 Olin Thomas |
| Affirmation CalendarJanuary 25-29 Creating Change Conference in Baltimore January 28 February 3-4 March 10-11 June 1-3 July 25-28 October 19-21 |
by Olin Thomas, Affirmation Executive Secretary
23 January 2012
The South Carolina primaries this week and the subsequent media coverage has reminded me of one of the things I was taught by the LDS Church in which I saw great wisdom and remember to this day: that the Church was political neutral, never supporting specific candidates nor platforms. In fact, a statement of political neutrality is currently posted on LDS.org, stating just that. I read the full statement and, as best my memory serves, was what I recall being taught back in the 1980s while I was fully active. However, the statement also reads: “[the Church] reserves the right as an institution to address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church.”
We have seen efforts by the Church, over the years, to do just that, especially in regards to marriage equality. Is it possible for an organization to be truly neutral on a platform, yet take a stand on an issue? This matter is further complicated by the fact that many of the issues that are viewed as affecting the Church do end up in the platforms of the main two political parties as opposing views, so it is completely obvious which party “agrees” with the Church and which affects its interests negatively. King Solomon himself would have trouble finding a way to express such a view and remain neutral. I wonder what we can reasonably expect from the Church – our Church or any Church – in the political arena?
I would offer this advise: that everyone, Mormon and non-Mormon, read the Statement of Political Neutrality and reflect on it. There would be no better outcome that could be expected than full adherence to the sentiments expressed in that short letter. I quote again from it: “The Church does encourage its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections. [It does] expect its members to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.” The only problem I see with the Church position is in deciding what constitutes an issue that affects the interests of the Church or has moral consequences, rather than being a matter of partisan politics. It is often assumed, by political observers, that “Mormons” will vote in lock step with a Church position.
We need to remind them and everyone, though our words and actions, that the Church position is actually for citizens to make their own informed decisions. We should phrase our commentary in ways that emphasizes the issue not the politics. In describing how decisions can impact others, we can encourage compassion rather than rigid orthodoxy. I was always taught in Church to think for myself and pray for my own guidance. I hope now that all voters will do just that.
It is conceivable that the United States of America may elect a Mormon as President in the next election. Should this happen, it would be quite a milestone in tolerance for the American people. That not everyone who is Mormon will be glad to see that outcome is natural too. If we get a President Romney in 2013, I would also encourage him to read again the neutrality statement. I would especially remind him of this passage from it: “Elected officials who are Latter-day Saints make their own decisions and may not necessarily be in agreement with one another or even with a publicly stated Church position. While the Church may communicate its views to them, as it may to any other elected official, it recognizes that these officials still must make their own choices based on their best judgment and with consideration of the constituencies whom they were elected to represent.” We must ever remind our political leaders that we are their constituents and let them know our needs and desires. We must be informed and participate in the electoral process. And we should expect the Church to adhere to its own policy of political neutrality. It is actually a pretty good policy.