It is well-known that politics can be divisive. This is especially true in our current climate of distrust, class division, and demonization of political opponents.
In LDS Church meetings the general understanding is “We shouldn’t discuss politics in Church.” This frequently heard statement is based on a vague sense of an actual Church policy (which, frankly, most have never read). Here is one line from what is actually a detailed and comprehensive statement that every Church member should read:
Political choices and affiliations should not be the subject of any teachings or advocating in Church settings.
– General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The problem is that, at least in Utah (and probably the entire Western US) Republican (and FauxNews) memes are so deeply ingrained into the mindsets of so many Church members, this Church policy is OFTEN violated out of plain, blind, ignorance.
The Democrat in the room
We should never assert that a faithful Latter-day Saint cannot belong to a particular party or vote for a particular candidate.
Dallin H. Oaks
As an active, committed, idealistic, LDS Democrat, it can be difficult for me to sit through Church meetings in which complex social, economic, scientific, medical, and political issues are reduced to slogans and earnestly proclaimed (either from the podium or from the back of the room) in simplistic, moralistic, self-righteous, (and often factually inaccurate) language.
A lesson in church goes astray
Let me give an example: In a recent Elder’s Quorum meeting that I attended, the lesson was based on Elder Dale G. Renlund’s General Conference talk “A Framework for Personal Revelation” (October 2022). In a Church that believes not only in living prophets, but that God can and does speak to us individually, this talk was a delightful and encouraging reminder of God’s love for us.
Yet, during the course of the lesson, the Instructor tossed in a comment about people who “choose to be gay.” He stated that that “choice” was clearly “against revelation and the scriptures.” He seemed to believe that his radical, uninformed, non-scriptural, political opinion was obvious and non-controversial – and that naturally everyone in the room agreed with him.
Latter, in the same lesson, he brought up the issue of parents who had questioned the appropriateness of LDS Bishops asking young women, in personal interviews, questions about their sexuality. His implication was that those parents were not listening to the true spirit of revelation because they dared to question a Church procedure.
He seemed to be completely oblivious to the possibility that those parents might have a real reason for their concern, and the possibility that some bishops may have, indeed, taken their “worthiness” questioning beyond the prescribed questions they are supposed to use in such interviews. In a single lesson, the class Instructor had twice injected his personal political viewpoint into a Church setting.
Don’t let violations slide by without speaking up
What is one to do when witnessing a clear violation of Church policy in a Church classroom? It is especially difficult when you are possibly the only one in the class who was offended — or even noticed the infraction.
After the class, I asked the Elder’s Quorum President for a brief, private, meeting. Fortunately I have an existing, long-term, friendship with him so that part was not uncomfortable. We stepped into the Ward Clerk’s tiny office and shut the door.
I told him of my concern and he agreed with me that those two issues should not have been brought up in class. At the very least, we agreed, they had nothing to do with the topic of the lesson. The Quorum President also agreed with me that the Instructor had over-simplified two complex issues that he seemed to know nothing about. He said he would talk to the Instructor about those concerns.
There will always be politics in Church
Although I believe the intention is good, I believe the mandate to “avoid discussing politics in Church” does not solve the real problem. I have seen that, in practice, Republicans usually get away with saying anything they want in church meetings while Democrats, when they object, are then accused of being “divisive” and “bringing politics into Church.”
I also believe it is technically impossible, indeed undesirable, to avoid all discussions of political issues in Church. Every human interaction is, in a sense, political. The Church is in the business of helping people improve their lives. That mission cannot help but be “political” at times.
We can, and should, avoid speaking in church on behalf of present-day political candidates and political parties. But the scriptures are full of political stories, characters, situations, and advice.
The Book of Mormon, in particular, is full of political advice which we, as Latter-day Saints, understand to have been written specifically to warn people living in todays’ world. Surely we should be discussing these teachings in church meetings? (Though I find that many Church instructors seem to avoid the more challenging verses of scripture).
Open hearts and open minds
People seem to have lost the ability to listen to politely, and discuss calmly, points of view they may disagree with (or are simply unfamiliar with). People cling to their current beliefs (including their current ignorance) out of a need for security and stability.
Rather than bravely and openly exploring differing viewpoints as a way to learn and grow (and perhaps occasionally even change our minds), we, like ancient Israel, choose to close our ears and harden our hearts.
And he said: Go and tell this people—Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.
2 Nephi 16:9-10
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed.
A fearful, closed-minded, obstinate, and self-righteous attitude is not consistent with the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are expected to be humble and to diligently seek ever greater truth. We are not supposed to cling defensively to past understandings (and misunderstandings). We are supposed to look and move forward – not backward. Remember the story of Lot’s wife!
Father Abraham is a great example here:
And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge…
Abraham 1:2
And the Apostle Paul encouraged church members to never stop learning and growing:
Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;…
JST, Hebrews 6:1
The real issue
To me, the critical problem isn’t that sometimes political issues come up in church discussions. The problem is that too many members of the Church seem unwilling to hear, consider, and discuss supposedly “political” or “controversial” (or “complex”) topics in a civil manner. Too many members of the Church cling stubbornly (though often unwittingly) to ideas and slogans that have been “planted” into their brains by professional propagandists in the media and online.
In my view, the ultimate solution to the social and political problems of the world is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, we cannot make much progress toward the goal of improving the world as long as the majority of the members of the Church continue to worship the twin Gods of power and gain and continue to support the anti-Christ that is Donald J. Trump.
By discouraging political discussions in church meetings (unlike almost every other Christian church in the United States), I worry that we may be providing cover for right-wing authoritarians in the Church to assume they have the Church’s blessing, avoid self-examination and repentance, and continue their enthusiastic support of the rising fascism in America (and the world).
Those who want to preserve an open, honest, reality-based, democracy (and not just Democrats) need to speak up more often — sometimes even in Church!
Sources:
Richard Edelman, “Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Distrust,” Edelman, January 18, 2022.
Peggy Fletcher Stack, “Keep politics out of church meetings, updated handbook tells Latter-day Saints,” Salt Lake Tribune, August 9, 2021.
Cassidy Wixom, “Where is the Church on political neutrality?” The Daily Universe, March 30, 2021.
Authors Note:
I believe every member of the Church should read section 38.8.30 of the Church Handbook entitled “Political and Civic Activity.” Send this link to every Republican you know!
Search “Fruit Heights and political parties.” Most of our population is LDS, but not all. We manage to promote mostly peaceful political dialog, in part, because our parties are 1. Pinecone and 2. Sagebrush on a local level.
I’ve seen this time and time again in the ward I belong to: “in practice, Republicans usually get away with saying anything they want in church meetings while Democrats, when they object, are then accused of being “divisive” and “bringing politics into Church.”
I also get greeted at church by some member of a bishopric or presidency with “here’s the democrat” or some other “kidding” remark. I’ve let them know I don’t appreciate it but it doesn’t seem to stop so I basically have stopped going. The sad thing is no one seems to have noticed and no one has come looking for me.
Another thing to consider is; if all things were created spiritually before they were created physically, then do our politics reflect our spirituality. You can’t have a political belief without first having had a spiritual reason for believing it. This is where the problem comes in and that is that many of our political beliefs are at odds with our spiritual beliefs.