The reason Romney flip-flops so much...

is because he's a Mormon. Sorry, there's no other way to say it. But the fact of the matter is that the LDS church has changed their doctrines so many times that one would be hard-pressed to predict what they will believe ten years from now.

FACT: There have been over 3,000 changes made to the Book of Mormon. Is that important? You bet it is. Listen to what Mormon elders had to say about it (via McGregor Ministries):

"Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon into English through the gift and power of God. He said that it is "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4:461)." (Gospel Principles, 1979, p. 50)

If this was the "most correct book " ever, then why the changes? If this book was dictated to Joseph Smith by GOD Himself, then wouldn't it have been perfect forever?

Add to that the LDS' "flip-flops" on polygamy (see here and here), the ability of blacks to be priests, and just who GOD really is, and you can see why someone who comes out of the organization is so "flip-floppy."

FACT: Mitt Romney, until just a few years ago, believed that abortion was "OK." If he's a true Mormon, how could he have held that position? Very easily. Read on (via Mormon Research Ministries):

John Taylor, the third prophet of the LDS Church, strongly condemned those who provided abortions by calling them "murderers and murderesses." In this sermon given in 1881, Taylor said such people will "go to perdition" (Journal of Discourses 22:230).

Three years later George Q. Cannon said that abortionists "will be damned with the deepest damnation; because it is the damnation of shedding innocent blood, for which there is no forgiveness" (Journal of Discourses 26:14-15)

However, in the 1990's, LDS leadership said this:

In a general conference address given in October of 1998, LDS President Gordon Hinckley took the opportunity to speak on the LDS Church's position on abortion. Hinckley noted that, in 1995, abortions in the United States numbered 1.2 million. He then asked, "What has happened to our regard for human life?" (Ensign, 11/98, p.71). His language is noteworthy since he acknowledged that those killed by abortion were indeed "human." "There is no greater miracle than the creation of human life," he said.

While recognizing that abortion is an "ugly thing" that causes "remorse, sorrow and regret," President Hinckley went on to say, "While we denounce it, we make allowance in such circumstances as when pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, when the life or health of the mother is judged by competent medical authority to be in serious jeopardy, or when the fetus is known by competent medical authority to have serious defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth."

President Hinckley said those who face such a question should "pray in great earnestness, receiving a confirmation through prayer before proceeding." Unless the purpose of praying is meant to lead the individual to the prophet's position, I ask, "why would prayer be necessary?" How trustworthy could this "personal revelation" be if it contradicts the guidelines set forth by the prophet?

These have been the official LDS positions on abortion. They have changed like almost every other Mormon doctrine. And just like their poster boy Mitt.

FACT: The whole "Battlefield Earth" thing notwithstanding, Romney chose the Bible as his favorite book (stating the the L. Ron Hubbard drivel was his favorite novel. Whatever). This was also an intersting choice. You'd think that, as a Mormon, he waould have chosen that other famous work of fiction, The Book of Mormon. Especially since the Bible isn't even the favorite book for the LDS church to use (via On Doctrine):

"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God" [Emphasis added. —Ed.]
—LDS Prophet Joseph Smith, Pearl of Great Price, p. 60, 1842.
Articles of Faith, No. 8.
As quoted in The Truth, http://www.mormonism-web.com, "Mormonism: Ignoring God's Word?"

"I know the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated corectly—because the Book of Mormon is true." [Emphasis added. —Ed.]
—Of the First Council of the Seventy, Bruce R. McConkie, Improvement Era, June 1968, vol. 71, no. 6, p. 48

"As far as it is translated correctly." In other words, the parts where it doesn't match up with whatever mood that the "prophet and president" happens to be in that day--that's the parts that are wrong.

Now you can see why I don't trust Romney as far as I can throw him. If I had to, I guess I could hold my nose and put a paper bag over my head and pull the lever for him. But I sure wouldn't want to have to.

PS--If you want to see what a wonderful guy that Brigham Young was, check out the movie "September Dawn", coming out June 22. Go Cougs!!

PS--For a good illustration of the differences between Mormons and Christians, Independent Conservative has a link to CARM, showing the differences in terminology.