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political party hopping

Election Day is a thing of the past, but politics is ever-present; as do persistent folk tales about late 19th-century Latter-day Saint leaders that led some members to join one party or another.

Independent research historian Ardis E. Parshall writes of him: “The oft-repeated story tells that leaders stood before congregations and ordered those sitting on the right to be Republicans and those on the left to be Democrats.” keepapitchinin.org blog. “There is no significant current evidence that confirms this myth, which frankly insults the intelligence and self-determination of any people – there is no clear mention in the ward minutes, there is no report of such divisions in the local newspapers. This also contradicts documentary evidence that Latter-day Saints, with few exceptions, were encouraged to follow their own political leanings.”

Parshall doubles down Tribune guest writerstates that it was just after 1890 Manifest (signaling the beginning of the end of polygamy), and before Utah achieved statehood in 1896, there was indeed a mass exodus of Latter-day Saints from one political party.

“The People’s Party (the party formed by church members in opposition to the non-Mormon Liberal Party) dissolved in June 1891.” Parshall writes“former members join Republicans or Democrats, depending on their preference.”

This practice largely continues to this day.

“Church leaders do not lead the flock to support any party or to withhold support from a particular party.” parshall states. “As in the past, they call on voters to carefully examine the candidates and issues and vote accordingly. What’s different now is the warning (Last year, from the ruling First Presidency) that voting according to ‘tradition’ or direct party support is ‘a threat to democracy.’

So, did you vote directly for the party this year?

Latest ‘Mormon Nation’ podcast: Rating ‘Heretic’

Is “heathen” anti-Mormon and anti-religion? Does the movie contain too much violence? Are trapped missionaries believable? What does the film get right and wrong about the church and proselytizers?

Our award-winning faith reporter Peggy Fletcher Heap and our long-time film critic Sean P. Meaning We present Hugh Grant’s thoughts on the new thriller.

Listen podcast.

Working on ‘Saints’ is history

The fourth and final volume of the official history of the church, “Saints: A Voice to Every Ear (1955-2020)” is now available.

This final chapter covers a series of milestones in the unfolding story of faith; Covid-19 pandemicend priesthood/temple ban Struggles against black members ended LGBTQ rightsand the church’s opposition to it Equal Rights Amendment.

But there are some notable omissions. Times and Seasons blogger Chad Nielsen, for example, points out that there is no mention of this sonia johnsonHis headline-making move for ERA; the Ordain Women movement; and now those thrown away exclusion policy against same-sex couples.

‘Chosen’ creator speaks at BYU

for him last address At church-owned Brigham Young University, the creator of the wildly successful Bible-based film series “The Chosen” chose an unlikely theme: failure.

After one of his films failed, a friend reminded Dallas Jenkins: The miracle of Jesus feeding 5,000 people. “Remember,” Jenkins was told, “it is not your job to feed 5,000 people; just to provide bread and fish.”

“Starting now, come to this place – actually this superpower – which comes from surrendering it to God.” Jenkins recommended. “It’s not your job to feed 5,000 people; only to provide bread and fish” and leave the rest to God Almighty.

From the Tribune

• Thanks to new designs on temple garments, faithful Latter-day Saint women can: wear sleeveless wedding dresses, sexier lingerie and more classic clothes. However, they will still face many wardrobe limitations.

• Of the church expanded full-time role options For single adult men and women aged 40 and over.

• Just hours after Kamala Harris’ concession, Church congratulated Donald Trump It’s about a presidential victory, unlike four years ago, when Trump refused to concede defeat and the faith’s traditional message came about six weeks after Election Day.

• When satanic panic swept Utah in the early 1980s, parents in the mountain town of Heber City later identified by The New York Times Consisting of “5,000 able-bodied Mormon citizens,” he attempted to root out the devil’s work at an after-school club for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. game, once ostracized by Latter-day SaintsHe turned 50 this year.

• With a Jewish quarterback leading the Cougars. Utah rabbis We became BYU football fans.

• A look into the past The Saint German Youth of Latter Days He became the youngest “resistance fighter” to oppose Hitler and be executed by the Nazis.

• The ongoing renovation of the iconic Salt Lake Temple has reached a new high: It’s in the works six towers finished.

In the ultimate puzzle challenge, more than 6,000 steeple stones were removed, catalogued, cleaned and returned to their original locations, re-strengthened to withstand earthquakes.

The overall reconstruction of the temple is expected to be completed in 2026.