A simple phrase that is used with some regularity in mainstream Christianity is, “What Would Jesus Do?” There are Christians of all ages who wear wristbands and apparel that have the familiar slogan WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) embroidered on them. These emblems of their faith remind them of not only who they are, but as Christians – whose they are, and how they should govern their conduct as they go throughout their daily lives.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a very similar slogan. Realizing that the real question is not so much, “What Would Jesus Do?”, but rather, “What would Jesus have me do?”, the all-important answer to that question is found in the three word phrase, “Choose the Right!”
Latter-day Saints, or Mormons (as they are often referred), are also Christians, and strive to live their lives in accordance with the doctrines of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. They set the bar high for their standard of living, not trying to prove that they are better than anyone else, but rather to set the example of striving to be perfect even as their Father in Heaven is perfect (see Matthew 5:48.) In The Book of Mormon, which Mormons testify is Another Testament of Jesus Christ; Latter-day Saints read comparable words to those found in the Bible in Matthew 5:48. In 3 Nephi 12:48 are recorded the words, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” Further, Latter-day scripture teaches:
And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given (2 Nephi 2:26.)
The late President James E. Faust, an LDS Church apostle for 29 years, a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ for 35 years, and a former Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ from 1995 until the time of his death, taught:
A choice involves making a conscious decision. To make an intelligent decision we need to evaluate all available facts on both sides of an issue. But that isn’t enough. Making correct decisions involves prayer and inspiration.
In the Mormon Church, the adage (Choose the Right!) is everywhere. It’s repeated in Sunday school lessons as a reminder to obey the commandments, it’s emblazoned on children’s coloring books, and its acronym, CTR, is stamped on popular rings worn by Mormons throughout the world. [1]
In Utah, grassroots Romney supporters have adopted the adage as a rallying cry for their presidential candidate. They have even produced specialized Mormon Country campaign paraphernalia by taking the traditional Romney logo and replacing the words, “Believe in America” with “Choose the Right.” At a festival in Provo, Utah in July volunteers handed out posters with the slogan, and they have also sent bumper stickers to fellow Mormon Romney supporters across the country. They have even set up a website called RomneyCTR.Com where wristbands and buttons can be purchased.
“We sought a slogan that would simply but directly capture our message and be the focus of our cause,” Stephen Steele, one of the group’s leaders who lives in Arizona, said in an e-mail to BuzzFeed. “While we considered other possibilities, ‘Choose the Right,’ a phrase familiar to our faith and upbringing, made sense; simple but direct.” [1]
However, not all Mormons are on the same sheet of music as it were. “Just because someone may come from your faith, which you believe is true and right, does not mean he or she is the best person to run the U.S.,” said Tamarra Kemsley, editor of the alternative BYU newspaper The Student Review. “Many Mormons think very differently than Mitt Romney, which breaks no divine commandment.” [1]
Willard Mitt Romney (or Mitt as he is popularly known) makes no qualms or excuses about the fact that he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that it is his faith and religion that guide him in his decision making processes. However, even he knows that these two factors alone will not necessarily get him elected as the next President of the United States. Nevertheless, he refuses to be swayed from his beliefs and strives to “Choose the Right” in all that he does.
In The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ), in Mosiah 2:21-22 are recorded words that Mitt is no doubt familiar with:
I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
By Keith Brown
Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having been born and raised Baptist. He was studying to be a Baptist minister at the time of his conversion to the LDS faith. He was baptized on 10 March 1998 in Reykjavik, Iceland while serving on active duty in the United States Navy in Keflavic, Iceland. He currently serves as the First Assistant to the High Priest Group for the Annapolis, Maryland Ward. He is a 30-year honorably retired United States Navy Veteran.
