Why I have chosen to become a Utah Democrat.
Mormon AND Democrat?
I have fielded many questions from friends and others who have questioned my decision to become a Utah Democrat. It began one cold day in January when I was feeling particularly disillusioned with the current political climate in Utah. I decided to research the platforms of both the Utah County Republicans and the Utah County Democrats. What I found is that the Utah County Democratic Platform is pro-life and that it more closely aligned with my views on the issues. I challenge everyone to read it.
While religion and politics should not be mixed I feel that I have to address this next issue. There have been those in Utah County who have managed to convince many members of the LDS faith that the Republican Party is the party of the church. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In 1998 the First Presidency issued the following in a statement:
“Thus, we strongly urge men and women to be willing to serve on school boards, city and county councils and commissions, state legislatures, and other high offices of either election or appointment, including involvement in the political party of their choice.
“While the Church does not endorse political candidates, platforms, or parties, members are counseled to study the candidates carefully and vote for those individuals they believe will act with integrity and in ways conducive to good communities and good government. Hence, political candidates are asked not to imply that their candidacy is endorsed by the Church or its leaders." (First Presidency Urges Citizen Participation,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 77)
Shortly after that, Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the First Quorum of Seventy was authorized to be interviewed by the SL Tribune. Here is a portion of that interview:
(SL Tribune, May 3, 1998, "GOP Dominance Troubles Church).
Tribune: What is the attitude of church leaders toward the lingering sentiment among some Mormons apparently stemming back to comments made by former LDS President Ezra Taft Benson that it is difficult to be a good LDS member and a Democrat?
Elder Jensen: “I do not know about the authenticity of his statement. But, taking it for a true statement, that may be something you would want to verify. I don't know that this (recent First Presidency) statement was issued at all with reference to that statement. But I think I could safely say that one of the things that prompted this discussion in the first place was the regret that's felt about the decline of the Democratic Party and the notion that may prevail in some areas that you can't be a good Mormon and a good Democrat at the same time. There have been some awfully good men and women who have, I think, been both and are both today. So I think it would be a very healthy thing for the church, particularly the Utah church, if that notion could be obliterated. You think about what would have to happen to accomplish that. I think it would take the individual action of some good people. The other day when we were talking about this I remembered my favorite song Stout Hearted Men. ‘Give me 10 men who are stout hearted men, who will fight for the rights they adore. Give me 10 who are stout hearted men and I will soon give you 10,000 more.’ I think if there would be just a few good men come forward, and women, in Utah as Democrats who would run for high profile office that would begin turning this tide. And in the beginning maybe the messengers would be a lot more important than the message, if we just had good, credible people who would do that.”
The following is from an 1891 letter written by the First Presidency headed by Wilford Woodruff:
"The more evenly balanced the parties become the safer it will be for us [Mormons] 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."
I believe that this unhealthy situation, with one party overwhelmingly in the majority, has been realized by modern Utah Mormons. I hope to help the legislature achieve a better balance that will be better for Utah. It takes a "stout heart" to put your name on a ballot and and run for office, so I suppose I could be considered a "stout hearted" woman.
For a more in-depth overview of why I have chosen to become a Utah County Democrat, please visit my blog entry entitled "Why Democrat?"
Last updated by admin on 9/19/2008