BLog 5

Blog 5

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, LDS or Mormon for short, has officially stated that they are politically neutral. However, despite this claim, the question remains whether or not there is an LDS political identity in the United States. Also, if there is a political identity, how and why does it exist with the more than apparent stance of the church on the matter? While considering these questions, I have come to the conclusion that there is indeed an LDS political identity, and while the church officially claims neutrality, there are many factors that establish this identity.

To begin with, there is in fact an LDS political identity, and that identity is a strong Republican Conservative. This identity makes perfect sense considering how the state of Utah, where the most LDS members reside, has voted for a republican presidential candidate for the last 48 years (270 to Win ). Not only have they consecutively voted for a republican presidential candidate, but there is also significant survey data to back up this claim. “Two-thirds (66%) call themselves conservatives, and three-quarters of Mormon registered voters (74%) are Republican or lean toward the Republican Party.” (The Pew Forum). With this identity established, the question still remains, why does this identity exists?

In order to understand why this particular political identity exists it is important to understand what the LDS doctrines and beliefs are. While the Church may claim political neutrality, they are more than open about what they, and the members, should stand for when it comes to moral issues. As a result, they are indirectly telling the members what policies to support, and which ones to vote against. For example, take into account proposition 8 in California. While the church didn't come out and tell people what to vote for, church leaders did distinctly say that the Church does not support gay marriage. In The Family, A Proclamation to the World, it reads, “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.” (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Other moral issues, such as abortion, also help to herd Mormons into the folds of the republican party and a conservative mindset. As the church has officially stated, “elective abortion for personal or social convenience is contrary to the will and the commandments of God. Church members who submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions may lose their membership in the Church.” (LDS).

With these prevalent factors which explain why this political identity exists, it is also important to consider concepts such as primordialism and constructivism. Primordialism focuses on the idea that kinship bonds are the building blocks for identity, and that identity is imprinted on the individual early on in life. Constructivism, on the other hand, stresses the idea that changes in the social context as well as competition for power shape the politicization of identity, and assumes that our identities are malleable (Samuels). While both of these concepts have realistic elements in this situation of LDS political identity, primordailism definitely plays a larger role. Some may argue that constructivism plays a prominent role on account of conversions into the LDS Church, and people changing their identities as they become members. While this may be true, a much larger fraction of LDS members are born into the church than are converted later on in life. As children grow up in LDS homes, they are impressed upon by the ideologies taught to them by their parents, which typically begins at a young age. Also, when they do grow up, they are more than likely to stick to what their parents believe, religiously and politically. In this way the LDS political identity fits both kinship and identity imprinting at an early age, which directly makes it a primordailisticly influenced identity.

The LDS church has a political identity of being Republican and Conservative. The reasons for this identity are directly related to the Church, and it's stances on moral issues. Primordialism also plays a large role because most members are born into the church, rather than being converted. This identity doesn't only exist, but it is likely to thrive as time goes on.

Citations

LDS, . "Abortion." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 10 Oct 2012. <http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?

locale=0&sourceId=63c139b439c98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=bbd

508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD>.

Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics. New York: Cambridge Press, 2012.

. "The Family, A Proclamation to the World." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct 2012. <https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation>.

The Pew Forum, . "Mormons in America." The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. N.p.,

12 January 2012. Web. 10 Oct 2012. <http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Mormon/

mormons-in-america-executive-summary.asp&xgt;.

. 270 to Win. N.p., 2012. Web. 12 Oct 2012. <http://www.270towin.com/>.