Fellow Mormons Praise Romney as a Caring Friend

Members of Mitt Romney's church warmly presented the GOP presidential candidate as a compassionate man who lives his Mormon faith of service.

The former Massachusetts governor is the first Mormon presidential candidate on a major party ticket.

Romney was a bishop in the Boston suburb of Belmont, a job akin to the pastor of a congregation.

An assistant back then, Grant Bennett, told Republican delegates at the GOP convention that Romney had "a listening ear and a helping hand." He said Romney devoted as many as 20 hours a week at his own expense.

A couple, Ted and Pat Oparowski, recalled how Romney helped their dying son write his will. And Pam Finlayson remembered Romney stroking the back of her prematurely born daughter during a hospital visit and bringing over Thanksgiving dinner.