Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.. aka Mormons.. members here?

Me, I've been a member for years, although not raised from birth in the church. Lately I haven't gone to church much. It just seemed too much the more I got into politics. Reading how the church gave money and time to find the Knight Initiative in California, and also shoot down gay marriage amendments in Alaska and Hawaii just got to be too much for me. However I still have a great love for the church and the wonderful people in it. So many there truly try to live their faith full time, not just on Sundays or in front of others. I admire that.

I know there are other Mormon Democrats. Post here and let us know.

Born and raised in the LDS Church in the Seattle area. Moved to Idaho to attend Ricks College/BYU-Idaho and transferred to Idaho State for my senior year. Was asked to stay at ISU for my Master's degree by the professors, so here I am in Idaho still. I actually don't mind it too much, there are a lot of Dems in the county here (most liberal part of Idaho). After I get my master's I would like to stay in Idaho (Boise) or Utah. I hate the way Mormons blindly follow the Republican party, but they are still my people. Haven't been to church consistently in a few years, but I still believe. I find it hard to go because of the politics and some other non-doctrinal issues. I will eventually overcome them and go back. My ward is desperately trying to reactivate me, and it just makes me not want to go more and more...

Jessica
BTW, was converted to the Democratic party after some of my professors at BYU-Idaho showed me the truth!

but my best friend since 4th grade is a life-long member. I used to go to church with her periodically as a child, & I used to go to Mutual on Tuesday nights, also. I've never seen a church more dedicated to "family" as this one. I loved going to the church, although I never embraced their beliefs. I've never met warmer, more genuine people.

Of course, nowadays things could be different. I've never been to a Morman church since I was a child, so I wouldn't know what the atmosphere would be like these days.

Sadly, the radical beliefs of churches these days is enough to turn people away from religion. I'm sure God recognizes this, & I believe that's what the Bible means when it refers to false prophets. I don't know what has turned this society so radical, but it's doing a lot of damage in the world via GWB.

But I know a few mormons I went to high school with. One of them was one of my better friends. He was one of the most creative people I've known, and he always intrigued me. He was a big Bush supporter, granted he didn't care about much but the "moral" issues.

Yes, I am a latter-day saint. Ward clerk, stake computer specialist,
and meetinghouse shelter manager for the ward. I am a registered democrat. I have been a member almost 4 years now. I attend sacrament meeting each Sunday, even when traveling. My most recent sacrament meeting attendances outside of my ward was in Olympia Washington and in Paducah Kentucky. I work for the US Government. I work at a veteran's hospital repairing equipment. I am married with three stepsons. I have two children from my first marriage, both grown and on their own. My son is married and he and his wife are expecting their second child. My daughter is a combat veteran. She recently left the Navy and is now in the Army National Guard. The oldest stepson just started his mission. He will head overseas after completing his language and missionary training.

We refrain from discussing politics in the meetinghouse. I did not vote for a member running for Sheriff in our small town in Florida.
I vote for the most qualified (as far as I can discern) candidate. It doesn't make any difference to me what party they are affiliated with. I do not think I am alone in this concept.

We are counseled (and common sense dictates) to vote for the most qualified candidate in any election. We read all we can about the issues and vote the best person in for the benefit of not only ourselves but for the population. I find most of the time that there are no qualified candidates except at the lowest levels of government. Small towns are good as you know all the candidates and you know who works for them and get direct input.

I don't care all that much for the popularity elections we have for president. Many vote for the "prettiest" candidate or for the one that spends the most money. Presidents are required to initiate hostilities. Soldiers die as a result. I don't think presidents actually make most of the decisions. The actions of an administration is the collective agreement of all those that are asked for an opinion. Generally those closest to the President and those that counsel him.

Presidents are responsible for the decisions though, as we are responsible for ourselves and our families. I think that on the average, most administrations do what they feel like is the "right thing" to do. Doesn't make it right all the time though. History writes the report card for each president. We are not good at seeing too far ahead.

I am not much into politics. Knowing this, I come here to learn. I want to be aware of what others think and gather their opinions whether I may agree or not. I learn so that I can help others. I do not have television or cable in my home. Too much trash. No football, basketball, sitcoms, soaps, news, nothing. I was raised without TV (overseas) though I do miss some of the documentary type channels and the Church's channel. The internet is faster and DU is really fast.

Having a small group of latter-day saints here is something I like.
No need to "preach". Anyone wanting to know more about the Church can certainly search for the official sites or I will point them in the right direction.

I am not sure but since this is a "non-political" forum, we can generally discuss what we want. I don't post often.


Moroni

Your user name is kind of a give away :P Where is your step-son going on his mission? I'm a convert and always enjoy hearing mission related stuff. DU is a great place to learn more. Dive right in and don't be shy.

He will walk the Baja peninsula for two years in the Tijuana Mission.
He's been in the MTC for two weeks now and loves it. The young lady he has been seeing will leave on her mission to Germany in January. They are both looking forward to their missions and the things they will learn. Both will learn a new language and live in a culture not their own. The stepson recently got his Eagle in scouting. They will be two of some 65,000 full time missionaries. We have missionaries here of course. One is from the San Diego area but he is actually Samoan. What a character he is, big and simply happy all the time. I kid him that he will be a Bishop one day. A big fellow (linebacker in high school). We feed our missionaries as you know and he is a rather large one!

Another story.... My wife and I went to Olympia Washington to a reunion of sorts for me (50th birthday get-together). While we stayed with my high-school friend, she and I attended a sacrament meeting at a local ward. We discovered one of the missionaries from this ward in Olympia was in our ward and that we had fed him, many times. We got to meet with the parents of this young man and give an outstanding report on him. They really liked hearing from someone who knew of their son (and made sure he ate well). The mother had hoped that someone was feeding her son as she was feeding the missionaries there! They were thrilled with news of him.

I too am a convert. Almost 4 years now. I have so much to learn, it never stops. Faith is the beginning.

Moroni

I'm also a convert, having joined the church in high school. I went to BYU, served in the Italy Rome mission, was married in the temple, have two children, and am still active.

I'd prefer that the church stay out of the political arena. I found its backing of the Knight initiative very disturbing. I don't think church should be political.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.

just curious. I always like hearing a good conversion story.