By updating it political statement about politics on Thursday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasized both its religious mission and its interaction with governments and political parties.
The church has shared statements of political neutrality for decades, saying it is neutral on matters of party politics around the world, while reserving the right to share its opinion on moral issues or related legislation.
The updated and expanded statement released by the church Thursday includes a new opening paragraph.
The work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, strengthening individuals and families, and caring for those in need. The church does not seek to elect government officials, support or oppose political parties, or generally take sides in global conflicts. The church is neutral in matters of politics within or among the many nations, lands, and peoples of the world. However, as an institution, it reserves the right to address issues it believes have significant moral consequences or directly affect the mission, teachings or operation of the church.
The updated statement also has a new conclusion.
To navigate the application of these principles of political neutrality and participation in a complex and ever-changing world, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue to seek prophetic wisdom and revelation on these issues.
The statement is posted on one of the church’s official websites as a topic page titled “Political neutrality.”
The topic page continues to provide detailed lists of what the church does and doesn’t do when it comes to politics.
The Church does not:
• Endorse, promote or oppose political parties and their platforms or candidates for political office.
• Allow church buildings, membership lists, or other resources to be used for political purposes. (For more information on the appropriate use of church buildings and property, see the General Handbook, 35.5.2 and 35.5.8).
• Advise its members on how to vote.
• To direct government officials or party leaders in the functions of their office.
• They usually issue statements about disputes between nations, lands or peoples; rather, it teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ, with the knowledge that living these principles limits contention and hostilities.
The Church does it:
• Believe and teach that members should be subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obedience, honor and support of the law (Article of Faith 1:12).
• Recognize a universal right to the free exercise of conscience and believe that all people and institutions should be able to publicly express their opinions on the problems facing society (Doctrine and Covenants 134).
• Encourage its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including educating themselves about issues, voting in elections, participating in governance processes, and (as they wish) seeking elected, appointed, or volunteer office.
• Encourage its members to participate in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting that fellow church members come from different backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion on partisan political issues. The church also encourages its members to keep all communications (including social media) respectful and aligned with Christ-like behavior.
• Request that candidates for office do not imply that their candidacies or platforms are endorsed by the church.
• Provide humanitarian assistance worldwide, including areas of international conflict. While political conflicts may be a factor in causing the need for aid, the church will generally not comment on the conflict itself. Rather, the church seeks to live out the Savior’s two great commandments: to love God and our neighbor, alleviating suffering wherever it is found, regardless of race, nationality, tribe, political persuasion, or religious affiliation. involved
The church too, according to him your general manual, “offers humanitarian aid around the world. It does this both directly and through collaboration with other relief organizations. Help is given without regard to race, religion or nationality.”
The rest of the church’s political neutrality page covers government relations and the political involvement of church leaders:
Relations with the Government
Government officials and political representatives who are Latter-day Saints make their own decisions. They are not expected or asked to agree with each other or even with a publicly stated church position. While the church may communicate its views to them, as it may to any other official or representative, it recognizes that these individuals must make their own choices based on their best judgment and taking into account the constituencies for which they were elected to represent.
Political participation of the presidents of the Church
In June 2011, the church’s First Presidency issued a reaffirmation and further clarification of the church’s position on political neutrality. The policy applies to all general authorities, general officers, mission presidents, and temple presidents and limits their personal involvement in all political party activities. The policy is not directed at church employees. The policy, as stated in the letter, is provided below.
General authorities and general officers of the church and their spouses and other full-time serving church leaders should not be personally involved in political campaigns, including promoting candidates, fundraising, speaking for or endorsing candidates otherwise and make financial contributions.
Because they are not full-time officers of the church, area seventies, stake presidents, and bishops are free to contribute, serve on campaign committees, and otherwise support candidates who choose with the understanding that:
• Act only as individual citizens in the democratic process and do not imply, or allow others to infer, that their actions or support in any way represent the church.
• Shall not use church stationery, church-generated mailing lists or email systems, or church buildings for political promotional purposes.
• He will not participate in fundraising or other types of campaigns focused on fellow church members under his ecclesiastical supervision.
