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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Utah Lawmaker Says Good LDS Church Members Can't Be Democrats
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- An LDS lawmaker in Utah has caused a controversy by
claiming that it is not possible to be a good Mormon and a Democrat. Bill
Wright, a member of the Utah House of Representatives who is running for a
seat in the Utah Senate, made his comments in a recent column in the Payson,
Utah Chronicle, soon after the LDS Church released its regular letter
affirming the Church's political neutrality.
Wright's comments came in the paper's point-counterpoint feature, in
response to Democrats citing Elder Marlin K. Jensen's 1998 interview on
being Mormon and Democrat and President Hinckley's comments at the National
Press Club earlier this year that "good Mormons can be Democrats." Among
those listening to President Hinckley's comments was active LDS Church
member and Democratic Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.
Wright claims that the agenda of the Democratic party are simply
incompatible with LDS beliefs, "The issue is whether faithful members can in
good conscience support the official tenets and substantiated agenda of the
Democratic party," Wright said in the column. "The answer, of course, is
NO." He also wrote in another column, "While the LDS Church officially
allows its members to support the Democratic Party and carry a Temple
recommend, that alone does not suggest Church endorsement of Democratic
ideals."
But under criticism, Wright claimed that his comments were in reaction to
Democrats writing in the same feature and citing the comments of Elder
Jensen and President Hinckley, "They were telling everybody they should be
Democrats -- they were the ones touting the Church," Wright said.
Ironically, Wright's comments came just day's after the LDS Church sent a
letter dated October 4th to local bishops and branch presidents to be read
in sacrament meeting. The letter reaffirmed the Church's political
neutrality in most cases. "We reaffirm the Church's long-standing policy of
political neutrality. The Church does not endorse any political party,
political platform, or candidate." The letter also prohibits the use of
Church resources for political purposes and says that Church members and
leaders shouldn't indicate that any candidate represents the Church or has
Church endorsement.
The Church's letter also urges Church members to "study the issues and
candidates carefully and prayerfully," and encourages members to serve in
public offices as circumstances permit.
Sources:
A SMALL TENT: Lawmaker Says No Room for Demos in LDS
Salt Lake Tribune 27Oct00 T2
By Greg Burton: Salt Lake Tribune
and
First Presidency Reaffirms Political Neutrality
LDS Church Press Release 23Oct00 T1
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