I wanted to post in the original thread, but since it's closed, I'll continue with a new one!
I just wanted to say I just finished reading it, and wow, WOW it is FINALLY out there in the open! Every bit of it, and it's both a relief and really weird simultaneously.
On the one hand, people must be thinking, so that's it? The big mystery, the big secrets in the Mormon holy of holies are......a bunch of masonic handshakes and symbols? On the other hand, how creepy is it to stand there again in your mind, and remember what it was like to DO all of that, and not only do it, but believe that you were doing it because it was God's holy work, and that you would actually do WHATEVER was required of you. Chilling, even if you're well versed through years of familiarity with it.

So far, every single comment is not only support, but in agreement that it's about time the gloves came off, and the truth got out there.

Congratulations Mr. Packham! I can see the clouds gathering over the COB now ;)

here's the link again, forgot to include it: http://voices.yahoo.com/mitt-romneys-mormon-secrets-11070962.html?cat=75

I get your connection between Kennedy and the Pope, but seriously this is much more than that....this is about weird practices in the temple that are to be considered spiritual. This will make people THINK..."Oh that is what goes on in a Mormon temple??? That's awfully strange, stupid, unChristlike." All the people need are FACTS!!!

I would love to see some of the major networks/papers pick it up. I have emailed the link to both the Santorum campaign and CNN. Do what you can to get the word out!

Fantastic article, long overdue. Linking far and wide!!

Richard you are awesome. So glad you did this. Well written and clearly stated. Just fantastic. Hope it spreads far and wide and opens up many NEW conversations on TV.

I bet it gets featured!

Fantastic. This is exactly what the public should know and what I have told non-mo friends about before casting their vote for Mitt.

If put the link in comment sections of news article about Romney. It's a great article.

nice very nice

Yes, good article, and good for the public to know.

But a reminder too, that there was considerable controvery over Kennedy being a Catholic*, and that he would obey the Pope over the constitution.

*Kennedy was the first and only Catholic president.

Very nice article by Richard Packham. Mormons would protest that Romney's beliefs won't affect his performance as president. Maybe not directly, but what are we to make of a man with insane cult beliefs? I think he has sold out his intellectual integrity to Mormonism, because it has helped to make him wealthy.

This begs the question: What else will he sell out for?

Kudos, Richard

Chances are he believes in separation of Church and State and would conduct himself accordingly.

What else will he sell out for? Forced LDS Missionary discussions for every man woman and child in the Land?? Lots of possibilities I suppose. Helping the Morg set up a Theocracy in America with TSM as de facto emperor....Yeah, anything is POSSIBLE. But let's be reasonable here. Do you think Jack Welch of all people would say that Mittens is one of the most qualified executives in the country? Yes, we all know the Morg is a cult and Mittens believes in it BUT does that necessarily mean he will be a bad leader?? Or does our Hate for the Morg trump love of country? It is a valid question. Do we want so badly the TSCC to be exposed for the evil it is over having the most qualified leader?

I just don't get this hate the Morg and Morgbots at all costs attitude on this board. Let's have some balance here. It reminds me of TBMs at sacrament meeting. Yes, there are problems and yes it is not for us but let's not turn off all critical thinking.

OK, a critical thought...
Would you vote somebody in to be president of the United States that believes in, and wears, magic underwear? And this person will be in charge of our nuclear military? etc...
Just a (critical) thought.

Have you ever stayed at a Marriott Hotel? How was it run? Is it one of the most successful hotel chains in the world? Is the Church true? No Do I care if JW Marriott believes in Magic Undies? Am I not going to stay at Fairfield Inn because JW Marriott believes in Magic Undies? Or that he allows Porn to be displayed in his hotel rooms proving what a Morgbot hypocrite he must be?? Uhh no. Since JW Marriott believes in magic undies it MUST follow that something really bad could happen to me while staying at the Courtyard like say he decides to pump some gas in the rooms that will force me to read the Racist BOM on my bedside. Give me break.

Mr Marriott can have his wacky mo beliefs, he is no concern to me, and he doesn't control nuclear weapons. And go ahead, give yourself a break. ;)

Romney wears Magic Undies.

All Magic Undie wearers lack any good judgement.

Therefore, Romney is Satan's spawn and will nuke us all as soon as TSM gives him the order in a hidden First Presidency message only Mittens knows about because he made secret oaths in the Provo temple.

Too far away from what I'm talking about.
You may not be a troll, but you're definitely on the bandwagon. Enjoy the ride, hope it takes you where you want to go.

imo the possible conflicts for Mitt may be subtle, but areas of possible influence by the Mormon church do exist:

1) Illegal Immigration: Does he decide to take a more moderate position in light of the fact that Mexican immigrants are the fastest growing class of converts in the US?

2) Gay Rights: Does he go more anti-gay after elected?

3) Separation of church and state: School prayer, etc

4) Maintaining tax-free status for churches

etc

Rule of Large Numbers:

even if this & other similar items get a small % of attention, that will still represent a Large number of individuals.

I myself consider most of those kinda things as internal.
without the companion association of things like the Garn/MX situation, it's really peripheral to the question of who should the POTUS be.

The magic underwear question is a non starter. The Mormon faith of today is not the Mormon faith that existed 100 years ago. They have marganalized the garment, marganalized temple work by acquiescing to Jewish demands, and are turning the boat as fast as they can. Bt on order to keep tithing rolling in they. Annoy turn it to fast. Plus there is obviously a philosophical going on about where to take the church. The convservativea will lose because of math. Romney knows this. If he is elected president his beliefs will play less into running the country than George bush and Obama put together.

And also, the church worships money more than anything else. So the better the country is doing the more tithing flows in

Richard, nice work. Very professional and factual tone. No snarkiness (which is probably why you got published).

Wow. This really is the first time I've seen the raw details written out like this. Nice. So much for secret combinations, eh?

OOOOHHHH...I get it......let's trash Romney so that we can another 4 years of the best POTUS in History. I love spending 3.80 for gas.

Gas was even higher when W. was president. It's high because of speculators and saber rattling towards Iran. I pay $3.55 per gallon and simply drive less.

what kind of idiot would choose ultra conservative zealot over a moderate Mormon?

Richard Packham's excellent article reminded me of what happened in the Reed Smoot matter.

Sometime between 1927 and 1937, the temple ceremony included an "Oath of Vengeance" against the U.S. government to "avenge the blood of the prophets", Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Smoot, an apostle, was required in 1904 to explain this oath along with violations of the "Manifesto" before Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections . He and Mormon heirarchy "testified" for the Lord . Five of seven committee members voted to deny Smoot his seat. However, delays and support from President Teddy Roosevelt allowed Smoot to keep his seat.

I wish to add that the "Oath of Vengeance" was eliminated from the temple ceremony sometime between 1927 and 1937; that this ridiculous Mormon appendage had been a major aspect of the temple ceremony since the days of the almighty Brigham Young.

This is great. I've sent the link to a few people now, getting the word out. ;)

Nice work Richard! I translated your article into Korean and posted it on KoreanExmo Blog along with a few pictures.

http://blog.naver.com/sillymo/60157929545