In Mormon-heavy Utah, is there only one way to think about politics? Now that Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, Jr. are running for president of the United States, I think it’s fair to discuss the circumstances surrounding Mormons and politics ideas. I’d like to know if there’s such as thing as Mormon political philosophy? Is there one true way for the one true religion to express itself philosophically and politically?
Of course, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is both clear and adamant that it does not endorse political candidates and that every member of the LDS Church is free to exercise their civic franchise how they see fit. But such reminders seem desperate when the obvious so often dangles in front of the spoken word. What’s obvious is that the LDS Church is value-driven; its doctrines have temporal as well as spiritual meanings, and it can get pretty confusing after a while.
For instance, what about gay rights? Should a good Mormon support a candidate who believes in gay rights? I, personally, don’t think so but my opinion pales in comparison to the LDS Church’s support for Salt Lake City’s two anti-discrimination ordinances. Jon Huntsman, Jr. supports gay rights and yet many conservative Mormons condemn him for that support. Are they saying the same about their own Church? Evidently, if by “gay rights” we mean treating people kindly, Mormons are in favor of them. If “gay rights” mean law to endorse or encourage sinful human behavior, Mormons are against them.
Or take Mitt Romney’s endorsement of ethanol subsidies. Most conservative Mormons appreciate the free market and oppose these sorts of agricultural subsidies and, I presume, would condemn Romney’s support of those subsidies. But it wasn’t so long ago that the LDS Church, itself owners of sugar processing plants, supported similar farm subsidies.
And let’s not even get into illegal immigration!
What’s a faithful Mormon to think? Well, here’s what I think. Politics is politics. Likewise, saving your Church from financial ruin during the very hard economic times of years past requires some creative thinking. Neither of which deserves anyone’s condemnation. But it does deserve proper discernment. And it doesn’t mean that anything goes. Being a faithful Mormon still means something these days – even in politics.
