Patriotism vs. nationalism

In Jared Page's article "Do LDS patriots shun protest?" (Oct. 7), Brian Birch says that "patriotism likely prevents more members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from speaking out against the Bush administration."

It is my observation that most members of the LDS Church confuse patriotism with nationalism. A patriot loves his land and his people. A nationalist loves his government. The patriot voluntarily does what is necessary to protect his land and his people. A nationalist blindly obeys his government.

A. Taylor Gifford

Sandy