. . . of a Mormon Mission. Many pundits wonder what Romney can do next. They say his political fortunes are over, as he isn’t a powerful force in the Senate like Kerry or McCain. He doesn’t have a faithful ideological following like Huckabee. For a weakened GOP, unless you count the continued success of the other House, they hardly want to be reminded of the lost opportunity for expanded power by giving him a political position. To be honest, he was always a political outsider even when accused of belonging to the ruling party elite. Those who have studiously followed his rise know he built what he did out of whole cloth. Conservatives never completely supported him and the only office he held was Governor in a Democratic state (Chris Christie is similar, but he lost all chances of going anywhere with his support of Obama during Sandy). He never had any solid backings in the Party other than his own will and inertia. Unless there is a surprise in the wings, he has nowhere in politics to go.
The other possibility floating around is he will go back into business. Sounds logical at first, but his current history says otherwise. He hasn’t seen the inside of a corporate boardroom outside of a friendly visit since taking over the Salt Lake Olympics. He has enough money and to spare to last the lifetime of his whole family put together. Since he isn’t the greedy Gordon Gekko that the media and others have painted him, he is old enough to retire from making more money. On the other hand, if he does do anything of his own volition this will most likely be the course taken. He is known to have saved big risky businesses. Perhaps he could take on advocating small upstarts. Just because he lost the U.S. Presidency doesn’t mean he can’t do some good as a private citizen.
Yet, he could have greater things in store for him than Earthly positions and jobs. Even Mormon commentators in the traditional media didn’t talk about religious opportunities. With the expected increase in missionaries there is going to be the need for leaders. He and his wife seem very qualified for the position of Mormon Mission President. Where? Only the Lord and his servants know, if they decide this at all. Utah, however, should be on the top of the list.
Having him as a Utah Mission President might at first sound silly and pandering. In a way it is, but only because there are real feelings that have been hurt in the LDS community by his loss. It would be helpful and healing to see him visibly busy doing something for the Latter-day Saints. For decades a large number of U.S. Mormons, regardless of the minority who haven’t really supported him, watched and hoped for great things each step of his political career. He was them and not just one of them (although fabulously wealthy). The first defeat brought sorrow, but there was always next time that did come around. Now there is nothing. Emptiness for nowhere else to go. He wasn’t an idol, a star, or messiah to those who admired him, but a Mormon everyman kicking against the odds of history and culture. And so it seemed to many that when he lost the people he belonged to lost also. His assignment as a spiritual leader would give hope again that secular positions of even the highest land are temporary goals.
He was a Bishop and a Stake President long before a politician in more than a small corner of the land. Boston is a huge spiritual center of the Eastern U.S. His handling of the Temple building groundwork proved he has talent to be used. It would be a waste to let him sit idle from here on out. There is all the possibility he could be tapped as a Seventy Area Authority. For the record; becoming a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, while never impossible, seems highly unlikely by the numbers and history.
Even if he does continue in politics somehow or became a business leader again, he would answer the call of the Lord’s servants. He is just that kind of guy. Many need to be reminded of that and learn by his examples past, present, and hopefully future. Besides, it would be nice to hear a spiritual talk from him to see what he is “really” like when not under pressure to impress.
What Romney does now will truly show the measure of the man. I hope he lives up to expectations.
A coworker asked me what Romney would do after loosing the election. I said he would cry himself to sleep in a bed of $100 bills.
Kramer, isn’t there a commandment about coveting what someone else has? You do realize that Obama and most of the members of the Senate are millionaires. John Kerry, who I mentioned above, has almost as much wealth so I guess he probably did the same when he lost. Envy is not a good and holy emotion.
If Romney has the eternal perspective that I believe he has, the sting of defeat will ebb away (I read somewhere that he and Ann were “shell-shocked” by his loss, as was I) and he will find a more fulfilling role in the Lord’s kingdom. Mission president, seventy, teaching, service missions; The possibilities are many.
Though I am saddened by his loss and I fear for my nation’s future, I keep getting an undeniable feeling of optimism for the future. Can’t say why.
Why do you assume he is worthy to serve as Mp? Because of his wealth? Why then hadn’t he been called earlier, like right after the Olympics. I know plenty of MPs in their 40s, many who gave up lucrative positions to serve. Plus there are plenty of rich retired men in the church who could serve, so why Mitt? It’s silly to speculate.
A large portion of the informed population believe that Romeny is dis-honest.
Given his history in politics, it is hard to counter this opinion.
I am not convinced that having a prominent mormon leader believed to be a liar is normative.
BYU will need a new president sometime soon, and that university has a history of a plagarist as a president, so that seems possible.
Wow, a lot of Mitt haters showing up. I trust him as s spiritual leader because he was a spiritual leader before. He can be a great one again. The Lord may or may not have something in store for him. I do feel in my heart, even though it will not effect me personally, his future in the church will start again since his political time is over
Many of us feel the only lies were about Romney and who he is, not what he said himself. Hairy Reid is never going to be anything in the church other than Sunday School teacher if we are going to play that game.
Romney is a better man than l am. And I know my standing before the Lord. To assume the worst of him is more revealing about you than him.
How was anyone shell-shocked by Romney’s loss (including Romney)?
I have big political disagreements with Romney, but there is no doubt that he is basically a good guy and a good father and husband. The need to turn Romney into some kind of monster is really quite sad. I have defended Reid as a person even though I disagree with him politically. A bit of charity would be a nice thing.
Nice Jettboy, being a Sunday School teacher is somehow a demonstration of someone being less worthy or righteous?
Most Republicans and many Democrats were stunned by his loss jjohnson. Sunday School teachers may not show less worthiness or righteousness (I rather like that calling), but it does demonstrate a certain non-authoritative position. Its a low rung on the leadership ladder.
Romney doesn’t need to be a Seventy or a mission president to serve meaningfully. It is fun to imagine the next ward council meeting discussing the availability of Brother and Sister Romney now that their schedules have settled down. Considering his age (65) and sudden clearing of his schedule, a mission call in the coming months seems fairly likely. Sister Romney’s health would be a factor, but if it didn’t stand in the way of a run for the presidency, it’s hard to think missionary service would be too much. Being a standard senior couple should be satisfying service; Romney doesn’t have to be the leader to be of use, does he?
The funny thing about all this leadership talk is that people get caught up in the world and want to apply worldly rank advancement to the gospel. Odd when we have the savior specifically rebuking his apostles on this. I guess we are no different. I’ve thought a lot about the burden of leadership positions. So often you end up administering programs, etc. How much time can you spend serving the least in meaningful ways when you are organizing callings and staffing programs. Not that these are meaningless but real service involves individual attention. The best way Romney and all of us can do that through living up to our covenants as disciples of Christ. That we all sometimes think a title and position is helpful, better, or more conducive to important service reveals how much we need to be freed from the snares of the devil.
How is this for the ultimate title? You are sons and daughters of God, clothed in the robes of his power and heir to all the Father has. If there’s not much good we can do with that endowment, God help us.
Romney should be an MP in SLC to assuage the tender feelings of Utah Saints?!? That is rich. While part of being an MP is being a spiritual babysitter, the oh-so delicate and self-centered Utah Saints who want him to preside in their mission need to find other babysitters. I am as disappointed as the rest of us Mormons who supported him but this is all silly talk. After he decompresses, he will find something worthwhile to occupy his time. Perhaps it will be in a Church calling, perhaps not, but to suggest he should be an SLC MP is funny and a fate probably worse than losing the election.
I didn’t agree with everything Romney supported, but I thought he was a GREAT candidate and I was very happy and very proud to cast my ballot for him. I truly believe he would have made a great POTUS. The thing about Mitt and Ann Romney is they will go whereever they are asked, Sunbeam teacher, Scout Master, misison president or whatever, and that is one of his good qualities. I’m saddened to see so many Latter-day Saints be so critical of one of our own, just because he is of a different politcal background. Perhaps a bit of good will toward men and charity is in order.
Joyce you mean were should have “our bowels filled with charity towards all men AND to the household of faith”? What a nice thought.
rbc, it will actually be better for liberal Mormons in the long run if Mitt was to have a profile position in the Church. Otherwise, hurt feelings are not going to be positive toward those who didn’t support him or most especially those who supported Obama. I have already seen the consequences of the loss on relationships.
Chris, I don’t know if you’re being sarcastic about my comment or if you’re serious, but yes, I would like us to have charity toward all, malice toward none and to faithful in doing what we’ve been commanded to do. Am I perfect at those things? No, but I am trying my hardes to love my brothers and sisters, even those that voted for Obama.
Joyce, fwiw, I agree with you. I’m amazed at how quickly some others demonstrate charity towards many they portray as oucasts or “more deserving” and then just rip to shreds some other members who are faithfully enduring in the gospel in spite of the similar human hardships which face us all. So I was just adding in the scriptural context to your comment.
I’m not sure “liberal” Mormons, whatever that is, need to be protected from other Mormons by Brother Romney. If they do need protection, then the problem isn’t with their misguided politics but with the much more misguided, mean and unChristian attitude and behaviour of the other Mormons who place politics ahead of worship and faith. Those people need correction and all of us need protection from those types of intolerant people. I am sorry you’ve seen harm done to relationships over the election. That is sad and hysterically funny at the same time. Both people in the relationship are better off. After all, who wants to be in a relationship with such a crank? And, I thought it was only liberals who were so petty and self absorbed they would sacrifice relationships over something as silly and inconsequential as politics. Maybe that stereotype is reversed in Mormon communities.
I wanted to see Romney win. When I step back and look I am much better off now than I was 4 years ago. Most of the people I know are in the same boat; some much better off, some a little better off and some have been treading water. If the next 4 years are like the last 4 for me and my family, we will be doing pretty good. But, I do worry. With our combined incomes, my wife and I are like sitting ducks as the Dems begin to figure out how to plunder Republican taxpayers while protecting their various interest groups from the “shared sacrifice” we all have to make to close the deficit. (Maybe I should join a union or the 47%.) My income will have to go up significantly to absorb the tax hit that is coming, and would have also come under a President Romney.
I’m sure Mitt would serve the Church wherever asked. But, let’s hope he uses his private sector experience to build the economy.
I’m saddened to see so many Latter-day Saints be so critical of one of our own, just because he is of a different political background.
Joyce, for the record: Liberal Mormons are well acquainted with the task of putting political differences aside in a faith community. We have to. Much of the criticism I hear directed at Brother Mitt has much more to do with his blatant dishonesty than anything else. Sure pols all do it to some degree, but this guy took it to new levels and the fact the he is a professed Mormon makes it much worse – not better.
I think we should wait and let God decide the Romney’s next calling. This LDS Democrat wishes them every success and happiness.