After a comment that Mitt Romney took as an assault on his Latter-day Saint beliefs, Al Sharpton has apologized to church leaders and members.

During an interview with talk show host Glenn Beck on Thursday, Sharpton apologized to members of the LDS Church.

"If my words could have been construed in any way that would hurt a regular Mormon, I apologize to them," Sharpton said. "The politics with Mitt Romney is a different thing."

Sharpton said later in the show that he called Romney's camp, but that was unconfirmed.

Sharpton also told Beck he called leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to apologize.

Church spokesman Scott Trotter said Sharpton called the church at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday. Sharpton spoke with two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Russell M. Nelson and Henry B. Eyring, and apologized for his remarks.

"We appreciate his phone call, and we consider the matter closed," Trotter said.

Sharpton also told Beck he planned to meet with church leaders. Trotter said Sharpton was in talks with church leadership to set up a meeting.

"Mr. Sharpton and church leaders are looking at possible dates for a meeting, but nothing is imminent. It won't happen next week, but they are looking at dates," Trotter said.

After Sharpton said in a debate Monday that "those of us who believe in God" will defeat Romney in the presidential race, Romney denounced Sharpton's words Wednesday saying they could be construed as bigoted, reported the Associated Press.

Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at blusk@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.