Romney Candidacy Thrusts LDS Church Into Spotlight
-->By: Josh Marcisz
Updated: August 24, 2012
With the emergence of Mitt Romney as the front runner for the Republican nomination for President, the Mormon Church has been thrust into the limelight at a national level.
The term 'Mormon' is a nickname; the actual name is 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints', or the LDS church.
There are almost 3,000 members of the LDS church spread throughout 8 congregations in the ArkLaTex. Brent and Deborah Merrill have spent 32 years living in the same home in Haughton. The couple met while attending college in Idaho but moved to the Shreveport area for job opportunities. They have raised five children and their LDS faith has raised a lot of questions along the way.
'The biggest concern is they are not sure we are Christian, and so that was the biggest question,' explains, Deborah
'We believe in Christ, we are very much a Christ centered church,' adds Brent, who has served time as a Bishop of his church and local stake President.
A health code keeps the Merrill's and other LDS church members away from stimulants such as coffee, tea and tobacco.
