"They have focused on just a few issues, flag-burning, gay marriage, abortion," Reid said. "The country has gone beyond that to other issues. We have a country that needs to do something about health care. Global warming is here. We have a president who doesn't know how to pronounce the words."

Reid also told reporters the Republican Party has been driven by evangelical Christians for 20 years. "They are the most anti-Christian people I can imagine, the people from the Christian far right."

Many LDS Church members turned to the Republican Party because the pro-life, traditional marriage platforms backed by evangelicals are similar to LDS Church positions. But, Reid said, his 25 years in Congress are proof that Mormons can be pro-life Democrats. He noted that American abortion law, in large part, has been settled by courts, not political parties, Congress or state legislatures.

Reid addressed his LDS faith, bearing testimony of his belief in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon and the prophethood of both church founder Joseph Smith and current LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.

He also described his and his family's faithfulness, noting his five children attended BYU and married in LDS temples. The three boys served LDS missions.

"Prayer has always been an important part of my adult life," he said.

He doesn't listen to church members who question his faithfulness, he told reporters. "I don't have to answer to any of them. When I go to get my (temple) recommend, they're never present."

The university's board of trustees invited Reid months before Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at BYU's April commencement exercises, which drew more than 20,000 people and several protests by students, veterans and others. Commencements often draw up to 20,000, while forums rarely crest 6,000.

BYU President Cecil Samuelson was the only LDS Church general authority on the stand Tuesday, but he said the university was "very pleased" to welcome Reid, and a church spokesman said LDS leaders hosted Reid at a dinner in Salt Lake City on Monday.

At the end of his speech, Reid earned a standing ovation from a small percentage of the crowd and applause from the rest.

"I was impressed with him," said Stacie Borneman, a 22-year-old political science major from Farmington who said she is a Republican. "I thought he did a good job expressing his feelings and our responsibility to serve in our communities. It's good to hear differing opinions and to be respectful, even if you don't agree politically, and he gave both sides of the issues he raised."

There were no organized protests of Reid's visit and no protest signs. One person did begin to walk out between the end of Reid's speech and the traditional closing prayer, shouting that students should not be deceived by Reid.

Reid encouraged students to get involved in public service, telling them the American dream is alive.

His father was a hard-rock miner. To make ends meet, his mother took in laundry from the town's 13 brothels.

"I learned in America, it doesn't matter the education of your parents, what their religion is or isn't, their social status — we had none — the color of their skin or their economic status.

"I am an example of this. If I made it, anyone can."

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com