Mormon Political Identity

            As is the case during any U.S. election season, people have become fascinated with groups and subgroups. Analysts and political commentators are trying to determine who group x will vote for, or what factors might influence group z. In the midst of such interest in the boxes into which we place people, one question that might be asked deals with the political identity of U.S. Mormons. Is there one? A periphery glance at the late night comedy culture would seem to indicate that there is—the white, Utah, Republican stereotype has long served as comedic fodder. Is this perception accurate? Facebook groups like Mormons for Obama 2012, Mormon Democrats, Black Mormons of America, and Mormon Democratic Socialists seem to indicate that Mormons are less homogenous than they are perceived to be. Does that kill the Mormon political identity? Does that contention end here? Before coming to a potentially premature conclusion, it might be wise to decide what is meant by "political identity." Dr. David J. Samuels defines it as "the way individuals categorize themselves and others, and how they understand the relationships of domination and oppression that exist between groups."[1] BYU Professor Kirk Hawkins simplified the definition as "any identity that significantly shapes our political decisions."[2]

            Running with the second definition, I contend that the existence of a Mormon political identity does not necessitate partisan homogeneity among the LDS population in the United States. Taking that assumption, is there a supra-partisan Mormon identity that significantly shapes the political decisions of its members? Do Mormons see their Mormonism as a defining influence in their politics, regardless of partisan affiliation? I think that anyone who has talked with Mormon Republicans, Mormon Democrats, Mormon Libertarians, and other Mormon partisan groups will agree that each of the groups makes attempts to justify their politics as their faith; to restate that in terms harkening back to Professor Hawkins' definition, they explain how their Mormon identity shapes their political decisions.

            A simple search online will reveal many Mormons who are more than willing to defend their politics (and attack those of others), ostensibly with their faith. Curt Bentley notes that such Mormons from Mitt Romney to Harry Reid are attacked for not being good Mormons due to their politics,[3] despite First Presidency statements such as, "Principles compatible with the gospel [are] found in all political parties." Despite this animosity between Mormon Republicans and Mormon Democrats, among Mormons of all parties there is a shared feeling that one's Mormonism significantly shapes their political decisions, whatever those decisions happen to be.

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[1] Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics. Boston: Pearson, 2013, page 149.

[2] Lecture by Hawkins, Kirk A. "18. Political Identity." October 10, 2012.

[3] Bentley, Curt. "'You Can't Be a Good Mormon if' . . . Gregory Prince, Harry Reid, and Mitt Romney." Utah Political Summary: Utah-Focused Political Commentary & Legal Analysis. September 26, 2012. http://utahpoliticalsummary.com/2012/09/you-cant-be-a-good-mormon-if-gregory-prince-harry-reid-mitt-romney (accessed October 12, 2012).