District 7 County Commission candidate Phil Smartt said a Facebook post by the campaign manager for Sabrena Turner that has a link to a Utube video of "Are Mormons Christians?" is "very offensive."
Mr. Smartt, who for many years was a Mormon bishop, said, "The name of my church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe that Jesus is the son of God, the Savior of the world, Salvation comes through him and he died for my sins . He is my great exemplar and teacher.
"For someone to call me a non-Christian is very offensive. I have served three missions, a total of seven years, for my church at my own time and expense proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world."
Mr. Mason in the post said, "Something to think about. Joseph Smith claimed that God and Jesus appeared to him and advised that Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists were all wrong and their beliefs were an abomination. How does this align with what the bible tells us?"
Mr. Mason said Friday afternoon, "The post on my personal FB was unrelated to Phil Smartt and was not politically motivated. His name was not mentioned in it at all. It was concerning my own Christian walk. Due to the large distraction it has created, I have removed the post."
Ms. Turner said she had not seen the post, but when she heard about it she asked Mr. Mason to remove it.
She said, "I am not the type of person to attack anyone's religion. I believe in freedom of religion."
Ms. Turner said she and Mr. Smartt had a cordial conversation and she apologized to him.