LDS, evangelicals share political aims and 'restorationism'

Scholar calls Christians, Mormons GOP's 'twin pillars'

Published: Wednesday, July 25 2012 11:51 p.m. MDT

Summary

Referring to white evangelical Christians and Mormons as "the twin pillars of the GOP," author and scholar Mark R. Silk told some 300 Sunstone Symposium attendees that although the two groups are often at odds theologically, their members both tend to embrace a political ideology he called "restorationism."

With the philosophical viewpoint that "both the cause of truth and the society of the Saints are best served by free and open exploration and discussion," topics covered during the first day of symposium sessions included "When One Spouse Experiences a Change in Beliefs: Strengthening Your Marriage Through Shared Vulnerability," "The Bottom Line on Integrity – Or, Is Lying Sometimes the Right Thing For an Honest Person to Do?" "Addiction: A Gospel Perspective," "Talks With Heavenly Mother" and "Yes, It Has Happened! LDS + ACLU Lawsuits and How They've Expanded Civil Liberties for All Americans."

Upcoming sessions during the four-day symposium will include, "J. Golden Kimball: Missionary Father," "A New Social and Political Movement Grounded in Mormon Sensibilities," "The Health Care Crisis: A Gospel Perspective," "My Agnostic Testimony: Why Leaving the Church Was Right For Me," "Exercising Dominion: Section 121 and the Abuse of Power," "Occupy Zarahemla," "Finding Your Mormon Shaman" and "Mormons and the FBI."

Email: jwalker@desnews.com

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Esquire

Springville, UT

So LDS is now synonymous with GOP. This doesn't concern church leadership? It should.

4:09 a.m. July 26, 2012
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Esquire

Springville, UT

SME, it is widely acknowledged that both parties have actually moved rightward. The GOP is very far from where it was even under Reagan. Does this mean the church is an extremist religion? Your argument is a worn out partisan rationalization.

8:06 a.m. July 26, 2012
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SME

Bountiful, UT

The reason few LDS folks vote for the democratic party is not due to changes among LDS values. It is due to changes in the values of the democratic party. It is apparent who left who.

7:18 a.m. July 26, 2012
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