Mormonism and Politics
-- hot topic this past presidential campaign!
Mormonism became highly published this past year due to the Mormon Mitt Romney running for U.S. President. Other than Joseph Smith campaigning for U.S. President, no other Mormon, or member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has run for this top political position.
Romney's presidential campaign brought more attention to Mormonism than Donny and Marie Osmond or the many times the Church comes to needed disaster aid around the world. I think that Mormonism was more looked into with Romney because the pursuit of U.S. presidency is more crucial to each individual than the other reasons Mormonism comes into media. With Mormon entertainers, people easily accept the person's talent for enjoyment; with disaster aid, people gratefully accept help freely given by Mormons; but for some reason, people scrutinize Mormonism when the Mormon is vying for a position of control and power, and ignore that it is also a position of service. Mormonism and service is a natural pair.
As far as church policy goes in Mormonism, each individual Church member is encouraged to study out the political issues and candidates and make their own decisions after pondering and even prayer. Members of the Church are encouraged to actively participate in local political issues and needs.
I personally know Mormon democrats who I consider upstanding citizens with high personal integrity. I vote for these individuals. More commonly Mormons take republican stances. I vote for republicans as well. I vote for the person and issues with whom I agree irregardless of political party.
We need to keep in mind that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is world-wide, therefore, members live within many different types of governments. Church policy is for members to be active in their governments and be obedient to the laws of the lands in which they live. So, while the U.S. was recently focused on Mormonism due to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, Mormons around the world care about their local governments and are encouraged to be a part of them.
As far as church policy goes in Mormonism, each individual Church member is encouraged to study out the political issues and candidates and make their own decisions after pondering and even prayer. Members of the Church are encouraged to actively participate in local political issues and needs.
I personally know Mormon democrats who I consider upstanding citizens with high personal integrity. I vote for these individuals. More commonly Mormons take republican stances. I vote for republicans as well. I vote for the person and issues with whom I agree irregardless of political party.
We need to keep in mind that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is world-wide, therefore, members live within many different types of governments. Church policy is for members to be active in their governments and be obedient to the laws of the lands in which they live. So, while the U.S. was recently focused on Mormonism due to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, Mormons around the world care about their local governments and are encouraged to be a part of them.
No comments:
Post a Comment