LDS Political Neutrality

[_floatingboy]

http://newsroom.LDS.org/official-statem ... neutrality

Nothing particularly new. Just found some of the wording interesting to allow for things like Prop 8. I'd be curious to hear details from those who know about Utah state and Salt Lake City politics and the Church's involvement or lack thereof.

[_MrFffish]

I as well am confused with these issues regarding prop 8 and even more recently with immigration. By no means am I an historian but I wonder how many rules and principles the LDS Church has came from lessons learned in the past. Back in the day the haters were amuck, especially in the south with regards to slavery. Some members were even ex'ed for taking a political role and mixing the church in with it. Such as W.W. Phelps and printing propaganda for the abolitionists. Early on for their safety, I believe,the church needed to claim neutrality.

Today the church still does not endorse a person or party. But issues are a different story. The issues today are same sex marriage and immigration. But this is not new, decades ago the church was infected with the Red Scare and before that it was prohibition. In these cases the church did encourage its members to take a particular stance with these issues.

But encouragement is all it is. I can vote however I want when it comes to same sex marriage or not at all, and it wont effect my standing the church. However I have heard that the church dug around in peeps tithing records in order to hit up faithful well to do members is Cali... and I think that is a jacked up thing to do, and crosses a line to be sure.

[_The Nehor]

But encouragement is all it is. I can vote however I want when it comes to same sex marriage or not at all, and it wont effect my standing the church. However I have heard that the church dug around in peeps tithing records in order to hit up faithful well to do members is Cali... and I think that is a jacked up thing to do, and crosses a line to be sure.

Not true from what I know of the process. What happened was a Seventy called the Stake Presidents and asked for a list of those in their stake that they believed could spare without severe discomfort somewhere between 50 and 100 grand (I'm going off memory here; amount could be different). Stake Presidents know who the faithful wealthy in the stake are (without consulting tithing records) and provided the list and the Seventy called. The call was a no-pressure request.

[_harmony]

. What happened was a Seventy called the Stake Presidents and asked for a list of those in their stake that they believed could spare without severe discomfort somewhere between 50 and 100 grand (I'm going off memory here; amount could be different). Stake Presidents know who the faithful wealthy in the stake are (without consulting tithing records) and provided the list and the Seventy called. The call was a no-pressure request.

The call to whom?

[_moksha]

The Church has announced its political neutrality many times before.

[_beefcalf]

On the eve of an important election concerning gay marriage, in 2008 If I recall correctly, I remember being summoned to the Stake Center, along with everyone else in the stake. There, we sat in a darkened chapel/cultural hall, watching a live satellite video feed of Elder Boyd K. Packer (and a woman, if memory serves, but who's name escapes me).

In an unscripted chat session of sorts, Elder Packer went on and on about defending true marriage from the threat of gay marriage. My recollection is somewhat hazy, but I remember thinking that it's a very good thing they have prepared talks and teleprompters in general conference, because, as an extemporaneous speaker, Elder Packer was dismally boring.

This was smack dab in the middle of my first full year of research and discovery about church history that had thus far escaped my notice. (I believe I have an undiagnosed condition which is essentially narcolepsy, but which is only triggered when gospel doctrine teachers and general conference speakers mention 'seer stones', 'blood-atonement' and 'the polyandrous brides of Joseph Smi......." zzzzzz... SEE!)

Anyway, I came away from that meeting with a bad taste in my mouth, and a realization that 'LDS Political Neutrality' was as ephemeral as the benefits of a priesthood blessing.

[_bcspace]

I as well am confused with these issues regarding prop 8 and even more recently with immigration.

As you can see from the publication, the Church does not involve itself with political parties and candidates. It says nothing about getting involved with issues from time to time.

Anyway, I came away from that meeting with a bad taste in my mouth, and a realization that 'LDS Political Neutrality' was as ephemeral as the benefits of a priesthood blessing.

The Gospel itself is quite conservative with no room whatsoever for left-wing philosophy.

[_Morley]

....I believe I have an undiagnosed condition which is essentially narcolepsy, but which is only triggered when gospel doctrine teachers and general conference speakers mention 'seer stones', 'blood-atonement' and 'the polyandrous brides of Joseph Smi......." zzzzzz... SEE!)

Emphasis mine.

You can wake up now. Gospel doctrine teachers and general conference speakers never mention the polyandrous wives of Joseph Smith. You have to come here for that.

[_3sheets2thewind]

The Gospel itself is quite conservative with no room whatsoever for left-wing philosophy.

what is "left-wing philosophy"

[_Morley]

The Gospel itself is quite conservative with no room whatsoever for left-wing philosophy.

what is "left-wing philosophy"

Democracy.