General Authority Political Parties

[WalkerW]

Despite the thread title, I don't want this to become a political forum. No mudslinging. Your personal political convictions are irrelevant.

I'm simply looking for information regarding the political parties of General Authorities. I prefer apostles, but seventy work too.

Post the ones you know and if possible provide the reference material.

[volgadon]

I'm really curious as to what party Pres. Uchtdorf espouses, if any. My wife and sis have both spoken with him but (surprise, surprise) politics never came up.

[BCSpace]

For the most part, such information doesn't seem to be available though I did find this interesting site:

http://gapages.com/

[Nathair/|\]

-------------Reed Smoot and J. Golden Kimball were in different parties. One time, J. Golden walked into one of Elder Smoot's meetings by mistake and was asked to give the prayer. He replied, "I'd just as soon the Lord not know I'm here."

[urroner]

Marlin K. Jensen is a Democrat.

James E. Faust was a Democrat.

[Messenger]

I ran accross this PDF document while doing a web search. Its pretty eye opening and points out some of the leader's views as far as political affinity. Here are some information about it.

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Source: http://www.nd.edu/~dcampbe4/DRY%20KINDLING.pdf

Ezra Taft Benson - Conservative Republican

Hugh B. Brown - Democrat

"One clear indication of the current political homogeneity among Mormons is that church leaders, echoing times past, have expressed concern about it. Just as LDS leaders took steps to counter the political homogeneity of Mormons in the 1890s, the 1990s also saw public encouragement of more bipartisanship. In a 1998 interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, Marlin K. Jensen, an LDS Church leader and a Democrat, spoke candidly about the church leadership’s desire for greater political diversity among Mormons. In referring to a letter released by LDS Church leaders encouraging greater political involvement among their members, Jensen remarked:

One of the things that prompted this discussion . . . was the regret that’s felt about the decline of the Democratic Party and the notion that may prevail in some areas that you can’t be a good Mormon and a good Democrat at the same time...So I think that it would be a very healthy thing for the church – particularly the Utah church – if that notion could be obliterated. . . I think we regret more than anything that there would become a church party and a non-church party. That would be the last thing we would want to have happen (Salt Lake Tribune 1998

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The whole PDF is pretty interesting.

[CV75]

Despite the thread title, I don't want this to become a political forum. No mudslinging. Your personal political convictions are irrelevant.

I'm simply looking for information regarding the political parties of General Authorities. I prefer apostles, but seventy work too.

Post the ones you know and if possible provide the reference material.

This reports how some are purportedly to have registered in 2003. I don't want to put the lik up because there is a comments section that would make the post political. But as public information it can be obtained quite straightforwardly:

Provided on November 25, 2003 by the Election Clerks of Davis and Salt Lake Counties in Utah. See photos of GA's home by scrolling down.

ORDER: Name Calling County Party Affiliation

Gordon B Hinckley Prophet Seer and Revelator Salt Lake None Thomas S Monson 1st Counselor 1st Pres Salt Lake Republican James E Faust 2nd Counselor 1st Pres Salt Lake None Boyd K Packer Acting Pres of the 12 Salt Lake None L Tom Perry Apostle Salt Lake Republican Russell M Nelson Apostle Salt Lake None Dallin H Oaks Apostle Salt Lake Republican M Russell Ballard Apostle Salt Lake None Joseph B Wirthlin Apostle Salt Lake None Richard G Scott Apostle Salt Lake None Robert D Hales Apostle Salt Lake Not registered Jeffrey R Holland Apostle Salt Lake Republican Henry B Eyring Apostle Davis Republican Eldred G Smith Church Patriarch Salt Lake None H David Burton Presiding Bishop Salt Lake Republican Cecil O Samuelson BYU President Salt Lake None Sheri Dew Pres Deseret Book Salt Lake Republican

[BCSpace]

One of the things that prompted this discussion . . . was the regret that’s felt about the decline of the Democratic Party and the notion that may prevail in some areas that you can’t be a good Mormon and a good Democrat at the same time...So I think that it would be a very healthy thing for the church – particularly the Utah church – if that notion could be obliterated. . . I think we regret more than anything that there would become a church party and a non-church party. That would be the last thing we would want to have happen (Salt Lake Tribune 1998

Well, the two main parties used to be fairly open to a wide spectrum of positions. But that has changed as people have, by and large, separated out into different camps. For the last 20 plus years, it has been quite reasonable and logical to note that only one party maintained values and psoitions consistent with the Gospel and the other party has gone contrary to the Gospel is almost every way. But it is no suprise that the Church would would want LDS candidates in both parties. Ostensibly, it would mean that no matter your vote, a person upholding LDS values would be elected. That has not be possible for a very long time now and I predict, if both parties survive that long, it will remain that way till the Second Comming.

The bottom line is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a great divider (according to the scriptures) and only unites those of like mind. The tares are also to grow with the wheat and that is why you don't see membership status being determined by political party, yet.

[Deborah]

Hugh B. Brown was a Democrat.

[Jeff K.]

Guessing, I would say Uchtdorf would nominally be with Merkels party the Christian Socialists. But that is a guess at best.

[volgadon]

Guessing, I would say Uchtdorf would nominally be with Merkels party the Christian Socialists. But that is a guess at best.

That would be my guess as well, but you never can tell with these things.

[Gohan]

I don't remember how much it contains, but for what its worth, Presidents and Prophets by Michael Winder talks about political affiliation for at least a couple GAs.

[frankenstein]

The bottom line is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a great divider (according to the scriptures) and only unites those of like mind. The tares are also to grow with the wheat and that is why you don't see membership status being determined by political party, yet.

Stand on my right hand and be counted among the righteous thou good and faithful republican; to the LDS Democrats He shall depart from ye wicked and abominable ....Nope US Political party affiliation is not what God is the how God will Judge.

And it is interesting that you would make a statement that contradicting the Apostle you quoted. You make politics a zero sum game for every LDS member of the United States. I wager the Apostle is the one LDS Americans should follow.

[Jeff K.]

Political parties fall on too many sides, and there is good or ill from all political parties, none can be said to be of God, and none can be said be empty of God's goodness. One if forced to pick one's poison.

[DH]

For the last 20 plus years, it has been quite reasonable and logical to note that only one party maintained values and psoitions consistent with the Gospel and the other party has gone contrary to the Gospel is almost every way.

Really? And which one is which?

The bottom line is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a great divider (according to the scriptures) and only unites those of like mind. The tares are also to grow with the wheat and that is why you don't see membership status being determined by political party, yet.

Again, really? I see the Gospel of Jesus Christ as quite the opposite--the great uniter. In fact, I thought the whole idea was at-one-ment. It is people, not the Gospel, who insist on letting their differences divide them.

[Sky]

Well, the two main parties used to be fairly open to a wide spectrum of positions. But that has changed as people have, by and large, separated out into different camps. For the last 20 plus years, it has been quite reasonable and logical to note that only one party maintained values and psoitions consistent with the Gospel and the other party has gone contrary to the Gospel is almost every way.

Let me wager a guess of which one you think is which…the Republican Party is the one that has maintained values and positions consistent with the Gospel and the Democratic Party is the one that has gone contrary to the Gospel in almost every way. How predictable.

[WalkerW]

Stop.

No more questions or subtle comments about the gospel validity of American political parties.

I simply want the political affiliations of GAs if you know them or know of sources to find the information. If you don't, then your comments serve no real purpose in this thread.

Thanks.

[BCSpace]

Hate to use an antiMormon site as a reference, but here is an interesting chart:

Official Voter Registration Information of General Authorities

Provided on November 25, 2003 by the Election Clerks of Davis and Salt Lake Counties in Utah.

Name Calling County Affiliation

Gordon B Hinckley Prophet Seer and Revelator Salt Lake None

Thomas S Monson 1st Counselor 1st Pres Salt Lake Republican

James E Faust 2nd Counselor 1st Pres Salt Lake None

Boyd K Packer Acting Pres of the 12 Salt Lake None

L Tom Perry Apostle Salt Lake Republican

Russell M Nelson Apostle Salt Lake None

Dallin H Oaks Apostle Salt Lake Republican

M Russell Ballard Apostle Salt Lake None

Joseph B Wirthlin Apostle Salt Lake None

Richard G Scott Apostle Salt Lake None

Robert D Hales Apostle Salt Lake Not registered

Jeffrey R Holland Apostle Salt Lake Republican

Henry B Eyring Apostle Davis Republican

Eldred G Smith Church Patriarch Salt Lake None

H David Burton Presiding Bishop Salt Lake Republican

Cecil O Samuelson BYU President Salt Lake None

Sheri Dew Pres Deseret Book Salt Lake Republican

Edit: The chart is spread out in neat columns when I edit it, but posting seems to destroy it.

Perhaps what it does show at least is that the information you seek is publically available and how you might obtain it. Of course it does not necessarily say anything about the political views/affiliations/tendencies of those not registered as anything.

You might also be interested in the local political parties that dominated 19th century Utah:

"Mormon People's Party"

"Gentile Liberal Party"

[Alan]

Guessing, I would say Uchtdorf would nominally be with Merkels party the Christian Socialists. But that is a guess at best.

There is no such party in Germany. I think you mean the Christian Democrats (CDU). The other main parties are the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Liberal Democrats (FPD). As well, of course, as the Greens.

My view is that if Pres. Uchtdorf has a preference it would be for the CDU. However, German politics is not as polarised as in the US so he is just as likely to vote one way in one national election, another in the next, and another way in local elections. Remember as well that Germany operates a proportional representation voting system, which can further complicate matters.

Elder David Baxter of the First Quorum of the Seventy is a member of the British Conservative Party.

[Doctor Steuss]

[...] Robert D Hales Apostle Salt Lake Not registered

Does this mean not registered to vote?

[Jeff K.]

There is no such party in Germany. I think you mean the Christian Democrats (CDU). The other main parties are the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Liberal Democrats (FPD). As well, of course, as the Greens.

My view is that if Pres. Uchtdorf has a preference it would be for the CDU. However, German politics is not as polarised as in the US so he is just as likely to vote one way in one national election, another in the next, and another way in local elections. Remember as well that Germany operates a proportional representation voting system, which can further complicate matters.

Elder David Baxter of the First Quorum of the Seventy is a member of the British Conservative Party.

You are right, should have said Christian Democrats, I was thinking they were all Socialists at the time, and so conflated the name.

It can be pretty polarizing, among those in the Berlin and Brandenburg where my family lives.

[jadams_4242]

Marlin K. Jensen is a Democrat.

James E. Faust was a Democrat.

so its evident the really smart ones are democrats...

[CV75]

Does this mean not registered to vote?

I don't know -- but I think this website can be used to find how anyone is currently registered: http://www.canivote.org/

[Doctor Steuss]

I don't know -- but I think this website can be used to find how anyone is currently registered: http://www.canivote.org/

Thank you.

Unable to connect to the database. Please contact your county clerk or try again later.

Gulldernit.

[CV75]

Gulldernit.

I suggest you disguise your voice like Julia Childs when you call.