Good question. Let me give you twelve reasons, not just one!

1. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (its proper name) are for the most part law abiding citizens. Mormons respect the U.S. Constitution and strive to obey the laws of the land. According to a Gallup poll, Latter-day Saints are the most conservative of any major religious group in America. They care about their country and many are politically involved. Ronald Reagan admired Mormons and had many in his administration, including three on his personal staff, Secretaries of Treasury and Education, Solicitor General, chief strategist, and several ambassadors, among others. There are currently 15 Latter-day Saints serving in Congress.

2. Mormons are fiscally conservative and believe in living within their means, staying out of debt, and being self-reliant. In April 2012, Utah, which is more than 70% Latter-day Saint, had an unemployment rate of 6.0%, while the national average was 8.1%. For the fifth year in a row the American Legislative Exchange has named Utah as the state with the strongest economic outlook. The country will likely have a better economy and lower unemployment with a Mormon president who, like most others of his faith, believes in a strict policy of fiscal restraint and debt reduction.

3. Latter-day Saints are a highly educated people. Education has always been a high priority for them. Utah historically outdistances other states in producing scientists, and this has been true since listings began in 1920. A few of the significant inventions Mormon scientists have either conceived, or been involved in, include the invention of television, stereophonic sound, the first successful artificial heart and lungs, laser surgery, the Tk1 test to detect cancer at early stages, artificial kidneys, pioneering in word processing, the transistor radio, and digital sound recording (CDs, DVDs). A 2005 Census Bureau report showed that Utah outranks national averages in its educated populace. An estimated 91 percent of Utah’s population 25 and older has a high school diploma.

4. Mormons believe, read and love the Bible. In 2010 the Pew Research Center found that Latter-day Saints know more about the Bible and Christianity than any other Christian group in the country. Another study found that LDS teens know their faith, believe it and live according to it. The Glenmary Research Center found Utah to be the most religious state in the nation. Latter-day Saints also believe in the Book of Mormon, which they consider to be “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” The Savior is mentioned 3,925 times in the book. Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, was resurrected, and salvation comes only through Him. They are also tolerant of others’ beliefs and feel all should be allowed to worship according to the dictates of their own conscience.

5. Strong families are central to Latter-day Saint belief. They experience less divorce, fewer babies born out of wedlock, more married households, and have, on average, more children than Americans in general. The Church is known as a family church and large families are encouraged, which is a positive when it comes to keeping a free-market economy healthy. In many countries, fertility levels have fallen significantly below the 2.1 per women average needed to maintain even a replacement population. Any country in which these trends continue are on a path to extinction. And, no, Mormons do not practice polygamy. It was never popular with them, was practiced by only a small percentage, and rescinded in 1890.

6. Good health habits are emphasized in the Church. A 25-year study of nearly 10,000 active Latter-day Saint adults by the University of California at Los Angeles, found that they live significantly longer and have healthier lives than the general population when they follow the Church’s health code. Known as “The Word of Wisdom,” the code encourages the use of wholesome herbs, fruits, grains, meat eaten sparingly, and proscribes the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. The study also found that Church members have a reduced rate for all cancers, not only smoking-related cancers. Diseases caused by tobacco kill thousands and costs the U.S. nearly $97 billion a year. Additionally, 100,000 deaths occur each year due to alcohol through diseases and accidents. Lives and money would be saved if more people followed Mormon health habits.

7. The Church administers one of the largest humanitarian and welfare efforts in the world. It donates millions of dollars worth of goods, and millions of hours of labor annually to worthy causes in the U.S. and around the world, regardless of race, religion or ideology. Church members are often first on the scene of a disaster with food, water, hygiene kits, clothes, tents, blankets, etc., and frequently provide cleanup afterwards.. During 2011, for example, the Church responded to 111 disasters in 50 countries, providing emergency aid and organizing thousands of volunteers to assist those effected. Within seven months there were more than 1,900 tornadoes reported in the United States for which the Church provided relief in eight states, with more than 5,000 volunteers helping with cleanup.

To provide the tons of food needed for disaster relief, the Church owns farms, vineyards (for raisins), cattle ranches, orchards, along with canneries to preserve their goods, dairies, bakeries, meat packing plants, a soap company, pasta, gelatin, cereal, and peanut butter plants, and storage facilities. All of this is staffed predominately by volunteers. The Church has donated thousands of wheelchairs throughout the world, provided dental and eye clinics, immunizations, boreholes for clean water for thousands of people, builds schools and homes, and continues to so.

8. Church members believe in volunteering for good causes. They show they care about their communities and their neighbors. For instance, in 2011, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, Utah topped all states in the percentage of volunteers and volunteer hours. The state leads the nation in the rate of adults who volunteer, and has for six straight years. They serve in hospital waiting rooms, teach literacy and step up in countless other ways as well. The researchers concluded the area’s deep religious roots are the reason for this impressive statistic. Church members also volunteer at high rates in other states and countries.

9. Mormons are found to be the most generous people in the country, according to “Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute,” which says Utah leads the nation in charitable contributions.

10. Latter-day Saints are prepared for emergencies and disasters. For many years members of the Church have been counseled to have sufficient food and water storage in case of an emergency, such as job loss, earthquakes, strikes, war, or other conditions where food would become scarce or unavailable. The Church also conducts workshops so people can become knowledgeable as to what actions to take.

11. Great emphasis is placed on good music and the arts. The first building Brigham Young had built in the Salt Lake Valley was a theater. The state has six dance companies, and more pianos and harps are sold in Utah than anywhere in the United States. The Tabernacle Choir, dubbed “America’s Choir,” by President Reagan, is the oldest continuous nationwide radio network broadcast in the nation. Utah high schools are replete with large award winning, orchestras, bands, and choruses.

12. One of the Church’s creeds reads, in part, “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men.” Living Christian teachings, such as chastity before marriage and fidelity after, are top priorities for practicing Mormons. This includes students at Brigham Young University, which is considered one of the “best places for hiring graduates with high ethical standards,” especially in the business world, according to Financial Times which says the grads are favorites of banks, investment firms and the CIA. Pixar is also drawn to BYU’s animation students, not only for their award-winning talents, but for their high moral standards. The students have been encouraged to bring their faith and beliefs with them to Hollywood. (Mormons don’t pretend to be perfect and realize there are some bad apples among them.) After visiting Utah, a newsman wrote he was most impressed by the fact that the people “appear a different breed -- courteous, well-mannered, non-drinking, non-swearing, nonsmoking, (by golly!) and friendly!” And a Gallup poll also found Utah ranking highest in its happiness survey.

With so much hanging in the balance in the coming November election, it is essential to elect a president with high principles, who also loves America, respects the Constitution, and has the business experience to get America back to work. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when an honest examination of the faith is considered, certainly doesn't disqualify a candidate seeking the presidency. In fact, when all things are considered, it might just serve as a credential.

Grace Guymon Jones, a former elementary school teacher, has written for newspapers for many years, including a column on parenting. She can be .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).


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