My 15 Minutes of Fame

(Not the photo in the paper- just the "Lucky" Pink Sweater I wore.....)
Yesterday, March 25, I, yes me, Shauna Hostetler of Wellington, FL, was on the front page of the Sunday edition of The Palm Beach Post Newspaper. I was featured in an article about how Mitt Romney's Presidential bid affects the Mormon Community. All things considered, the article was positive. He used about 1 inth of what we discussed for over an hour.

I was very hesitant to do the interview, I did not want to appear as the "voice" for the LDS (Mormon) Community in my area. I was somewhat familiar with the reporter who did the story, which gave me confidence that he would slant the story in the direction he told me he was going (he did). Whew.

Before I consented to an interview, I told him my parameters:

• I did not in any way want to participate in an article that could be interpreted as my endorsement of a Political Candidate or Party


• I did not want to be the only Mormon person featured in the article


• I would not participate in an expose article on my religion or any other religion.

Those parameters were met and off we went. I did not know I would be the only person photographed and to top it off-- on the front page for a feature Sunday article. As you can imagine, my phone rang a lot yesterday and today every place I went the article was discussed. The Gym I exercise at has it posted up on the front bulletin board with a "way to go" note. (Please...)

I told the reporter that assuming Mitt automatically had my vote as a Mormon was like assuming that every woman would vote for Hillary and that every black person would vote for Obama.

I explained my Church's stance on Political neutrality and the counsel members receive to study the issues and candidates and then vote our conscience and that no candidate will receive an endorsement from Church Leaders

I also told him that I was not aware of the religion of any other candidate and that Americans could very well miss having the most qualified person in the White house if they cannot get past religion, race, or gender issues.

The only US Presidents I recall knowing their religion are JFK, a Catholic ( I was too young, but history tells me) and Jimmy Carter, a Baptist. We discussed a lot of the "dark age" concepts that people associate with Mormons and why. I told him the media does a fine job of still linking us to Polygamy when they broadcast every story about Warren Jeffs in front of the Salt Lake Mormon Temple, perpetuating confusion and causing people to not trust when I or any other member tell them-NO my religion does not practice polygamy.

I told him the one thing I would want people to know is that I am a Christian and that my life is centered around Jesus Christ and his teachings. I told him to look at the fruits of practicing Mormons and he would see Christianity at it's best. I am more concerned that people know this about me than that I don't practice polygamy.

The topics we discussed were extensive, yet very little was quoted or used. I won't fill any more space with what we covered. I am just soooooo happy the interview and the publication is In my rear view mirror!

I did not have to get in to the fact that I have known Mitt and his family for years. They are delightful people. He is brilliant at many levels. The issues and debates will prove to make the next year and a half very interesting or very long--depending on your perspective.