Romney's Presidential Bid Spotlights Mormonism

A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that many Mormons feel discriminated against and do not feel accepted by other Americans as part of mainstream society.    

          

That's a view shared by some in Salt Lake City Utah, the home to the headquarters of the LDS church.    

          

[Cameron Calder, Salt Lake City Resident]: 

"I certainly believe that everybody has their own opinion about the Mormon church. You know as far as a misconception, I definitely believe that people have a misconception about Mormons but I don't think that really has a reflection on how he's going to be as a president."  

            

The Pew survey also found that many Mormons are optimistic, and think acceptance of their faith is rising.   

           

[Jeff Horne, Former Mormon]:         

"I think any attention towards [the church] is a good thing. I think people will start seeing it as less of a strange cult thing and more of just a regular religion." 

             

Others are more suspicious, fearing that many still focus on the religion's polygamous past .

             

[Susan Pritchett]:             

"No I think the Christian south. We're from the south and I think the Christian south is going to have a problem with it." 

             

So far during the Republican campaign, the focus has been less on Romney's religion and more on the millionaire's past as a Bain Capital executive. 

 

But that's a balance that could shift as the campaign moves forward.