A Washington Post article, "Mormons on Broadway could bring them to the White House" is a wonderful coming of age article on why Mormons now deserve broad acceptance, as a religion and in politics. Consider this quote:
While their stories may seem crazy, even old-time-religion crazy, the Latter-day Saints have proved themselves to be good neighbors and good citizens, and even trustworthy politicians. It’s time to admit them to that well-populated club of people whose religion is not our own and even seems fantastical (virgin birth, predestination or infant damnation anyone?), but who are deemed perfectly acceptable presidential candidates. Or, as Parker and Stone are saying — and not just to the benefit of Romney and Huntsman, but all of us — it’s time to grow up.
What the article does not point out is that the author, Kathleen Flake, is a Mormon. She's also an Associate Professor of American Religious History in the Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion at Vanderbilt University.


While Presbyterians writing about Presbyterians, or Catholics writing about Catholics, etc., generally doesn't prompt disclosure in major newspapers, I can instinctively tell it will make a difference to people when Mormons write about Mormons.


I read the full article without realizing Flake was the author and thought it a remarkably insightful piece. I still think so. She highlights some numbers that should not be ignored:
For more than 100 years, the public has had many opportunities to view the Latter-day Saints and their politicians up close. They have become staples in local and national elective offices. Today, they make up 5 percent of the Senate and 2 percent of the House.
There are enough Mormon politicians, now and in the past, for people to accurately assess how the religion affects behavior and decision making in public office.


Let's stop pretending we don't know because we do.



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