As a general rule, when it comes to blogging, I like to leave the topics of religion and politics alone, probably because I don't feel especially learned on either subject. But election time is coming near, and like so many others of you out there, I've been feeling a bit more passionate about politics lately. I came across this article on Zina's blog a few years back. It's content has always stuck with me. I thought I'd pass it on, it might be of some interest to some of you, Mormons and non-Mormons alike. So, if you are still holding to some party line logic, here's a little something to help.
Why Mormons should vote Democratic
By Fred Voros
Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:10/28/2006 03:55:02 PM MDT
"Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major political parties," declared the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is certainly true of the Democratic Party.
Mormon descriptions of a just social order read like a Democratic manifesto. The Book of Mormon decries a society in which every man prospers according to his genius, and every man conquers according to his strength (Alma 30:17). It condemns those who ignore the plight of the hungry, needy, naked and sick (Mormon 8:39).
This brother's-keeper principle animates government programs pioneered by Democrats. In 1937, Franklin Delano Roosevelt saw "one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished" and acted.
LDS scripture warns incessantly against economic stratification: " . . . it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin" (D&C 49:20). Yet Republican tax cuts on one end of the economic spectrum and aid cuts on the other have widened the gap between rich and poor.
Thanks to our Republican Congress, the world lies a little more in sin.
LDS scripture also calls us to "renounce war and proclaim peace" (D&C 98:16), and condemns offensive wars (Alma 43:45-47; Mormon 3:8-16). Yet the Republican administration misled America into invading Iraq, a nation that had not even threatened the U.S. Nor does LDS teaching justify the administration's fall-back rationale that the invasion was justified by our attempt to impose democracy.
In 1942, Church President David O. McKay declared, "Nor is war justified in an attempt to enforce a new order of government . . . however better the government . . . may be.
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Astoundingly, the Republican Congress is borrowing money - from China, Saudi Arabia and federal trust funds - to cover the war, lavish tax cuts and their own profligate spending.
Even on abortion, the Democratic position is friendlier to LDS Church teachings. Mormonism does not teach that life begins at conception. President Gordon B. Hinckley declared that abortion inevitably brings "sorrow and regret."
Yet Church policy makes allowance where pregnancy results from rape or incest, where the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or where the fetus suffers from fatal defects. In such cases, Latter-day Saints are to consult with priesthood leaders and seek confirmation of their decision in prayer before proceeding.
The 2004 Democratic national platform says Democrats uphold Roe v. Wade; "strongly support family planning and adoption incentives"; and believe abortion "should be safe, legal and rare." This position grants Latter-day Saints freedom to follow the prophet.
The Republican position does not. The 2004 Republican platform declares that "the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed." In other words, it would prohibit all abortions. Consequently, a Latter-day Saint's decision to seek an abortion may be allowed by church policy, approved by priesthood leaders, confirmed by the Lord in prayer, but forbidden by the Republican Party.
We need both parties. As the First Presidency foresaw in 1891, "The more evenly balanced the parties become the safer it will be for us in the security of our liberties; and . . . our influence for good will be far greater than it possibly could be were either party overwhelmingly in the majority."
This will never be achieved in Utah, however, until Mormons see the light and vote their values. By which I mean, of course, vote Democratic.
* FRED VOROS is a lawyer living in Salt Lake City.
15 comments:
Thank you, I couldn't agree more. I'm tempted to steal this post too. Democrats have much more Christlike values, I don't understand how that's become so distorted.
I agree with everything in that article. Thanks for posting it.
Here are just a few random thoughts on this subject:
The election of a president is an event in which Latter-day Saints in America take great interest. They believe that theirs is a land “choice above all other lands,” that its Constitution is divinely inspired, and that the American nation has a special destiny. They are particularly concerned, therefore, that the electoral process bring to the highest office in the land wise men who support the principles of the Constitution, who are capable administrators, and who are known for their integrity and exemplary conduct.
Church members and leaders continue to be active in both political parties. Most prominent among them were Elder Ezra Taft Benson, an outspoken Republican, and Elder Hugh B. Brown, a Democrat, who in 1958 gave the keynote address in the state Democratic convention and who later became a counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.
Such diversity of political opinion has indeed set the tone for one important ideal that should characterize the thinking of all Church members, and that is, that men of good will can be unified in things religious while at the same time they may disagree in political philosophy without calling into question the loyalty, integrity, or faith of the other men. Church leaders have constantly set that example and have also publicly urged members to vote their own convictions.
I hope that we may all approach November prayerfully! - Best wishes
Great post!
Check out this blog (a lifetime Republican cousin of mine) http://paulamy.blogspot.com/2008/09/would-you-buy-this-t-shirt.html
He is voting for Obama this year. Great dialog, for a (welcome) change.
Geez....
Ok. I never comment on these things but here goes.
Democrats are more Christlike? I actually laughed out loud when I read that comment. Holy Toledo! It was one of those embarrassing snort laughs. Thats one sweet drop of comedic relief. Talk about naivete.
Heck, I'd take a red blooded kook like Ted-freaking-Nugent over Obama! http://www.tednugent.com/hunting/projects/manifesto/
But do you want the real deal? Check out my homeboy Alan Keys....http://www.americasrevival.com/ Now your talking baby. Thats presidential material. Go Alan.
Both sides of the article posted can be argued. Its almost funny. Complete touchy feely nonsense. Image E.T Benson stumping for the likes of Clinton or Obama. That though is almost as funny as the christlike comment.
The politic freak show as of current is laughable. For example: Obama. Are you serious? As the president? Really? Come on people. Flip that coin and....McCain, Seriuosly? "Maverick" Grandpappy John McCain? Its almost a joke, but not so funny as it is our president.
But to be real, the funniest bunch of all political varieties are Utah Valley Dems.....really.
Hey BB-I-L:
Bush as President? That will be a good laugh, hopefully. Comedy = Time + Tragedy.
The Christlike Republicans have had the last 8 years to foul up this glorious country and they've done a great job. Today your man Limbaugh (college drop out and typically arrogant and hypocritical "conservative") blamed Obama (top of his class Harvard grad) for the current mushrooming Wall Street fol-de-rol. What?! Again, blame the other guys...take no responsibility for what has gone Wrong.
There really isn't anything laughable about America's situation right now, domestically or internationally--'cept that some people don't want to be part of the solution.
Ding-ding. Round TWO
1. Sorry Noelle, didn't mean to stir the pot...
just thinking that we're getting the shaft on the candidate options this year. Dems do not have the answer.
2. Ok. Whoa there h-ster. Take 'er easy.
"Bush as President? That will be a good laugh, hopefully. Comedy = Time + Tragedy."
Ok, I missed the point on that one...about as clear as an Obama promise of "change".
However, my point was, well, multi-pointed.
Using phases like christlike and democrat (or republican for that matter) in the same phrase seems like something from a bad utah-valley- multi-level-noni-cure-all-hokus-pokus sales pitch. "Here america, drink some awesome obama juice. It will really 'change' stuff." Thats an argument for suckers. Christlike democrat? Say what? (also read: christlike republican say what? too)
Clinton, Bush 2, Carter, Gore, etc....all losers of different colors (some much more so than others, take your pick which)
In the end republican? democrat? Does it make a huge difference, NO. If you want change, its not going to come from either of the two flavors offered to you this year. Obama being the most laughable of the two in my opinion. Harvard grad or not, that means nothing. Seriously, I would still take your girl Hillary over McCain or Obama, at least you'd know what you were getting into. Right now its a "maverick" or "the change-meister".
Limbaugh?...what? who? I thought we we talking about candidates?
Utah valley dems = mormons trying hard to be different, stuck in zoobie land rock'n the sacrament meeting crazy train. Silliness.
b b-i-l
ps- H - i have great article from the leftists at adbusters that you'd like, about the failings of liberalism in america...get my email from thomas or brooks and i'll send it to you.
Wow, noelle-who knew ? Bad Brother in law is killing me-he sounds green with envy, laughing at the Utah Valley Dems! Guess he doesn't really take the time to get to know any personally-all the people I enjoy associating with, Democrat or Republican OR Independent can respectfully enjoy a political discussion. Looks like he needs some new friends or move to the fantasy land where everyone thinks like him. xo,
Steph
It's true I may be naive but at least I'm not that cynical yet.
The point I was inferring was that when it comes to things like say Human Rights, tolerance and rights of gays and immigrants, respect for natural resources, taking care of poor and less fortunate, I feel, the Democrats tend to have a more Christian position on these issues.
ol' Mitt thinks it's laughable to give some of the innocent men in Guantanamo Bay a right to a trial after 6 years, to my naive mind that doesn't seem very Christ like.
PS, I forgot a funny joke from SNL: Bad Bro in law needs to write his own blog called " This blog is so cool, I wish it didn't even have a Door!" Remember Will Ferrel on his scooter with the very tiny phone? I love that one. That's what BBL reminds me of!
Sebastian, Does that last comment even make sense? "stuck in zoobie land rock'n the sacrament meeting crazy train"
I agree with Steph... You need to get out more, meet some nice people, Listen to them... or move.
Hailey
Whoa-ho.
The gloves came off!
If you want the article LMK - sorry to be brusque previously, but it actually is pretty awesome.
At this point, I'm going to excuse myself and just ride off with Mr. Will Ferrel on the back of his scooter with my miniature cell phone.
Keeping my big mouth shut.
WOW, noelley, look what you started. It is interesting how fired up people can get about politics. WHO KNEW!?!?!?! I think it all came down to labels and our innate desire to NOT be associated with the OTHER, who ever the other might be. It seems as if any time someone wants to "relate" the other says, what, no, not me! I'm a....whatever. Drop the labels and listen to the issues people! This isn't a game, this isn't, an us versus them issue. What we need is to learn to work together and build on our common beliefs and ideals and embrace each other for our differences: If two people have the same opinion, one is unnecessary. (Stephen Covey)
Alright, alright that's enough...
Let me just clarify something here. I posted this article to get folks thinking.
Perhaps I should have stated this the first place.
The part of this article I identified with the most is what the author has to say about the topic of abortion. I don't appreciate Sarah Palin, chosen for what I believe are all the wrong reasons, marching in off the street with few qualifications, gun in hand. I especially don't like her stand on abortion. I like what the author expressed on this subject and I wanted to share.
Seb- in the end I agree with you when you say- how did we end up with these two as our presidential options? I always feel that way every time the election finally rolls around. But, nobody is perfect (especially when it comes to politics) and I suppose we vote our convictions and hope we made the right decision.
But, when it comes to the Republican party this election, I find it offensive that they would bring Palin in thinking it would draw more votes- male and female. And why? because she's pretty and a woman? It is degrading and insulting to men and women alike to assume we would make such an important decision based on qualities that don't matter in the least to the job of a vice president.
I probably I am more liberal than most of my neighbors here in Utah County, but that's OK with me. Kooky or not I like it here in Happy Valley.
Noellee, I loved reading your article, and I loved your girlfriends comments!! It is nice to know that there are church going Mormons that don't believe a Democrat is of the devil!! I liked all the comments (from the girls) but I thought Midge summed it up best!!!!
I don't get it with Palin either, what am I missing???
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