There has been heated speculation about what it will mean to have a Mormon in the White House. Because Mormons believe their “president” — the head of their Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — is God’s prophet on earth, will a Mormon president of the United States be bound to obey whatever this man says? Again, Americans do not seem much astir about such things. Even so, with these concerns laid aside, many voters might not recognize an often undervalued feature of the faith: How it might help a Mormon lead in the Oval Office. This possibility arises from the emphasis the faith places upon patriotism, civic duty and morality in government — American government in particular.

The following has been republished with permission from taylorhalverson.com.

With The Book of Mormon play on Broadway and now a Mormon presidential candidate, the media has described this point in time in terms of attention and interest as the “Mormon Moment.” For those of us who are Mormons, customarily encountering misperceptions and misunderstanding, this is an unprecedented opportunity to clarify who we are. First, a little background. I am reaching a stage in my life where I have been a Mormon longer than not. I grew up with a Catholic father, Protestant mother, and attended a college with a predominantly Jewish student body. I respect all who strive to know God, consistent with our 11th Article of Faith: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege.” Sadly, religious tolerance did not greet Mormons during the early years as they fled from the East to the Midwest and finally settled in what was then Indian Territory but is now Utah, to escape mob violence and persecution.

If there's a gift that works for both the boys and girls in your family—and keeps everyone equally entertained—most parents would be thrilled. Gender norms aside, building sets are great entertainment for boys and girls, teens and adults.

Stories in this episode: A trip to the temple reveals the six words that help Danielle remember who she is to God; Two strangers on rollerblades give Robyn the miraculous answer to her prayers; A moment of pure revelation helps Spencer navigate a painful divorce with grace.

AT 7 P.M. this evening in Rome (1 P.M. EST), Hollis professor of divinity Karen L. King revealed to a conference of Coptic scholars the existence of a newly discovered Christian gospel. In the fragmentary text, Jesus refers unmistakably to “my wife.” Written on a piece of papyrus now reduced to just four centimeters high and eight wide, the fragment addresses issues of family and discipleship. “This is the only extant ancient text which explicitly portrays Jesus as referring to a wife,” King writes in her scholarly paper on the “The Gospel of Jesus’s Wife,” which she presented at the Tenth International Congress of Coptic Studies. The session took place across the street from the Vatican at the Institutum Patristicum Augustinianum, a research center within the faculty of theology at the Pontifical Lateran University (known as the Pope’s University).

On June 9, 1842, Joseph visited the Relief Society and spoke again of their purpose: “The Society is not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls.”

In 2020, the Hill Cumorah Pageant will celebrate its 83rd and final year. This iconic religious event has attracted the attention of media outlets across the nation, from the New York Times to USA Today.

Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read “Desire,” by Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, May 2011, 42.

“I remember when she walked in the door,” Travis says. “She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life.”