President Obama meets with Mormon Leaders
EmailPresident Obama met today with Latter-Day Saints Church President Thomas S. Monson, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who is a member of the LDS church.
The church leaders gave the president five large leather-bound volumes by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tracing back the genealogy of the president’s family, as they did for President George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. It was the president’s first meeting with Monson, though First Lady Michelle Obama met with some church elders last year.
"I enjoyed my meeting with President Monson and Elder Oaks,” the president said in a paper statement. “I'm grateful for the genealogical records that they brought with them and am looking forward to reading through the materials with my daughters. It's something our family will treasure for years to come."
According to Mike Winder, author of "Presidents and Prophets: The Story of American Presidents and the LDS Church," senators who are members of the LDS church have helped arrange meetings like these since 1911 when Sen. Reed Smoot, R-Utah, introduced Joseph F. Smith to President William Howard Taft.
In a statement, Monson said, “President Obama’s heritage is rich with examples of leadership, sacrifice and service. We were very pleased to research his family history and are honored to present it to him today.”
Oaks, who oversees the Church’s family history program, said, “The Church has great resources and experience in genealogy work, and we are proud to have researched such a unique and impressive family history.”
Sen. Reid today said that he was “glad that President Obama and Elder Oaks had an opportunity to discuss their shared passion of the law. Recognizing the President and First Lady's deep regard for family, I am honored that our Church can have any part in documenting their family history.”
The White House did not offer a comment as to whether President Obama raised the subject of his late mother being posthumously baptized into the Mormon faith last June.
-jpt
*This post has been updated with the statement from the LDS leaders.
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“I’m grateful for the genealogical records that they brought with them and am looking forward to reading through the materials with my daughters.”
Hey, wait a sec… is my birth certificate in here?
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | July 20, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
“The White House did not offer a comment as to whether President Obama raised the subject of his late mother being posthumously baptized into the Mormon faith last June.”
I’d like to point out (as a former Mormon) that they do not ‘posthumously baptize’ people. They perform the ritual and consider it an offering to those in the afterlife, and at that point, the person can choose whether or not they want to take the baptism while in heaven.
Posted by: JCR | July 20, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
That last line was a bit snarky, don’t you think? Some people broke the rules regarding proxy work for non-relatives. We aren’t perfect. If people were perfect, there would be no need for salvation in the first place.
And for the record, a proxy baptism does not make you a posthumous Mormon. It merely performs an ordinance that we believe is required to be done in this life and thereby offers the person for whom the baptism is performed the OPPORTUNITY to accept it as though they themselves were baptized in this life.
It doesn’t change anyone’s religion posthumously any more than a belief in reincarnation turns a person into someone or something else upon death. It’s a belief. If you don’t share the belief, it’s nothing more than someone taking a bath with their clothes on while saying someone’s name, efficacious for nothing.
Posted by: Christopher Estep | July 20, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
I just read on the ABC News website that Obama won’t meet with black leaders. But he meets with Mormons who didn’t even vote for him.
Posted by: bubbles | July 20, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
Traffic Cop Timmy
Good one. I’m steal that one.
Hap
Posted by: Hap Cluff | July 20, 2009, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm
Obama’s father was born in Kenya. Forget the birth certificate feud…He’s ineligible for the office on that fact alone.
BOTH parents must be American citizens for anyone to be eligible for the office of President according to the US Constitution.
Posted by: max | July 21, 2009, 1:09 am 1:09 am
These comments are mean to both the LDS Church and to President Obama. Some of us DID vote for Obama. ALL of us should pray for him.
Posted by: Alan | July 21, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
Re: Alan
“BOTH parents must be American citizens for anyone to be eligible for the office of President according to the US Constitution”
Not true.
According to the Constitution:
“No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States.
Posted by: Teresa Howells | July 21, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Hey Max,
Thanks for posting this comment. I don’t know that many people are following this closely – probably because the mainstream media isn’t following at all – but there are several other facts that are starting to be revealed.
Why Obama has spent upwards of $950,000 in campaign funds in the past year with eleven law firms in 12 states for legal resources to block disclosure of any of his personal records if he doesn’t have something to hide?
Posted by: Freedom Fighter | July 21, 2009, 11:03 am 11:03 am
Many, many, many Mormons DID vote for Obama
Posted by: Kay Anders | July 21, 2009, 11:14 am 11:14 am
Just remember…we are ALL children of God, and he probably won’t ask for a birth certificate…GROW UP!
Posted by: Jule | July 21, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am
why do people have to act so childish about so many things? as a christian I know that if God didnt want it to happen then it wouldn’t and even though i diid not vote for Obama that doesnt mean I am against him as a person. Who cares if his dad where born in Africa, good people are good people.
Posted by: carmen | July 21, 2009, 11:39 am 11:39 am
What they failed to mention was that in return President Obama gave them 25 movies on DVD. Unfortunately, they were all rated “R” which of course Mormon leaders would not watch.
Posted by: MJS | July 21, 2009, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
Why is Obama the only president in our history who has not had proof he was a U.S. Citizen. IF there is nothing to hide, why is he hiding any proof that could disable all criticism on this front. Why hide his records-I’d welcome anyone coming up with one good reason!!!! And all he has done is hide his real persona and positions on most everything since. Many, many people whatever religion have already regretted being taken in by his lies and voting for him.
Posted by: kmc | July 21, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
The constitution does not say anything about where a president’s parents must be born. And, by the way, a lot of Mormons did vote for Obama.
Also he just met with the NAACP.
Posted by: BEM | July 21, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
You people are funny – so full of hatred and misinformation…
I’m a devout Mormon, I’m a Democrate and I’m DELIGHTED that we FINALLY have a US President who lives by and actually practises all those good principles that most Christians only preach about -is president Obama perfect? NO! None of us are! Has president Obama been called of God? NO! No polititians have, because God doesn’t lower Himself to human made politics! But – finally, we have a president who is intelligent, smart, humble and goodhearted enough to actually see the poor and needy, instead of always catering to the arrogant, rich, corrupt and greedy – ever heard about the UNITED ORDER? – Well, president Obama, in his policies, are getting closer to that than most polititians ever have – so – all we need to ask ourselves is – What Would Christ Do?
That’s why I’m a moral conservative and a social liberal (and would NEVER vote Republican!) – to better follow CHRIST’s EXAMPLE, in all my own personal imperfections!
Posted by: Lena | July 21, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
“Why is Obama the only president in our history who has not had proof he was a U.S. Citizen”
Hmm I don’t remember seeing any President’s birth certificate….except for Obama’s
Sorry birthers, we have a black President and that is not going to change any time soon.
Posted by: Ryan C | July 21, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
“Why Obama has spent upwards of $950,000 in campaign funds in the past year with eleven law firms in 12 states for legal resources to block disclosure of any of his personal records if he doesn’t have something to hide?”
He has?
That seems to be wild conjecture on the part of birthers and WND who is fleecing the idiots.
Obama has not even be named a defendant in most of the suits filed.
Posted by: Ryan C | July 21, 2009, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
Lets see if I understand this. Mormons believe that God sent us here to get a body and to be tried and tested. Democrats support the extinction of millions of babies and even infanticide (partial birth abortion)The Church is against abortion and states such. A plank of the Democratic Party platform is support for Roe v Wade. No pro life candidate for president in the democratic party has a chance to get nominated. So if Mormons voted for Obama they are supporting the deadly assault on the womb and against the most helpless of all humans. Don’t give me this idiocy that democrats are for the poor either. They demagouge the poor for votes. They receive more money from Wall Street than the Republicans.
.
Posted by: Paul | July 21, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
Wait a minute, people! I thought this was a story about a gift being given to the President of the United States by the head of the largest Genealogy organization in the world: his genalogy. No more, no less. There is nothing political about it in my view. I think we’re getting off the subject.
Posted by: Andie | July 21, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
this is all so childish!! where in the world is this crap coming from? this was about something good and positive and you’ve all turned it into attacks and negative arguments grow up!!! if you want things to change write your congrass man!
Posted by: bkw | July 21, 2009, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
I hate the division that is happening within the church. I see no reason for it.
I do believe that most are truly trying to live the principles of the gospel. That is why I urge you to stick with the basics and to not allow politics to be a cause for contention.
I look at President Obama and see a caring, intelligent, person who seeks after peace. That is being Christ like. If you choose to listen to those that are full of contention and wrap their words in conservative illusions, and you find yourself full of hate, perhaps it’s time to listen to the Prophet and the scriptures instead.
Posted by: MP | July 21, 2009, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
Guys, whether you like Obama or not, he is the president now. I am glad to see that he is keeping the lines of communication open between himself and the leaders of the church. The leaders of the church are showing him the respect that his office deserves. Don’t you think we should pay attention to their example?
Posted by: Tiana | July 21, 2009, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
Thank you Tiana.
I agree with you. :)
Posted by: MP | July 21, 2009, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
i would have to agree w/ you on that one. contention is not of the lord. we are all children of our heavenly father and have NO right to pass judgment upon others. we are all here to learn and grow. no one is perfect.
Posted by: bkw | July 21, 2009, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
MP,
Congrass Man?
Posted by: Honoree | July 21, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
oops sorry, *congress men.
Posted by: bkw | July 21, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
I, for one, would love to look at his geneology. Who is he related to? How far back does it go? So many questions, so little time!
Posted by: ladyblueyes22 | July 21, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
This amazing. I would love to read up on Obama’s family history. What an awesome/inspired gift from Monson and Oaks.
Why are so many people bashing the President here? Doesn’t make any sense to me.
Posted by: BT | July 21, 2009, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
Obama supports abortion, I realize he calls it a woman’s right to choose. To choose death for our children. Who can support that? Not this Mormon.
Posted by: Mary F Reinhart | July 22, 2009, 10:17 am 10:17 am
I did not vote for him either for many reasons (none of which have to do with his color. I am glad that he did meet with Pres. Monson. I believe we should all vote as we see fit. I do not have a preferred political party membership. The only membership I claim & Cherish is that of the church.
Posted by: Donna | July 22, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am
In these times the persistant and hissing civility fact is the many hearts of children which are being turned to their fathers as well as hearts of fathers to children. This WILL NOT STOP! There is a plan in place and none can thwart it. Kuddos to the leadership in the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints for sustaining the office of America’s presidency (supplying the opportunity for Obama’s-HEARTS-to open toward their predicessors) and kuddos to the Obama family for welcoming such painstaking and loving research. Alex Haley couldn’t speak highly enough for the tremendous gift of geneological insight and information he retrived from chruch records. Maybe President Obama will be inspired in the ways of promoting secular/poitical civility in a time the country needs it most.
Posted by: Brad Stacey | July 22, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
It is a good thing that President Monsen has the power of decernment.President Obama supports Abortion and not supporting the life of a premie baby. He also supports the evil act of killing the unborn in a most dreadful way, even late term pregnancies. We can only hope that he reads 2 Nephi Chapter 9.
Posted by: Mary Jane | July 22, 2009, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
All you Obama lovers dont have any idea what he is doing to you and our Constitution , but you will know about November or December , when your electricity bill doubles or triples . He has taken so many rights from us already it just hasnt showed up yet . He also is trying to pass the “The Hate Crimes S. 909 Bill,Pediphile Protection Act . Obama has also pushed to have abortions and he is literally destroying our country from the inside all because people believe all of his lies . I dont understand how Mormons can support this kind of stuff he does . The main reason for our president has to be a natural born citizen is that he actually loves our country Obama hates us . All you Obama believers look up Jeramiah Wright Obamas pastor for 2o years and see what this man is REALLY all about . That pastor HATES the USA and he says over and over that the USA is damned . How can any true american say these things ? All you people really need to open your eyes and see the truth . Look up obamacrimes.com and see more of your leader and see how corrupt he and our government are .Obama literally bought the election through corrupt bank officials that got us in the economic meltdown in the first place . The bailout money was all just help the corrupt bank officials . Also look at the voter fraud with ACORN and double voting . And why was there Black Panthersgroup blocking the entance to the voting booths in Philadelphia ? Explain that woulf you please . Americans have to open their eyes before he turns us into a socialist country , because you know what comes after a socialist government dont you its communism , for thoseof you that dont have a clue .
Posted by: charles | July 22, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
Just because President Monson gave the geneology gift to President Obama doesn’t mean that they support his policies. I am impressed that they did that, because he is SOOOO radically left and against everything our country was founded upon. Every mormon I know is personally disgusted each time Obama opens his mouth. I know I am. But what LDS members possess in their hearts is the knowledge that no matter what happens to this great God-inspired nation to try to make us a Godless nation will not ultimately prevail. This is not “our” nation, rather it is a “nation under God”, loaned to us by Him. It should also be said that I do not know ANY LDS member who likes Harry Reid. He has gone against so much that he professes to believe, and we all know it. But is any of this worth getting in the ring with satan and allowing our hearts to become filled with the venom that becomes a cancer within us? NO.
There is a difference between disagreeing on policy, and personally attacking the President and congress. Do I think every single one of them needs to go? YES. Do we need to stand up for freedom and personal agency? MOST FERVENTLY, yet we can still do this the Lord’s way, without contention. Does President Obama know what he’s trying to do? Absolutely! We are naive to think he is sincere about seeking peace. He is seeking global popularity and national power, all the while paying his “debts” to those who helped him get to where he is (good-for-nothing lobbyists).There are many “naive” mormons out there. And the church is not divided. As society becomes increasingly irresponsible and wickedly flagrant, the division is between God-fearing people and Godless people, regardless of faith or denomination.
Posted by: Kellie | July 23, 2009, 2:45 am 2:45 am
What a marvelous gift to the Obama family hope he realises the Love and sacrifice that came along with that tireless effort by the Church Of Jesus christ of Latter day saints.And now to all ye that murmmur you cannot change obamas dictates by shouting but by firmly by what is righteous.I strongly believe in the power of influence that Heavenly Father has given us.Of what he does as judge not ,out of it the whole world will learn if people cannot support him a president let them learn to support the office in which he is holding at the moment.America is not kept by anything other than the Faith and Prayers of the saints
Posted by: Ondigo Peter | July 24, 2009, 6:21 am 6:21 am
I was baptised in the mormon church and would like every single person on this blog to know that the church council gives the choice of adoption or abortion in case of unwanted pregnancy, rape or incest. i know because i was in that meeting. it is a womans right and thats what the church has always stood by. free will. and your attacks on the president are useless. why? because every single time i ask for tangible information and credible facts as to what he has actually done to harm you or anybody in this country i get no response. for the comments on this page i can clearly say you are unbecoming a member of this church and in no way to you represent chrisianity or even infact humanity. it is dissapointing and just plain depressing. just a little advise- try reading some legislative and economic history about which party has been on the right side of history for the last 30 years. you are commiting the very negative and destruction you so greatly claim to uphold.
Posted by: Zack | November 25, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am
Obama is no threat to the US Constitution although right wing extremists are deadly afraid that he will shift the balance of power so that the Evangelical Conservative right with their fascist agendas can no longer hold Americans to ransom.
Posted by: Constitutional Lawyer | July 13, 2010, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm