Romney on Sundays

From NYTimes, Romney’s participation in the Mormon service:

A campaign aide points out that Gov. Romney uses his iPad to read scriptures, which could explain why he glanced down at his lap a couple time during the service. (It’s true that there are a number of apps that contain a complete compilation of Mormon scripture, including the New and Old Testaments, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. But your pooler wasn’t close enough to see what he was looking at.)

The final speaker at the sacrament meeting (that’s the name of the first hour of Mormon services), was an older gentleman who also belonged to the Marriott family named Richard. He said he’d been coming up to Wolfeboro every summer for 70 years. He mostly told stories about his time summers spent here, and how he’s seen the Mormon congregation change over the years.

Romney and his wife continued to pay attention, looking away only to occasionally entertain one of their grandchildren. When the speaker finished, the congregation sang the hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” which is about turning to Jesus to resist temptation, and find peace amid trials. Romney sang along intently. A woman then gave the closing prayer, asking for God’s guidance throughout the rest of the day. When the prayer ended, Romney wiped his eyes, and then stood to shake hands with a man he appeared to know. (Pooler wasn’t close enough to see whether he was emotional, but he was smiling when he greeted his acquaintance.)

The congregation didn’t seem particularly star-struck by Romney’s presence, and no mention was made of it throughout the service. The pool was then ushered out, and informed that Gov. Romney would be attending Sunday School after the meeting, which was not open to press. We’re currently holding in a van in the church parking lot.