# The LDS Church's Statement on the US Elections **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 7, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226 "2012-11-07T15:34:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/1 "2012-11-07T15:34:48Z")
- News Release — 6 November 2012 First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Congratulate President on Election Win Salt Lake City — The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Tuesday: We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States. After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people. We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors.\* > **[Church Newsroom - Official Newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of...](https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org)** > > Church Newsroom - Official Newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Now if my FB friends could be just as gracious. I posted this on my FB: > [@](#): > > See, the thing is Romney may be a Mormon, but HE was running for POTUS not the Church. But some people weren’t ever able to separate those things, like Kennedy and the Catholic Church, so I hope statements like this help people understand the separation. edit: Sore losers and sore winners both suck. Watch what you say so you don’t suck. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/2 "2012-11-07T15:36:51Z")
I will be frank and I apologize if this offends anyone: Dear LDS Church, You spent a lot of money to keep marriage segregated in California. Go fuck yourself. Cordially, JSLE ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/3 "2012-11-07T15:42:57Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > I will be frank and I apologize if this offends anyone: > > Dear LDS Church, > > You spent a lot of money to keep marriage segregated in California. Go fuck yourself. > > Cordially, > JSLE Fair criticism. Something I personally disagreed with, big time. I am all for gay marriage. I have no problem with it. Also, I know this is probably opening a HUGE can of worms and derailing this thread before it ever learned to crawl, but saying the Church spent money on prop 8 is not true. > **[Mormonism and politics/California Proposition 8/Questions and myths - FAIR](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Mormonism_and_politics/California_Proposition_8/Questions_and_myths)** Of course, I am sure I will get a rebuttal, but it is public record on what was and wasn’t donated. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/4 "2012-11-07T15:52:27Z")
To post that as a cite is ludicrous. The headline alone would make me search something unbiased: **Defending Mormonism by providing well-researched answers to challenging questions within a faithful context** ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/5 "2012-11-07T15:54:25Z")
I can’t separate the Mormonism from the Man, because true belief in Mormonism requires suspension of reality to such a huge degree. It really has nothing to do with the influence the Church would have; anyone who believes that the Garden of Eden was just outside of Kansas City, and that Adam and Eve later moved to the 'burbs on a hill not too far from I-29 is automatically disqualified from public office as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/6 "2012-11-07T15:55:49Z")
> [@Glory](#): > > To post that as a cite is ludicrous. The headline alone would make me search something unbiased: **Defending Mormonism by providing well-researched answers to challenging questions within a faithful context** So you instantly dismiss a source because it is Mormon? Poison the well much? I made that mistake of instantly dismissing something because it came from and Ex-mo and learned my lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/7 "2012-11-07T15:57:25Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > So you instantly dismiss a source because it is Mormon? Poison the well much? > > I made that mistake of instantly dismissing something because it came from and Ex-mo and learned my lesson. It was the headline that poisoned that well. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/8 "2012-11-07T15:57:45Z")
But that isn’t what this thread is about. I think you should start a thread n great debates or something, and we should leave this thread for talk about the church and the presidential election or religion and presidential elections in general. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/9 "2012-11-07T15:58:11Z")
It’s in the church’s best interest to offer a conciliatory message in order to attract new members to replace those who are turned off by its stance on homosexuality and the barring of women from priesthood. Among other things. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/10 "2012-11-07T15:59:04Z")
So, you posted that the Mormon Church didn’t donate any money, turns out they donated at least $180,000. I consider that a lot of money. > **[Archive blogs](https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/)** > > Los Angeles Times blogs that were published between 2006 and 2013. The contributions included tens of thousands of dollars for expenses such as airline tickets, hotel and restaurant bills and car-rental bills for top church officials such as L. Whitney Clayton, along with $96,849.31 worth of “compensated staff time” for church employees. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/11 "2012-11-07T16:03:13Z")
I am not defending what the Church did or didn’t do on Prop 8. that isn’t what this tread is about. I posted a link to a website. You make your own conclusions. Look at the OP for what this thread is about. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/12 "2012-11-07T16:09:22Z")
The church didn’t make this statement mid campaign. Or even the morning of the election. It is an attempt to appeal to the 50 odd percent of Americans who didn’t support Romney. It’s pandering; an attempt to make itself more attractive to non-Mormons for the purpose of gaining new members. Would the day after statement have been similar if Romney had won? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/13 "2012-11-07T16:14:14Z")
It’s kind of presumptuous of them to make any statement. Do they usually do that? Do any denominations normally put out press releases after elections? I’m not sure why the LDS leadership felt compelled to comment or what else they could have been expected to say. I don’t care what any church says about the election in the first place. I’m glad the election was decided on the issues, but I’ve never been quite sure where Romney’s religious views fit into the entire picture. I suspect a lot of people feel that way, and that’s why Romney’s religion didn’t get much attention even though a lot of people don’t know much about Mormonism and Romney was not just a typical churchgoing Mormon. I have a low opinion of religion in general and Mormonism really is pretty nutty even compared to a lot of other faiths. I do hope the LDS cuts down on its regressive political activism. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/14 "2012-11-07T16:24:47Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > I will be frank and I apologize if this offends anyone: > > Dear LDS Church, > > You spent a lot of money to keep marriage segregated in California. Go fuck yourself. > > Cordially, > JSLE Dear LDS Church, Yeah, what he said. And double down on the GO FUCK YOURSELF. Cordially, LF6 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/15 "2012-11-07T16:26:47Z")
This letter is just ham-fisted damage control. And it’s silly because I don’t think they have any damage to control since his Mormonism was never much of an issue. ---
**Author:** ![mtomm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@mtomm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtomm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/16 "2012-11-07T18:23:51Z")
This press release is for members who are very devastated by the outcome of the election. It isn’t meant for non-members. For folks like April and I, it’s like, well duh. I’m not sure why anyone thinks it’s damage control. Lefty up there explained why, Mormonism really didn’t play much of a role in this election. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/17 "2012-11-07T18:45:05Z")
> [@mtomm](#): > > This press release is for members who are very devastated by the outcome of the election. It isn’t meant for non-members. For folks like April and I, it’s like, well duh. > > I’m not sure why anyone thinks it’s damage control. Lefty up there explained why, Mormonism really didn’t play much of a role in this election. Thanks. I always appreciate when others can say what I meant to say, just so much better than I could. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/18 "2012-11-07T18:48:03Z")
> [@mtomm](#): > > This press release is for members who are very devastated by the outcome of the election. It isn’t meant for non-members. For folks like April and I, it’s like, well duh. > > I’m not sure why anyone thinks it’s damage control. Lefty up there explained why, Mormonism really didn’t play much of a role in this election. If Mormonism didn’t play much of a role, and we were all supposed to separate the man from his religion, then why would the members be ‘devastated’? ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/19 "2012-11-07T18:55:04Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > If Mormonism didn’t play much of a role, and we were all supposed to separate the man from his religion, then why would the members be ‘devastated’? Because they are stupid/ I don’t know. People would have said black people were “devastated” if Obama hadn’t won the last election, but I think the majority wouldn’t have been just like the majority of my peers who are Mormon and are not devastated, but people outside the church have assumed we would be. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226/20 "2012-11-07T19:07:06Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > Thanks. I always appreciate when others can say what I meant to say, just so much better than I could. 🙂 If true, _then why did you post it in this forum, where most that see it aren’t even LDS?_ What are we non-members supposed to do if not critique it-stare at it and say, “Yup. That’s a statement, allright”? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lds-churchs-statement-on-the-us-elections/640226.md?page=2)