LDS Patriotism or blindly following the POTUS

During an Interfaith Conference on War and Peace in Salt Lake City the idea was presented that Mormons (members of the LDS Church), who are deeply patriotic, won't protest the war in Iraq because it would be unpatriotic to speak out against the Bush administration about the war.

It is true that members of the LDS faith tend to be patriotic. One of the Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith, states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Members of the faith also believe that this land was set aside as a land of promise.

But, for the most part, they do not blindly follow the POTUS simply because he is the leader of this country.

Case in point 1: Harry Reid. Reid, a Democratic Senator from Nevada, is a member of the LDS faith and a PROMINANT opponent of said war.

Case in point 2: Since most of the LDS membership tend to be conservative they were not likely to be very supportive of a POTUS like Bill Clinton.

Case in point 3: In Utah, where the majority of residents are LDS, Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law has been highly disliked.

The Conference does point out:

"The LDS Church has taken no official position on the war in Iraq, Birch said, leaving its members to make up their own minds regarding the justification of the war. The invasion and occupation of Iraq has been renounced by nearly all major Christian denominations, he said, with the exception of the LDS Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.

That leaves people to speculate as to the reasons for the LDS Church's silence. The practice of church leadership has been to not make a statement on a particular topic unless there is unanimity among the church's First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Birch said."

The LDS Church usually takes a neutral stand in regards to politics unless it involves an issue that will directly affect the Church and its values.

Brian Birch, an associate professor of philosophy and director of the religious studies program at Utah Valley State College, added.

"In a democracy, we can renounce war and proclaim peace," President Hinckley said. "There is opportunity for dissent. Many have been speaking out and doing so emphatically. That is their privilege. That is their right, so long as they do so legally.

"However, we all must also be mindful of another overriding responsibility, which I may add, governs my personal feelings and dictates my personal loyalties in the present situation."

President Hinckley later added, "It is clear ... that there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation, to fight for family, for liberty and against tyranny, threat and oppression."

But that doesn't mean people who oppose the war aren't faithful members of the LDS Church, Birch said.

As a member of the LDS Church it is my decision to either support or protest the war. I base that decision on my own personal view of the issue.