Is the Republican Party the "Mormon" Party?

[Original_Intentcaptain of 1,000]

If we are asking which party Mormons (in the U.S.) tend to vote, then obviously, Republican.

If we are asking which party Mormons (in the U.S.) SHOULD vote for, I think we might as well ask if Jesus was a Pharisee or Saducee.

Yes, one might be somewhat more correct (or somewhat less wrong), but I tend to think that the entire concept of political parties is a terrible one and has caused 99% of the problems. Every vote should be based on principle, not party. Identifying with and supporting a party blindly is the worst kind of mental and spiritual laziness. I don;t have time to look up the quotes right now, but I know at least some of the founders (it seems like George Washington) spoke at great length as to why political parties were a bad idea. And there is no question that whatever they started out as, they have now grown into being two sides of the same coin. So I think that one can certainly work within a party to try to uphold correct principles, but I feel that too many merely identify with and then defend the party line, without weighing the position against a higher standard - much like those who will support a candidate based on their common race, religion, etc.

[SpeedRacercaptain of 1,000]

If there were any hard principles in politics left I would agree with you. I am just doing my best to vote for the lesser of two evils. If 20% of us vote for the best candidate, the worst of two evils will win. That is my take.

[InfoWarrior82captain of 1,000]

If there were any hard principles in politics left I would agree with you. I am just doing my best to vote for the lesser of two evils. If 20% of us vote for the best candidate, the worst of two evils will win. That is my take.

Unfortunately, the "best chance to win" candidates are put forth by the establishment. It's a lose-lose situation no matter what you do. Except you'll know that you did the right thing if you voted for principle- and not vote for the lesser of two evils. Read my signature. Of course, your vote may not be counted by man, but it will be counted by God.

[SpeedRacercaptain of 1,000]

If there were any hard principles in politics left I would agree with you. I am just doing my best to vote for the lesser of two evils. If 20% of us vote for the best candidate, the worst of two evils will win. That is my take.

Unfortunately, the "best chance to win" candidates are put forth by the establishment. It's a lose-lose situation no matter what you do. Except you'll know that you did the right thing if you voted for principle- and not vote for the lesser of two evils. Read my signature. Of course, your vote may not be counted by man, but it will be counted by God.

That still comes down to philosophy. You feel by voting for exactly what you want you are doing the most good. I feel that by preventing greater evil I am doing the most good. That is why we have these lovely forums and all the philosophers of old. I do appreciate your POV.

[Original_Intentcaptain of 1,000]

If there were any hard principles in politics left I would agree with you. I am just doing my best to vote for the lesser of two evils. If 20% of us vote for the best candidate, the worst of two evils will win. That is my take.

Unfortunately, the "best chance to win" candidates are put forth by the establishment. It's a lose-lose situation no matter what you do. Except you'll know that you did the right thing if you voted for principle- and not vote for the lesser of two evils. Read my signature. Of course, your vote may not be counted by man, but it will be counted by God.

That still comes down to philosophy. You feel by voting for exactly what you want you are doing the most good. I feel that by preventing greater evil I am doing the most good. That is why we have these lovely forums and all the philosophers of old. I do appreciate your POV.

We do have prophetic counsel that spells out that we should not be voting lesser of two evils, I believe. But I understand where you are coming from.

ah here we go.

When I was at Ricks College in 1972, President Harold B. Lee came to talk to us in October, just before that years election. he talked about many things, then he talked about the election, America, etc., and said this: “Before you vote study out the candidates and the issues and make a decision as to who you want to vote for. Then, get down on your knees and pray for a confirmation that your decision is the correct one.” I have done this many times and as I have walked to the polls, actually changed my mind because of inspiration on who I would vote for.

Consider also, if you vote for what is correct principle, is your vote ever wasted? I remember when I was at Ricks College, President of the Student Senate. I was able travel to Salt Lake to meet with Pres. Ezra Taft Benson. …
…
At this time, as we were talking, President Benson interrupted me and said this: “Mike, if you vote for the lesser of two evils you are still voting for evil and you will be judged for it. You should always vote for the best possible candidate, whether they have a chance of winning or not, and then, even if the worst possible candidate wins, the Lord will bless our country more because more people were willing to stand up for what is right.“

Now this quote is anectdotal. I know there are similar sentiments expressed in more verifiable places. But ultimately, no matter who expressed it, you need to do what you feel inspired to do. Hopefully it is a matter that you will pray about if you haven't already.

Found the following in search of quotes. Not the prophet, but worth ten minutes. http://www.forensicscommunity.com/perfo ... rsuasive-0

[mes5464captain of 1,000]

I am in the vote on principle camp. I base that stand on the following:

D&C 98
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you afree, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

Constitutional law is justified by God. Anything more or less than constitutional law is evil. AND when the wicked rule the people mourn.

So

I can't support the lesser of two evils because evil is still evil. Winning isn't everything. Sometimes we have to die to seal our testimonies and sometimes we have to lose the election but KNOW that we voted on principle. I do not believe we will be justified in God's eyes for voting for the LESSER evil.

[lundbaekcaptain of 1,000]

I don't have much to contribute to this discussion, but I would like to express my support of those who put principle above expediency. Truth be known, there is possibly no current prospective presidential candidate who in total compliance with the Lord, but I'm confident I will be able to comfortably support and vote for one in the GOP primary and probably a different one in November, neither of which will stand a prayer's chance in hell of getting elected.

[wolfmancaptain of 100]

The U.S. Republican Party was formed in 1854 with the platform of abolishing the "Twin Relics of Barbarism: Slavery and Polygamy". 150+ years later, a majority of LDS Church members now support the party that was originally formed to destroy the church. Gotta love irony.

[Seek the Truthcaptain of 1,000]

There are talk-show hosts like Sean Hannity, who put as much faith in the Republican Party as we should put in God and His prophets, both ancient and modern. I want people to vote this November for the candidates whose positions are most in-line with the Constitution and the Prophets, regardless of party affiliation. Thank-You

How did that work out?

[Seek the Truthcaptain of 1,000]

I am in the vote on principle camp. I base that stand on the following:

D&C 98
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you afree, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

Constitutional law is justified by God. Anything more or less than constitutional law is evil. AND when the wicked rule the people mourn.

So

I can't support the lesser of two evils because evil is still evil. Winning isn't everything. Sometimes we have to die to seal our testimonies and sometimes we have to lose the election but KNOW that we voted on principle. I do not believe we will be justified in God's eyes for voting for the LESSER evil.

He who is without sin may cast the first stone.

[Benjamin_LKcaptain of 100]

The U.S. Republican Party was formed in 1854 with the platform of abolishing the "Twin Relics of Barbarism: Slavery and Polygamy". 150+ years later, a majority of LDS Church members now support the party that was originally formed to destroy the church. Gotta love irony.

Ironic, until I consider that the Democratic Party of the time, wasn't any more a friend of the church than the Republican Party was. James Buchanan. Does the name sound familiar? Does Buchanan's Blunder sound familiar too? What I am saying is that neither major political party is pro-Mormon, you always have to choose the best available option, however imperfect it is. Regarding parties, the religious right, who acts in its own paranoia about a "cult" that it vastly outnumbers and encourages similar paranoia against Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, and numerous others, pretty much runs the Republican Party, combined with the fact that the GOP has it's own share of scandalous politicians who approve and did little or nothing to stop unrighteous wars. Then there's the Democrats, who have the atheists, embrace things that are antithetical to our own doctrines, and who figure that by letting them go, the nation will be more free. Then the Democrats hypocritically embrace the same unconstitutional violence and deficit spending that they accuse the right of doing. There can be literally a novel written as to all the anti-church elements running both Major, and some third political parties, but that's a little long for a forum post. The real issue here is that both parties have their share of unwholesomeness to them, and honestly, we simply have to choose the best available candidate, regardless of political affiliation.