Deseret News | Reader comments: Demo Reid gave remarkable talk at BYU

Reader comments
Pignanelli & Webb: Demo Reid gave remarkable talk at BYU

Cameron | 9:45 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Great commentary by both authors. Of course it's fine to be a Mormon Democrat, and by all accounts Sen. Reid represented that well. But Mr. Webb is correct in saying that the senator was able to say things that no Republican would be able to say.

Dave | 2:10 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Sen. Reid smeared Rush Limbaugh, blatantly misrepresenting the truth of what was said om Rush's program. By doing so, he diminished any points he might have gained from his speech at BYU.
And, in the process of smearing Rush, cast a shadow on the integrity of all Democrat Mormons.

Luke | 2:12 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Great perspectives. However, I do disagree with one statement that Mr. Webb made. Reid's claim that "ultraconservative" Ezra Taft Benson, "led church members down the wrong path" is hardly name calling. Benson was very conservative, even for his time, and of course Sen. Reid thinks that was the wrong path - his entire career is based on the belief that was the wrong path. He phrased his comments rather gently, in my opinion.

Comments continue below

Bob E | 3:34 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I will try this again since it appears I was edited.
In my view, Mr. Reids public pronouncements are consistenly negative, counter-productive, and not in keeping with the spirit of the Gospel I know. If he were to enter any meeting I was attending, I would politely excuse myself and leave

John P | 4:52 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I think that it is great that Senator Reid was invited to speak at BYU and, not only speak, but speak at a weekly devotional. The two-party system needs to be encouraged. Neither party has a lock on values. But each offers a different approach to societal issues. I strongly disagree with the senator's position on many points but I am proud of him, as a church member, for taking a stand. Thinking people will choose whichever party/approach/position most nearly fits their own beliefs. Having choices is good for us all.

Mark B | 8:19 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Evidently my comments stemming from Dave's defense of Rush Limbaugh were too pointed for this space. Let's try this: a leader of the US Senate appears at BYU and delivers an address which is more conciliatory than one might hear on the Senate floor, and in this address we are reminded that he is a member of the LDS church who takes seriously its beliefs. More than a week after this address, he is still being attacked through forums such as this, to the point that people would not be seen in the same church meeting hall with this senator. Instead, a defense is offered of a radio commentator who shares NONE of these beliefs. Doesn't that tell us something about the atmosphere in which we find ourselves? Divisive, partisan beyond all reason, placing political party even above the things we are supposed to share. It says, I believe, much more about us than it does about Senator Reid, and not, sadly, to our favor.

Dave Hansen | 11:43 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Webb hit the nail on the head.

Pignanelli, on the other hand, is just another example of journalists on the left who are blind to their own bias.

Does he really not understand why it is that Reid can talk about being a Democrat because he's a Mormon but Romney can't say the same about why he's a Republican?

I admit that part of it is because of the Evangelicals who are influential in the Republican Primary, but another major factor is that the media would grill Romney if he ever said that.

In fact, they would grill Romney if he even gave a devotional at BYU let alone talked honestly about his faith.

Does Mr. Pignanelli never wonder why it is that reporters don't ask the same questions of Senator Reid that they do of Mitt Romney?

Alan S | 6:57 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

The idea that Reid's comments were not critical of the leadership of the church is laughable. He most certainly WAS criticizing Ezra Taft Benson, accusing him of taking members down the "wrong path." And yet Reid gave no evidence to support his views ... no facts to back-up his opinion that the path Benson walked was "wrong." Maybe Reid, for example, gets hung-up on Benson's criticism of Martin Luther King, forgetting that while Dr. King's words and leadership on civil rights were monumental and historic, his personal behavior did indeed leave much to be desired. (This is factual.)

Reid is angrily critical of so many things and so many people. He bases his criticism on politics, not fact. In Reid's view, the sins of Benson, Bush and Limbaugh are that they are (were) conservative, and he will twist their words and insult them to generate anti-conservative sentiment. While he blames Benson for LDS conservatism, he should credit the Democrats for abortion policy so radical it alienates would-be LDS Democrats who can't in good conscience support it.

I know many totally honorable Mormon Democrats who treat others with civility, respect and kindness. Harry Reid is not one of them.

Hale | 7:32 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

Were there any protestors or demonstrations on campus similar to those when Vice President Cheney was there?

Shirley | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

Hold the phone!! Mr. Pignanelli wrote ".. like Ezra Taft Benson, ... have taken members of the church down the path that is the wrong path." Then ONE sentence later he wrote "..... Yet he never questioned doctrine or prophets" WHAT?!WHAT?! Saying a Prophet led the church down the wrong path isn't 'questioning a prophet'??? Mr. Reid did a dandy snow job on you people!

Anonymous | 11:28 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

The writer is setting up a strawman with comments about "obliterating" the notion that "Democrats could not be devout LDS.ï¿½

Of course some devout Mormons are also Democrats. Some devout Mormons also believe in evolution, a 4-billion-year-old earth, and the right to an abortion.

But most arenï¿½t and donï¿½t.

The question shouldnï¿½t be about extremes, but of averages. That Utah is the reddest state in the nation, and the most consistent supporter of Republican candidates, isn't a random fact that exists in a vacuum. It's because the Republican Party represents the "values" of most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Unfortunately, those "values" -- as expressed through the Bush administration ï¿½ include things like torture, attacks on the constitution via warrantless wiretaps, lying, voter fraud and wars based on false pretense. The remarkable thing isnï¿½t that a small minority of Mormons support Democrats, but that a culture so dominated by ï¿½religious valuesï¿½ would be so taken in by the horrible values promoted by the leaders of the Republican Party.

Duwayne Anderson
Author of "Farewell to Eden: Coming to terms with Mormonism and science"

Verl Doman | 12:24 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

The bottom line is that Senator Reid showed very poor judgement in making his statement about President Benson, given that he was a guest of the Church at a BYU devotional. The fact that he was not booed showed great restraint and tolerance on the part of those present.

Harry Reid Cult | 12:51 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

How does Harry get off attacking Evangelical Christians? The Mormons need to be careful, lest their own Cult be further exposed. Furthermore, what good is being a Mormon if you fail to follow your own Doctrin? Do you really beleive that the slaughter of innocent babies is of modern-day unimportance? I am amazed that the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS has not excommincated Harry Reid. I will pray for your souls.

Aaron | 1:23 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

I am grateful that BYU invited Senator Reid and that his message was generally well received even by those who did not agree. He had every right to criticize President Benson's political viewpoints, which were often published outside of any official church distribution system. Unless it's scripture, an official statement printed in the Ensign, or at least an idea articulated in general conference ideas presented by the brethren are not beyond criticism. If this were not the case then critics of the LDS church who accuse members such as myself of belonging to a cult would be right.

Nothing could be farther from the truth of our doctrine though. We can, and are expected to, think for ourselves. Of all people, Mormons should understand this, but some of us do seem anxious to abdicate our right to independent thought. Having Harry Reid remind our people of our ability to think for ourselves is refreshing.

A gentile | 1:26 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

To all those that agree with above point of view, that reads: "In my view, Mr. Reids public pronouncements are consistenly negative, counter-productive, and not in keeping with the spirit of the Gospel I know. If he were to enter any meeting I was attending, I would politely excuse myself and leave."
I feel the same when I hear LDS members refering to illegal immigrants - not in keeping with the spirit of the Gospel that we know... aren't we (the gentiles) supposed to carry the lamanite in our arms? Too much hipocresy I suppose...

Scruffydog | 12:00 a.m. Oct. 23, 2007

Harry Reid did not criticise the Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, he criticised the man who was to become that Prophet for the things that he said before he became Prophet. Your personal opinion is that Reid's pronouncements are not in keeping with Gospel; you are entitled to that view, but I would suggest that Jesus would recognise Reid as a faithful disciple, as he would Orrin Hatch. Just because he makes statements that you disagree with on political grounds, don't make the mistake of attacking his religious and spiritual credentials.

Paul | 1:25 a.m. Oct. 23, 2007

Why don't you print more comments that are critical of Senator Reid? I sent a comment last night that you failed to print, which just shows your extreme bias in favor of any Democrat spouting your line. How does Senator Reid dare criticize Ezra Taft Benson, who did more good in his life than Senator Reid can ever hope to do. Why don't you print that? Who are the hypocrites who cannot stand to hear criticism of their man? You editors should stop acting like you are fair and even-handed when you clearly won't print many comments that are critical of Senator Reid.

Charles | 10:54 a.m. Oct. 24, 2007

Who would you want representing the moral values of the LDS Church such as being pro-life? Harry Reid, or Mitt Romney? In this case, I'll go with the Democrat.

Gregory Marsh | 1:14 p.m. June 17, 2008

I don't understand how Senator Reid can say that the political views of the present-day Democratic Party harmonizes with the doctrines of the LDS Church.

This is simply untrue.

Jess Willans | 6:16 p.m. Sept. 22, 2008

I very much respect Senator Reid and his right to be a liberal democrat and a faithful member of the Church. Being a Nevadan I can say that Senator Reid does a good job representing the interests of this state to the nation. I also know one of Senator Reids sons who served in a local Bishopric for many years. But his comment about President Benson troubles me. Not that I find it blasphemous in any way but just lacking the reverance that I feel towards and would hope we all feel towards Gods anointed.
We know that the purpose of this life is to develop the "Mind of Christ" which invovles obtaining the gift of Charity and being changed through the powers of the atonement. Though I believe like Elder Maxwell used to teach that political solutions are of little matter when compared to the power of the gospel I nevertheless find that the closer I come to Christ and the more I mature in the gospel and participate in true religion through my callings the more conservative I become politically. I am bothered by Reids comments about the incompatibility of the Gospel and conservatism.

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