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Bush meets with First Presidency
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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.
1) Its an honor to meet with you.
2) Were praying for you
3) Utah is a beautiful state
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What have YOU done lately "disgusted & anonymous"?
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!
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.
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.
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.
There's a lot of us out there, who MIGHT consider voting Republican, except for this continual, obvious display of State-sponsored religion.
"What happened to avoid "the very appearance of evil"? "
Yet another good reason to meet with Bush. ;)
Bush has doomed the Republicans. Bring on the Democrats.
I would be surprised if the President came to Utah and did not visit the LDS leadership, just as I would be surprised if he went to Italy and did not call on the Pope.
Why so much negativity and critism out there? Imagine, the leader of the most powerful nation and the leader of a global church meeting together, regardless of the topic of discussion - sounds like a meeting most would love to have been at.
You obviously aren't one now. I doubt you ever were.
Maybe because the LDS church is the only one to have its global headquarters in Utah?
If GW were to meet with every religion's local leaders everywhere he went, he would either have to meet with them all at once in a school gymnasium, give them each 2 minutes privately, or take three weeks at every stop. None of those is very respectful to either party.
When he visits the area home to the Episcopal church, I'd expect him to meet with their leader. Same for any other church anywhere in the world. Go to Italy, meet with the Pope. Go to England, meet with the archbishop of Canterbury. Simply a matter of respect.
Since when is political dissent un-American? Would you silence opposing opinions just because they don't match your own, or that of the majority rule?
Without political debate and dissent, we'd be back to having the original King George rule. I don't think we want that, do we?
"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."
GET A FRICKIN' CLUE! Bush is one of the most EVIL men with absolutely NO CONSCIENCE whatsoever. He doesn't give a rats butt about ANYBODY but himself, his family, and his cronies, all of whom are profiting immensely from the War in Iraq along with ungodly oil prices.
If people honestly believe Geo. W. Bush would even consider for one mili-second of joining the LDS Church, they need to get over themselves and stop drinking the Kool-Aid. Bush isn't a Christian - he's a Gadianton hiding behind the Christian banner.
IMPEACH!
The LDS church in the late 1800's was one of the most liberal groups in the country because they believed in what were then very liberal ideas, like voting rights for women. Women were given the vote in Utah long before the rest of the country.
When the political landscape drifted to the left, LDS members' ideals remained the same, which pushed them towards the right. THAT is why what was once a predominately Democrat body has shifted to Republican.
I have been in the church for over 30 years. I remember ERA, and vaguely the church's statements on it. There was no conspiracy. The church issued a statement indicating what it thought the implications would be, and how that compared with the doctrines we hold to be true. It said the church disagreed with the amendment, but that we should all study the issue and vote our conscience. There was no conspiracy or pressure.
There was nothing secret about this meeting...it has happened before, it will happen again, with this and all other religions. I, for one, am grateful that President Bush met with them, even if nothing "great and secret" was discussed.
Forgive me if I don't believe you were ever a Republican. You spoke like a typical Bush-hater. As a retired military officer and a current employee of the DoD, who may not agree 100% with the President I certainly can understand why he boarded his plane without greeting the service men in the rain. I have memories as a soldier waiting to see and meet with out former President in the 1990's in perfectly good weather on a couple occations and he did not take the time to even wave or salute. They have a tight schedule to complete and they often can't hold up the group for any EXTRA social gestures.
I wish the President the best as well as our future President, whoever he will be. Whatever their party, they deserve our respect even if we don't agree with their policy. LTC
It will do a lot to separate us from the FLDS church which so many American's still believe are the same. Can you see Bush calling on Warren Jeff in his cell. Also, the President's, past and present do not make courtisey call's on the head's of other big church's I am proud of this visit for the Church's prespective. I am sure Bush felt the power of the priesthood and the spirit of these men of God. God Bless America!
"Stop criticizing and be grateful that you live in a country where you are free to think, act and do as your conscience dictates".
Enjoy it while it lasts! Bush's Patriot Act" has all but destroyed our Constitutional liberties. We are fast becoming a police state, all because of the lie that because of some perceived "terrorist" threat, we should be willing to relinquish our freedoms and liberties, that should be protected.
And Bush is evil?
You anti-Bush Utahns are an ignorant lot.
I'm so disgusted with clueless and classless people. These blogs bring out the worst in people. It's awful!!!!
Just what do you people expect from BUSH???? How much can one man do???
He has already given up golf to show his support for the military!!! Isn't that enough????
That comment was meant for you and anyone like yourself. It was meant for all of us and for the president and for anyone.
Your deliberately belittling and belligerent tone is only evidence of your own cold defiance to an otherwise well intended remark. You obviously have a major chip on your shoulder. Who do you think you are to somehow tell me that I can't voice sincere observation? Who do you think you are to somehow gauge another's ignorance on one, small, less then 200 word comment? - Your comment is entirely unconstitutional and spiteful. Your validity and legitimacy in your commentary is immediately cast to a gutter groveling level. - Try gentle persuasion sometime. You might find it more effective then Nazi-istic, zealously judgmental, self absorbed, egotistical, rhetoric that contributes only worthless sludge. - I hope your day goes better for you. It obviously hasn't been a good one so far. Eat well, sleep well, and send any of your loved ones my best.
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