Latter-day Saints Urged to Avoid Conflict Amid Election \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ As presidential campaigns target Latter-day Saint voters in western swing states, a senior church leader urged congregants to avoid conflict and act as peacemakers during the election. Dallin H. Oaks, a top church official, encouraged neutrality and civility amid intense political efforts from both parties. Campaigns by Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are vying for influence among this crucial voting bloc.
Latter-day Saints and Election Quick Looks
- Both presidential campaigns target Latter-day Saints voters in western swing states.
- Dallin H. Oaks, a senior church leader, called for neutrality and avoiding contention.
- Oaks addressed the faith’s members at the bi-annual general conference in Salt Lake City.
- Oaks highlighted the importance of being peacemakers amid election conflicts.
- Latter-day Saints have been traditionally Republican but conflicted on supporting Trump.
- Trump’s brash rhetoric and felony convictions have alienated some church members.
- Kamala Harris is attempting to sway undecided Latter-day Saints in Arizona and Nevada.
- Harris’ campaign has enlisted prominent church members to bolster her appeal.
- Trump met with influential Latter-day Saints to solidify support at Mar-a-Lago.
- Harris faces challenges over her abortion stance, clashing with the church’s teachings.
- Undecided voters from Utah expressed hope that politics wouldn’t dominate church guidance.
- The conference message focused on applying religious teachings to individual lives and politics.
Deep Look
As the 2024 U.S. presidential campaigns ramp up their efforts to secure voters, one group has garnered special attention: members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both parties are keenly aware of the importance of Latter-day Saints in key swing states, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump each tailoring their strategies to win over this influential voting bloc. Amidst this, Dallin H. Oaks, the top adviser and potential successor to 100-year-old church president Russell M. Nelson, made a significant statement at the church’s semi-annual general conference, urging church members to remain civil and avoid conflict in the run-up to the November 5 election.
Addressing a live audience of 18,000 people in Salt Lake City, with thousands more joining through livestreams, Oaks emphasized the importance of unity and encouraged Latter-day Saints to act as peacemakers during these politically turbulent times. He noted that contention and division are harmful to the spiritual well-being of communities, remarking, “The devil is the father of contention, which can stir up anger and stall important policy changes.” His message resonated in an atmosphere where political polarization has become increasingly common, even among people of faith. Oaks urged members to use “the language and methods of peacemakers” as they pursue their preferred political goals.
The church has a long-standing tradition of political neutrality, a stance its leaders are careful to uphold even during contentious election cycles. However, that does not stop church officials from offering guidance on the conduct expected of members during politically charged times. The current political environment has placed Latter-day Saints in a delicate position, especially given that roughly 7 million of the church’s 17 million members reside in the United States, many of them in pivotal states like Arizona and Nevada, as well as Republican strongholds Utah and Idaho.
Historically, Latter-day Saints have been a reliable voting bloc for the Republican Party. However, Donald Trump’s rhetoric and actions over the years have led to some ambivalence among members. During his campaigns, Trump’s demeaning remarks about women, immigrants, and refugees have created discomfort for many within the church, who value humility, honesty, and compassion as core tenets of their faith. In addition to these concerns, Trump’s felony convictions and his role in attempting to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election have caused further division among Latter-day Saints voters, complicating what was once a predictable Republican stronghold.
Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, sees this ambivalence as an opportunity. Her campaign has launched targeted outreach initiatives in recent months to sway undecided Latter-day Saints, especially in Arizona, where nearly 450,000 church members reside. By enlisting prominent church members to vouch for her, Harris aims to convince members that Trump’s values do not align with those of their faith. While it remains unlikely that Harris will win a majority of Latter-day Saints votes, her strategy aims to prevent Trump from gaining overwhelming support among them, which could tip the scales in tightly contested swing states like Arizona and Nevada, home to approximately 180,000 Latter-day Saints.
On the other side, Trump has also been actively working to shore up his support within the church. He recently hosted a group of influential Latter-day Saints at his Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida, where he emphasized his commitment to protecting religious freedoms—a key concern for many within the church. By focusing on issues such as religious liberty and traditional values, Trump hopes to remind Latter-day Saints voters of the reasons they have historically supported Republican candidates.
However, one major hurdle for Harris remains her stance on abortion. The church has long held a firm stance against abortion, with certain exceptions, and Harris’ advocacy for expanding abortion rights directly conflicts with these teachings. This is a sticking point for voters like Marilou Idos, a 70-year-old conference attendee from Herriman, Utah. Though Idos expressed reservations about Trump’s demeanor, she said she plans to vote for him because of his strong opposition to expanding abortion access and his support for Israel. “He’s the lesser of two evils,” Idos said. “The basic things we believe in, Trump endorses. Abortion, that’s kind of the main one, and the freedom to worship.”
Latter-day Saints are known for their beliefs in eternal families, the importance of tight-knit congregations, and their adherence to practices such as avoiding alcohol, coffee, gambling, and same-sex relationships. These values often place them in alignment with more conservative political platforms. However, the divisive nature of contemporary politics has made it challenging for many members to align unequivocally with a single candidate.
Some members, like Sammy Price, a 38-year-old from Las Vegas, have expressed that they are leaning toward voting for Harris because they appreciate her unifying rhetoric. Price explained that Trump’s tendency to insult others and make people feel marginalized runs counter to his values as a Latter-day Saint. “Trump, he insults people, he makes people feel bad about who they are, and that’s not something I think I can stand by,” Price said.
The ongoing political tension has left many members undecided. Jenna Winkel, 22, and her husband Ben, 24, who attended the general conference, voiced their hopes that church leaders would avoid taking any explicit political stances during the event. Jenna expressed that there is space within the Latter-day Saints community for a diversity of political opinions. “The important thing about any general conference message is that it’s general and then we’re asked to take them and study them and apply them to our own lives, and maybe our politics,” she explained. Ben, who feels his faith guides his political views, also emphasized the need for independent research and careful consideration before making electoral decisions. He mentioned that while his faith influences his perspective, it is essential to dig deeper into specific policies to make informed choices.
Dallin H. Oaks’ message, therefore, was well-timed, addressing the need for civility and the avoidance of divisiveness during an election season that has already seen high levels of partisanship. By promoting unity and a peaceful approach to advocacy, Oaks sought to remind members of their role as peacemakers, even while pursuing political ideals. His call for moderation and thoughtfulness resonates with the teachings of the church, which emphasize the importance of treating others with respect and maintaining harmony, especially during challenging times.
The stakes are particularly high in swing states like Arizona and Nevada, where even a small shift in voter turnout could influence the outcome of the election. Both campaigns are acutely aware of this and are working tirelessly to court Latter-day Saints voters. Harris’ approach focuses on appealing to those disillusioned by Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his harsh comments that seem contrary to the church’s emphasis on compassion and humility. Conversely, Trump’s approach seeks to strengthen his base by emphasizing his support for issues that Latter-day Saints hold dear, such as opposition to abortion, support for traditional family structures, and advocacy for religious freedom.
Ultimately, the direction Latter-day Saints voters decide to take in this election could be pivotal. As both campaigns intensify their outreach efforts, the role of faith in influencing voter behavior remains a complex and deeply personal matter for many members. While the church maintains a neutral position, the influence of its teachings and leaders’ guidance during general conferences like this one plays a significant role in shaping how members engage with politics.
Oaks’ urging of civility and peace reflects the broader message of the church, which advocates for a balanced, considerate approach to politics. In the weeks leading up to the November election, the behavior and decisions of Latter-day Saints voters will likely continue to be closely monitored by both campaigns, as well as political analysts seeking to understand how this crucial voting bloc will sway one of the most contentious presidential elections in recent history.
