Too much money, too perfect, too happy, too disconnected with the real world. Is it Mitt Romney people are bothered with, or the Mormon Church?

Mitt Romney. Broadway smash “The Book of Mormon.” HBO hit series “Big Love.” Mormonism seems to be center stage these days. Religion scholar Matthew Bowman looked at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – past and present – in The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith. I recently had the chance to talk with Bowman about his book, the rise of “the Mormon moment,” and what American voters should know about Romney. Here are excerpts of our conversation. Previously you had mainly studied the evangelical Christian church. Why are you now writing about Mormonism?

The recent visit of Church leaders here will be remembered as an event of profound spiritual significance for Central American members. Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve added "oil to the lamps" of thousands of Central Americans with their inspiring messages and counsel. Elder Ballard and Elder Christofferson were joined by the Presiding Bishop, Bishop H. David Burton, and Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy. Sister Katherine Christofferson, Sister Barbara Burton and Sister Lona Lee Jensen accompanied their husbands.

The LDS Dems Caucus, an official caucus of the Utah Democratic Party, announced "A Day of Fasting and Prayer" to be held Sunday, Dec. 2. The fast is a response to the recent election. LDS Dems’ statement reads, "We are concerned about the future of our country, as are most Americans. In this season when we have chosen new leaders for our nation and our communities, and in the spirit of following the counsel of the [LDS Church’s] First Presidency, we would like to encourage our fellow Latter-day Saints, and all Americans of good will, to join us in fasting and prayer on December 2nd for our country."

Mitt Romney’s campaign team knows that his Mormon faith scared off Republican voters the last time he ran for president.

What is wrong with talking about Mormonism when talking about Mitt Romney and his run for the Presidency? On CNN last Sunday, David Axelrod, President Obama’s strategist, promised that his campaign did not consider Romney’s faith “fair game.” The implication, there, is that Mormonism is a weak point to be exploited—a card that one would only expect the Obama team to play from the bottom of the deck. And given that suspicions about Mormonism are widely thought to have cost Romney votes in the South, there may be good reasons for thinking so. Romney has also said, rightly, that some matters of faith are properly private. It might be that, in the interest of civility and electoral prudence, neither Obama nor Romney can initiate a conversation about what it means to be Mormon in this country. But perhaps the rest of us should, because the story is complicated, fascinating, and utterly American.

During their Latin American ministry tour, President and Sister Nelson sat down with the Church News in a video that gives insight into their marriage and how God's laws work.

I remember learning in an American history class about George Washington, John Adams, and the first peaceful transfer of power in American government. It was a significant moment in world history and one that I haven’t thought about the importance of until recently. Because although plans are in the works for a peaceful transfer between presidents of the United States of America, the reaction I have been watching from Americans has been anything but peaceful. With emotions raging, I have watched individuals and a nation struggle to even consider “praying for the president-elect, for his new administration, and for elected leaders across the nation and the world,” as the First Presidency urged in their statement following the presidential election results.

"I realize that so much of what I envy about Mormonism is its ability to extract itself from its surroundings and focus inwardly. The Church has faced and continues to face challenges from without, but it keeps its adherents firmly centered on substantive beliefs translated into concrete, impactful actions," Asma Uddin writes for faithcounts.com.

"Either I would build a bridge between the two cultures, finding a way to accept both parts of myself, or else I would remain forever lost between the two worlds."