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From Elder Benson's talk Fourteen Fundamentals in following the prophet

ELDER Ezra Taft Benson
February 26, 1980

I believe the Prophet can and will sometimes involve himself in politics at times (I.e abortion, Same sex Marriage, Euthanasia, ERA) especially if that something conflicts with the teachings of the Church or the Government wants to make a fundamental change to societal norms.

As to the statements on Communism, consider the question from the Temple interview

Membership in the Communist Party is one of those groups that can possibly keep you out of the Temple today.

I am wondering if an affiliation with any group that holds teachings and practices that are those not accepted by the Church can affect Church membership (I.e. Political parties that support abortion on demand or Same sex Marriage)?

Democrat Mormon Democrat LDS

I am not sure. They allow Republicans to hold temple recommends. So I guess what would keep other political parties to hold them. Republican's ideas on war and the poor do not jive with Jesus' teachings. I think that it would be hard to hold one to objective standards to measure ones involvement with groups. Besides the question is answered by the person receiving the recommend, he is the person that seems to declare his worthiness, not the interviewer. As a side note, Sen. Harry Reid gave a speech at BYU the past week or so, as to why he is democrat. it was a good speech. he said something to the effect I am democrat because I am Mormon. I think that at times we allow our conversation of religious piety to be dictated by our political parties. Case in point the republican party has been doing it for years now with religion in the U.S. They have made the religious piety all about, Gays, abortion, prayer in school, sexual mores etc. you never see them talk about other religious matters like immorality of war, human rights, poverty and abuse to name a few. God is much bigger then our sexual immorality. That is not to say that Republican ideas of morality are not important, but they are not the only issues of the gospel. They have reduced the gospel to their political platform and duping Christians into thinking that its only in their agenda that supports the Christian gospel. Since when did God become pro-war and pro-rich? Since George W Bush won the White house. Democrats need to learn the language of religious people and win back their moral voters. This is happening, and the last election showed that, and 08 will help to swing that back to moderate America.

LDS Democrat - Mormon Democrat Studies Doctrine Mormon

There are good Republican's and Democrats and there are not so good Republicans and Democrats. Ultimately we will not be judged by what political parties we are a part of, but by the precepts that we choose to follow.

You are painting people (including myself) with a pretty big brush? President Benson was very conservative Republican, but he had a love for the poor and a desire to see the country well defended. Elder Hugh B. Brown was quite liberal in his Political views. These two apostles pretty much disagreed on most everything politically. This seems to show that there indeed is a diversity of political thinking in the church.

Page 11 Democrat Mormon Democrat LDS

As Hugh Nibley once said choosing between Democrats and Republicans is like choosing between cigarettes and cigars. I agree with that assessment. I think that there are good and bad Democrats and Republicans, and my comments about Republican views on poverty and war mongering differ from individuals. But as a party platform and policies there ideas on poverty and war do not jive with the Jesus' teachings. I never said anything about the individuals, I think you misquoted me out of context. This is not to say that their are republicans to do care about the poor and peace.

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I think it was good that the church held conservative "policies" (in general), especially during the 1960's.

I see this different. I see that is was a shame that we were not in the for front of civil rights. I would think that the Church of god would be in the front lines to bring justice to those who were oppressed. This is a subject that we still are hurting from.

I have to agree with harry Reid, I think that the church was ill served by the conservative politics of its leaders. But that is my opinion that I am sure many on this board do not share. All in all I agree that there needs to be political diversity in the church, but unfortunately there is very little of it, and when there is there are statements such as can a political party keep one from holding a temple recommend. Such statements imply that political diversity is only OK within the limited scope of those who hold power. It implies that one parties' diverse opinions and view may be against the "standard held by the church."
The example given that the communist party keeps one out of the temple. Why is that? I do not think a communist should not be banned from the temple. Where in scripture do we see that? If a communist member feels in his heart that what he believes will benefit his brothers and sisters, then how is his understanding and intent differ from a capitalist, who hoards mass amounts of riches for his gain and only gives 10% to help the poor? If you can defend a capitalist for doing what he feels is right then how can you deny a communist who feels the same thing?

Democrat Mormon Democrat LDS

I did not mention Democrat or Republican when I asked this question (it was a hypothetical, question not something that I actually believe in.)

That is of course your opinion and not necessarily that of the Savior's.

I think our disagreement is on who should be helping the poor. I have the belief that the main source of help for the poor should be Churches and individuals. This is a conservative and very respectful position. I am not sure of your own affiliation, but I am under the understanding that Liberals believe that it is more the Government's responsibility to help the poor and not as much private individuals. These are both ways of helping the poor and both have there place.

The Republican Party also is for helping the poor using the Government but at a different degree then Democrats (The Republicans want to spend slightly less then the Democrats). Neither Party has a monopoly on caring for the poor if measured by money spent. In fact there is really no difference in the parties when it come to helping the poor.

It is hard to judge political parties on their civil rights records.

From Conservatives Can Be Proud of Their Civil Rights Record

By John Fonte

The War is one thing I cannot comment on as I do not know what the Savior thinks about this particular War.

I just believe that God is neither a republican or a democrat. But he does want us to be politically involved, choosing leaders that we believe are more closely aligned with our own beliefs and standards. God leaves that up to us.

Rather off topic, but... As to the communist question, there must be a distinction between Socialism, with which the Church does not have an opinion on, and Communism. Parts of Communism in my opinion goes against everything that the Church stands for. I am starting a new thread that asks about the Communist Question and I would be very interested to discuss that with you.

LDS Democrat - Mormon Democrat

There is no right political cause in my mind. You just choose one that offers the best for your cause and hope that God takes over the rest. You can try to complicate the issue, but it's as simple as that.

LDS Democrat Mormon Democrat - Page 11

I agree I do not think the Jesus is neither Republican nor Democrat. I think both have certain aspects that the gospel does focus on. Its just that when it comes to poverty and the poor Republican's have a poor record. The civil rights quote above is moot point. In the mid-nineteenth century, Republicans were more liberal. The republican party today is far cry from what they were then. Most of those have moved to the democrat party. As mentioned above about Republican and the poor. where does it say in the scriptures that the government cannot be used to help the poor? No where as I recall. I do not know why we are so against that.

LDS Democrat Mormon Democrat Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 11

Their record, if we are talking strictly money spent is actually pretty "good", especially during the left leaning Bush administration (something that an "evil" Republican like myself has some disagreements with). I think Republicans however can do some good for the poor in that they do not want the poor to remain in poverty, they encourage people to move up the ladder (At least this is what this Republican wants).

If we are talking strictly results, the Democrats are not much better and sometimes worse at bringing people out of poverty then the Republicans. Many Urban areas that are and have been run by the Democratic leadership have been in Poverty for half a century. Is throwing more money on the problem helped the people in these areas? You cannot blame the Republicans for the poor conditions that these individuals live in since they have not been in control for years in those areas.

There needs to be a fundamental change in values of how we deal with poverty in America. I believe (and I think there is some scriptural basis for this belief) that we must first help a person live, and then try to give them the skills to live well. The Church welfare system works on helping someone with their immediate needs, while fostering teachings (self-reliance, hard work, thrift and industry) that can help them move out of difficult situations.

As for the Civil rights question Republicans are for Civil rights. They do have issues on defining Marriage as anything but a union between a man and a woman, and they believe that Quotas and Affirmative Action should not be as important as hiring a person strictly on qualifications. These ideals however do not mean that they do not want equality for all. I would prefer that we had a Color blind society, a idea that has been "Republican" for many years.

Clarence Thomas, Condolisa Rice, Colin Powell, Alberto Gonzalez, Martin Luther King.

They may not be the democrat's ideal minorities, but that is only because they are minority and Republican.


So I believe both parties have faults and strengths, that is why I believe the church has not supported one or the other.