Church Reemphasizes Political Neutrality

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints today reemphasized its long-standing position of party
political neutrality in response to a large number of calls from the news
media over the past few days.
The statement of political neutrality has been posted on the Church's
Newsroom website for the past year and has been widely disseminated to
journalists. It says:
The Church's mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect
politicians. The Church's neutrality in matters of party politics applies in
all of the many nations in which it is established.
The Church does not:
-- Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.
-- Allow its church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be
used for partisan political purposes.
-- Attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they
should give their votes to. This policy applies whether or not a
candidate for office is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
-- Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader.

The Church does:
-- Encourage its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their
communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in
elections.
-- Expect its members to engage in the political process in an informed
and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come
from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences
of opinion in partisan political matters.
-- Request candidates for office not to imply that their candidacy or
platforms are endorsed by the Church.
-- Reserve the right as an institution to address, in a nonpartisan way,
issues that it believes have significant community or moral
consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church.

In the United States, where nearly half of the world's Latter-day Saints
live, it is customary for the Church at each national election to issue a
letter to be read to all congregations encouraging its members to vote, but
emphasizing the Church's neutrality in partisan political matters.
Relationships With Government
Elected officials who are Latter-day Saints make their own decisions and
may not necessarily be in agreement with one another or even with a publicly
stated Church position. While the Church may communicate its views to them, as
it may to any other elected official, it recognizes that these officials still
must make their own choices based on their best judgment and with
consideration of the constituencies whom they were elected to represent.
SOURCE The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

National Print, Kim Farah, +1-801-240-1977, or National Broadcast, Michael
Purdy, +1-801-240-2363, or Utah Media, Scott Trotter, +1-801-240-6375, all of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints