Preaching Politics From The Pulpit, Stake President Matthew DeVisser Goes Off The Reservation

Peggy Fletcher Stack of the Salt Lake Tribune yesterday published (Mormon stake president gets political at church, laments election results) an unbelievable account of Stake President Matthew DeVisser of a Stake in Sandy UT, delivery his personal political theology  from the pulpit during a stake conference:

 

The Mormon Moment Hits Wyoming Politics

Local Casper College Political Science Instructor Chris Henrichsen brings the Mormon Moment to Wyoming national politics.  Chris, a believing, practicing Mormon has announced his intention to run for Congress.  Running on a campaign theme of “Fighting for Equality in the Equality State”, Chris challenges current Congressman Cynthia Lummis, in Wyoming’s at-large Congressional District. You can visit Chris’ website here.  You can donate to his campaign here.  And, you can follow Chris on the issues on Twitter here @Chrishenrichsen.

Best of Luck, Chris . . .

 

Tolerance IV

For my other Tolerance posts see Tolerance I, Tolerance II, Tolerance III.  Well, its been almost two weeks now since election day, and amazingly one issue remains in the news cycle on an almost daily basis since that time:  Proposition 8 and the Mormon Church. That’s right, the Mormon Church, its members, and other persons of faith have been singled out and targeted for engaging in the exercise of an actual constitutionally protected fundamental right–the right to vote and participate in the political process.  The vitriol, hate, intolerance and lawlessness in some cases exhibited by those who disagreed with Proposition 8 supporters has been frightening and should give pause to those who truly cherish our democratic institutions and the rule of law.  See also S.P. Bailey’s These Cultural Wars post over at A Motley Vision.  And, there is Marc Bohn’s Rhetoric, Ideology and Prop 8 over at Times and Seasons.

Meridian Magazine has two articles with incredible photos, that if you have not seen, you should.  The two articles are: The Hypocrisy of the Tolerance Movement and In the Face of Hatred.   Both are well done, and you should read them both.  The photos accompanying the second article are truly remarkable and alarming.  The author, Paul Bishop of this article is an LDS LAPD veteran, who makes some good points.  Because I think the photos are particularly powerful, I repost them below, for those who may not get over to the Meridian website on a regular basis:

 

The No’s Doth Protest Too Much

I’m all for political protest.  Unlike some recently judicially created rights, free speech and political protest is actually a fundamental right, with a long and well respected history of Constitutional protection, both at the state and federal levels.  I’ve watched, as I’m sure many have, the political upheaval and fallout from California’s citizens exercising their fundamental right to amend the constitution of their own state.   That is still a protected fundamental right isn’t it?–the right of the people to vote, to express their mandate at the ballot box.  That’s still a protected fundamental right, reserved by the people to define the social and political mandates of society?  I’ve tried to channel some thoughts in response to all this protest–in no particular order of importance:

 

Proposition 8 Challenged in Court

The ACLU, LAMBDA, and of course the ubiquitous Gloria Allred, among others have filed three lawsuits with the California Supreme Court seeking an injunction against its implementation.  I have not read the entire petition, which you can see here:   Proposition 8 Petition. 

 

He Raises Up Wise Men Still

Congratulations to President Elect Obama.  This is an historic evening.  I’m not sure I have anything profound to add.  I feel grateful to be alive to witness the Cradle of the Restoration elect the first African-American President in its Divine history.  For those who think God no longer has a hand in America’s future–think again.  He raises up wise men still. I am proud to be a Californian.  I am proud to be an American.  I am proud to be one of  the weakest of those who are or who can be called a saint.

I am optimistic for America’s future.  God does Bless America.  May He continue to shed His Grace on this great land in the coming weeks, months and years.

 

Vote Baby Vote

Vote for Change, For Hope, For America.

Vote for the Family

 

In Memory Of Our God, Religion, and Freedom . . .

 

Tolerance III

From an email forwarded to me, chronicling one family’s experience in trying to express their constitutionally protected political and religious opinion in California’s 2008 election, photos below the jump:

 

California Voter Registration Information

In order to vote in this, or any other election, you MUST be a registered voter.  This election is an historic election for many, many reasons.  One of the most critical issues, is the preservation of the definition of marriage to be between a man and a woman.  To be able to vote for that preservation by voting Yes on Proposition 8, you have to be a registered voter.  Here are a few easy steps you can take to determine if you are registered, and what to do if you are not registered.