One of the main themes from this weekend’s LDS General Conference was racial unity, the fact that the color of one’s skin doesn’t matter to God, that black people are going through a lot right now and need our support, and that we must uphold free and fair elections.
Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency said: “We 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.”
Given how so many members of the LDS church identify as Republican and stand with a party that is promoting racism and divisive rhetoric, it’s really good to see the leaders of the church put forth such a message. Upholding freedom and democracy are bedrock principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without democracy, the LDS church wouldn’t have gotten off the ground. So, it was really nice to see Oaks specifically draw attention to the issue of having free and fair elections and making sure those results get upheld. Lots to like from this weekend of conference if you are a Democratic member of the church.