Mormons in San Luis Valley

Lars and Mortensen family, early Mormon settlers of San Luis Valley land

The Mormons, yes the same group that Mitt Romney belongs to, has a unique position in the San Luis Valley area since 1878. They initially started farming to feed themselves but didn't know how to due to the weird winter seasons.

They were assisted by Roman Catholics in the area of Spanish/Latino origin who already knew how to farm the area. Since then the two groups have had a fairly peaceful co-existence together.

Mormons have thrived
While San Luis Valley only has about 8% Mormons, they make their presence known to the 92% that are Christian in the area. They hold very successful businesses and own a vast number of lands.

Why the Mormon controversy is surrounding Mitt Romney
Mormons have been peaceful in San Luis Valley, but because Mitt Romney is running for president, there has been some light shed on their beliefs and how they are heretical to the mainline Christian churches. You can judge for yourself below about their beliefs and whether they conflict with yours.

• Mormon leaders like Hyde taught Jesus was married and had more than one wife. On October 6, 1854, Mormon Apostle Orson Hyde stated, "How was it with Mary and Martha, and other women that followed him [Jesus]? In old times, and it is common in this day, the women, even as Sarah, called their husbands Lord; the word Lord is tantamount to husband in some languages, master, lord, husband, are about synonymous... When Mary of old came to the sepulchre on the first day of the week, instead of finding Jesus she saw two angels in white, 'And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?' She said unto them,' Because they have taken away my Lord,' or husband, 'and I know not where they have laid him.' And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.' Is there not here manifested the affections of a wife. These words speak the kindred ties and sympathies that are common to that relation of husband and wife" (Journal of Discourses 2:81).
  
• Jesus is the brother of Lucifer in the Mormon religion.
  
• Jesus is a created being in the Mormon religion instead of an Alpha and Omega (eternally living, always existed) God.
  
• Jesus sinned and was once imperfect in the Mormon religion
  
• Jesus was conceived by physical sex by Father God and Mary in the Mormon religion
  

Mormons, have some rather strange, unorthodox, and heretical beliefs that go against mainline Christianity. This is why Mitt Romney is a controversial character in the presidential campaigns because as a devout Mormon, he believes in these things. But as for our Rocky Mountain Mormons in the SLV, despite having beliefs contrary to Christianity, they are a wonderful group to know and while they play a minor role in the population, their ethics and hard working attitudes play a major role in the community.