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Most evangelicals would also be surprised to learn that the Book of Mormon contains passages that teach salvation by the merits and grace of Christ ( "There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah" 2 Nephi 2:8) and others that require personal trust in Christ for salvation, such as 1 Nephi 10:4-6: "All mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer."

Of course there is still doctrinal distance between Mormons and evangelicals. But this has not stopped important evangelical leaders—such as Richard Land, the late Jerry Falwell, Franklin Graham, Chuck Colson, and Cal Thomas—from saying that these doctrinal differences should not by themselves disqualify Romney from a presidential nomination. As Marvin Olasky, editor of World magazine, put it, "If he faces Hilary Clinton, I'll vote for him in a Utah minute."

He and other evangelicals who like Romney's experience and positions say that they are looking for a Commander-in-Chief, not a theologian-in-chief. In this sentiment they echo Martin Luther, who famously said, "I would rather be governed by a wise Turk than by a foolish Christian."

Robert Millet, professor of ancient Christian Scriptures at Brigham Young University, and Gerald McDermott, professor of religion at Roanoke College, are co-authors of Claiming Christ: A Mormon-Evangelical Debate, to be published in September by Brazos Press. "Speaking Out" articles are not editorials and do not necessarily represent the views of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Previous Christianity Today articles on Mormons and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include:

Q&A: Hugh Hewitt | Conservative blogger, political analyst, and radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Romney's bid for the White House. (February 27, 2007)

Latter-day Complaints | Mormons and evangelicals fret over movies, politics, and each other. (July 1, 2006)

Weblog: Ravi Zacharias, Rich Mouw Speak in Mormon Tabernacle | Plus: Couple attempts to sacrifice children at church altar, the new head of the Catholic bishops' conference, a focus on Dobson, and other stories from online sources around the world. (November 1, 2004)

Mormon scholar under fire | Anthropologist says Latter-day Saints' teaching wrong about Native Americans. (March 1, 2003)

Mormon Film a Lesson in Telling Faith-Based Stories | Little Secrets avoids theological lectures but delivers an engaging story. (November 18, 2002)

Mere Mormonism | Journalist Richard Ostling explores LDS culture, theology, and fans of 'crypto-Mormon' C.S. Lewis. (February 7, 2000)

A Peacemaker in Provo | How one Pentecostal pastor taught his Congregation to love Mormons. (February 7, 2000)

The Mormon-Evangelical Divide | Beliefs that set Mormons apart, and evangelicals' response. (February 1, 2000)

The Mormon Story | Once the most persecuted faith in the United States, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has emerged as one of the fastest growing and most influential religious groups in the country. (Books & Culture, November 1, 1999)

Article VI Blog, "Discourses on The Constitution … Religion … Public Office," has been discussing Romney's bid for the presidency.

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May (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51