"I don't recall God speaking to me..."

Ok... here's a little theological spice to throw into the holiday weekend mix.

My Mormon readers insist on being counted as part of orthodox Christianity. My Evangelical readers reject that resoundingly. But I'm somewhat certain that in both Mormon and Evangelical traditions the claim would be made that direct revelation from God has occurred many times since Moses and the burning bush.

The entire biblical account of the Gospels, the Apostle Paul - I mean if taken literally the life of Christ on earth also counts... Not to mention the biblical ministry of the Holy Spirit that evangelicals refer to as indwelling and guiding.

Mitt's claim could be written off as a moment of jesting - but then that draws into credibility the claim that he takes his faith seriously and endeavors to live by it.

If he opts for the "well there are things about my private life that I will always keep separate from my public service" response to the reporter's question then he is in to the Ted Kennedy style of religion - which is pretty much fake.

To be honest it doesn't much surprise me that the East Coasters didn't get their necks bent because of his response. I mean do people on the east coast really connect religion and life for the most part? But it does seem telling to me that the Utah brand of Mormonism would have theological problems with Mitt's laugh it off approach... especially since it calls directly into question the reliability of his story about crying when he heard the news that black people were finally equal in the Mormon church.

I'm with Bryan though - not being Mormon I merely find this "interesting" but not crossing over into the realm of "deal-breaking."

UPDATE: Pre-Eminent Mormon Scholar Says Governor Romney’s Comment Doesn’t Contradict LDS Church. “Jan Shipps, one of the pre-eminent Mormon scholars, says Romney’s comment doesn’t contradict LDS Church beliefs because he mentions that God spoke to ’some others,’ and he didn’t just leave it at Moses.” (Thomas Burr, “Comment Appears At Odds With LDS Faith,” Salt Lake Tribune, 12/22/07)