Deseret News | Reid gets warm reception at BYU

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Reid gets warm reception at BYU

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Jazz Fan Slapper | 7:32 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Dirty Harry Reid is the most corrupt politician in modern history. That is a fact. I don't care if he's Mormon or not. And I don't care that BYU had him over. But just know this: he is a vile man whose pockets are stuffed with dirty money.

george | 7:40 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Edward - ??????????????//
Being honest with military folk is disgraceful??????
This war and any war of aggression like it is. It is a simple fact. How can anyone justify it. Even Iraqi's are clear they were better off before the American invasion. Mr Reid is an honest American . The real traitor are folks like Mr Bush and Cheney that are motivated by their own financial gain.

Randy | 7:43 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Interesting how Reid talked about learning of the greatness of America when he and his fellow liberals (oops I mean progressive) disregard the constitution of the United States. Dingy Harry represents the cook fringe that wants to strip all personal rights(i.e Bill of Rights and rest of the constitution) and make government the all powerful be all and end all.
He and his co-horts including many republicans are a greater danger to the U.S than terrorists.
People that actually applaud Reid need to listen to what he says on the senate floor to actually know what he stands for.

Comments continue below

Lets get it straight | 7:45 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

AT JAZZ FAN SLAPPER:

Listen lets get it straight- KERRY IS THE MOST CORRUPT POLITICIAN IN MODERN HISTORY.

Reid is corrupt, but not the most corrupt.

Thane | 8:02 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I find the fact that Senator Reed chose to bring politics into his visit to BYU unfortunate. Instead of focusing on the mission of BYU, the church, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, he made it a political stump. I also find unappealling his rudeness in the way he characterized President Bush as stupid. Such name calling is inappropriate and rude. It is one of the reasons both the legislative branch and the president have such low approval ratings...

David in CA | 8:04 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I'm posting a bit late o this site, but there's a lot of rhetoric here that's NOT very "Christ-like".
I personally saw a tape of his speech last night at BYU by setting the VCR to record it off the BYU-TV channel.

Mr./Brother Reid I thought gave an excellent talk.
He talked about his early childhood, he talked about his discovery to Jesus and the LDS Church, THANKING
EVERYBODY who helped in that path. He talked about
his wife and how they met and the circumstances of
their marriage. He spent only a little time on
Partisan politics. He's a Democrat. So what!!
I'm a registered Republican. I vote the issues and not just "party line". I'm glad that we have two major political parties. Wish we had 3 or more.
What if we only had one?? ..like some places.
This man is an example of how one can get somewhere in life starting with very little. Kind of like
Johnny Cash in the music biz.

LET's BE Respectful....

Thank You and God Bless....

nG

Go to a BYU Forum | 8:08 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Those of you that are appalled by Harry Reid's side-swipe (sort of) at prior LDS Leaders need to go to some forums.

That was nothing.

Read "Infinite Inwardness" by Li-Young Lee (1/27/04) available at speeches.byu.edu and see what you think of that.

Fred | 8:13 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I am ashamed of the reprehensible intolerance displayed in the comments made by so many "God-fearing" people. What is the MATTER with you? Do you think God will love you more when you spew this kind of venom? Most of you who object to his comments are deliberately twisting what he said to your own vile purposes. First he never says that we must think less about abortion from the standpoint of a moral view. He clearly is telling us that we need to focus less on religions moral issues in this supposed democracy where freedom of belief and action is a protected right and instead let the GOVERNMENT focus on problems that affect the whole population. And since the church recognizes the efficacy of abortion under certain circumstances, Ried's view of the government's role in dealing with it is right on target. God gave us agency. If you don't approve of abortion, don't get one! simple as that Continued

Fred | 8:14 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Second, Reid is not criticizing "the Lord's anointed." Ezra Taft Benson was notoriously conneted vis his son to the John Birch Society and actively solicited endorsement of that organization by President and prophet David O. McKay,who rebuffed him. As an apostle, Benson went about preaching Birchism at stake conferences over which he presided. Church history of that period will doeument the fact that he was called on the carpet by the prophet for doing so. In that event, does it mean to you ultra conservative LDS that McKay was a fallen prophet? Probably. How sad that for political purposes you continue to pervert the goapel and become the very wickedly intolerant people you would condemn. sad . . .

Foreigner, but no stranger | 8:17 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

BYU is paid for by my tithing as much as it is by yours. Too bad the only GA present was the one that had to be. Guess there are no Democrat-voting GA's in Utah.

In my country we have health-care for all and we're careful to conserve energy and water, yet we are governed by a right-wing party that supports the USA in Iraq and Afganistan. Call us Socialists, if you dare!

You actually seem to believe that universal health-care is a bad thing! Go live somewhere else in the world for a while - see what a blessing is universal health care!

Can't you Utah Mormons see that you are very rude and intolerant of people who see and do things differently to you?

Can't you see that you're not just politely disagreeable, but that your words are actually atrociously rude, offensive and hateful? Glad Br Reid isn't black, he might have been lynched in another decade - but no, he wouldn't have received an invite back then.

I'm also glad God told me the church is true. That's why I stay.

God isn't a bigot - neither should we be.

Hugh B Brown where are you?

Anonymous | 8:22 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

These comments - unbelievable drivel - the whole lot.

Colorado mormon | 8:35 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Becareful when a leader sets himself up as a light for the praise of men and criticizes the leadership of the church and country for leading us towards principles of life, accountability and independance making us free to help those in need by our own free will and choice and not because our resources have been given to the government to be redistributed as they see fit. We need many more Ezra Taft Bensens and less of the Harry Reid, Korihor, Nehor, Sherem types.

Rex | 8:42 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I have known Harry Reid since he first ran for public office in Nevada, and won, as Lieutenant Governor. I was distrubed by him then, and have continued to be disturbed by his politics ever since. He has done nothing but disappoint me for decades.

Harry Reid says he is "pro-life" but votes and supports every abortion bill he has ever faced. And if he thinks health insurance and this phony global warming baloney is more important than all the moral issues in this country, he's not only in the wrong church, he's in the wrong country.

Joe Watts | 8:51 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

This comment is directed at the previous post entitled, very ironically, TRUTH.

Truth didn't state the truth, and it would be a good idea for Truth to do a little truth searching before shooting off his mouth.

Senator Reid did not vote for the war. He was one of the few who recognized the immorality of invading a country that had never threatened us.

Anyone who believes our 'shock and awe' invasion of a defenseless, impotent nation was a moral act is in some mystical sphere I don't understand.

It wasn't a mistake when we invaded Iraq. It was a crime.

Joe Watts

Nevada Citizen | 8:54 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

All I can say is let God be the judge of Senator Harry Reid. I personally have no love for him or his political ideas at either the state or national levels. However, with him in the opposite corner of Mitt Romney and both claiming to be "recommend toting" members of "the church" this next year ought to be entertaining at the very least. All I can say to anyone thinking about jumping on the "Harry Reid is a great leader" band wagon is do your homework on him first - as you should with any political leader...many of them are not what or who they appear to be. I believe this is a case of Mr. Reid playing to his audience.

Think about THIS | 9:12 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Compare LDS doctrines with the "platforms" of the Republican and Democrat parties, and it's not surprising that most Mormons are Republican. Some earlier people writing here mentioned a few past LDS church leaders that were or are Democrat, and quite a few regular LDS members too. Sure, it's their choice to make, but they are clearly a minority of the church. Political parties gradually change over time. Ronald Reagan, when commenting about switching to the Republican party many years earlier said something like "I didn't leave the Democrat party... it left me." Also, kids are more likely to affiliate with the same party their parents do, so it's no surprise that some LDS are still Democrat... it sometimes takes tradition a while to catch up with reality. The Democrat party (whose symbol is a JACKASS) for decades gradually became the party of socialism... a big powerful federal government which "buys" votes through income re-distribution, and pushes secularism too far, at the expense of morality and the family. It involves much more than abortion and gay rights. Speaking of abortion, many dems cringe at the thought of executing a convicted murderer, but are OK with aborting unborn babies. hmmm.

Shaun Williams - Phoenix,Az | 9:38 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Harry Reid is rather unique a mormon who is a liberal democrat and power hungry and ruthless in his attacks on President Bush, he simply hates the President and everything he stands for. I for one have a strong dislike for the man and as Queen Victoria said "We are not amused."

Disheartened | 9:39 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I am so disheartened. I have a family connection to Harry Reid. Though most of the time I am embarrassed to admit it. I wonder if I'm being too judgmental about him, because we are to love our neighbors and pray for our enemies. But it's not being judgmental to disagree with him. And I strongly disagree. I had a comment made to me the other day by a young adult that the church was evolving towards accepting gay marriage and abortion. Wow! That frightened me to the core that we are raising a generation that actually believes that. We have been warned to guard our testimonies with our lives and to beware of false doctrine. Now is that time to be very guarded. Even though it is frightening to think about all the liberal chaos that is overtaking our world, we have also been promised that if we are prepared we shall not fear. My take on that is to teach our families true gospel teachings that haven't changed since the beginning of time. Do what we can to better ourselves and serve others. But most of all, listen to our prophet, not Harry Reid. No animosity intended.

Doug Brockbank | 9:41 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

What did Harry Reid really say about Ezra Taft Benson, Joseph Smith, flag burning, abortion and gay marriage. Senator Reid is quote bold if the Des News article quotes are accurate.

But BYU's website has a pdf link but I don't see that quote. Nor do I see his reference to Joesph Smith being "progressive".

Can someone please clarify? Did the reporter get it wrong, or did Reid censor his bold (even outragous remarks) after the fact?

Proud Democrat | 10:01 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I used to live in Utah. I left because I did not like people judging me for expressing my opinions. I am pro-life. I don't care who gets married to whom. Those are things I have absolutely no control over. I even listen to Rush and Hannity....just so I know what the opposing opinions are. I am appalled at their constant spewing of hatred, name-calling, and slander. This forum is spewing the same "talking points." So much for independent thinkers. Reid is my Senator. I don't always agree with him, but he is the Senator for the whole state of Nevada, not just the Mormons who live in Nevada. He keeps church and state separate. He is required to represent everyone. People need to stop listening to OPINION RADIO and start thinking for themselves. Rush & Hannity are only expressing their opinions. They are not expressing actual facts. Think about it. When have they ever referenced facts? When they make statements, do your research and decide it they are actually correct. Rush has been know to say, "Let me do your thinking for you!" That is one scary comment.

Progressive Mormon | 10:01 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

100 years from now Harry Reid's views will seem mainstream WITHIN the Mormon Church, just as Romney's anti-polygamy views are mainstream NOW. Social progress cannot be stopped. Sooner or later the Church catches up.

AG | 10:05 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WARM RECEPTION GIVEN SEN REID. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH STUDENTS THAT ATTENDED WHO EMBRACED HIS SOCIALISM AGENDA WHICH HAS NOT CHANGED FROM DAY ONE. ANYONE, STUDENT OR NOT, WHO SAYS WE HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS THAN ABORTION AND SOCIALIZED HEALTH CARE IS A HIGHER PRIORITY LEAVES ME SAD. I AM NOT A DEMOCRAT NOR A REPUBLICAN. NO POLITICAL PARTY TELLS ME HOW TO VOTE. THE CHURCH DOESN'T TELL ME HOW TO VOTE. I AM SAD THAT THIS SO CALLED MEMBER OF THE CHURCH COULD STAND AT THIS GREAT UNIVERSITY AND SAY THAT BRO WILKERSON, FORMER UNIV PRES, AND PRES BENSON, LED MEMBERS ASTRAY WITH THEIR CONSERVATIVE VIEWS. I REMEMBER YEARS AGO IN GEN CONF WHEN SOME LIBERALS WERE CRITICAL OF PRES/ELDER BENSON SPEAKING SO MUCH ABOUT THE COMMUNIST AND THEIR AGENDA MADE A STATEMENT THAT HE HAD NEVER SPOKE IN CONFERENCE WITHOUT PRES MCKAY APPROVING HIS TALK. PRES BUSH IS LIKE HIS FATHER, NOT VERY EFFECTIVE BUT WE ALL STICK OUT HEADS IN THE SAND IF WE THINK AN IRAQ PULL OUT WILL CLEAR THE AIR ON TERRORISM. THESE FOLKS PLAN TO WIPE US OUT EITHER THERE OR HERE.

Utah Pharisees | 10:05 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Foreigner, but no stranger:

I'm with you. The invective coming from these Utah Mormon's, of which I am ashamed to admit I am one, is very unchristian. It is just stunning to see how barbaric many of these supposed disciples of the Savior are behaving, with articulating rationale for their hypocrisy.

For one the socialism, caring for the poor, that they rail against is actually much closer to what the Savior taught than the rugged individualism or capitalism that they promote with so much emotion. If they actually understood their own scriptures they would see that capitalism is actually the opposite of consecration, and leads to the huge gap between rich and poor we now see clearly destroying our nation. They preach Korihor's (the antichrist's) doctrine a little too vehemently, as Rush Limbaugh types, which was "that every man prospers according to his own genius." The hypocrisy of their positions is readily discernable to those who can think past their noses. On the one hand they rightly do not believe in evolution, yet readily accept survival of the fittest (social darwanism) as gospel--naturally, they are prospered because they are so much better than others. These Republicans are latter-day hypocrites.

Truth be told | 10:14 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Of course President Benson was leading the Church astray; why else would the Lord strike his mouthpiece mute and dumb?

Request for Clarifcation | 10:14 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Again, this is a very important point...

What did Harry Reid really say about Ezra Taft Benson, President Wilkinson, flag burning, abortion and gay marriage?

The Deseret News article attributes to him some pretty bold, and certainly controversial commments.

However, BYU's website contains a PDF of his address, but doesn't mention these quotes.

Can the publisher of the PDF document at BYU please clarify this important point?

Disengaged | 10:15 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I cannot believe some of the fully charged, emotional, and idiotic statements that have been posted here. The problem with our society is that we have become too polarized with the Republican and Democratic parties. In my opinion, neither party has it right and do not have the best interest of this great country. They are completely consumed with their idealogies that is backed by lobbyists and big time interest groups. Until we realize what we are doing by debating some of these irrational points of view, this entire country will continue to head for a train wreck. By the way, last time I heard - the brethren have counseled us to ponder and pray about how we vote and to keep politics out of the church meeting houses. From the comments afforded on this page, I seriously doubt that is happening.

James | 10:18 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

As a Mormon, a Republican, and a Nevadan, I find it disquieting how ridiculous some of the LDS comments are. To try to say that only one political party's platform is compatible with the Church is narrow minded and runs counter to what Church leaders say. Last time I checked, the First Presidency hasn't been ashamed that Senator Reid is a member.
I wish the few pretentious LDS out there would shut up about how evil and corrupt and unfaithful Sen. Reid supposedly is. Sen. Reid is a politician, not an anti-Christ, and those who confuse the two need to brush up on the doctrine they say Reid ignores.
Senator Reid represents my state in the Senate. And though I find his positions contrary to mine, I find no reason that he is not a faithful member of the Church. And if we are going to hold Reid up to the microscope when it comes to Mormon politicians, take a look at Orrin Hatch and every other politician.
Stop turning our religion into a political game. We're a Church, we're supposed to be Christians, not an exclusive self-righteous-Republicans-only club.

Coushatta Indian tribe | 10:22 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

We love Harry. Back in 2002 we were involved in a casino dispute with a rival tribe. Harry sent a letter to then Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton. The next day, we sent a 5,000-dollar check to Harryï¿½s tax-exempt political group, the Searchlight Leadership Fund. Reid was so good to us that we decided to funnel about $66,000 to Harry through Jack Abramoff. Harry is great! Stop saying bad things about him.

stumblefall | 10:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Dear "Request for Clarification": the Deseret News articles attributes Reid's comments on Benson and Wilkinson to a press conference at BYU today, not the forum itself.

johnny cobert | 10:33 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

To say that we LDS should put abortion (no comment on gay rights) on the back burner and give it secondary attention is disturbing coming from an active LDS man. Yes, the world issues, especially those that focus on the middle east are important. But sancity for life is at the top of my list of priorities. I will balance every thing else. But I say again, human life and the right to live is at the top of my list.

Utah Pharisees | 10:33 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

What Reid was espousing is that eventhough he (and I also) are against abortion and same-sex marriage, as aborrant as they are, the far greater wickedness destroying our nation under Bush is the exponentially increasing gap between the rich and poor (D&C 49:20). That is the reason the Lord gave for destroying Sodom and Gomorra, that they did not take care of the poor (Ezekiel 16:49-50), and the other abominations only added to the anger. Republicans have the beam in their eyes on this one. While they try to take care of the mote of saving lives while in the womb, they do all they can with their policies to destroy life once born by supporting policies that enrich the few while sinking the masses into poverty and degradation. These Utah Republicans walk around in their long robes, believing they are more righteous because of their obvious prosperity, but their hypocricy is clearly discernable. They will answer for the destruction of the Constitution, and other great values we once stood for, for supporting despots like Bush who push policies that destroy. 90% of the world and 75% of US see Bush as a despot. What is with Utah?

stumblefall | 10:37 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Let's have a little talk about what the Savior taught. Yes, he taught that we should love our fellow men and take care of them. No, he did not teach that the government should enforce that. When the government seizes tax money from its citizens by force and distributes it to the poor and the needy (after taking their cut, of course), that is not the Savior's plan. When private citizens do so out of the goodness of their heart and out of a desire to follow the Savior's teachings, that IS the Savior's plan. When the government seizes said tax money, it makes it much more difficult for citizens to do good things with their money. It is very common for Satan to present a plan that is similar to Christ's plan. In this case, Satan has presented socialism, which is so much like the Law of Consecration, except for one thing: it's forcible, not based on free agency. Just because someone doesn't believe the government should be involved in something doesn't mean they don't believe in the thing--e.g., education, charity, swimming pools, skate parks. True god-fearing conservatives give with one hand and vote against socialism with the other.

I'm proud of the posters | 10:41 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I know many of you are chastizing the "negativity", the "hate", the examples people are setting to non-members, and heaven forbid we do anything to hurt the missionary process...

Bottom line, LDS and Non LDS are posting, using their 1st ammendment rights to Freedom of assembly, of the press and speech.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Face it, it is a worldwide church and so many members could care less of this arguement. They are living a pure gospel in a developing country. President Benson doesn't care what you say, he's dead and living in the presence of the almighty (I know the guy, he's allright). Slammin him does not really do a ton of good.

Nope, you are exercising our rights as Americans, one thing that the church supports. I am proud of each and everyone of you.

OH, one last thing, there is really no fire and brimstone. It was an Urban Myth.

Post your hate away.

finally finished | 10:42 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Well, I read all of the comments and am amazed at the negativism.

Lets consider some of the "weightier matters of the law" as spoken of by Jesus. I want to refer to Mosiah chapter 4:14-26. This is essential when considering the morality of ignoring the poor. Mosiah states that those who "turn (the poor) out to perish" and who use the justification that they have "brought upon (themselves)this misery" (because they were lazy, indolent, etc.??) will "perish forever" and have "no interest in the kingdom of God"

Check yourselves on two points that have been brought up previously.

1) There are many more forms of immorality than what the Democrats display and many of these other forms are on full display in the Republican party as well.

2) Both parties are corrupt and not any one party will come to this country's aid when the constitution is hanging by a thread.

The question for each of us on these issues is "where do I stand?".

I suggest that if we are unwilling to separate from our surplus to help the poor (whether through taxation, free will offerings, etc.) then we stand on very shaky ground and offend the creator.

Anonymous | 10:47 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Awwww...I was just trying to be helpful, and I ended up putting in a URL, and there goes my comment. BYU's website mistakenly spells it 'redi' instead of 'reid', so if you want to read the transcript of the forum, there you go. What I was trying to say was that it's very politically astute for Reid to paint the Democrat Party as an alternative to the Republicans, because the Republicans are very unpopular these days. As well they should be, since they are obvious corrupt. But it's very typical for liberals to paint just two alternatives: better for the government to feed and house a homeless person than for him to die in poverty on the streets. But there IS another alternative: lower taxes, and private citizens will step in to take care of their fellow man. Reid neglects to mention that many true conservatives have abandoned the Republican Party already, and not to join the Democrats. Better for him politically not to mention the Constitution Party, because it espouses the Constitution, God's law, and his party does not. Actually, better for Democrat politicians in general not to mention the Constitution, because that engenders questions they can't answer easily.

Proud Democrat | 10:48 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Didn't the church practice the United Order at one time? That was a socialized program. How about the Perpetual Immigration Fund? Maybe we should get rid of the Church Welfare Program. We should probably stop doing service projects....After all, people should not receive things they have not worked and paid for......

Some of the most abused words in the last few years have been: Honor & Integrity. If you have to brag about it, you don't have it. I am so thankful that I was inspired to leave Utah....It was so hard to stay on the pedestal that I felt pressured to put myself on.

Clifton | 10:51 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

My issue with Harry Reid isn't so much with who he is, as what he is politically. We here so much from our left wing Democratic friends about "separation of Church and State, especially when it comes Republicans and Conservatives, yet Reid can come to BYU and mix Politics with religion and can get away with it. Dick Cheney gets invited to speak at BYU and BYU's young Democrats have fit and a tizzy. Reid gets a pass.

David in CA lectures us to be respectful. Fred says he is ashamed of the reprehensible intolerance displayed in the comments made by so many "God-fearing" people. Then he says: "Whats the matter with you?"

Well Fred, and David in CA, I ask what is the matter with you? Have you never witnessed the Vitriol and snide remarks spewing forth from the mouth of this sanctimonious jerk on the U.S. Senate floor? He and the rest of the Democratic Party are leading this Country down the path towards socialism and Communism, and oh by the way Fred,its his character Thats "what is the matter with me!"

Wayne Cambell and Garth Algar | 10:52 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I say we make a rule that people can publish posts, but they can't use the word Republican or Democrats. Rather we use only ideas and beliefs.

I think it was Dick Van Patten who said "If you label me, you negate me". It was good enough on the greatest family show ever made, "Eight is Enough", and that makes it good enough for me.

In closing, asphink terseyzwhat???

CJ Grisham | 10:55 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

The thing that annoys me about Reid's comments is that they are false. He praises Joseph Smith (and rightly so) for his stance against slavery but faults Ezra Taft Benson who, along with President Kimball, brought about the revelation that blacks be given the priesthood while he was President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Either Reid is a bad mormon because he's a Democrat or Reid is a bad mormon because he has integrity issues. While it's probably a little bit of both, I'll put more weight into the latter.

If Reid has issues with the Church's stance on abortion and gay rights issues, then he should excommunicate himself from it since that is our stance, like it or not. The Catholics are looking for more high profile people and he'd fit in with their recent decisions to loosen up their beliefs about gays. The Church is run by divine revelation, not blind political expediency.

Zonie | 10:57 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

If you discovered that Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, or Chairman Mao was still alive and still killing people by the millions, and then a trusted leader told you not to worry about it, would you trust that leader? Since Roe v. Wade, over 40 million children have died in abortions in the United States alone! Approximately one million babies will be aborted this year. You've been worried about Ahmadinejad? So have I. But if he or one of his stooges nukes a major U.S. city, we will likely lose fewer lives than we do from abortion this year. What a sick world we live in. What twisted logic to not consider abortion an important issue.

Global warming | 10:58 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Fellow LDS republicans, the Republican leadership believe in Global Warming

Mitt ROMNEY : "You're seeing the climate get warmer or climate change is occurring and I believe that human activity is contributing to that."
-- Business and Industry Association National Leaders Forum, May 29, 2007

Sam BROWNBACK: "Global warming has occurred. We have far more CO2 in the atmosphere than we had 100 years ago. That's factual."
-- U.S. News and World Report, Aug. 2006

Rich GULIANI: " I think we have to accept the view that scientists have that there is global warming and that human operation, human condition, contributes to that."
--Republican debate, June 5, 2007

John McCAIN:" I believe climate change is real. I think it's devastating. I think we have to act ... the overwhelming evidence is that greenhouse gases are contributing to warming of our earth and we have an obligation to take action to fix it.
-- Video on campaign site

Ron PAUL:" [Global warming] is a problem."
--Campaign stop in Iowa, May 3, 2007

RE: stumblefall | 11:04 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

The problem, Stumblefall, is that decent Godfearing conservatives most often do not give with one hand while voting against socialism with the other. One only needs to look at the Bountiful and Provo benches or the very exclusive riverbottom communities between Provo and Orem to see what opulence exists in the mist of "the saints". The "surplus and excess" are brutally evident. On the other side however, there are so many poor people just minutes away who, through no fault of their own, cannot afford even the necessities of life. When caring hands should, according to their religion, be reaching out to lift and help and even succor (see my previous post "finally finished") their poor brothers and sisters. This sort of feigned concecration because they give back a fraction of what God has so graciously given them is not "true religion and undefiled before God". Maybe someday we will get there as a people but we are nowhere close yet.

We can, however, vote for policies that approximate the giving spirit, however awkward and false they may be until more are ready to truely give as Christ gave.

Good luck with this on a personal level.

Don't be flossin where you live | 11:04 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

We don't care...

Just makes you sound stupid.

I grew up in Utah, moved to So Cal 21 years ago, and back to Davis County 1 1/2 years ago. That being said, Please don't mention how cool you are and enlightened because you don't live in Utah.

I found Male and Female "Molly Mormons" in both places, and free thinkers in both my ward in So Cal and Utah.

If you live out of state, the freedom you feel is from your own issues. Deal with them, get a beer and mow your lawn on Sunday. My Utah mormon neighbor does it every Sunday after church. (He won't smoke while doing it though, it pisses off the Bishop).

Me | 11:11 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Doesn't the church teach that you should not judge others? This is a free country, and not everyone subscribes to the same religion. I believe we, as Mormons, should sympathize more with gay people who just want their rights. Especially given our own history of being persecuted for what many felt was immoral sexual behavior (Polygamy). Let gay people have all the rights they want, and practice their beliefs the way they see fit. Even if we find it to be immoral. In the end, God will sort it out. We should just be worried about ourselves.

What? | 11:16 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

To all of you up in arms about abortion and the "right to life"... I have to wonder if you feel the same way about the death penalty? Is the death penalty murder? Think about that before you slam someone on their right to have a few cells removed from their own body, you self righteous hypocrits.

warm welcome? | 11:16 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

I too am disappointed about BYU's warm welcome for Reid. In the past few months, I've heard many comments in the news, etc. that came out of his mouth.. and after reading this article I was shocked to hear that he is LDS. I literally laughed out loud. It's a good thing his religion isn't out in the main media yet as much as Romney's religion is questioned.

health care | 11:19 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

Fellow LDS republicans. Republican leadership believes in Universal Health care.
(Universal health care is different from sociolized medecine)

Sam BROWNBACK : " We need high-quality, affordable health care for everyone."
-- Announcing his candidacy, Jan. 20, 2007

Tommy THOMPSON:"We must build a system that is affordable and accessible for everyone"
--Iowa, April 2007

Mitt ROMNEY : "We found a way to get everybody in our state, Massachusetts, insured. I like the plan. I think it's one of the best things we did in my administration. It's not perfect. We will learn from it"
--On Fox News' "On the Record," April 23, 2007

Ron PAUL:"It's time to rethink the whole system. The rise of HMOs has created a harmful collusion between politicians, drug companies, and organized medicine that raises the price of health care by stifling competition between providers. And all this in favor of moving us towards universal health care."
---- Muckraker Report, June 28, 2007

Indeed, it is astonishing that in the richest country in the world, the citizens (and even children) cannot get access to health care -- not by lack of medical know-how or facilies or money-- but because of HMO profit.

Anonymous | 11:20 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

The Book of Mormon makes it apparent that we should vote for the person with the best morals first, and then go with what we agree with second. I see heros and losers in both parties. Frankly, I think many Republicans sold us out in the last few years because they robbed us with their "pet" projects. We now have the worry about becoming like Weimark Germany if China "nukes" our money. I don't want to take a wheelbarrow of money to buy a loaf of bread. Democrats are also guilty of this. I think Clinton should've been impeached for breaking the law, but I also am outraged by the Republicans that wanted to impeach Clinton, now wanting to give "amnesty" to illegal aliens. How's that support the "rule of law"?!

I disagree that abortion and gay marriage are not critical issues compared to "global warming",etc.

I have the agency to commit robbery, murder, etc. Are you going to legalize those in the name of "choice" as well? Science is contradicting Roe vs Wade. Five month old fetuses are living when born, so how can you rationalize an abortion at that point? It is no different from legal murder!

RBH | 11:26 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

It amazeses me how we can continue to miss quote.
I challenge anyone (if there is someone srill reading) to show where it says "thou shalt not judge" followed by a period.
I would be willing to pay anyone that can show me anywhere in scripture that, "free agency" or "fredom of choice" is followed by a period. You will always find reference to good or evil and consiquence.
And someone, please, point out to me where the president of the United States spends one penny, let alone into "record deficets". As important as we claim the constitution to be I am amazed at how little we know about it. Especially to the roll and limits of each of the three branches. [Go ahead test yourself. Name the three branches.]
Finally, If charity is the greatest of all the gifts, define charity for me. I doubt taking my money or goods or talents by force and giving it to someone else and keeping most of it yourself can be called charity
Not exactly on the subject of Sen. Reids visit but just some observations in the comments.

Clifton | 11:27 p.m. Oct. 10, 2007

To Claudia: Thanks for posting and fine comments. The LDS Church was being prosecuted a long time before these self appointed Religious Right folks came along, while I'm not sure of the exact time it began, Latter Day Saints have mostly voted Republican for ages. Some try to associate the LDS Church with the Rekigious right, which is absolutely false, so you see the nit picking of the Church continues in this regard. Many WERE and voted Democrat too, and I believe when the Democratic Party was the real Democratic Party, and not like the present one. Much of the persecution of the Church in its early days was during periods of Democrat Administrations such as Presidents Polk and Buchanan and States and local governments.

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