The Mormon Moment: Just The Beginning

Courtesy the Pew Forum

The Mormon Moment has come and gone -- or has it?

While the presidential campaign of Gov. Mitt Romney has ended, the Broadway musical bearing the name of its sacred book of scripture is winding down, and the ad campaign in New York City is shifting to holiday-based messages, the media efforts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are only just beginning.

And that's not such a bad thing.

The divisive nature of politics makes proselyting and informing during the political season difficult. The passionate feelings of supporters on both sides of the aisle makes having a mature, contention-less conversation difficult. But the Romney campaign has opened doors for Mormons to share their faith and their lives in ways not possible before. The 2012 presidential election has shined a light on the LDS Church in the mainstream media. The job of Mormons everywhere is to keep that momentum churning.

Mike Otterson, managing director of the church's public affairs, agreed in a recent interview with The Washington Post's On Faith blog.

More visibility is not necessarily the same as increased understanding. In reality, a presidential election campaign is probably the worst time to try to educate and inform, because politics by its nature is divisive and often shrill. Many people are ready to believe the worst if it comports with their political leanings. But with the heat and divisiveness of a political campaign behind us, thoughtful Mormons can now look to the possibility of having more serious discussions with others about our faith, and especially about how our theology translates into the way we live.

The Mormon Moment is not over; it has only just begun. But rather than being driven by a Republican campaign for president, this Moment will be driven by the rank-and-file member of the church, talking to friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances about their faith. What are you doing to "the Moment" now?