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
  
  You see, it’s not just an LDS doctrine from latter-day prophesy.
  
  Report this comment
- DarkJello
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:05pm
  @machtyn:
  
  Thanks, I was thinking the same thing. Joint heirs with Christ and all that jazz.
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:23pm
  Thanks for the references, Locked!
  
  I was trying to point out to people like OperationNorthWoods that the church has never officially said “everyone gets their own planet”. There are scriptures – like the ones you provided – that members interpret it that way (and maybe it’s true) but as far as I know nothing has ever been official. Unfortunately, the people that hate the LDS church only focus on interpretations, opinions, and speculations they hear from current or ex-members. So I hear everything from “Mormon men get to have thousands of wives and have tons of sex on tons of planets for eternity” to “The Mormon Church is secretly funding Romney’s presidential campaign so when he takes office the Church will take over the USA”.
  
  As far as what have the leaders of the LDS Church say about Harry Reid……absolutely nothing. Members are never told who to vote for, no names or parties are endorsed or even mentioned, and there’s really no talk of politics at all. If someone were to start preaching a political rant then they would quickly be yanked off of the podium.
  
  here’s about as deep as it gets:
  “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” I’m still finding my beliefs but I can say there’s no Mormon conspiracy.
  
  Report this comment
- filiusdracul
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 8:50am
  Locked. I can do that too:
  
  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of god: and if children, then heirs; heirs of god, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together Romans 8:16,17
  
  Except this time it’s from the Bible…O.o.
  
  Report this comment
- Pigpen
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 9:18am
  Well, the blogger was a big cry baby. If he hadn’t left the Church over this, it would have been for something else. If he felt that his “message” was true and important, he would have kept delivering it again and again even if the WHOLE CHURCH condemned him for it. That is the nature of truth especially divine (meant for a congregation of believers) truth. So again, if he left, he never had it in him to begin. And predictably, he will soon become an Anti-Mormon blogger and be delivering new messages with the same warmth and tact that OPERATIONNORTHWOODS has demonstrated here today.
  
  Report this comment
- Captain77
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:59am
  I’m LDS and I have been extremely openly critical of Mitt Romney. Regardless of my strong criticism, I haven’t heard a peep from church leadership about my very vocal criticism. I’m calling BS on this one.
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 1:39pm
  @PIGPEN said: “So again, if he left, he never had it in him to begin.”
  
  That’s amazing if this is true, because eight witnesses to the BofM all “came out” of the LDS Church.
  
  Report this comment
- P8riot
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 5:05pm
  @thebereanfellowship –
  
  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is 100% true. Now the only way to know this for yourself is to pray and study with a sincere heart.
  
  I’m sure you’re sincere in your beliefs, but I’m sure there were plenty of good hearted people in the days of Christ that didn’t recognize his true gospel even when presented directly from Christ Himself. Read all the websites you want, but the truth can only be confirmed from one source; God. That is where I gained my knowledge of the truth.
  
  things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2:11
  by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all, Moroni 10:5
  
  Good luck brother! :)
  
  Report this comment
- theotherberean
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 8:58pm
  @P8 said: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is 100% true. Now the only way to know this for yourself is to pray and study with a sincere heart.”
  
  I respectfully disagree that the CJCLDS is 100% true. Among many contradictions in theology and other issues is the fact that Joseph Smith and other LDS prophets have uttered false prophecies. That fact alone proves you and the Church wrong. Would praying about that somehow change the facts?
  
  Report this comment
- soundtracktowar
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 7:08pm
  Give me a break, first of all the person I’m replying to, your statement is idiotic and I won’t dignify it with a reply. Here’s the thing, my family is LDS(mormon) and I’m the only conservative. Everyone in my area knows my families’ political leanings and they don’t care, I just asked my parents and they never gave one thought to the fact that they would be disciplined by the church, this blogger is a whackjob and is trying to defame the church.
  
  Report this comment
glennrocks
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:47pm
Mormons didn’t excommunicate Harry Reid. He said anti- Romney stuff. Not buying it , sorry.

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- HKS
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:15pm
  Good point, that rag (Reid) is as bad as it gets. I would say they are much better off now without this guy.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:23pm
  Exactly…..
  
  So what did they say to Harry Reid about his, “The word’s out….” tax non-sense?
  
  Report this comment
- utterlyamazing
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:30pm
  No one, not even Reid himself has ever said he was a devout Mormon.
  
  Report this comment
- Jezreel
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:28pm
  Harry Reid has money. Religious sects that are into prestige and money don’t excommunicate members that contribute large quantities of money. That is how you know that the true and living God does not live there.
  
  Report this comment
- DarkJello
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:30pm
  @jezreel:
  
  Right. Reid is so filthy rich that the LDS church needs his 10%? LMBO!!
  
  Report this comment
- filiusdracul
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 8:56am
  JEZREEL, The LDS church has a lay clergy. That means that nobody gets paid, so by your argument, the true and living God *does* reside in the LDS church.
  
  Report this comment
PossumStu
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:44pm
Ha! A writer for Mormonthink, eh? I stumbled across that festering hotbed of apostasy once. After reading a couple of the articles on that site, I’m not surprised he was summoned to a disciplinary council. Rather, I’m surprised it took the leadership this long to call him in!

I hate to say it, but good riddance.

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NOFX
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:31pm
Ex Mormons are some of the most bitter people you could ever meet. The LDS Church does not harass or bother them once they’ve left and the church is always welcoming if they ever want to come back. David Twede, like many ex Mormons, says he is now “free” but I have noticed that once someone leaves the church, rarely do they ever leave it alone. Instead, they continue to fight against it and by doing so they refuse themselves the “freedom” that they claimed they had. Some move on, some go back, but most usually and unofficially devote their life to trying to tear the church down through slander, mockery, and by encouraging non members to not investigate nor join.

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- Kenszen
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:39pm
  Yes, that is absolutely true.
  
  Report this comment
- P8riot
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:44pm
  like the post and like the band NOFX as well :)
  
  Report this comment
- PossumStu
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:45pm
  Agreed. That’s been my experience as well. They may leave the church, but never can leave it alone.
  
  Report this comment
- THERAPTURCOMES
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:46pm
  All cults that proclaim a false Jesus and try and call themselves Christian should be avoided at all costs.
  
  There is nothing real about mormonism that can even be remotely called Christian as the resurrection/rapture will soon prove conclusively http://youtu.be/ahEVxIzlxwo
  
  Report this comment
- lillith70
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:53pm
  Pride is the universal sin and we all get tripped up in it in differing degrees–no one immune even church leaders. Twede got his back up over how a council was handled? As good of an excuse or reason once you start looking for one.
  
  Usually apostates come from the not quite well integrated or those with incomplete knowledge or IOW seeds fell on infertile dir,t or they come from the super zealous who get carried away and all studied up until they start thinking they have the better way so to speak–the know it all that nobody wants to listen to, is so “perfect” themselves that the imperfections of those they think should be nag at them until they slide down the path once taken.
  
  Harry Reid is a convert. He is also a politician. Who knows where he stands on anything? He has lobbyist sons and ethics probe in his past. If he is a sinner, the sins are his own and not affecting the church as far as I know, that is why the jerk hasn’t been tossed IMO. Pride rules him IMO, also.
  
  And who/what is the Father of Pride?
  
  Report this comment
- Locked
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:26pm
  @Nofx
  
  “Ex Mormons are some of the most bitter people you could ever meet. The LDS Church does not harass or bother them once they’ve left and the church is always welcoming if they ever want to come back.”
  
  Perhaps you have different personal anecdotes than I do. A friend of mine from high school was a member of the LDS up until her marriage (to a non-LDS member). She left the faith soon after, and immediately began receiving calls and visits from former LDS members. They would visit her at her house, at her work, and when she had just delivered her first child, they went to the hospital to try and convince her to rejoin and bring her child and husband into the fold. They have left her dozens of facebook messages and e-mails, and showed up again when her second child was born, even sending letters to her house after imploring her to return. Twice they have gone to her husband’s work and begged him to convert, in order to bring her back as well.
  
  She is now pregnant with her third child, and has refused to give out any information (including the hospital at which she’ll be delivering, or even an expected date) to anyone but her closest friends and family (excluding even her parents, who are still LDS members and have given her contact information to the church previously).
  
  I have no idea if that’s official LDS policy, but hearing her stories it’s obvious that your belief of “leaving ex-members alone” is not always true.
  
  Report this comment
- NeoFan
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:35pm
  The Rapture? The word does not exist in scripture. As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be at the coming of the son of man. Who was taken in the flood? The Rightous? So it will be the same as it was in the days of Noah but this time the Rightous will be taken? Where is that in scripture?
  The Rapture is a myth. The wicked are going to be taken again as it was in the days of Noah. If you cant even understand scripture you certainly are not in the position to judge what others believe.
  
  Report this comment
- JustMeHere_01
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:15pm
  @THERAPTURCOMES
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:46pm
  All cults that proclaim a false Jesus and try and call themselves Christian should be avoided at all costs.
  
  There is nothing real about mormonism that can even be remotely called Christian as the resurrection/rapture will soon prove conclusively http://youtu.be/ahEVxIzlxwo
  ———————————————
  I am not a Mormon but I recall a good friend that was a regular 4 some on the golf course. He married a woman that was of the Mormon Faith and his brother-in-law and sister was of the Mormon faith.
  
  When he was able to retire he and his wife went to India to perform a 2 year missionary assignment at a hospital. They did this because of duty. I know this man and I have no reason to avoid him for any reason.
  
  For you to state that people like this are to be avoided at all costs is absurd.
  
  Report this comment
- Locked
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:19pm
  Note, should have said “she received calls and visits from LDS members,” not “former LDS members.” In fact, the only reason she dislikes the church us because they’ve refused to leave her alone and she’s had to change her phone number three times to avoid the incessant calling.
  
  Report this comment
- DarkJello
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:23pm
  @Locked:
  
  Those were probably a combination of visits from many different people. I would wager that most were family or very close friends. Some were probably missionaries. Also, you clearly showed that all these visits occurred over many, many years. Trying to share something you believe to be great is good in my book. When JWs or others knock on my door, I always thank them for their conviction and example of missionary work.
  
  Ex-mormons I know tend to be very bitter. They cheat on their wife over and over and then wonder why they were excommunicated. Or beat their kids, or steal, or sell drugs over and over and over. You cannot be a member in good standing if you are caught breaking the law and flagrantly committing spiritual sin! It is not that complicated.
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:32pm
  Yes, NOFX has been and always will be a badass band. Would have to say Led Zep and Pantera will always be my all-time favs.
  
  @Locked, you hit me with the point I knew someone would make: Current members harassing inactive or former members. It definitely happens daily and I believe your story. I see it as not a problem with doctrine but a flaw made by members who interpret the doctrine differently. And I think there is definitely a fine line between being friendly and harassment that members cross all of the time without realizing it. Unfortunately there are many Mormons and Christians that cross that line because they ultimately think they are doing the right thing, even to the point where they would take away someone’s agency away if they could to “save” them. I see it in politics, religion, etc. It’s human error, I think.
  
  @THeRapture – As far as the Raptures goes….dude, I have ripped on you over and over, called you crazy, laughed at your rapture packets, laughed at your YouTube videos, etc. This time I’m not going to do that. I’ll just go with this: serve your friends, neighbors, and family. Try to focus on love and less focus on all the gloom and doom. I think you’ll live a happier life that way. Even I should do more of that in my life.
  
  Report this comment
- DarkJello
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:10pm
  @nofx
  
  I don’t 100% agree with the harassment claim, but your reply is reasonable and fair. I am sure some members do cross into harassing, but I guess it is kinda silly to try and argue percentages. Your advice about focusing on the positive and trying to get along with our fellow man is spot on. Thanks for being logical and cool.
  
  Report this comment
- refriedscott
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:24pm
  @LOCKED
  
  If your friends wife wanted the visits to stop, they would stop. All she has to do is write a letter asking to have her name removed from membership – essentially excommunicating herself.
  
  From experience, I can tell you that there are plenty of inactive members that ask for no contact from the church, but for whatever reason don’t want to have their records removed. In those situations, they are not hassled on any sort of regular basis. However, if there is a major life event (birth, death, etc) brought to the attention of members by friends or family, most likely they will get a visit to see if there is anything that we can do to help.
  
  If your friends want to take offense at that, dude, tell them to fix it by having their names removed.
  
  Seriously, someone is offended because someone else goes out of their way to visit them at the hospital and see if there is anything they can do to help? I have been on those visits. It’s not like we go in preaching hell-fire and damnation. We aren’t paid to do it. We are only asking if we can help. You know, provide some meals for the family, run kids to soccer, whatever. Or, gasp, we might ask them if we could pray with them. Heaven forbid.
  
  Tell your friend to quit being offended because someone is concerned about their spiritual and physical welfare.
  
  If he is done with it, have his wife write the letter already. Unless she won’t write the letter, in which case, see paragraph two.
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 12:00am
  DarkJello
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:10pm
  
  @nofx
  
  I don’t 100% agree with the harassment claim, but your reply is reasonable and fair. I am sure some members do cross into harassing, but I guess it is kinda silly to try and argue percentages. Your advice about focusing on the positive and trying to get along with our fellow man is spot on. Thanks for being logical and cool.
  ———————————————————————————————————————-
  I’ have been sort of an LDS rebel so far in my short life and flip flopped between active and inactive a few times. There have been many times where I feel like I have been bullied, wronged, and harassed by members and family. I used to blame the church when I was a teen but now think it was just human weakness shown by those involved. If someone says, “You should….” then that’s when I feel forced and I go the opposite way. I realize that’s my weakness. I will say that I’m slowly getting back into church after studying other religions, especially atheism, because the church makes more sense (to me). I didn’t mean any offense by saying “harassment” and I would never intentionally smear the church. (and I rarely say I am LDS b/c I don’t want people to judge the church based off my bad example)
  
  Report this comment
- 13thCousinOfTheAntiChrist
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 2:25am
  I believe scriptures talks about this, how sinners aren’t happy sinning alone. Could be wrong…
  
  Report this comment
- Joseph732
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 3:57am
  That may be true of a small number, particularly left wingers who are excommunicated but most excommunicated Mormons I know are fine -people who support what they see as true principles in the church and do not fight against it at all, though they disagree with some of their interpretations – especially for excommunicating people who merely disagree with doctrine.
  
  Report this comment
- Darren
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 12:42pm
  @Locked;
  
  ‘I have no idea if that’s official LDS policy, but hearing her stories it’s obvious that your belief of “leaving ex-members alone” is not always true”
  
  If she objected to their visits normal reaction would be to have the visits stop.
  
  @Justmehere;
  
  Thank you for that post!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Darren
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 12:50pm
  @Nofx;
  
  “If someone says, “You should….” then that’s when I feel forced and I go the opposite way”
  
  *You should* rebel. (Buwahahahahahaha, the powers opf phsychology ;>) )
  
  In all due seriousness, I’ve enjoyed your posts here. May you have God’s peace upon you and be guided to do what is right in your life and before God.
  
  Report this comment
LeadNotFollow
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:27pm
.
David Twede did the LDS Church a favor by voluntarily removing his own sorry liberal self from the church.

He must have violated church policy or they would not have asked him to leave.
Either he became openly aggressive to the faith, denouncing its central tenets, or he encouraged others to engage in activities that compromise the integrity of the church.

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PJL
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:25pm
No way, was he called to meet with them because of his political leaning, we have all sorts of members who vote for different people…he was doing something else that was in question.

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Watermain
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:17pm
Wow, I’ll bet that the Mormon Church will be sorry to lose him. He’ll probably join one of the many ‘Churches of What’s Happening Now”. You know, the ones with no rules, no church hierarchy, no belief system, just come and have a good time with us.

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- Jenny Lind
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:56pm
  Amen.
  
  Report this comment
fccblaze
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:15pm
I’m an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I will be voting for Virgil Goode, the Constitution Party candidate for President of the United States, since I believe him to be the best qualified to restore our Constitution. The LDS church takes total political neutrality. Any hint that this former LDS man’s case was judged on statements about Mr. Romney are false.

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- Watermain
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:20pm
  Thanks in advance for wasting your vote. I hope Gov. Romney doesn’t lose by one vote.
  
  Report this comment
- Kenszen
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:41pm
  @Watermain, I’m sorry, that was just a dumb post.
  
  Report this comment
- riseandshine
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:46pm
  @Kenszen…..I agree.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:37pm
  @FCC
  Well done. If republicans and libertarians could ever unite, it would be under the common banner of the Constitution Party. One of many potential end-game solutions to our current mess
  
  Report this comment
- bustedupvet
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:02pm
  You just pissed away your vote…idiot!
  
  Report this comment
- Marine 1
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:37pm
  @ FCCBLAZE…Please don’t waste your vote at this critical time. I was a member of the Constitution Party but they are powerless to do anything except take needed votes away from Romney. I understand where you are coming from but now is not the time to throw a vote away.
  
  Even Chuck Baldwin, the 2008 presidential candidate, registered as Republican to run as the LT. Governor there because he could see the writing on the wall. Others that had/have close ties to the CP also have swithched. The CP has no money and a candidate that no one even knows about. Don’t waste your time or vote.
  
  Report this comment
- filiusdracul
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 9:08am
  A vote for a third party candidate is at least half a vote for Obama.
  
  Report this comment
Meyvn1
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:11pm
Hmm. Me thinks it’s not a good idea to put politics before religion.

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SpiderPig
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:07pm
Oh please!!! The Salt Lake Tribune??? Nuff said…

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belief101
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:00pm
There is more to this story than Twede is admitting too. Sen. Harry Reed is a Democrat Mormon – has said some awful things about George W. Bush and Gov. Romney. Believe me, as a member of the LDS faith, if Harry Reed is in good standing…well, there is more to the story Twede is not sharing. IF he blogs Anti-Mormon rhetoric or doctrine philosophies that are not in line with church teachings, then he may be summoned to a church court or to meet with his ecclesiastical leader, but NOT because he is critical of Romney! My sister is also a Democrat Mormon and is voting for Obama. Its a little unusual in the church because we tend to be very conservative, but the church DOES NOT dictate to people how they should vote. Please refer to the church website a statement read in our church meetings: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/official-statement/political-neutrality

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- Watermain
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:19pm
  Keep in mind that Pelosi, Biden and Ted Kennedy all claim to be ‘practicing Catholics” while supporting abortion.
  
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BIGWUN
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:57pm
This gentleman was actually an LSD blogger not LDS…

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- crazyrightwingmom
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:03pm
  Funny!
  
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RaydocX
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:57pm
it’s great to question one’s faith.
it’s folly to try to paint the whole of an organization regarding the behavior of one or a few.
and equal farce to suggest one or a few are diqualified based on assessment of the group.
only when a person’s actions are in line with the group in question should their fitness for a job be considered… hence my stance against our present President.

i’m not a Mormon… i don’t agree with some of the mormon tenants of which i’ve heard. but i doubt they are the tyrannical evil conspiracy that’s being suggested by this (plant?) admittedly divested individual, any more than was claimed of the Catholic faith when it was JFK that was running for office… right Dems? Dems? helloooo?

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tonypro
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:54pm
Any opportunity to make any church look bad as long as it isn’t muslim.

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P8riot
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:43pm
ummmmm… yeah….. if one is a leader of a movement against ANY organization that they belong to, that person will usually be asked to abstain from such actions or leave that organization…

pretty simple if you ask me :)

By the way – I’ve been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints my entire life and have never heard of this guy – Not much to see here…

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:49pm
  what was this guy saying or doing??
  
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- crazyrightwingmom
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:05pm
  Soybomb: Not sure what he did, and we won’t find out from the leaders who never, never talk about who was excommunicated or why.
  
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- P8riot
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:11pm
  Hi Soy –
  
  From what I read in the article, looks like he has a website devoted to denouncing the Church. Again, never heard of him before, so other than that, not sure what he did or didn’t say about Romney. Looks to me like another person doing anything he can to try to get his 15 minutes of fame (e.g. using this experience to speak at the “Exmormon Foundation’s annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.”)
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:02pm
  @P8riot
  I have been to his website before….
  http://mormonthink.com/
  
  From what i understand, it is geared towards explaining and answering misconceptions. It is really strange they would try to shut someone up who is, at first blush, trying to help them out. IF this is just about anti-transparency, then they should be ashamed
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:55pm
  but am happy to be corrected on this…
  
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- P8riot
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:56pm
  @Soy – I just went to the link and browsed around a few minutes. Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything that supported any church doctrine – but rather attempts to ‘debunk’ church doctrine. The problem is that all the citations I saw used were either completely misunderstood by the author or referencing unreliable sources. Further, there was a high volume of speculation disguised as fact. Regardless of this guy’s views, IF any of the Church representatives asked to speak with him, it would NOT have been regarding anything he might have said about Romney and only to clarify the purpose of his website.
  
  If you truly want to go straight to the source on Church history, you can follow this link:
  
  http://josephsmithpapers.org/
  
  Thanks!
  
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RobertSailing
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:35pm
David Twede is a lying sack of crap. Not one thing out of his mouth is the truth.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:47pm
  just because a story involves something slightly related to Mitt Romney – doesnt mean you gotta get all emotional….Or do you have personal knowledge about this story?
  
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- riseandshine
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:24pm
  Soy…Maybe Robert is defending the Church.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:28pm
  that was not defending – that was attacking
  
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- riseandshine
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:47pm
  That’s true, Soy.
  
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- riseandshine
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 5:44am
  I know the Church was in the right regarding this guy.
  
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- RobertSailing
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 4:09pm
  @Soy: David Twede is lying. I am defending the churches actions.
  
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RushEcho2
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:30pm
The LDS Church didn’t condemn Senator Harry Reid;
why should they want to muzzle this teeny twerp?

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- Jezreel
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:35pm
  That is so correct. Harry Reid is an evil SOB and we often wonder why the LDS church does nothing. Has it to do with money? I bet that is the reason why. Churches like LDS and Roman Catholic etc will not excommunicate big money.
  
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- RobertSailing
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:37pm
  David Twede is lying.
  
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- RushEcho2
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:43pm
  Actually, being LDS, I can tell you they don’t need his money. They do not want to offend like-thinking Democrats in America and Liberals around the world. To say it differently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints always says, in every election cycle, that the church takes no sides. That would be unless California votes on Prop 8 for NO to homosexual ‘marriages’. We were please to be a big part of standing for the sanctity of marriage. They speak on social issues, but not on candidates.
  
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- Goldi
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:49pm
  I agree! Dingy, dirty hairy reid has broken the 9th commandment. He has lied about the phone call he got. I think the only reason the Church is staying out of it right now, is to not to look like they are taking sides. I know people in Nevada are not happy with him. I don’t think there is anyone lower than dingy, dirty hairy! I think dingy, dirty hairy is so jealous of Mitt, he just can’t stand that this man was successful at everything he’s done.
  BTW, the sl trib is a left wing rag!
  
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- Kenszen
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:44pm
  @Jezreel, you know not of what you speak. First, I’d like to know on what you base your opinion that the LDS church never excommunicates “big money?” You have specifics on that? Or is that just a open mouth before thinking comment? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
  
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Charb
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:29pm
Many leave the Church, but fail to leave the Church alone, thereafter.

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- crazyrightwingmom
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:43pm
  So true! Their bitterness and need for revenge won’t end sometimes.
  
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- crazyrightwingmom
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:02pm
  IMNO this is the first of attacks on the Mormon Church or Mitt’s leadership roles that you will see in the next two weeks! They are desperate.
  
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- Watermain
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:23pm
  Nothing worse than an ex-smoker…
  
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- Jenny Lind
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:08pm
  It is a tough church to live up to, no lying, cheating, sexual misconduct,–in fact all the things Christ taught. We have the toughtest time just forgiving and loving everyone, and living the “big 10″. It seems those who can’t measure up or want to change the rules are the ones who always want to destroy the church. The church is not going to change just for them and they are like kids who take their marbles and go home. Then the sit around trying to get even. Got news for them, the church is going to go on and help it’s members do right and be right with living the words of Christ and they will always feel sad for those who leave, but the church doesn’t look back, it keeps going, growing and helping people all over the world.
  
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The citizen who cares
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:27pm
Someone who leaves the Mormon faith because of that wasn’t very strong in the faith to begin with.

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vbell
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:13pm
Sounds very fishy! I smell an ulterior motive here.

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im4data
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:08pm
Just another guy who doesn’t want a standard of morality to be held to. Rather it’s the pick and choose secular moral club of the day that seems to win out.

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rx4nv
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:07pm
I’m sorry, but it sounds like Mr. Twede left the church a long time ago. The church never left him.

As for his comment: “While I’ve been in serious doubt about the veracity of LDS claims for some time, I had become so disillusioned with how my situation was handled,” he wrote, according to the Tribune. “That I just wanted to be free.”

We know he has become “disillusioned with how (his) situation was handled…”, because the churches disciplinary councils do not act they way he has portrayed it. He IS disillusioned on a lot of things.

Finally, he is not “free” anymore. Once the adversary has you in his snares you are no longer free.

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- rickc34
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:15pm
  From the headline I thought they were talking about Harry Reid. Now he is a loser that LDS should kick out for his constant lies about Romney.
  
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- lillith70
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:05pm
  RickC34, I’d drink to that–if I were a drinker. Harry the Heinous Hominid is by his lies that he so loves going to spend some afterlife with smokers until they are he change what they love most, LOL. (I can poke fun at this as an ex-smoker who was badly and sadly addicted.
  
  Harry is not fond of smoking, the only thing I can see that made him choose Mormonism and maybe, cynically, to capture the Mormon vote. Harry is a real piece of work. I haven’t heard that he doesn’t claim to be an awesome Mormon. If not, I will have to reassess him on the humility judgement scale.
  
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- Snorkelbacon
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 12:20am
  What are you talking about. Just because he leaves a “Sect” of christianity doesn’t mean he left Christ it means he doesn’t agree with mormonism. It’s a pretty bold statement to say he gave up faith altogether. I mean if someone leaves catholicism and becomes non-denominational or even mormon do you claim they have been ensnared by the evil one? you guys are either in the christian pool or your something outside it make up your mind? 1 last question, if this gentleman decides to become a baptist or a non-denominational christian DID HE LEAVE THE FAITH?
  
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- theotherberean
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 2:40pm
  @SNORKL, according to LDS teaching, all other faiths other than LDS are of the devil, so yes, they will say he left the faith.
  
  “Therefore, that something, or that nothing, that imaginary being, that idol that is recognised in the creeds of Christendom in general as a god without body, parts, or passions, has nothing to do whatever with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,”(Apostle Parley P. Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p.39).
  
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LTinUT
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:06pm
I have never heard any representative of the church say anything more than to encourage participation in the voting process. Earlier this year I was travelling on business and attended a church meeting in Paris. Elections were taking place at the time and the gentleman conducting the meeting encouraged everyone to vote. There was zero mention of whom to vote for even in France! This guy apparently has struggles with his personal faith and beliefs and any church action will have zero to do with his political beliefs. May God bless him.

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Chuck Stein
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:03pm
“there are typically two reasons why someone’s membership in the church would be questioned. Either the individual becomes openly agressive to the faith, denouncing its central tenets. Or — he or she encourages others to engage in activities that compromise the integrity of the church.”
Really? Adultery isn’t one of the top 2 reasons? Doubt it.

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- rx4nv
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:14pm
  Adultery IS encouraging others to engage in activities that compromise the integrity of the church. The church teaches strongly against breaking the vows of a marriage. You shall not have any intimate relationships outside the bonds of marriage.
  
  So yes Chuck Stein you are correct to doubt that Adultery isn’t one of the top 2 reasons, Adultery is covered within one of those 2 reasons posted. Good catch.
  
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ResistSocialism
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:02pm
Reverend Write will welcome him with open arms.

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- hidden_lion
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:50pm
  Only if he is black.
  
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