Deseret News | Reid gets warm reception at BYU

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Reid gets warm reception at BYU

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Army Guy | 10:42 p.m. Oct. 12, 2007

I can help anyone who wants to take Carl's recommendation to join the Army. Let me know...

Democrat Mormon | 12:39 a.m. Oct. 13, 2007

Of course I am not going to stop believing because of what some people are posting on a website. I am the one out there every Sunday trying to talk people into coming back to Church, or at least sending them regular emails. My point is I really did not realize how anti-Democrats many people are deep down. I may be simple-minded (or perhaps one of the "evil learned" since I graduated from ivy league) but I am a Democrat because I oppose war and support helping the needy. In my reading of the scriptures, there is a lot more in there about helping the poor and needy, providing to the less fortunate, opposing violence and war, etc. than there is about making sure taxes are really low (and the reality is the difference between the tax plans of Reps and Dems is miniscule -- maybe Libertarians and Green party but not Reps and Dems) or attacking every country first that even has an inkling of being anti-American. I'm not starting a debate on this; I'm just telling why I am who I am. Like me or hate me, I will always be this way, and always go to Church.

El David | 12:50 a.m. Oct. 13, 2007

Harry Reid D-Nevada speaking at BYU was no big deal to me. Just because I share his religion, doesn't mean he has my support. Mitt shares my religion and I like Guliani as of late.

As for the comments of "I Am Glad I am Not Mormon", I am glad you are not either. Thanks for leaving the LDS faith. I can sleep better now.

Comments continue below

LandSteward | 1:17 a.m. Oct. 13, 2007

All that I can say about Harry Reid is;

1. He seems very comfortable with the shady deals that he makes in Nevada. He also took $60K from Lobbyist Jack Abramoff then said he wouldn't return it because it was a "Republican Scandal".

2. He said in his comments on a Church campus that abortions and being "gay" is OK.

I seem to recall that a fellow named Korihor seemed to think that everything that a man thought to do was fine as well. Follow him if you wish but I think that a guy who says anything for power and is allowed free speech on a Church campus then lies about Rush Limbaughs free speech of the truly "Phony Soldiers" will never get my support.
I started out as a liberal Democrat too, voting for Jimmy Carter, (hapless) and Michael Dukakis, (maybe its OK to let the killer Willie Horton out on furlow only to have him kill again). After my older brother gave me the Democratic platform and it contained the abortion issue, I could not and will not be a member of that party anymore. They call it progressive. I call it evil, and getting worse.

Proud Nevada Democrat | 1:34 p.m. Oct. 13, 2007

Mitt Romney was a liberal Republican before he decided to run for president. The opposition people have for him can be summed up in 2 points:
1. People and other Republicans think Mormonism is a cult. They do not think we are Christian.
2. People and other republicans think that if he is elected, then he will be a puppet for the Mormon church.

Why do some Mormons want to be affiliated with an organization that hate them? If Mitt were to become president, will he be the president of the Mormons or the President of the United States? He would be elected to represent all of America, not just the Mormon Americans. This is the problem Harry Reid has to deal with. He is required to represent the views of Nevadans.

As a school teacher, I cannot promote my views and ideas, I have to follow District guidelines, regardless of what I believe. That is my job.

It is obvious by a lot of the posts, which posters listen to Rush and Hannity. They spew hatrid, name-calling, and bullying. Those are great Christian values that any Republican Mormon can be proud of.

Open Eyes | 6:13 p.m. Oct. 13, 2007

Mitt is a Mormon; Reid is a Mormon. Both men claim that their political beliefs stem directly from their religious beliefs. What does this tell us? It tells us that religious beliefs are so ambiguous that they are like "Barnum Statements" - they can be interpreted any way you like. And that is where the problem rests. Religious beliefs are practically worthless and are only stirring up disagreement and hatred among people. The solution is for people to stop being duped by religious beliefs. Be skeptical. Question everything. Do not acquiesce to fables, myths, stories of magic underwear, golden bibles, etc. and do not subject yourselves to the spinners of such tales and support them with your money or your time. Free yourselves from the tyranny of religious belief! Only then will political discourse become rational and progressive.

Army Guy | 1:38 a.m. Oct. 14, 2007

To Open Eyes:

First, "political" and "rational" should never be used in the same sentence.

Second, "the tyranny of religious belief?" Who are you, Karl Marx?

Third, there are many who reject "progressive" ideas.

Fourth, I will take your advice and question everything, beginning with your point of view. I respect your position, but you can't be serious in calling for the abolishment of all religious beliefs. Do you know how many billions of people in the world you are going to have to convince? Good luck with that. You might need a larger platform than the comments section of the DMN though...

Gay Rights | 1:28 p.m. Oct. 14, 2007

What is wrong with being gay? I find that religious people say Gays are evil/sinners because the Bible doesn't believe in Gays. So what if the Bible says that? Does that mean that some religious people can harass gay people and smear them? No. Be tolerant for goodness sake.

The issues of Gay and Abortions aren't important because they are both legal. End of story. Leave it at that and focus on something more urgent right now like the War and Global Warming.

Both the War and GW are vastly more important than Gay and Abortions because they affect the WHOLE world, not just America. Global Warming will effect each and everything around us. Isn't that more important than banning gay marriages? I believe so.

So a simple note to all the religious zealots out there:
Live your life and your beliefs, but don't impose them on others.
If you don't like gays, don't be gay. If you don't like abortions, don't get an abortion.

I support Harry Reid because Gays and Abortions is nothing compare to the War and Global warming.

Senior Student | 7:22 p.m. Oct. 14, 2007

I am a student at BYU-HAwaii and I am doing a senior thesis paper on Mormon Democrats being "in the closet" about their political views. Would anyone be willing to talk to me about how they view Democrats in the LDS church?

Skeptic | 9:29 p.m. Oct. 14, 2007

I am floored that people are so caught up on the message. I guess it is hard not to debate but I think the real story here is that BYU had a voice on campus different from its own. It doesn't matter what the message was, and it didn't matter that students didn't protest, but the fact BYU let a dissenting, different voice create dialog is a significant victory for the school's mission of education. Nice

Patrick Abernathy | 11:44 p.m. Oct. 14, 2007

In a press conference Harry Reid stated: "Members of the Church need to worry less about abortion and gay marriage and more about health care, global warming, education and jobs." I feel nothing is more important than stopping the killing the unborn and thwarting/perverting the sanctity of marriage. Supporting global warming claims that it is man-made will not endear anyone to my God nor will will the type of job h/she holds.

He mentioned President Benson among past church leaders who have "taken members of the church down a wrong path". He also said the Church leaders have pressed many into being conservative. I was conservative long before I was baptized into the Church and the conservative nature of the Church was a huge draw when I was investigating.

Also, Reid's bashing a sitting U.S. President from the BYU campus is patently crass and wrong.

I am very annoyed that Harry Reid was invited to BYU. Almost any other speaker would have been better. I am from the class of 1970. My wife and I are offended by many of his comments at the university where we both graduated. Patrick Abernathy, Saint George Utah.

Clark | 2:11 p.m. Oct. 15, 2007

To Joe Watts:

Not sure how you define the vote for the war. If you're talking about Congress' "Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq" in October 2002 (which is what most people are referencing when they talking about this or that senator voting for or against the war), I'm afraid you're dead wrong about Harry Reid. Go to the U.S. Senate's website, look up that resolution (October 11, 2002), pull up the voting record, and find Senator Reid (D-Nev). You'll find a solid "Yea" next to his name. I think you must confusing him with Jack Reed, a Democratic senator from Rhode Island, who certainly voted against the war. But Harry Reid did not--he definitely supported the use of force. You can disagree about the wisdom of the invasion--I for one was opposed to it before it even happened--but please, at least get your facts right before condemning others.

Frank | 11:56 p.m. Oct. 15, 2007

It's time for that OLD MAN to retire. Reid has gotten so for out of hand he can't be taken seriously anymore.

Rich | 9:38 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

How can anyone stand for a party that has killed millions of babies and believes in gay marriage. By the way we have had 3000 die in this war and in the same time frame we have lost over 10 million babies to abortions. I do not hear any [D]'s talking about these little ones?

Harry Cult? | 10:26 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Joseph Smith was against slavery? He must have been a Republican than. A Republican freed the slaves and a Republican gave us the Civil Rights Act. The Mormans are only hurting their cause by embracing the demonic ideals of Harry Reid. Time for some serious soul-searching my people. Harry sounds more like a member of a Methodist Church.

BYU Grad | 8:43 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

I really appreciated hearing Harry Reid's talk on byub.com. I've grown up in a very conservative family. It bothers me that so many conservatives dismiss liberal Democrats as kooks or lunatics. Saying so is an admission that we can't understand them within our viewpoint, yet a large part of our country follow this party line. They are as American as we are. Refusing to try to understand them is cutting out a large part of our country.

In the comments above, I see people that won't listen to Senator Reid because they only see his connection to the Daily Kos or Moveon.org or other Democrat senators. I appreciated hearing what I heard as an honest expression of what he believes.

I believe you can be a Mormon and a Democrat. I don't agree with Senator Reid's positions, but I can understand his criticism that some Republican's only talk about gay marriage and abortion; 2 critical issues, but they clearly are not the only important ones.

I think going to Iraq was the right choice and we need to win the war, but I do not believe we have fought an effective war for the last 4.5 years.

Jono | 10:53 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

I can not understand how any loyal LDS member can open support Harry Reid. He clearly stated that members of the church should stop worrying about abortion and gay rights, but these are the very subject that the First Presidency seems to care about. I am absolutely confused to think that faithful intellegent people don't see this stunt as just that. He called evengelical christians, "anti-christians". Are you kidding me. He is in a position of great power and influence, and his statement is going to hit the news. Imagine the outrage the evengelical community will have. Who do you think they are going to take that frustration out on? Mitt Romney of course. Harry puts politics in front of religion. He is a snake. I ahve no hatred only disbelief. Come on people open your eyes.

Thomas | 12:20 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

It's interesting to me to note that very few of the comments here were written by those who actually heard the talk. My wife and I attended that day, sat up close, and listened carefully. I assure you that during his talk, Senator Reid said nothing at all about Ezra Taft Benson or Ernest L. Wilkinson. He may have made some comments about the Republican bias of these two men during their time of service to BYU and the Church after his talk, but I assure you he never mentioned either of them during the forum. Since his comments about these two men are off-the-record impressions of Mr. Walch or other newspaper reporters who attended that day, perhaps we shouldn't be so judgmental about what he supposedly said.

I think what LDS members are urged not to do in the temple is to speak evilly of the Lord's anointed. Surely the injunction extends far beyond the prophet to all anointed LDS members (of whom Senator Reid is one), the deeper question here might be to say, had Senator Reid really spoken evilly of Elder Benson? When he was prophet, President Benson stayed away from his earlier conservative pronouncements. Ponder that.

Reid has a serious problem | 2:43 p.m. Oct. 20, 2007

Harry Ried comments show his true colors. By dismissing the emphasis of the church leadership concerns regarding abortion, Gay Marriage, and Gay rights he clearly does not believe the following statement from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve stating:

"...We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

"We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. "
("The Family:A Proclamation to the World" 1995)

It is impossible to believe he has not read this, and more than once. He clearly is decieved and is now propogating on that deceit to others. He is on the road to apostacy.

Larry Richman | 1:40 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

What a disgrace! Reid uses BYU for his political agenda. Compare Vice-Presidency Cheney's speech at BYU, where Cheney didnt' bring up politics at all. But Reid used his speech at BYU as a bully pulpit to trash Bush and even past Church President Benson. Cheney said Mormons were ill-served by Benson's (and others') conservative politics. "Members of the church are obedient and followers in the true sense of the word, but these people have taken members of the church down the path that is the wrong path," Reid told reporters Tuesday after speaking at church-owned Brigham Young University.

Carl | 9:03 a.m. Oct. 24, 2007

Interesting that Larry Richman wrote "Cheney said Mormons were ill-served by Benson's (and others') conservative politics" just after bad mouthing Harry Reid.

WHY do people base their hate and anger toward Harry Reid on news reports of Harry Reid's comments AFTER the speech instead of what he said in his speech?

We WATCHED the speech on KBYU TV as he spoke and he did NOT make one derogatory comment about Pres. Benson or church leaders.

Try to find a copy of the actual speech instead of repeating right wing hatred of every member of the Democratic Party.

Denver Guy | 2:35 p.m. Oct. 24, 2007

I live in Denver, CO with my Wife and two children and we are active in the LDS church. I am very discouraged by the comments I see on here. I didn't realize all of the close minded right wing propeganda that alot of people in the LDS church believe in UTAH.
Republicans don't believe we are Christians!! Period!! I would know I live outside of your state!!

I see alot of religous zealots on this blog and it frightens me.
My Brother whom I love very much is Gay and I would fear for his well being along with the way you would treat him if he lived in your state!!

We Mormons are more tolerant from what I see on here than you that live in what appears to be a very close minded society where you are exclusive and not inclusive.

I would never raise my children in Utah.

the lies people tell... | 8:43 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008

I watched Harry Reid speak and I do not recall him saying that we don't need to worry about abortion. I DO recall him plainly saying that he is pro-life, that there are many democrats who are pro-life, and that he has voted pro-life when he has had the opportunity. Him simply being a member of the democratic party does not mean that he supports abortion or gay marriage. Those of you who are basing your comments on what you read in the article have been misled by the press. Go to the source.

Freshmen | 5:15 p.m. Sept. 21, 2008

Tolerance = Respect. Every single one of God's children was given agency. You can not choose how your neighbor lives. Whether or not you agree with Senator Reid's remarks or political views you have no right to judge him and call him "a disgrace to the church." The conservative party and many of the LDS church members need to remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and you are just going to have to tolerate their opinion and teach by example. How do you expect to proclaim the Gospel to the world if you can't respect another person's right to an opinion? I don't agree with everything that Harry Reid says or does, but he understands that you can't force the world to have morals and values, and you certainly can't take away someone's agency. So, don't condemn for being a democrat and not voting the same way you do. Instead, practice tolerance: Love your neighbors and respect the right for everyone to have their own opinion.

melmanmark | 10:37 a.m. Nov. 19, 2009

The problem with Harry Reid isn't that he's a Democrat: it's that he's a Gadianton Robber! Anytime anyone pledges allegiance to an organization, for the sake of the organization ABOVE PRINCIPLE, he is engaging in secret combinations. I don't care how you justify it-it is ALWAYS wrong! Harry Reid says what he does, just like Korihor and Nehor, because it is "pleasing to the carnal mind." He knows what he's doing-and one day he will answer for it. Not to you or me, but he will answer for it.

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