Even though I am a Republican, I cannot help but wonder why the greater Latter-day Saint community shares a misconception that if a person isn't Republican, they therefore must be a 'Bad Mormon.'
Since when did the Church say that the Republican Party members are divinely chosen to carry forth the mighty work of God? It hasn't. In fact, during each election year, the First Presidency issues a statement encourage all church members to vote, and stressing that the church has no political affiliations whatsoever.
In Utah, it seems that the Democratic party frequently becomes the target for LDS voters who feel they need to grind their political axe on the whetstone of religion.
What people miss is that not all Democrats are pro-abortion, which seems to be the major issue. Democrats can be general authorities and even hold temple recommends. The Democratic platform is most in accordance with King Benjamin's counsel, 'And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry or naked.' Democratic welfare programs are the most Christ-like in that they are willing to give of themselves to help the less fortunate.
When we fail to look at the good points of each political party, we undermine the very freedoms that the Founding Fathers worked so hard to ensure. If church members aren't open-minded about members of other political parties, we cut ourselves off from an amazingly diverse population that deserves to be celebrated. So come one, let's be open-minded. Let's support free political views among our population.
Liz Marble
West Point, Utah