When was mitt romney stake president

This was the sixth pregnancy for the woman in her 40s, who had four teenage children, and she developed some medical complications. Romney arrived at the hospital and forcefully counseled her against the procedure. She felt Romney misunderstood and mistreated her. The woman later wrote about the experience in Exponent II, a national newspaper for Mormon women that was published in Romney's Boston stake.

Though she didn't use her name, many church members knew who she was. The episode came back to haunt Romney when he ran for Massachusetts governor in as a "pro-choice" candidate.

It also reflected some of the ongoing tensions he had with some Exponent II writers during his tenure. Regardless, Mormon women in Boston still talk about an extraordinary meeting Romney called to address the women of the stake. More than members poured into the Belmont chapel. One by one they called out their issues while he stood at the front with three pads labeled: policies we can't change, practices we can change, and things we can consider.

Nearly proposals were made that day, including having female leaders give talks in various wards as the men on the high council do; letting women speak last in church; turning the chapels into day-care centers during the week; letting women stand in the circle while blessing newborn babies; recognizing the accomplishment of young women as the church does of Boy Scout advancements; and putting changing tables in the men's rooms.

Many women left with a new appreciation of Romney's openness. Sievers, who worked with Romney to set up the meeting, was ecstatic. Not long after Grant Bennett fell off a ladder while trying to dislodge a hornet's nest outside his second-story bedroom, Romney came to offer sympathy and show Bennett a smarter way to deal with the festering insects - from inside.

Before Doug Anderson had even finished getting family out of his burning house, Romney showed up with a brigade of neighbors to salvage beloved belongings from the remains.

Several Mormons affectionately describe him as a man who can't remember names and can't tell a joke, but did preach inspiring sermons. Barlow is troubled by media critiques of Romney as "too perfect" or "plastic. The candidate has always "smiled faintly when listening and talking, even about serious or controversial matters," Barlow writes. Although the time Gibby spends as a stake president means time away from his wife, Lisa, and their four children, he considers it a blessing in his family's life.

And that, Elder Clayton said, is one thing all stake presidents have in common: the desire to serve their God. But if you love the Lord and you truly appreciate all that he's done for you, then there's no question about your answer when he calls you. Now retired from his professional work as a city administrator and recently released as president of the LDS Church's Los Angeles Temple, Brimhall looks back on his service as a stake president during the s as "a very holy, very educational experience.

As a city manager, Brimhall worked closely with numerous politicians through the years. He said there are a lot of things one learns as a stake president that would also be beneficial to a political leader. You have to listen to people, discuss their thoughts and consider their ideas before you make a decision. That ability would be of inestimable value to a political leader, I think. Although Brimhall didn't come right out and voice his support for Romney, he did mention that his granddaughter-in-law, Tricia Tanner Hyer, was part of the Tanner family that was visited every month by Romney while he was serving as stake president.

That tells you something about the man. Aside from the practical lessons learned as a stake president, Brimhall said the spiritual growth that came into his life as a result of his service was even more profound. They will feel the same inspiration, the same love for the people and the same direction from the Lord as they learn and grow as new stake presidents.

Start your day with the top stories you missed while you were sleeping. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Print Subscriptions.

Deseret News homepage. Was Mitt Romney the 'quintessential' Mormon stake president? Reddit Pocket Email Linkedin. Grid View. Douglas L. New stake presidency: Adilson Monteir, left, first counselor, Roseveltt Texeira, president, and Jose Pires, second counselor. Elder Jose A. Texiera Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov.

Shauna Powell. Process of revelation The process to which Elder Clayton refers includes at least two general or area church leaders, who travel to the stake as part of a weekend of semi-annual "stake conference" meetings with stake leaders and members. Like Mitt? Gibby agreed. How did it go? A case about egregious violations of religious rights is being ignored. Sign up for the newsletter Morning Edition Start your day with the top stories you missed while you were sleeping.

Thanks for signing up! Belmont, Massachusetts is home to one of the highest concentrations of Mormon populations east of the Mississippi. For more than half a century, good schools, elite universities and choice jobs in banking, technology and medicine have drawn Mormons to the area. In the early s, after the Mormon population gathering in nearby Cambridge grew too large, a separate meetinghouse was built in Belmont. Hinckley dedicated the Belmont temple, the th in the world, making Belmont a regional center for Mormonism.

Senate—around the manicured grounds and through some of the outer rooms of the sacred building. The Romneys are not the only prominent members of the Belmont ward. On any given Sunday, there might be Rhodes Scholars sitting in the pews. Dozens of other members are graduates or professors at Harvard and MIT, making this an exceptionally well-educated and powerful Mormon community.