I wouldn't have made that comment about Ezra Taft Benson. Millions of members worldwide love the man.

I agree there are folks on either political side headed the wrong way but to basically blame Benson and other church leaders for that seems to walk a fine line along the path of apostasy. There are things that Ezra Taft Benson said regarding politics in the past that I have not agreed with 100% as has been seen in past topics where Lundbaek posted and I disagreed but the sort of statement made by Reid is way over the top.

I heard about this when a BYU student called into Sean Hannity. I've been meaning to look into it more.

Referring to Ezra Taft Benson as a "prominent member" is sort of like referring to John Adams as "that well known lawyer from Massachusetts". While it's technically accurate, it totally ignores Ezra Taft Benson's calling as Prophet.
It says a lot to me about Reid that he is so willing to denigrate a prophet of God. Much of what Reid characterizes as leading people down the wrong path was accomplished while he was first an apostle and then the Prophet. Now, I'm not so simple as to think that any political opinion held by a GA is automatically correct. But come on, President Benson was not just slightly outspoken, he was very outspoken, even while a Prophet. It comes down to this; either the Lord is wrong, when He said that He would never allow the prophet to lead His church astray, or Reid is wrong when he says that someone who held the calling of prophet led the church astray.
I don't think it's going out on a limb to trust the Lord over Reid.

-- Edited by arbilad at 12:23, 2007-10-10

As has been debated and will be debated for some time, Mormon Democrats claim most Mormons vote Republican because they are Mormon and most every other Mormon votes that way.  I feel most Mormons vote Republican because they believe the party's platform more closely matches how they believe.  In other words, just because a majority of Mormons choose to vote a certain way doesn't mean they are a bunch of automatons following Church leadership.

I do believe you can be a good Mormon and a Democrat but there are some pivotal issues that some just find too distasteful about the Democrat party platform and thus cannot be part of it while others can break from the party on those issues and still call themselves Democrats.

You can often tell the political leanings of other Mormons by those who discuss politics in casual conversation.  I actually avoid political discussions at church and at church functions but some do not.

Frankly, in my ward I don't have very many opportunities for small talk and political conversations. After the block there is either meetings or I'm rushing to get the family home and strip off that monkey suit and tie. I guess some people have more opportunities for casual conversation at church.

Oh, you're one of those people......

-- Edited by salesortonscom at 16:02, 2007-10-10

If I visited, it would only be briefly out of fear of having to use that toilet "paper".

TitusTodd wrote:

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If I visited, it would only be briefly out of fear of having to use that toilet "paper".

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I'd be stowing my own toilet paper in my purse or diaper bag before going to visit Ray's house.

FWIW I tend to vote Republican because as someone else around here put it, (can't remember who) usually the Republican party more closely matches and agrees with my personal beliefs)

salesortonscom wrote:

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I could not tell you how 99% of the people in my ward vote or what party they belong to

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99%... Yep, I would have to second that... With the exception of hubby... I haven't a clue... nor is it important for me to know.

This was and interesting comment...

Before joining the church, he said the figure he came closest to worshipping was President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Just curious, does anyone know if that is true???

One of my colleagues was a few years ago in the same high priest group with Harry Reid and, while rolling his eyes, told me that Reid once told the group that he had been invited for an audience with the First Presidency and given a priesthood blessing.  

Reid's voting record in the Senate is available online.  It's shows considerable disdain for the US Constitution, but so does that of all other LDS congressmen, though not as bad as Reid's.      

Ezra Taft Benson was very outspoken and prolific in writing about the importance of the US Constitution and supporting and adhering to constitutional principles, as were David O. McKay and J. Ruben Clark, and others to a lesser extent.  I remember some members expressing contempt for his political views, even suggesting he should shut up about politics and stick to gospel topics.  I recall one member in England said he would leave the Church if Ezra Taft Benson ever became President of the Church.  From my reading of his writings, most of which are included in "The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson", if he is correct in what he stated on various occasions, a lot of LDS voters are in trouble.  

He also expressed in writing and speech great concern about the warnings of Moroni recorded in the 8. Chapter of Ether, especially the last 10 verses or so.  I've known him to cry while speaking on the subject.  And he was very supportive of the late 70 H. Verlan Andersen, and W. Cleon Skousen in their considerable efforts to teach people the importance of the Constitution.  

I and others of my ilk have wondered and discussed why the Church General Authorities no longer so openly discuss the Constitution and freedom as they did 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.  Most of us seem to have concluded that the church membership, at least the American members, failed to heed and act on the warnings given us to get involved in preserving the Constitution, and now it is too late to reverse course.  The statements attributed to Joseph Smith and other Prophets and Apostles about the Constitution being shredded and hanging by a thread seem to us to be well along toward fulfillment.