THE MORMON QUEST FOR THE PRESIDENCY With Mitt Romney’s run for president, many have been asking whether America is truly ready for a Mormon president. But Romney is actually only the latest in a long series of Mormon presidential candidates stretching back more than 150 years. In recent decades, eight other Mormons have run for the presidency, including the major candidacies of George Romney in 1968 and Morris ‘Mo’ Udall in 1976. And in 1844, Joseph Smith made history by being the first clergyman to run for president, as well as the first candidate to be assassinated during his campaign. In this session, Newell G. Bringhurst, co-author with Craig L. Foster of the book, The Mormon Quest for the Presidency, will share stories and insights into the presidential campaigns of these Mormons and explore how their religion has shaped their political ambitions.

NEWELL G. BRINGHURST