Deseret News | Reid gets warm reception at BYU

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Reid gets warm reception at BYU

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Alan Robinson | 12:55 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I like this guy! He sticks to his guns and says what he thinks. He even praises his LDS Church and strangely doesnt get the same support from his members as Mitt does who tries to 'distance' himself from his Church. Strange huh!!

Scotwright | 1:32 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I DON'T like this guy! He is a disgrace to the Church and to the state of Nevada. The lies he has told against the American Military should have everyone at BYU booing him. That someone could cheer "Dingy Harry" at BYU is evidence that anyone who tries to live the Gospel is welcome in the LDS Church.

Abortion was supposed to be something that Mr. Reid was against, but it seems that every evil, stupid, self-serving, worldy position is OK to him if it gives him a little power in the Dreamocrat Party. I was a Democrat and a Baptist in 1960 when John Kennedy was President. After a lot of experiences, some good and some bad, I am a Vietnam Veteran who is now a Latter Day Saint and a Very Conservative Republican.

Winston Churchill said that if you were not a liberal at twenty years of age you had no heart. Then he said if you were not a Conservative at 30 you had no brain. Mr. Reid is over 30 and it is just about time he grew a brain.

Reid is right, ur Left | 2:11 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Reid leads by example. We need to cozy up to Move-on.org, I think they ARE Christlike deep down inside.

Comments continue below

BYU Student | 2:14 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Isn't it the belief of the church to let people have their agency, even if people choose to sin?

J. Carlyle Parker | 2:27 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Reid's address was wonderful! Scott, above, is wrong. Reid is a fine example of an outstanding Latter-day Saint. I have had it with our current Bushwhacker. Sending a woman (an outstanding and a fine woman) to deal with foreign Muslims is joke. Doesn't Bush know that women are dirt to most foreign Muslim males?

As a drafted veteran, it is past time to get out of Muslim countries. No one can stop them from killing each other. We should spend our funds and time protecting ourselves, on our lands, borders, and shores from these foreign Barbarians.

tj | 3:03 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

A disgrace to the church? Are you kidding me? Why, just because he states his opinion? Bravo to Harry Reid for saying what he believes. That is what freedom of choice is all about. Can you be a Democrat and a Mormon? Absolutely. I am an independent voter who has voted both sides of the aisle. And also a recommend holding Mormon. I'd vote for Harry Reid over George Bush any day of the week.

B. S. Jorgensen | 3:08 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

According to research by Mark T. Shirey, citing Nice Guys Finish Seventh: False Phrases, Spurious Sayings, and Familiar Misquotations by Ralph Keyes, 1992, this quote was first uttered by mid-nineteenth century historian and statesman Franï¿½ois Guizot when he observed, Not to be a republican at 20 is proof of want of heart; to be one at 30 is proof of want of head.

BYU Alumni | 3:58 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

With more and more liberal professors and now Reid getting a ï¿½warm welcomeï¿½ I am through with BYU. The Church may own it but the spirit is gone. Flamers are warned I will not read your comments.

My only reason in posting this is to let BYU know they can stop calling. I will no longer donate.

Not currently LDS but looking | 4:09 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Talk about a compartmentalized life. It seems unfathomable that Mr. Reid who walks arm in arm with liberal organizations such as Daily Kos and Moveon.org would be lauded by so many LDS people while he "seeks after these things."

I'm not LDS, but I am looking. I am conservative and I do know a little about the LDS doctrine and I find the separate silos Mr. Reid lives in at work and at church are hardly reconcilable with LDS doctrinal claims of virtue and holiness.

Mr. Reid's example gives me considerable pause. Calling President Bush "an idiot" as Senator Reid has, seems to strike me as calling his neighbor Racca or empty head. This is who you laud? And before the indignant liberals begin throwing rhetorical stones at me let me remind them that calling your neighbor an idiot is a sin in YOUR doctrine. Now start throwing.

If indeed Mr. Reid is an example of "temple worthy" member as he himself claims and that status allows for public support of move-on.org I don't know that I want to be "temple worthy".

Winston Churchill | 4:22 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Churchill was also an alcoholic atheist: a good model for any Mormon.

Tom | 4:31 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Scotwright, I am not a democrat or republican. If you are a Mormon and say that Reid is a disgrace to yur Church, you must have some problems. Most of the Mormons that I know do not behave as their ultra enemies: the ultra right Christians of the Republican party.

Disgusted Idahoan | 5:01 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

It is unbelievable that students and others could be so supportive of an advocate of Socialism by Carl Marx, which was just the opposite of What Joseph Smith advocated. All of his positions are true socialism and will eventially lead us down a path of total destruction in this country if we do not wake up. These were the very things that Ezra Taft Bensen tried to warn us about that very few have heeded.

To have him stand up in a University forum and criticize President Bensen and others who are of a consevative nature is offensive and reprehensive to me. While I am not a supporter of the Iraq war and have never been, it is appalling to me that he and his party can be so critical of the the war and the 4,000 or so deaths that has occured, but totally ignore and actually support abortion which continues to murder innocent babies at the count of millions since the legalization of Roe v. Wade.

This guy is a total disappointment to me and I hope and pray that some day He will come to a realization of his incorrect philosiphies.

Janet | 5:18 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Let us be Christians all and practice love and charity towards another. I appreciate the fact that our Church doesn't espouse any political party.

Jackie | 5:46 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Sen. Reid reminds me of the kid in the out-crowd who will say and do anything to get to hang out with the popular kids.

Ken Nottingham | 6:03 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Here's the deal...I choose to take a stand on abortion and gay marriage that is similar to what the current prophet and the doctrines of the church dictate. My opinions and actions about health care, global warming, education and jobs are insignificant in relation to my moral character.

Gary S. | 6:07 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I would not say Brother Reid is a disgrace to the Church. I see Republicans and Democrats as "effective" and "less effective" respectively, not "good" and "evil."

However, Reid sends a mixed message on mixing religion and politics. He wants to state publicly what is right and wrong with the Church. But he does not want the Church to state publicly what is right and wrong with the government. Doesn't that seem backward?

Also, criticizing President Benson, one of the Lord's prophets and a good man, was not a particularly good move on Reid's part. And attacking President Bush for mispronouncing words is not going to win friends or influence people either.

My Two Cents | 6:39 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I am very distrurbed that he wants members of the church to worry less about gay rights and more about health care and other issues that are generally viewed upon as democrat agendas.

I believe we NEED to worry first about the morality of a country before anything else. If a country has terrible morality it will get destroyed ( SODOM AND GOMMORHA).

Moreover if our general morality is weakening any chance of an effective society is also weaking. The reasoning behind this is clarified by one question
WHAT IS THE BASIC UNIT OF SOCEITY?
THE FAMILY

If we are not worried about abortion, gay rights, and just general morality we stand to greatly weaken our society and governement.

Carl | 6:43 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

The reporter heard a different talk than the one they broadcast? He makes it sound judgmental, controversial, sensational.

Go listen to the replay (next Sunday sometime) or
in the 'Find a Talk' database on BYU Broadcasting's website -- you'll hear a whole different view in what he actually said.

The only thing we could fault 'Brother' Reid on, was generalizing ALL 'Mormons' to have any particular belief or behavior, such as the implication they are [blindly] obedient. Yes, some are, just like any other group, but that's "in spite of their faith" and "not because of it".

He, and you, and I, cannot reduce the LDS Church to just another man-made organization, such as a political party. The Bashers would like to have you think that way. But anyone doing that gives away a shallow spot in their thinking.

Adam McMillen | 6:45 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I think it sad how people slam Reid for supposedly not living his religion when they do not realize that they are not living their religion by the vitriolic words they use against him.

Don | 6:54 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

This guy is a joke.
He does not hold the beliefs to his heart.
His is on of those that call evil good and good evil.

He reminds me of the BOM leaders that would not send supplies to Capt. Moroni.

kahrcarrier | 6:59 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I agree wholeheartedly with Scotwright! Anyone who doesn't should read Ann Coultler's book "Treason." And to have someone say that we ought to worry less about abortion and gay marriage and worry more about global warming and jobs is simply trying to water down the teachings of the church. Will the next General Conference will focus on global warming?? No, but I think the church leaders will have more to say about gay marriage or abortion than they will about the global warming farce.

george | 7:00 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Scotwright -What planet do you live on?
Mr Reid is a great example to all, especially members of the LDS Church.
As to the military - who cares - they are the disgrace - take a look around the world ( with Iraq and Vietnam showing the worse side of military persons and their actions)

anonymous | 7:06 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Isn't it hilarious how the Rush Limbaugh-sounding Utahns like to speak for the church?

Brother Jim | 7:07 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

So Reid is now a spokesperson for Mormons and Republicans is he? He asks us to ignore our teachings and beliefs and to embrace the Democratic party line. He is a fool.

Larry | 7:10 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Although I disagree with a lot of his liberal views on government, I very much respect his conviction and commitment to the Church. The Republican Party doesn't and shouldn't have a monopoly over the LDS church. As long as you are pro-life, I believe you can be a mormon democrat. My grandfather was a democrat and an active member of the church his whole life(Bishop and Stake President).

David | 7:21 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I am currently serving in Iraq as a Soldier. I am offended that Senator Reid was so welcomed at BYU to spout his propoganda. He is not fairly stating the good we are doing for the people of Iraq.

I am not here to judge him because all I know of him is what he says in public. I am not there when he has his temple recommend interviews. But, from what he says in public about abortion and gay marriage, it certainly doesn't seem like he supports the Brethren.

I wish Senator Reid would reconsider his political positions because I do not think they are consistent with Church doctrine. I hope those that heard his speech were not blinded by the craftiness of men!

Proper Role of Government | 7:22 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

If you want to know what Mr. Reid is denouncing when he comments on Pres. Benson Google "The Proper Role of Government" and you can read it for yourself. Since we can't post URL's on this overly controlled website.

Right to Life | 7:26 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

According to a very thoughtful talk given by Elder Oaks a few years ago it is not possible to be a "good" pro-abortion Mormon - Republican or Democrat

Truth | 7:41 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

If one just researches what Reid has said about his political opponents, about the war in Iraq, about the US military, etc, etc, his actions have been despicable. There are some decisions in life that can't be remade, you do the best you can with the information you have at the time. War is one such decision, none more important. Yes Reid, and a majority of democrates, voted for the war and now he says, among other things, it is the worst foreign policy decision ever. If so, he is as responsible as anyone. He is an embarrassment!

Andrew | 7:42 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Harry Reid is very wrong to attack religious conservatives as 'un-Christian'. That was an evil thing to say and Harry Reid has said far too many things likes that during his life. I've always been appalled at his angry temperment. He's quite undisciplined and really runs with his anger, which is not a quality in a public servant. I don't belong to LDS but I find Reid very disappointing.

Keith | 7:50 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

For Harry Reid to criticize leaders of the church is a disgrace. Harry! Look at what is happening around you. If conservative values wre ever needed in this country, it is now. Shouldn't church beliefs not only dictate your everyday life, but your philosophy of government policies--such as abortion.

Re. Not currently but looking | 7:49 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

You are so right! It is so hard to believe that it takes a person that is not of LDS faith to realize that. Abortion and gay rights are a big deal, it's what be believe to be WRONG! I'm not going to vote for a man who proclaims to be mormon and who believes it's ok to do those kind of things, and if you are LDS and believe it's ok to love men when you are a man you need to talk to your Bishop. You're are right not currently we do believe in loving our naighbor and I feel Reid is wrong in call Bush an idiot, Bush may not be the smartest man alive, but how long has it been since we have had an attack on the US? Oh yeah how since we went over seas.

Qweenmum | 7:51 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Thank you brother Reid for telling me how to me a better LDS member. All this time, I thought that living my standards, listening to the teachings, and making my choice to be conservitive was the right choice. Now, because of your insight and prophecy, I can now go to my bishop and ask for forgivness for being a conservitive. I repent. Thank you.

GSL | 7:52 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

So, Reid says the Iraq war is the biggest blunder in U.S. history. What about allowing ourselves to be attacked at Pearl Harbor with the loss of nearly 3,000 lives and the near destruction of the Pacific Fleet? His favorite politician is Pres. Roosevelt who was Commander-in-Chief at the time and during nine years in office up to 1941 allowed our military to become one of the smallest (16th, I believe) on the planet. We don't know the outcome of the Iraq war yet. We do know that if Reid were in charge it would be surrender! How does he know that this war isn't part of the Lord's larger plan to eventually bring his gospel to these people. Remember, the Lord moves in mysterious ways. Look what happened to Japan and Germany after WW II. There are now temples of the Lord there. Pres. Bush is a stubborn man and that bothers alot of people. He is also a very prayerful man. We do not know what kind of inspiration he may recieve because he is also a private individual.

Brian | 7:54 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

While I agree that issues like gay marriage and abortion may be important, Reid's point (which is quite valid) is that Mormons often focus EXCLUSIVELY on those issues which have already been decided by irrevocable Supreme Court cases and forget about issues where they really can make a difference. These issues, like health care, gun control, education, etc. the right-wing big-business evangelical Christian-owned Republican party has morally reprehensible views about. The late Jerry Falwell counseled his followers that God's greatest priority was tax cuts for the wealthy. That sounds more like filthy lucre than anything Senator Reid espoused yesterday. At least think about whether your own party affiliation really expresses your beliefs or not.

Appauled | 7:55 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I graduated from BYU last year and I was sad I couldn't listen to this, but now I'm glad I didn't. From the remarks he said, I really don't think that was a good talk. I don't care who you are, you don't not go to any school and tell them President Bush had the worst foreign policy ever! That is a terrible thing and what a terrible example to bash someone at a large university. Even worse, saying that prominent LDS leaders were wrong to do anything. I can't stand this guy. The little respect I had for him totally went down the drain. This why I can't stand the democratic party. They feel they can say whatever they want and people say you should be open minded to them and they may change the world. I seriously cannot believe this guy said what he did. Cheney's speech was inspirational, while his speech was bashing. I would have booed those who gave him a standing ovation. What a disgrace!

P.S. Funny how no protestors were there and a democrat came to the school.

Reason | 8:01 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

You don't have to be a Republican to be a good Latter Day Saint. I found it very interesting when President Faust died articles in this newspaper described him as "very active" in the Democratic Party before he was called to full-time service in the Church. He was over thirty at the time. I doubt anyone would say he needed to "grow a brain" as was suggested above.

John | 8:01 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Where are all the protests, I thought we are a equal opportunity protesting country. The protests were there when Dick Chenny came to the University, but Harry Reid? Could it be that Conservatives are actually the more tolerant than Liberal who claim to be the tolerant view. There is something to that. Liberals are all for freedom of speech as long as it is their point of view.

Amy | 8:03 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I agree Don, this guy is a joke, joke, joke! And, what are you talking about Alan Robinson? I haven't ever heard Harry state in the media his religious affiliation. Have YOU? Not that I want him to either..talk about an awful missionary!! Shame on Harry.

Hmmmm I hear violins. | 8:04 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

While Rome burns.

You folks are awfully fixated on gay marriage and abortion. Take a look at your own houses first perhaps?

Re. Not currently but looking | 8:09 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Either the gospel is true or it is not. If you base your testimony on the actions of any member, you are not ready to commit to it as a belief system.

If I were you I would wait to join until I understood the tenents of the religion, and not join just because you agree with someones political beliefs.

Instereo | 8:11 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

There's a big difference between being pro abortion and pro choice. As I seem to remember in Mormon Theology, in the pre-existance the battle was over forcing someone back to heavon. So I think a democrate can say they don't believe in Abortion on a personal level but believe still believe in Choice for someone else. We should go to church to learn how to love, not to learn how to hate. It seems that most learn to hate and can't accept someone like Reid who want to put the Gospel (Good News) and Charity (Love) into action. I, an LDS member, like him. President Benson spoke in a different time. President Hinckley sounds a lot more like Reid then he does like Benson.

currently LDS | 8:11 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Mr looking, you would be better off with the evangelicals. They are closed minded and short sighted enough to be just right for you

Matthew | 8:12 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

There is much, much more to morality than sexual purity! As to the abortion toll in lives, Senator Reid addressed that. The courts have spoken. You mention 4000 lives in refering to the war in Iraq. That refers only to the toll in American GIs killed (actually the total is currently 3818, 4119 for the coallition). What about the tens of thousands wounded whose lives have been shattered along with their bodies? What about the hundreds of thousands of Iraqs that have been killed by shock and awe and the violence that has resulted from our hasty invasion and poorly planned occupation? Please refer to all Pres. Benson's political comments while he was President of the Church. Oh, that's right, there aren't any. Isn't there a message in that? There certainly is for me. Are you practicing what he did preach as Prophet? Go ahead and be a Republican, but be sure and hold that party as rigidly to a complete moral standard as you do the Democrats. Both parties have plenty of weaknesses, choose one and work to strengthen it. They both need good, truly moral people.

Dear David | 8:18 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

You are right Bush has done nothing but great things for ALL of us.

Please enjoy your "vacation" in Iraq. To all the parents of boys in Jr high and especially High School reading this kiss your children every day knowing that more than 3000 families can never do that again.

How long can we blindly follow before we must say "the emporer has no clothes"?

The 2 nice young men that live next to me worry me FAR less than the wasted deaths of our youth.

Farmington Boy | 8:24 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Our ancestors fought for our rights of free speech and of religion. I applaud the many conservative students and faculty at BYU who welcomed Mr. Reid to the campus and respectfully allowed him to exercise his rights. At the same time I question the morality of those who tried to prevent the Vice President from exercising those same rights.

Barbara | 8:31 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I'll try to stand up as an LDS convert, for Christ, a golden mean and the polar star. Keep me out of politics!

Lew Jeppson | 8:31 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Senator Reid's remarks are inspiring. They take me back to the days of my youth in the old 22nd Ward, Salt Lake Stake. The late Bishop Egan A. and Blanche Glaus were great testimonty bearing LDS and great Democrats! Maybe those days can come back. No political institution has done more for this country than the Democratic Party. That said, the current party has lost its way on a few things; e.g. it's social philosophy is gender and race based, not class based, so it has lost touch with and concern for working class white men, and it has been entirely too shy in opposing the immoral Iraq war. Moreover, the local party doesn't concentrate on the war, but on school vouchers! But still, only the Democratic Party can get us out of our present mess nationally and internationally.

Chris | 8:35 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Why can't Harry Ried be a democrate in the vein of President Faust? I learned many years ago that he was democrate. I thought that if they were all like him, this might be a good 'home' for my vote. President Faust was an outstanding example to us all. But the modern Democrate party? I was wrong, as the type of democrate President Faust was is NOT the type that Reid and Co are today. Civility has gone out the window, and my vote is where the views that I know to be right and true (through free agency) lies in the conservative party.
Welcome to BYU. Now go home.

Ben Franklin | 8:35 a.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Need to worry LESS about abortion? I can't think of a more important issue for our nation to address. It is terrible that the leader of the U.S. Senate has his priorities so wrong.

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