SALT LAKE CITY — Senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged American church members to vote in a letter issued Tuesday.
The First Presidency noted that “principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles.”
The letter, sent in English and Spanish to U.S. church members, was signed by Presidents Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring.
President Oaks addressed elections in a talk delivered Saturday during the church’s general conference, which drew an international audience of several million.
He said Latter-day Saints “peacefully accept the results of elections. We will not participate in the violence threatened by those disappointed with the outcome. In a democratic society we always have the opportunity and the duty to persist peacefully until the next election.”
Latter-day Saint leaders regularly issue a letter before elections. As usual, Tuesday’s letter noted the church’s position of institutional neutrality with regard to political parties and candidates.
The full letter:
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Citizens of the United States have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects their communities and nation today and in the future. We urge Latter-day Saints to be active citizens by registering, exercising their right to vote, and engaging in civic affairs.
We also urge you to spend the time needed to become informed about the issues and candidates you will be considering. Along with the options available to you through the Internet, debates, and other sources, the Church occasionally posts information about particular moral issues on which it has taken a position at www.Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles.
While the Church affirms its institutional neutrality regarding political parties and candidates, individual members should participate in the political process. Please strive to live the gospel in your own life by demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.
Sincerely yours,
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
Henry B. Eyring
