Deseret News | No protests expected during Reid's BYU visit

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No protests expected during Reid's BYU visit

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Spencer Peacock | 2:36 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Harry Reid wasn't appointed to the U.S. Senate by The First Presidency. Just because he doesn't fit the narrow perception most people have for how mormons should be doesn't give you right to criticize his religious conviction. We can't mix church and state. Thats why countries like Iraq,Israel and Palestine are so screwed. because they are so convicted to their beleifs they justify violence and are unable to see the other side of things.

to Mormon in California | 2:36 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

I guess I missed the memo when the first presidency declared democrats can't be Mormons. Oh wait, there never was one. I don't agree with Harry Reid and I'm not a democrat. However, making such a condemning statement about the man and his integrity is way beyond your authority for being in a bishopric (why did you even need to mention that). Perhaps if his Stake President and High Council feel that he has done something worthy of excommunication then you can accuse him of not being Mormon. Feel free to disagree with him all you want, but you don't have the authority to make an accusation as serious as "Harry Reid is no Mormon".

viperfan | 2:38 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

well , the comment i sent in early this morning is not here, was it to much truth about the reid? he is a disgrace to the l.d.s. church and to our country

Comments continue below

Just Wondering | 2:42 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

The SL Tribune quotes Reid as saying that Ezra Taft Benson was a right winger that took us down a wrong path. Would someone who actually attended the lecture enlighten me. Was this comment taken out of context or was Reid suggesting (as a good member of the church)that a prophet of God was taking us down a wrong path? Just wondering.

Trevor | 2:47 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

If Harry Ried is such a fan of Social Security maybe he should heed the council of late LDS Pres Ezra Taft Benson on the issue who said in very plain language that Social Security is unconstitutional.

utahkeith | 2:54 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Conservatives are not the cry babies that the Liberals were with the big uproar over over the vice presidents invitation to speak at last years graduation. That was a joke! I find it funny how the Liberal side always cries for the rights of the "Underpriviliged", yet they never want to advance the rights of the Conservatives to enjoy the same rights because something might be said or represented that oposes their own opinion. Thus the Protests last Graduation, and Zippo, Naddah, nothing for Harry Reid, we (Conservatives) are a "bit" more mature about it.

Alex | 3:03 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Trevor, I must have missed it. Which General Conference did President Benson say that in?

Regrettable comments | 3:12 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

To all the "REAL" Mormons out there: despite what you may have read in these posts, there is really only one way to determine whether or not someone is a REAL Mormon. And it isn't by listening to some of the vitriolic assertions by those who claim to be able to designate the true Mormons from the fake. Just as is the case always, the definition of a REAL Mormon comes from Church doctrine and policy, not from bloggers. Concerning the connection between REAL church membership and politics, I refer you to the church's statement issued March 2006: "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major religious parties." So despite what the self-righteous "I am a Mormon..." says, it is possible to be a good Mormon and a Democrat, which was part of what Senator Reid said today. Now I am not a full-fledged Harry Reid supporter; like most politicians, his record leaves much to be desired. But I do strongly agree with the words of President Hugh B. Brown (1968): "Allow within the bounds of our definition of religious orthodoxy a variation in political belief." Let us all refrain from dogmatizing political ideology.

Response to Mel in LV | 3:16 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Oh my stars, did you know that I saw footage of Harry eating with Publicans and sinners! He's probably so crass and brazen that he'd forgive a woman taken in adultery.

It's astounding to me to read the words of modern-day scribes and Pharisees who wouldn't recognize themselves as such if someone hung a big blazing sign on them.

Reid can represent a party which has a tremendous amount of good, even if some of their ideas are wrong. Believe me, some of what our current administration has done is pure evil, but I still allow for "good" people to support them.

Though he hates sin, the Savior does not hate gays. He loves everyone. He even forgives the repentent who recognizes the error of abortion.

So, Mel, I'll try to be forgiving too. I'm not gonna give up on you just because of a little hypocrisy and intolerance. And I'll go out on a limb here and bet that neither does Harry condemn thee. He's a good guy.

Outsider | 3:16 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

The Church operates in 177 countries and territories. Not all of them have two parties, especially not Republican and Democrat.
If it was important to God that we stick to something specific in political field, there would be some guidelines about that. Or does the bishopric member in Cal. suggest that the 1st presidency is wrong when they say that members can be politically active in the party of their choosing?
And here's a wild thing to ponder. The Church leaders show an example of following their secular leaders by not criticing the war in Iraq. But members who live in the countries that condemned the war as an illegal attack just support and follow their secular leaders when they stick to that.
I think 3 Nephi 16 is a good chapter to read.

Benson | 3:17 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

But Benson said many things prior to his days as a church president that were plain wrong. Some of these comments were even made in General Conference, at least until some of the other brethren were able to calm some of his more outlandish anticommunist assertions (such as claiming that the entire Civil Rights movement was communist inspired, etc.).

CJem | 3:32 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Those who claim Harry Reid, and other democrats, are not real mormons are no different than those "christians" who preach that mormons are not christians. They pick standards and facts that support their views and ignore those that conflict, and use that to determine who is real and who is not. I attended the meeting in 1968 where Robert Kennedy spoke at BYU. I didn't agree with him politically at the time, but he was much more impressive than our current president.

BH | 4:13 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

As one who has lived outside Utah for the last twelve years, it is shocking to read comments from so many that show such great hatred and anger between Republicans and Democrats, that all claim the same faith.

I do not like Senator Reid's politics in the least, and disagree with the type of attitude that he radiates in Washinton DC. But to make global statements that he is bad just because he is a Democrat are just plain wrong. That means that President James E. Faust was a bad man too, bucause he was a Democrat.

Along with A Mormon in California, I also missed the section in the D&C that says a Mormon cannot be a Democrat. The most flabergasting statements are those made saying Reid is not a Mormon because of his political affiliation. How dare anyone judge as such, especially from a group who has been judged wrongly by others as not being Chistian. I would think we would know better than to make such judgements!!!

Real Mormon | 4:13 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

If killing tens of thousands of innocent people in Iraq isn't a sin then there is no such thing as sin. Anyone who voted for Bush and his war in the last election betrayed the values of the gospel. Also, can someone tell me how Bush vetoing health care for children is a pro-family agenda?

Real BYU Students | 4:19 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Real BYU students don't act like Rocky and other democrats and hold protests just to get their names in the paper. As bad a Reid is, he is not worth my time to protest. (Reid and Rocky two wacky peas in a pod)

GIVE EM H, HARRY | 4:31 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Anybody should be allowed to speak at BYU if he is famous...or even infamous like Dick Cheney. I think it would have been nice if Bobby Kennedy had come there earlier in his career for a sporting event and had a mud wrestle with his brother over Marilyn Monroe. I'm even in favor of inviting Don Imus for a Christmas talk. He can give his famous ho, ho, ho. Let Harry speak! Let all our entertainers speak. That's how we will know them for who they really are. Don't muzzle Harry. You don't see evil dictators from Iran or Al-Qaeda trying to muzzle him, do you? If he comes, maybe the cheerleaders could dress in bhurkas to welcome him. Let the message go out. BYU fears no ideas, opinions or philosophies. We can hear them all and make up our own minds about which make the most sense. It's called Democracy...it's right in the title of the Democrats. And that cheerleader thing...that would just be for color.

Hey Real Mormon | 5:13 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Dont judge us and say we are sinners for confronting and attempting to defeat militant Islam. Defending freedom and eliminating oppressive governments is'nt a "betrayal of the values of the Gospel". Oh, and go aquire your own health insurance like most productive adults do.

Ace | 5:23 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Uhh, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think President Benson was a supreme court justice. I respect his opinion as a prophet of God, but I really couldn't care less about his musings on constitutional law. Please, can someone tell me where in ANY scripture it says that prophets are infallible and EVERY SINGLE WORD that comes from their mouths is the word of God?

Setting it straight from LV | 6:32 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

If Bush/Cheney lied & deceived Reid then he obviously does NOT have enough leadership savy to detect truth from error. I'm sure that's hard to do after being so long in DC. The sad thing is that he spews lies himself but is so quick to show other's lies. I knew when I watched Colin Powell plead the case to the UN that he was exagerating the truth. A true leader(unlike Reid)would step forward w/ideas to make our present situation better but all he does is badmouth and then fund the war. He is a great grandstander and looks backwards like so many politicians in the world. If he is so powerful DO SOMETHING or shut it. I heard Mitt hired Reid to be his Religion PR Director. Reid is to answer all gosepel doctrine questions like he did or does in his Sun School class in DC. My friend served his mission there and heard a few of his political lessons blaming, whining, and pointing the finger. He claims to be pro-life and pro-family but watch his footsteps: he undercuts and water downs legislation that is pro-life and pro-family. When he first ran for office in NV....

Setting it straight from LV | 6:39 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

in NV... he was pro-abortion & pro-ERA. The LDS vote told him not to run as such and he lost. He changed his outward platform to get elected but in Practice he is a chameleon. He can openly attack other Mormons for their convictions but when he is attacked he does the Hilary Victim Squat. Bush veto of children's health care is NOT pro-family but pro-government and pro-dole engendering gov't dependence which is NOT a priciple the Church espouses. Check out Providentliving.org. BTW, you don't have to be a Supremem Court Justice to know constitutional law. In fact, the last 30 years of SC decisions proves that and with Reid creating a blood bath for those nominees who do know the constitution, one can see that it is more political than knowledge or even conviction bound.

anonymous | 6:42 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Ouch! So much for the myth that Mormons always stick together.

Ace | 7:10 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

I agree that anyone can understand constitutional law. My point was that, even though he is a prophet, his declaration that something is unconstitutional doesn't make it so. President Hinckley could hold a press conference tomorrow announcing that the Earth is flat. Would that make it true? No. Revealing the mind of God and expressing a personal opinion are two very different things. Thankfully the prophet has every right to be wrong about things of no eternal consequence.

lost in DC | 7:26 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Reid is a politician first and foremost. He may be a member of the church, but only so long as it does not interfere with his political aspirations and can get the LDS in Las Vegas to vote for him. The fact that nothing is said about Reid being LDS and so much is said about Romney being LDS isnï¿½t because the Democrats are more tolerant (their protests at every university of every conservative speaker, for or against the war, proves that), itï¿½s because Reid does not act LDS. The first presidency asked every member of the church to write to their senators and representatives in support of the marriage amendment to the US Constitution. Reid voted against it. When the rubber met the road, his affiliation with the Democratic party was more important to him than his affiliation with the church.

MichiganCougar | 7:57 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Oh my goodness, that sure was a lot being thrown around in the comment section.

Here's my two cents.

Harry Reid is a Democrat(enough said)I cant believe some of the well intentioned remarks from my democratic brothers ans sisters aren't thought out more carefully.

Somehow, me thinks you can separate your political leanings f Don't think so. They are intertwined with everything we believe to be holy. Especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bill Clinton was great at putting the twist on that sort of thing when he attempted to demoralize his contmptable conduct with Monica. He was married, even held hands with Hilary for the cameras.

Harry Reid is and will always be a part of Gadianton.
You rember those guys in the BofM? Secret society. Hush hush, protect your Brothers and Sisters adainst incrimination?

Not to say that Gadianton doesn't thrive in the Repbublican party as well.

It thrives everywhere these days. In the media as well. Even in the church itself.

Take Reid and Bush and Cheney for who they really are. And use that thing called the spirit of the Lord to figure out where real truth lies.

It lays in Christ.

BYU alum and DEMOCRAT | 8:26 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Sen. Harry Reid's remarks were right on target. Down with empty-headed political bigotry in Utah, and hurray for common sense! I can't wait for 2008!

Kandee | 9:07 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

I am grateful that Harry Reid was welcome to attend BYU. I am a convert, I am a democrat and I am grateful for a two party system. I often wonder how would Jesus Christ feel about the unkindness that goes on between Americans, brothers and sisters, republicans and democrats? Rush and others like him have introduced a way of communicating in the media that absolutely breaks my heart. When we are humble we are most teachable and I have not witness humility in the republican party for years. I respect Harry Reid for being honest as I find I often stay in the closet at church because so many members of the LDS faith (my faith that I love) are extremely self righteous and prideful about thier opinons that I am afraid to have an exchange of ideas. I love and appreciate President Hinkley's comments regarding democrates.

Hmmm... again | 9:09 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

So Michigan Cougar, I find it interesting that you accuse the democrats of not thinking through their responses when I think if you re-read part of your post you'll realize it wasn't well thought out either. You say "Harry Reid is and will always be a part of Gadianton." That is precisely the kind of judgment Christians are not supposed to make. If you think Harry Reid's policies are wrong and want to compare it to Gadianton,then that is your choice. The part that concerns me most is when you say he "will always be part of Gadiantion." That is a very serious and final judgment that is only for God to make. It certainly is not the "righteous judgment" that the scriptures teach us to make.

Anonymous | 9:12 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

to BYU alum and DEMOCRAT,
I agree to down with empty headed political bigotry, but I find it interesting that many of the bigoted comments here are actually coming from outside of Utah. That's not to say it doesn't exist here, but I say down with empty-headed political bigotry EVERYWHERE!

manaboutown | 10:04 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Reid is the highest ranking Mormon in history. Senator Reed Smoot, who is credited with setting off the Great Depression in 1929, was second highest. That is not a good track record for the church. Well at least Reid hasnt passed any legislation, all he has done is shoot of his mean-spirited mouth, not caused any catastrophies.

jds | 11:07 p.m. Oct. 9, 2007

Hey Kandee, if you think Harry Reid is honest, you have been duped. He is a double talker, saying only those things which serve his political purpose. The fact that he is LDS does NOT make him better or worse than anyone else. The fact that he is anti-american in his comments, makes him deplorable.

BellaMia | 12:41 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Reid declared the war LOST, and by so doing gave aid and comfort to the enemy. Now the tide has turned, and alQueda is on the run without a safe harbor in iraq. Reid is a failed leader, like AFghanistan and Iraq were failed countries before we liberated them. Republicans must liberate Congress from failed Democrats like Reid.

Reid and his ilk are going to get us all killed.

carrieb | 5:33 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

A sad commentary on my alma mater. Truly pathetic. One of the most influential people in America, and the campus community can't manage to saunter over and listen. This is about education. Agreeing or disagreeing is beside the point, at least until after hearing the guy out!

Matthew | 8:33 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Bush declared the war WON and in so doing doomed us to the current mess.

Mormon that thinks your political party says anything about your membership in the Church or righteousness just hasn't been paying attention to all those letters from the First Presidency.

As for me and my house, we serve the LORD and follow the Prophet!

Kandee | 11:29 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Response to jds: When I suggested that Harry Reid was honest I was referring to him being open/honest about being a democrat, which obviously we all know given his position in politics, but I feel that it still must takes courage for him to stand up for what he beleives when many within our faith have such hostile feelings. Unfortunately I am not as honest or open about my political opinions. I feel the hate and unkindness I see currently in our church regarding politics is absolutely crazy/sad/wrong even if one party knows/thinks that they are the 'true' party.

slmg | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

There must be an awful lot of LDS members in Utah without sin since so many are willing to cast the first stone at Harry Reid. I know it comes as a real shock to the the LDS Republicans of Utah that there are a few million Democrats and Independents that are very strong and active in the Church. The old saying "If you are not a Republican you can't be a good Mormon" is just Republican propaganda put out by those that think that they have all of the answers and are afraid of a real political discussion without pulling the church into it.

DClark | 8:19 a.m. Oct. 11, 2007

Of Course you can be affilliated with any party and be a member of the church, or can you? Can you be a communist, as Vietnam is? I don't think so.

And one said Reid couldn't be democrat, did they? They have only said HIS IS A LIAR! Nothing to do with his party.

Sick of it | 9:05 a.m. Oct. 11, 2007

Quit talking about "democrats can to be mormons, so your comments are prejudice". I really don't care what party you are with, but if you claim to be an upstanding mormon, your political speeches better coincide with the prophet. Harry Reids do not!

Gene | 11:53 p.m. Oct. 11, 2007

If even half of what others are saying about Reid is true, why is he even a member? Why hasn't be either been excommunicated or at the least disfellowshipped? He must have some calling within his current ward, therefore, why does his ward even sustain him for that calling? Why don't they oppose any calling for him? It must be the case of who cares. But if it was me, and if I was in his ward, I would oppose any calling for him.

COMMON SENSE | 9:53 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

To manabouttown Oct 9

How did Senator Smoot set off the Great Depression? He didn't have the money of Donald Trump.
One senator can't change the whole economy.
Even one president can't or we'd all know who to elect.

anonymous | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

Well don't expect the LDS bigwigs to comment on Reid's disfellowshipped due to his political views. If they do - say goodbye to their tax exempt status.

bwfedup | 3:47 p.m. Oct. 13, 2007

These comments are very interesting.

It is my understanding that members of the LDS church, as I am, are to: 1) pray for guidance, 2) follow the laws of our country, 3) think for ourselves, with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, then make evaluations about issues and candidates, 4) respect other people of all faiths and persuasions, whether we agree with them or not.

How we live our own lives and the decisions we make, hopefully, will coincide with our religious values. If not, then we will live in personal turmoil. We are all different, hold different opinions, and vote, hopefully, for the person we support. Political forums are good; else, how could we see their "fruits"? There must be opposition in all things so we can decide for ourselves. Free agency is the key. So, let's stop bashing each other, and have a little more respect, okay?

Personally, if I had the power, I would do things differently than most of our politicians; but, I really don't want to be a senator or president. So, I will pray and vote.

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