all-encompassingly

This article was recently submitted to all-encompassingly for publication. It is one of a series of informational posts intended to address widely-held misconceptions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. –Admin

Mormons, as individuals, are very interested in the political world. As an early Mormon leader put it 1896, “We cannot as a people close our eyes or our ears to that which is going on around us.” Mormons are constantly encouraged to vote and to be active in their communities, including politics. Each one of us it part of the world around us, and each one of us is responsible for what happens in the world. However, although Mormons are encouraged to participate in politics, the Mormon Church has no official political stance, nor does it encourage its members to vote for particular candidates or along certain party lines.

Although many believe the Mormon Church to secretly endorse the Republican Party, such beliefs are false. In the political scene in the United States today, there are prominent Mormon political leaders of both the Republican and Democratic Party, and it is clear that these leaders differ drastically on pressing political matters. Despite their differing political views, these leaders can be in good standing with the Church.

Official Mormon doctrine comes from the First Presidency of the Church, the Mormon prophet and his two counselors. Statements from the First Presidency regarding politics have come over time, and all have had the same message: members should vote, but we do not tell you how. Here are some examples:

1910: We claim no authority, and have no desire, to use the power of the Priesthood which we hold, to dictate or compel any member of the Church, or other human being, to unite with or oppose any political party or faction . . .

1963: We believe in a two-party system, and all our members are perfectly free to support the party of their choice.

1988: We have no candidates for political office and we do not undertake to tell people how to vote.

This position is still true today. Gordon B. Hinckley, the current President and Prophet of the Mormons, has stated on several occasions, that Mormons “believe in the separation of Church and state. The Church does not endorse any political party or any political candidate, nor does it permit the use of its buildings and facilities for political purposes.”

Even a Mormon candidate for public office would not be endorsed by the Mormon Church. Like any Mormon, a candidate’s political choices are his or her own. Since the Mormon Church takes so few stances on any political selections, Mormons as individuals, or as public representatives, are free to vote as they believe best.

Although in general, the Mormon Church will not take a political stand, there is one exception to this rule: if the political question is a moral one, the Church does speak out. This is also stated by President Hinckley: “We become involved in politics only when there is a moral issue at stake.” The most prominent moral issue over the past few years has had to do with same-sex marriages, but other moral issues that have arisen include alcohol, gambling, and other similar things. Although the First Presidency officially endorses a certain stance in these moral issues, no test exists to ensure a member votes that way. People do not get excommunicated from the Church or have restricted privileges because of the way they vote, nor are they ever asked if or how they voted—even in situations when the leadership of the Mormon Church advocated a certain stance.

It is common to see individual Mormons supporting certain stances in politics. This is good, as Mormons should always be aware of the world around them and be involved in the political scene, like any citizen of the United States should. Just remember that when they do this, they do so as individuals, not as representatives of the Mormon Church.