Lds Church Leaders' Political Affiliations

[Sky]

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

Top Mormon church posts dominated by registered Republicans

I'm not sure what is to be gained from this article, other than to further validate the political views of the vast majority of Latter-day Saints, and to further alienate those in the faith that don't share those views.

Is it possible to fully sustain the Brethren while having a different political philosophy? Is the Church's political neutrality statement to be believed, or is it starting to ring increasingly hollow?

[BCSpace]

Is it possible to fully sustain the Brethren while having a different political philosophy? Is the Church's political neutrality statement to be believed, or is it starting to ring increasingly hollow?

It's a grievous error to think that the Church's political neutrality is some sort of spiritual license to believe and practice other than what the Church teaches. They are actually setting a very good example by the look of it.

Edited December 6, 2012 by BCSpace

[Sky]

It's a grievous error to think that the Church's political neutrality is some sort of spiritual license to believe and practice other than what the Church teaches. They are actually setting a very good example by the look of it.

So in other words, vote Republican. Got it. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Duncan]

I think it's interesting for those who are unaffliliated, like why they aren't with anyone

[Paddy]

I am wondering if outside of the US those political distinctions are redundant.?? I not sure that living the gospel conforms to any political ideology. Could be wrong??

Paddy

[Duncan]

I am wondering if outside of the US those political distinctions are redundant.?? I not sure that living the gospel conforms to any political ideology. Could be wrong??

Paddy

I live outside the US and I couldn't tell you the diff between a republican and a democrat and frankly the political affliation of the Q12 and 1st Pres. is noteworthy but ultimately ah, so what

[Paddy]

I live outside the US and I couldn't tell you the diff between a republican and a democrat and frankly the political affliation of the Q12 and 1st Pres. is noteworthy but ultimately ah, so what

Agreed.

I see the church's statement on political neutrality exactly as exactly that - living that gospel has no parrallel in the worldwide political spectrum.

[BlueDreams]

duplicate

Edited December 6, 2012 by BlueDreams

[BlueDreams]

Is it possible to fully sustain the Brethren while having a different political philosophy? Is the Church's political neutrality statement to be believed, or is it starting to ring increasingly hollow?

Purely anecdotal and poorly documented info: When I was taking a government class, a number of guest speakers would come to discuss various government topics. One of them was a democrat official of some importance that I couldn't tell you about now (it was a GE course during my 1st senior year....guess how well I paid attention?). Anyways, the man told a story about meeting with a couple of apostles. A fellow repub chair something or another had listed the pragmatic benefits for switching parties (despite the hype, in UT diffs between a repub and democrat are not that astoundingly large, so it was a feasible option...that's right, I went there). He mentioned that in passing and they told him surprisingly adamantly that he shouldn't; that they needed good members in various parties, not just one.

Again: anecdotal, purely 100%. Bout as sketchy as me drawing with my left foot, but whenever I hear that, his story always comes to mind.

The other one entails my mission. Before it, I was adamant about politics and social issues. It was, by far, my favorite thing to talk about. And the white handbook was pretty clear: no discussion about politics, etc. Since it was my favorite topic and a weakness, I made it my top rule that I would never brake. Amazing thing happened: It became so less important, there were so much more important things in life than whether some leaned right or left or below or whatever of center. Especially when concerned with the Gospel. So yeah, it's still politically neutral. Christ could care less about their party affiliation. Doesn't tell ya didly about the state of one's heart and soul. Certainly hasn't correlated much with mine.

So no, it doesn't make it more hollow. Surprise, surprise a faith with a predominant U.S. population that leans republican happens to have a good number of top LDS (U.S citz) leaders that also lean republican. I doubt it's causative in the way the article suggests. It's more a case of likely sampling. All it shows is that a group predominantly a certain way have similar leaders. That's not exactly mind-boggling.

With luv,

BD

Edited December 6, 2012 by BlueDreams

[Storm Rider]

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

Top Mormon church posts dominated by registered Republicans

I'm not sure what is to be gained from this article, other than to further validate the political views of the vast majority of Latter-day Saints, and to further alienate those in the faith that don't share those views.

Is it possible to fully sustain the Brethren while having a different political philosophy? Is the Church's political neutrality statement to be believed, or is it starting to ring increasingly hollow?

You obviously have political preferences; can you be trusted to be neutral in any discussion, conversation, etc.? Should we assume that anyone with a political party affiliation is completely without ability to be objective and that everyone with a declared affiliation is necessarily a shill? Can I sustain you as a brother and sister in Christ if your thoughts do not align completely with my own? Does it matter that a leader of any organization has a different historical background, or different experiences, different philosophies than what I possess? Should we institute a test for all leaders to ensure that they think identically to ourselves and if not refuse to sustain them when they are presented to the congregation? I hope some of these questions demonstrate how completely hollow your above position is.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Storm Rider

[Erin15]

Is it possible to fully sustain the Brethren while having a different political philosophy?

Like everything, it all comes down to priorities. Each person must decide for themselves if their first priority is to the gospel, or if it is to their political views. Are you a democrat/republican first, or a disciple first?

For some people it can be an elusive question to introspect, but our actions make it abundantly clear where our priorities lie, because occasionally the gospel and our political views collide, and when they do, we show our true colors by choosing the one that is truly the most precious to us.

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters..."

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

http://grooveshark.c...at/31uaFp?src=5 Edited December 6, 2012 by JeremyOrbe-Smith

[cesc101]

I live outside the US and I couldn't tell you the diff between a republican and a democrat and frankly the political affliation of the Q12 and 1st Pres. is noteworthy but ultimately ah, so what

Amen!

[DavidB]

It's a grievous error to think that the Church's political neutrality is some sort of spiritual license to believe and practice other than what the Church teaches. They are actually setting a very good example by the look of it.

So what you are saying is that a member may be in good standing with God and the Church while being a democrat who actively supports democrats for public office.

[cesc101]

So what you are saying is that a member may be in good standing with God and the Church while being a democrat who actively supports democrats for public office.

since when did political affiliations determine worthiness?

[bcuzbcuz]

It's a grievous error to think that the Church's political neutrality is some sort of spiritual license to believe and practice other than what the Church teaches. They are actually setting a very good example by the look of it.

You should know that people who live outside the US but have a fair knowledge of American politics see the two American parties, Democrat and Republican, as virtually the same party merely fronted by different people. Tweedledee and Tweedledum. In a double blind taste test you couldn't tell the difference.

[sheilauk]

You should know that I live outside the USA and I think I have a good grasp of american politics as well as those of my country and I am well aware of the differences between the Republican and Democrat parties (just as I know those of the parties in my country), do not think that they are virtually the same party and certainly do not think that they are led by "tweedledum and tweedledee" (and I am also familiar with Lewis Carroll). I also know a few friends who I think would say the same as myself. I won't presume to speak for everyone else outside of the USA. Also, imo, consensus is not necessarily a problem. And again, consensus on certain issues does not mean consensus on all issues. If they were virtually the same, there might be more stability and less animosity.

[KevinG]

The Gospel of Jesus Christ encourages us to love others. Despite the political rhetoric both Democrat and Republican Mormons in the US surely agree over that core principle. The difference is their opinions of how involved the government should be in that care vs. depending on the private sector and individuals to do it. Neither side is more or less qualified to judge the best approach to carrying out that mission in the larger community.

I know fine Saints who are both Democrat, Republican and Independent. Given the role of the LDS Church in community and individual charity it does not surprise me that the leadership leans towards less government. Given our moral position on marriage and media it does not surprise me that the leadership leans Republican. However trying to read more than general reasons into the trend will invariably lead to failed attempts at mind reading. It also does not surprise me that there are faithful and sound minded Democrats among the church membership and leaders.

What is MOST IMPORTANT is not their politics but the crucial and character revealing choice of aligning with BYU or UofU football. That is the significant difference.

[CV75]

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

Top Mormon church posts dominated by registered Republicans

I'm not sure what is to be gained from this article, other than to further validate the political views of the vast majority of Latter-day Saints, and to further alienate those in the faith that don't share those views.

Is it possible to fully sustain the Brethren while having a different political philosophy? Is the Church's political neutrality statement to be believed, or is it starting to ring increasingly hollow?

Saints of any political persuasion can be confident that top Mormon posts are dominated (if that's even a good term for it) by the Lord.

Of course it is possible to fully sustain the Brethren while having a different political philosphy--those who are registered are only registered to a political party. Plus I think they are more multi-facteted, well-rounded and inspired individuals than to allow their politics to inform their spiritual leadership.

[Buzzard]

Prior to statehood, LDS voted as a bloc, if I remember, their political party was called "The Peoples Party". One condition for statehood was the dissolution of this party. I have read accounts of bishops telling their ward members that those on the left side of the aisle in the chapel should vote Democratic in the next election, those on the right should vote Republican. Things seem to have changed a bit since then.

[thesometimesaint]

I believe in the complete separation of Church and State. In Church life I am completely politically neutral and am just a humble follower of Christ. In my political life I support and vote for those whom I feel will do the best for my country regardless of political ideology.

[guerreiro9]

Should we assume that anyone with a political party affiliation is completely without ability to be objective and that everyone with a declared affiliation is necessarily a shill?

Yes

I am of course joking. The vast majority of people associated with the two dominant American political parties are rational, objective people, but boy do their leaders make them look bad.

- guerreiro9

[Duncan]

I believe in the complete separation of Church and State. In Church life I am completely politically neutral and am just a humble follower of Christ. In my political life I support and vote for those whom I feel will do the best for my country regardless of political ideology.

and that's why you're much loved!

[thesometimesaint]

[Storm Rider]

Prior to statehood, LDS voted as a bloc, if I remember, their political party was called "The Peoples Party". One condition for statehood was the dissolution of this party. I have read accounts of bishops telling their ward members that those on the left side of the aisle in the chapel should vote Democratic in the next election, those on the right should vote Republican. Things seem to have changed a bit since then.

Ah, yes, let's take a hearsay example about a group subset and then apply it to the whole group as if it were truth. I suspect you are just as objective with all other things in life? I have some beach front property in Nevada I want to sell you.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Storm Rider