lds political identity

Roy Copans

Prof. Hawkins

Political Science 150

10/12/2012

                My argument for this blog is that there is a distinct LDS political identity here in the United States. I feel that its presence comes primarily from the aspects of primordialist arguments. In this blog, I will explore the factors behind this argument of the presence of an LDS political identity and link them to what we have learned thus far about the different causes of political identity.

                I feel that it is not a secret that members of the LDS Church are predominantly conservative and of the Republican Party. Of course, however, there is no commandment or revelation from the Lord that causes members to have that affiliation. In fact, the Church is very strong about its official position of political neutrality. Elder M. Russell Ballard recently confirmed that very astutely in an interview with CNN, stating that the Church does not endorse presidential candidates or affiliate with any party[i] However; I do believe that many members think that the Republican Party better suits our doctrine, supporting the Church’s beliefs about families and other key principles. This is the distinct political identity that members of the LDS Church have. 

                Mormon political preferences have definitely been more out in the open in the past few years. A recent historical example would be that of Proposition 8 in California in 2008, which was proposing to ban gay marriage. Because of the Church’s belief about protecting families, large amounts of money were donated to conservative support groups in favor of passing the state amendment. The amendment was indeed passed, resulting in the state now recognizing marriage as only between a man and a woman[ii].  Now, as the 2012 presidential race tightens, Governor Mitt Romney’s candidacy as the Republican nominee draws national attention. Despite being the minority of the state, Utah Democrats were surveyed to state their opinions on Governor Romney. Interestingly, only 23% of Utah Democrats viewed him favorably, but when you looked at just Utah LDS Democrats that number jumped to 42%[iii]. This tells me that now, with a Mormon presidential candidate, religion is an important value to one’s political identity, and even though they may disagree with his policies, LDS Democrats still feel a connection to Governor Romney.

                The primordialist approach to understanding the politicization of identity focuses on natural instincts and connections, indicating that identity is largely based on one’s upbringing, family, and community[iv]. I feel that this is the argument that best describes why members of the LDS Church are predominantly conservative. Especially in Utah, a state that voted 73% Republican in 2004 and 63% in 2008[v], the Church community that people grow up around is a big factor in shaping one’s political preferences. Where I come from in northern Virginia, the Church has an obviously weaker presence, but Ward and Stake families still play major roles in one’s upbringing. These Church communities form deep connections between you and others, which the textbook calls kinship bonds. These kinship bonds are more metaphorical, basing your cultural connections to an imaginary “extended family[vi],” which, in this case, is the Church. Our identity as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is what bonds us together, no matter where you are from. I know that personally, my political affiliation of being a conservative Republican comes from my family and from my feeling that my religious beliefs are better represented by that party.

                My argument stands that there is indeed a distinct political identity in the LDS Church here in America, and that this identity is formed through primordialism, focusing heavily on one’s upbringing, family, and Church community to determine the identity that we will acquire.

 

 

Works Cited

---

[i] Deseret News. (2012) “Elder Ballard confirms LDS Church’s political neutrality.” <http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865561069/Elder-Ballard-confirms-LDS-Churchs-political-neutrality.html>

[ii] Wikipedia: California Proposition 8. (2012) “Campaign funding and spending” <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8>

[iii] Monson, Quin. Utah Data Points. (2012) “Do LDS Dems like Mitt Romney?” < http://utahdatapoints.com/>

[iv] Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics.Page 153. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Pearson Education. 2013.

[v] 270 to win. (2012) “Election Results: Utah” <http://www.270towin.com/states/Utah>

[vi] Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics.Page 153. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Pearson Education. 2013.