SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Despite months in the spotlight, Americans seem to know little about Mitt Romney's religion. A new article shows a series of Mormon myths many people accept as truth about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ever since Mitt Romney said –
"I believe in America, and I'm running for President of the United States,” said Mitt Romney on June 2nd, 2011.
…the Mormon Church has been on a lot of political pundits’ lips.
"Mormonism is so secretive," said Bill Maher, on Real Time with Bill Maher.
"Do you think people better understand the Church today?” Reporter Brian Carlson asked.
“I'd say yah," said Tyler Ontiveros, LDS Church member.
"I think people are a lot more familiar with it," said Tyler Evenos, LDS Church member.
"Definitely," said John Egbert, LDS Church member.
But with as much as has been said about the church on national TV, not everyone gets it right.
"I believe that your religion doesn't allow you to go fight,” said Whoopi Goldberg to Ann Romney on the View.
“No, that's not true. We have many members of our faith serving in the Armed Services," replied Ann Romney.
So on Monday, the Washington Post published an article seen in the Salt Lake Tribune detailing a list of misconceptions that still persist about Mormons and their beliefs.
"It says there are 12 myths about the Mormon Church that are still out there," said Carlson.
The list includes myths like – all Mormons are Republicans, or Mormons aren't Christians, Mormons get naked in the temple, and Mormons don't dance.
Wednesday Carlson showed the list to Mormons at Temple Square.
"Mormons get naked in the temple?,” said Carlson.
“No,” said Evenos.
“That doesn't happen?” Carlson asked.
“That doesn't happen," Evenos said.
"Do I look like someone who would run around naked?” asked Julie Probert, LDS Church member.
“I'll plead the 5th on that one," replied Carlson.
"What do you think about this one?” Carlson asked John Egbert, LDS Church member.
“Mormons don't dance,” said Egbert.
“Do you dance?” Carlson asked.
“That's how I fell in love with my wife," Egbert said.
"Mormons don't dance? That's pretty ridiculous, I dance all the time," said Evenos.
When Carlson asked them to show him –
"Do you have any moves?” Carlson asked Probert.
“Not on air I don't,” said Probert.
"You're just perpetuating the myth now,” Carlson told one LDS member.
“I'm not going to dance,” said Viridiana Galicia, LDS Church member.
…few of them would dance. But after a little prodding –
"So how does it go?" Carlson asked.
Carlson convinced some to do it anyway.
"It’s just like a line dance," Carlson said.
“There I danced," said Aliisa Norris, LDS Church member.
But if they could choose just one myth to change, almost all agreed on the same thing.
"If you could change one thing to clear up for people, what would it be?” Carlson asked.
“Mormons aren't Christians? Mormons are definitely Christians,” said Probert.
"We do believe in Jesus Christ," said Egbert.
"Mormons are definitely Christians," said Evenos.
If you’d like to see the article about Mormon myths click on the links embedded in this story.
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Follow Brian Carlson on Twitter: @tv_briancarlson
