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Bush meets with First Presidency

Nice gesture by the President. Would love to know what they discussed.

I got to see President Bush in his car just as he was coming out. It was awesome!

There's nothing more that Bush can get from the MormonChurch that Reagan and the Republican party has not already extracted. As of the mid-1980's the Church fulfilled its longstanding deal with the Republican party that if the Republicans approved statehood (which they did) Utah in return would have to take its commanding Democrat majority and split the population to 1/2 Dems and 1/2 Republicans (which they did in church meetings all across the territory by splitting the families down the middle of the chapels - one side Dem the other Repubs) and then work to eventually make Utah a commandingly Republican party state, which they did with the so-called Reagan revolution.

The MormonChurch claims it does not get involved in secular politics but leaves it to the people, which in my lifetime was largely true until the Equal Rights Amendment came up and for some time the Church was neutral on, that is until Roe-v-Wade happened, and then the Church rallied its forces in ward and stake meetings for its members to defeat it. Don't think this happened? Well... I was in many of these meetings and it did happen!

Today, they're more sophisticated and behind the scenes about it.

take a guess

1) Its an honor to meet with you.
2) Were praying for you
3) Utah is a beautiful state
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.
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Uh, I gotta say, this visit seems pretty embarrassing.

What would they possibly discuss? This is just the rich and powerful in politics meeting with the rich and powerful in religion for no reason that could possibly benefit those who are NOT rich and powerful. It stinks of conspiracy and elitism and inappropriateness.

Of whatever religion we might belong to my prayers have been with the president and the other governing authorities of the different states in this nation. Prayers extend to the rest of the world and today my prayers have been for the First Presidency as well. There's a sentiment that we live in wonderful and horrible times. There's a spiritual cold front and there are warm fronts as well, but one thing I do know is that our nation needs to give greater reverence to God. We also need to remember selfless and Christian acts of kindness and greater live lives like Jesus Christ would have us live. Even as I write there are certainly those who look to entangle my words, but there are more with us then there are those who are against us. Those who have passed on and yet to come as well. We all have a lot to do.

Could not have discussed much if the visit was under an hour. I think it was more of a courtesy visit.

President Bush Rocks!

What happened to avoid "the very appearance of evil"?

Probably a moment in President Bush's presidency when his nerves were calmed more then they've ever been. I'd imagine that would be the case - even if the discourse was as boring as surface talking about the weather or something. But I'd venture to say as well that Utah is unique for the reason that it is the headquarters of the church. I'd think if something were to happen in George's and Laura's and the presidential family's spiritual progress - if the president were to somehow arrive to the point of finding that the church is what it says it is, I wonder how that would be. - just thinking ideas out loud - it would be interesting. I dare say I know. I'm also aware of others' beliefs and so forth and me knowing doesn't mean that it's necessarily easy to come to that knowledge as well. Scripture study and prayer and sincere seeking are always recompensed by higher powers then our own.

Every time a President visits our state,Democrat or Republican,they meet with the First Presidency. It has nothing to do with politics. And the church does not get involved in secular politics,just moral issues!

How about a president that visits the poor and the needy and comforts them? Shrub is a joke. He isn't a very good human being, let alone a good Christian.

To the " the disgusted and anonymous" who seem to never say anything positive. Such anti-americian feelings are hard for me to understand. They seem to have all the answers yet never seem to contribute anything but dissention. There is never respect for anyone or anything. Sure is sad. They must truly be a miserable group. I do not agree with everything this or other presidents have done, but at least, they are in the arena trying.
What have YOU done lately "disgusted & anonymous"?

For Disgusted: Big word for a small mind. You ought to get out of Utah once in a while. Why is it when people you don't like visit, it has to be something of a conspiracy? Maybe the president and the first presidency talked about you ... so see, nothing important.

RE: Disgusted

Can't President Bush meet with LDS church leaders without you Bush haters making into some covert plan for political gain? Give it a rest!

What will you say if Obama or Hillary Clinton becomes President and they come to visit Utah and drop by to see the LDS First Presidency? Let me guess..."they were curious about their roots...it respectful to visit those leaders while in Utah". Again--Give it a rest!

To Anonymous and other who think the church meddles in politics behind the scenes.

Your theories make sense but have little basis in fact. I've been a high priest for 10 years, and the only advice I have received pertaining to politics has been limited to the following:

"Get involved in politics rather than sit on the sidelines."

"Vote for people who reflect my standards and who will vote for issues about which I care."

"Voice my opinion about bills and referenda to outlaw or ban homosexual marriage."

"Do not allow the pulpit or any church building to promote a candidate for any political office."

"Do not feel that I must vote Republican (or Democrat) to be a good church member."

In my lifetime I remember seeing the church get involved in politics over four issues: Utah's liquor by the drink bills, the Equal Rights Amendment, the homosexual marriage issue, and the building of a nuclear defense system in the Utah desert. I have supported the church's stand on all four issues, though I don't think the church as a worldwide organization should lower itself to get involved at all in our state's politics or laws.

Photo op, that's all it was. Nothing was discussed of great importance. Neither of the meeting groups has anything to say that hasn't already been said, thousands of times.
But it is great to live in a land where we are ALL free to worship how we want (at least that was the intent of the founding fathers) and express our discontent with the governing party if we want.
It is, however, time to end the two party system.

Anonymous @ 9:42AM. You obviously haven't been to too many church meetings. I've been an active member of the LDS church for 46 years, am a former bishop. I've NEVER EVER heard the subject of politics brought up; much less, been encouraged to lean in one direction or the other. The only times we've ever been asked to get involved have been on "local" and/or moral issues that run contrary to gospel teachings and principles.

Active members of the church SHOULD know intuitively,who or what to vote for without any pressure from the brethren - especially along strict Constitutional lines.

If anyone wants to know the direction our elected leaders are taking us, all they have to do is read the Book of Mormon - it was written for our time and according to prophecy, what has been prophisied, will occur.

Oh, by the way, the visit to The First Presidency was nothing more than a courtesy visit - no hidden agenda.

I was impressed with your words, and they echo my own thoughts as of late; it is to be the best that we should strive to be, not just when the cameras are on us.