Romney's Mormon Church fiercely attacked California's LGBT community with support of Prop 8.

[HereSince1628]

18. I don't see any reason why LDS political and corporate activity shouldn't be available to criticism

I do think that politically motivated criticism of the LDS should be targeted at the political positions and activity of the LDS rather than broad condemnations of mormons and their religious tenets.

What many people do not realize that the LDS church is a multi-billion dollar financial entity, estimated by Time magazine to have assets greater than 30 billion in the early 2000's. That value is mostly a guess because the LDS haven't opened up their financial records for public view in 50 years.

Mormons have a long history of activity as big business and it hasn't always been pretty.

Back in the trust-busting days of the 1890s. They were seen as price fixers in the US beet sugar industry, and their interests there were broken up on the basis of anti-trust. What can certainly be said about the corporate aspect of the LDS is that it isn't protected religious activity. LDS's known significant holdings include

AgReserves Inc. maybe the largest producer of nuts in America,

Hawaii Reserves, Inc. -including the Polynesian Cultural Center claimed by the LDS to be the leading paid visitor attraction in Hawaii

Their Farmland Reserve Inc. - include 228,000 acres in Nebraska, 51,600 acres in Osage County, Oklahoma. Their holdings of over 312,000 acres in Florida (Deseret Cattle and Citrus) make them the largest landholder in Florida. Collectively LDS cattle operations make them the largest cow-calf operators in the US.

Bonneville International Corporation is the 14th largest radio chain in the U.S.

Beneficial Financial Group - An insurance and financial services company with assets of $3.1 billion.[31]

They control the 2nd largest newspaper in the state of Utah.

It should be readily apparent that that just like other corporate leaders LDS leaders have tremendous interest in influencing local, state and federal government bodies that regulate their business activities. As very large landowners they have local, and regional interests in land development, use and environmental policy.

If you dislike Mormon political activity, apply the old saw "follow the money." Their corporate interests are the place to watch them carefully. Keeping a wary eye on them is just as important, and appropriate, as keeping a wary eye on JP Morgan, or Koch Industries. Scrutiny of their use of economic power and influence for political purpose that further their own financial interests is certainly valid.