These Mormons may look like a portrait of the perfect family - an image the Romneys also present.
But church critic Tom Kimball says the reality is more complex.
"We’re told to have these large families we can’t afford," he says. "And we’re supposed to be happy and supposed to be idealistic, clothes, manicured yards, and when we don’t - and most of us don’t - depression sets in."
Kimball says the image of the Mormon community that the Romney campaign presents is also not entirely true. Several years ago, he began questioning his church leaders' conservative views.
"As soon as I start saying 'no, I have a problem, I'm struggling here.' As soon as you start saying 'no' in the echo chamber, things start to come apart quickly," says Kimball.
He says he is now banned from ceremonially blessing his own children.
Kimball works at a publishing house that is reexamining early church history, when Mormons practiced polygamy.
"Mormons from the 19th century and Mormons now could not have a cogent conversation with each other," says Kimball. "They wouldn't even be able to discuss Mormon topics. They would call each other heretics."
Kimball says the current church leadership is trying hard to align the faith with the American religious mainstream. And it's hard to imagine what would help that effort more than having a Mormon as president of the United States.
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2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27