At first glance, the proposition seems absurd--why would the LDS vote for anyone just because they also were LDS? The history of recent Utah politics shows plainly that LDS voters do not necessarily think they should vote for an LDS person just because they are LDS, for they have voted into office non-LDS candidates in campaigns where LDS candidates also ran. Furthermore, LDS candidates undeniably differ strongly, even vociferously, on policy issues, and so to vote for an LDS candidate is certainly not to be voting for some "generically Mormon" political platform (just ask Harry Reid).
But the presidency is so much more than any other political position in the US. The president is (supposed to be) a role model for the entire nation. His or her policies, applied at the federal level across all states, will have lasting effect long after they have died. Fateful decisions, both economic and military--the archetypal blood and treasure questions--will be decided by the president. The president is also given a "bully pulpit" unlike any other in the land, and perhap, even in the world.
Couple that with the LDS doctrine of "the gift of the Holy Ghost," and the whole matter begins to give one more pause than before. In LDS doctrine, one who has been baptized and confirmed into the Church and lives worthy of that covenant is entitled to the "constant companionship" of the Holy Ghost, which will provide guidance on a regular, not intermittent, basis. The Holy Ghost is able to provide intelligence above and beyond that which one possesses as a mortal. The Holy Ghost is able to steer one away from bad decisions, or decisions that will have unfortunate though unforeseen consequences. The Holy Ghost is even able to soften one's heart to repentance and desire to change one's attitudes and actions if they are not in harmony with the Spirit. While we have every reason to believe that President Obama is open to the influence of the Holy Ghost, it is also true according to our theology that he does not have the "constant companionship" of the Holy Ghost, as does Mitt Romney.
Of course, one can also ask whether Mitt Romney has been open to the gift that he possesses, or whether the rigors of politics have so buffeted him that he no longer feels that he is free to follow the promptings he has been given. In such circumstances, the gift is not operable, and there is no distinction between Romney and any other candidate who lives a basically moral life.
So we put it to our readers, does Mitt Romney's gift of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost figure into yor calculations concerning whom to vote for in November, or not, and why?
Full Citation for this Article: Editorial Board, SquareTwo Journal (2012) "Reader's Puzzle for Spring 2012: Should You Vote for Mitt Romney if You are LDS?", SquareTwo, Vol. 5 No. 1 (Spring), http://squaretwo.org/Sq2ArticleReadersPuzzleRomney.html , accessed [give access date].
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1) Julie Ford Brenning
Assuming that the value of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is high in one’s mind as to choosing a good leader, I present the following principles. If the guidance of the Holy Ghost plays little or no value in your choice of a good leader, meaning other matters take precedence, than the following may not be as helpful. But considering that in the Book of Mormon we are strongly counseled to choose men and women “that [have] the spirit of revelation and also prophecy” (3 Nephi 3:19) as our leaders, I highly recommend that the guidance of the Holy Ghost be paramount in our minds. President John Taylor wrote that Joseph Smith told him, “Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation.” [c1] We would hope that the candidate for President, Mitt Romney, would have this Spirit to reveal to him all truths pertinent to leading the nation.
To better understand this question, I make a comparison between two active LDS politicians mentioned in this issues puzzle: Mitt Romney and Harry Reid. Let’s say hypothetically (although this may be very likely in reality) that both support and defend opposite policies. What then? Here are some guiding principles that may help in answering not only why this may occur, but whether or not we can make any sort of discernment.
1. One or the other does not have the full guidance of the Holy Ghost.
For either reasons of worthiness, or simply pride in ones heart, one of these persons does not enjoy the full companionship of the Holy Ghost. Therefore one is making an error on choosing the best policy. Another option is that other emotions are blocking the Spirit’s influence. Elder Richard G. Scott said, “The inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeno pepper.” [2]
2. The policy is not important enough for the Holy Ghosts guidance.
Perhaps the policy is not an eternal truth or of eternal consequence, and the Holy Ghost is not commenting on it. In this case, men and women are to use their best judgment. The Lord does not direct in all things, and wants us to use our agency, within the parameters of principle, wisely.
3. One or the other does not have enough knowledge for full guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Knowledge is usually a prerequisite for receiving inspiration from the Holy Ghost. Oftentimes, a portion of knowledge only leads to a portion of an answer. Full knowledge and understanding of the issue may be required before a full answer is given.
4. The politician’s willingness to go against Church Policy can be a strong indicator of worthiness.
For example, if a politician came out strongly against the Church’s position on Prop 08, this can be a deciding marker on whether or not that politician is following the Holy Ghost. In October 2010, a talk by President Ezra Taft Benson was quoted twice. Here is one fundamental principle that was repeated, “The prophet and the presidency – the living prophet and the first presidency – follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer." [3]
Based on these observations, it would be difficult to fully discern the thoughts and intents of an LDS politician or their receptiveness to the Holy Ghost. Even an LDS person who has the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost would find it difficult to muddle through whether a candidate has pride in his heart, if the policy decision is even being guided by the Holy Ghost, or whether he or she has full knowledge in order to be guided. Who am I to decide if Harry Reid or Mitt Romney is following the Holy Ghost? That being said, the doctrine is certain that clear, powerful and enlightening personal revelation can come to an individual about important matters that affect many, such as electing the President of the U.S. Humble prayer is in order. I had this experience myself when I had done my homework about two presidential candidates, I prayed fervently, and I did indeed receive a clear answer as to who I should vote for. Although both of the candidates were not LDS, these same principles can be applied. Let us be wise as we prayerfully consider our next President, as he will lead the most powerful nation in the world.
As we head to the voting booths, consider some of the following questions:
Do his policies conflict with Church policy? When I pray to make the decision of who to vote for, am I being humble and pure in heart? Are we making the companionship of the Holy Ghost important criteria for leadership? Am I letting emotions block my ability to discern my answer? Let us point more towards ourselves and our own worthiness, our own study of the candidates, our own fervent prayer, and our own receptiveness to the Holy Ghost. Instead of making our judgments upon the candidates that may be difficult or impossible to make, let us look to God for our own guidance, and He will let us know “the truth of all things.”
References:
[1] Taylor, John. The Gospel Kingdom, ed. G. Homer Hurham (1943), 43-4. [Back to comment]
[2] Scott, Richard G. To Acquire Spiritual Guidance. October 2009 General Conference. [Back to comment]
[3] Benson, Ezra Taft. Devotional Speeches of the Year. 1980, 26. [Back from comment]
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2) Ben R.
Given the substantive differences between the candidates, it would not be practical to say “Here are two good candidates, but one has the companionship of the Holy Ghost: choose ye this day by whom ye will be served.” To do so either assumes there are no philosophical or practical differences between the candidates, or it assumes that membership in the LDS church trumps any scrutiny of a candidate's platform and policies, regardless of their merits.
Moreover, to indulge such a hypothetical would still require voters to make assumptions about the candidates’ worthiness to receive direction from the Holy Ghost and their faithfulness in following that instruction. Certainly, it is reasonable to expect that active membership in the church could serve as a baseline from which to construct our expectations, but equal care should be taken to recall the many men and women throughout history who have fallen despite their membership in the church. It would be prudent, instead, to acknowledge that church membership is sufficient to attract interest in a candidate because of the potential attendant strengths it imparts, but it still necessitates we scrutinize the candidate’s character and philosophies just as we would any other candidate. Simply put, there are no viable shortcuts to simplify our decision-making process.
In 1978 the First Presidency issued a statement regarding God’s love for all mankind in which they declared “Moral truths were given to them [i.e., spiritual and philosophical leaders ancient and modern] by God to enlighten whole nations and bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.” Given that only 2% of the population of the United States is LDS, it is safe to say that we are still in the process of enlightening the whole nation and bringing a higher level of understanding to individuals. God has not ceased working through those not of our faith simply because He has restored His gospel to the earth.
As Ryan Decker pointed-out in his excellent article ("Sinister and Weird": Using Mitt Romney as an Excuse to Slur Mormonism), many members of the church have served and are serving in advisory and leadership roles on the national stage. We do not have a monopoly on virtue, and the Lord is quite capable of guiding the leaders of this nation either directly through the influence of the Holy Ghost or indirectly through those worthy members who are asked to serve in the president’s administration and throughout all levels of government. We should seek to vote for the best candidates available regardless of their religious affiliation and then go to work doing what we can to advise and assist them.
Perhaps instead this question should be turned on its head: does the companionship of the Holy Ghost entitle members of the LDS church to receive divine guidance in determining whom to vote for in this (or any) election? If so, how do we reconcile differences of opinion between members in good standing? As monolithic as the Utah voting bloc has been for the past sixty years, there have been many notable exceptions to challenge the conventional wisdom that to be LDS is to vote Republican.