Is Romney still a "Bishop" in the Morman church. Just curious.

[demosincebirth]

[JI7]

1. i don't know, we should ask the evangelicals in SC

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. I thought all men eventually become 'bishops' in the Mormon church?

I could be wrong.

[fishwax]

5. all become priests, but bishop remains a leadership position

Somewhat similar to a pastor or priest in other churches, the bishop is the leader of a particular congregation ("ward&quot . The positions are not permanent, but last at least a few years.

[boppers]

6. No. Few do. Most become elders.

You might be thinking "priest", which is a teenage male title in the LDS faith.

[white_wolf]

8. All males become priests.

Teenagers hold the Priesthood of Aaron and adults held the Priesthood of Melchizedek, and are given the title elder. Of course, woman aren't considered worthy, sexist assholes.

[jberryhill]

3. Yes, but it doesn't mean much

If you are a teenage male, and can fog a piece of glass with your breath, you get the first "priest" merit badge.

[demosincebirth]

4. Not even running for pres? Constitutionally or other wise?

[jberryhill]

7. No

American voters decide whom they want to elect. There is no religious disqualification.

Imposing one would be a violation of the Constitution.

[boppers]

9. Constitutionally, it would be *UNCONSTITUTIONAL* to discriminate against religious leaders.

No religious test.

That being said, no, he's no longer a bishop, that's a temporary title. He's probably a High Priest or Patriarch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priesthood_(LDS_Church)

[Cerridwen]

10. In fact or on paper?

I'd like to know the answer to this as well.

I have some other questions, too. But this is a good start.

[boppers]

11. To become a Bishop, you have to be a High Priest.

However, you do not keep the title of Bishop when you leave the role of Bishop (which is leading a Ward, a group of 50-150 people).

It's not like he's an Apostle or anything. (Yes, the LDS church has Apostles, Prophets, etc)... he's just a generic, married, mormon guy who has been tapped for leadership positions.

[Cerridwen]

12. I thought stakes were the smaller

and a ward was the larger.

Do stakes have a bishop? Nevermind. It's not really pertinent. I was just wondering if he is hiding his leadership role in order to calm the populace as he runs for the repub nomination. That's really my point.

[boppers]

13. Stakes have many wards. You have it flipped around.

He has served as ward bishop (50-150 people) and stake president (500-5000 people), with his stake having about 4000 people. A stake usually has 3 presidents at any given point in time. Both (bishop, president) are High Priest roles. Both are also lay clergy roles (as are all positions in the church), meaning no formal religious study is required... they are more or less bureaucratic roles. A school dean at a state university has about as much power.

[Cerridwen]

14. Thanks, boppers.

The buildings make it look otherwise. I guess I confused buildings with what was happening within.

[David__77]

15. I wonder what type of priesthood he holds.

It's probably pretty high up there...

[white_wolf]

17. Romney holds the Priesthood of Melchizedek.

It is the highest of the two Mormon priesthoods and is conferred upon all worthy male members at the age of 18. There are other ranks of course such as apostle and the Prophet who leads the Church and claims to be granted visions from God to guide the LDS chruch. However, even the Prophet still holds the Melchizedek priesthood. I think if Mitt held any higher authority in the Church such as the Quorum of 70 Apostles, it would have came out by now.

[ashling]

16. Black Knight takes White Bishop:

Checkmate!

[boppers]

18. Bishops can only move diagonally. On color. Take one out, you get half the board.