For those who think being a Democrat and a member of the Church somehow conflicts, did you know Pres. James E. Faust was a democrat? I found this very interesting article in the Salt Lake Tribune:
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Bill Clinton's ascension to the White House in 1992 was a wake-up call to many Mormon leaders. Several of them, including then-LDS Apostle James E. Faust, agreed to meet with members of Utah's Democratic Party to discuss how best to maintain political ties with the new administration. The Mormons were concerned about being seen as a one-party church, tied too closely with Republicans, said Todd Taylor, a Democratic Party executive who was there. "They wanted to find better ways to get more Mormons involved in the Democratic Party." Faust, who had once been a Democratic state legislator, continued to serve as a kind of behind-the-scenes consultant, even after joining the LDS First Presidency in 1995. "Every once in a while, President Faust would quietly make calls, urging people to run, mostly to help the state have a healthy balance of political parties," said Taylor on Friday. "He would talk to any potential candidates who were concerned that their LDS Church callings would conflict with public service. He assured them they could do both," Taylor said. After all, Faust did. He was a Democratic state legislator from 1949 to 1951, while he was an LDS bishop. In the mid-1950s he chaired the party in Utah and helped manage a campaign of Sen Frank Moss, D-Utah. He looked to two other prominent Latter-day Saint Democrats - N. Eldon Tanner and Hugh B. Brown - as mentors. "I am a conservative on fiscal and property matters, and I am liberal in terms of human values and human rights," Faust told his biographer, James P. Bell. "I believe what it says in the Book of Mormon, that the Lord values all of his children equally - black and white, bond and free, male and female, Jew and gentile - and that the Lord likewise has compassion for the heathen." He went on to say that the LDS Church would prefer to have members in both parties. "Both locally and nationally, the interests of the church and its members are best served when we have two good men or women running on each ticket, and then no matter who is elected, we win," Faust told Bell, as reported in the 1999 volume, In the Strength of the Lord: The Life and Teachings of James E. Faust. |
A lot of the professors at BYU's law school are Democrats. And I understand why. I don't see any conflict. In fact, I can see the viewpoint that a state should not interfere with certain choices of a person. But I am unpersuaded regarding abortion (but for me, it's an issue of federalism).
I am not a fan of either political party. Both appear to be largely corrupt.
I don't think there is a litmus test per say in the church as to your politics. But I do think that we will have to answer for our beliefs to God regardless on which side of the aisle we are on.
I believe members of the Church who actively fight for more access to abortions, Legalizing Gay Marriage, and some other so called Liberal ideals are not on the Lord's side in these debates. But the truth is, that I am not the one who determines what the lord's side is.
Who's to say the Lord doesn't support abortion, or want homosexuals to have a form of Marriage?
I am sure there are so called Republican or Conservative ideals that the lord does not support.
My belief is that the Lord does not support Political Parties, but that he supports precepts. We as Members of the Church in the U.S. should look at the political parties and consider which one is the most similar to our beliefs and support that party. In other countries the same ideal should apply.
Rather off topic, but... I wish there was a true conservative party in the United States. The truth is our current system in the U.S. does not allow for a third Party (A third Party at this time has no chance in winning). Until then I will support the more conservative of the parties. |
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I believe members of the Church who actively fight for more access to abortions, Legalizing Gay Marriage, and some other so called Liberal ideals are not on the Lord's side in these debates. But the truth is, that I am not the one who determines what the lord's side is. |
Rather off topic, but... What is with the blue italicization of certain words? It's driving me nuts. |
Tortdog:
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There are many who argue that we should have the freedom to make the wrong choice, e.g., have an abortion, and that by taking that choice away by legislation we have instituted Satan's plan, I.e., I will MAKE them obey and ALL shall return. |
Rather off topic, but... If you take the time to read a little more about the Community and how it works, you will figure out the reason for the italicization. You sound like a pretty smart guy, I would hate to spoon feed you. |
What do you all think about the latest remarks of Reid?
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Reid speaks out against past Mormon leaders PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Mormons were ill-served by the conservative politics of past church leaders. The Nevada Democrat, who is Mormon, specifically named Ezra Taft Benson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 to May 1994 and U.S. agriculture secretary during the Eisenhower administration. "Members of the church are obedient and followers in the true sense of the word, but these people have taken members of the church down the path that is the wrong path," Reid told reporters Tuesday after speaking at church-owned Brigham Young University. Reid said he joined the church at age 19. "My faith and political beliefs are deeply intertwined. I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon, not in spite of it," he told more than 4,000 people at BYU's Marriott Center. The LDS religion is the dominant faith in Utah, the world headquarters of the LDS church. Utah also is among the most conservative states, regularly supporting Republican candidates for president. Vice President Dick Cheney gave the commencement speech last spring at BYU. The church said it does not endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms. Spokeswoman Kim Farah said the church had no comment on Reid's remarks. |
Harry Reid:
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Mormons were ill-served by the conservative politics of past church leaders. |
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"Members of the church are obedient and followers in the true sense of the word, but these people have taken members of the church down the path that is the wrong path," |
dbackers:
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I am wondering if Reid is talking about the things President Benson taught from the pulpit or strictly his politics? |