Glenn Beck's Mormonism Is the Apocalyptic Kind

Ties to radical mid-century LDS thought could sully Romney 2012
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 8, 2009 2:29 PM CDT
Glenn Beck's Mormonism Is the Apocalyptic Kind
Glenn Beck.   (Getty Images)

Most of the media has been understandably wary of tying Glenn Beck’s Mormonism to his jeremiad against President Obama and the enemies of freedom, Adam Reilly writes. And yet, Beck is a clear inheritor of a particular strain of mid-century Mormon political ideology that espoused virulent anti-communism and the divine genesis of the Constitution. Should Beck continue to revive ideas the LDS would rather forget, it could spell trouble for his coreligionists— and Romney 2012.

For instance, Reilly writes in the Boston Phoenix, Beck’s recent cry that “the government is the Devil” is in sync with one of the church's "canonical scriptures." And when he laments that “our Constitution is hanging by a thread,” he echoes the “White Horse Prophecy” whereby “the Mormon people will come to its rescue.” Romney has demonstrated familiarity with this “firebrand conservatism,” an author notes, which “he might want to keep chained to a radiator in the attic.” But because of Beck's "converted zealotry," the "conversation might just be getting started." (More Glenn Beck stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X