I sincerely appreciate Mr. Rauch’s faith in Latter-day Saints; however, I don’t think that Elder Oaks’ prescription for healing this disease of polarization that plagues our country is shared by a majority of members. I’m afraid that the prevailing political philosophy held by most members is more closely aligned to the ideologically extreme views that were promulgated by Ezra Taft Benson and other like-minded leaders. I think to successfully counter these harmful beliefs it will require Church leaders to be much more vocal and explicit about where they stand. Sadly, I think they are too worried about alienating a large portion of members to do that. I would love to see them display the kind of courageous leadership recently exhibited by Bishop Mariann Budde as she spoke up in defense of our most vulnerable populations. If we can’t do that, I’m afraid we won’t be saving anything.
Thank you, thank you for publishing this on a hard day for many; as one who feared for both Christianity and democracy after the spectacle at the Capitol yesterday, you’ve pulled me away from “The Church of Fear” today. May we - in or out of the faith - embrace the principles found here and save the great American experiment from failure.
Jonathan Rauch demonstrates here another essential trait necessary for our democracy's survival. He lays his judgments concerning we LDS long enough to understand us.
I wonder if this ability comes from his time as a journalist or the heritage of Rabbinic Judaism? Personal courage and a commanding intellect?
Either way, I admire it wish we could go and do likewise.
I was in the Marriott Center in 1986, when Pres. Benson delivered his talk, "The Constitution, A Heavenly Banner" (later repeated at General Conference) reiterating a prophecy that the LDS would come to the rescue of the Constitution when it hung by a thread, and would carry it away safely. It was a lightning bolt moment for me, complete with a powerful witness of the truth of his words and an eagerness to be part of fulfilling that prophecy.
Pres. Benson specifically highlighted socialism as a threat to Rule of Law at that time. But what struck me was the necessity of understanding and defending Rule of Law.
For something like the last decade, I've been increasingly discouraged by the accelarating polarization of our society and by our people's apparent inability to recognize the erosion of rule of law when it's being enacted by an authoritarian "conservative". And then I read something like this, and the article referenced above.
Yes, I could wish we were doing better than we are. But we ARE improving, and giving hope to non-LDS leaders in depolarization. I don't just find this comforting. I find it inspiring and encouraging.
I sincerely appreciate Mr. Rauch’s faith in Latter-day Saints; however, I don’t think that Elder Oaks’ prescription for healing this disease of polarization that plagues our country is shared by a majority of members. I’m afraid that the prevailing political philosophy held by most members is more closely aligned to the ideologically extreme views that were promulgated by Ezra Taft Benson and other like-minded leaders. I think to successfully counter these harmful beliefs it will require Church leaders to be much more vocal and explicit about where they stand. Sadly, I think they are too worried about alienating a large portion of members to do that. I would love to see them display the kind of courageous leadership recently exhibited by Bishop Mariann Budde as she spoke up in defense of our most vulnerable populations. If we can’t do that, I’m afraid we won’t be saving anything.
Thank you, thank you for publishing this on a hard day for many; as one who feared for both Christianity and democracy after the spectacle at the Capitol yesterday, you’ve pulled me away from “The Church of Fear” today. May we - in or out of the faith - embrace the principles found here and save the great American experiment from failure.
Jonathan Rauch demonstrates here another essential trait necessary for our democracy's survival. He lays his judgments concerning we LDS long enough to understand us.
I wonder if this ability comes from his time as a journalist or the heritage of Rabbinic Judaism? Personal courage and a commanding intellect?
Either way, I admire it wish we could go and do likewise.
Thank you. Refreshing and uplifting insight. The balm I needed right now.
It's bolstering to read something like this. Braver Angels' David Blankenhorn said something similar in his response to the last question in this article: https://ifstudies.org/blog/5-questions-with-family-studies-david-blankenhorn-on-trustless-america.
I was in the Marriott Center in 1986, when Pres. Benson delivered his talk, "The Constitution, A Heavenly Banner" (later repeated at General Conference) reiterating a prophecy that the LDS would come to the rescue of the Constitution when it hung by a thread, and would carry it away safely. It was a lightning bolt moment for me, complete with a powerful witness of the truth of his words and an eagerness to be part of fulfilling that prophecy.
Pres. Benson specifically highlighted socialism as a threat to Rule of Law at that time. But what struck me was the necessity of understanding and defending Rule of Law.
For something like the last decade, I've been increasingly discouraged by the accelarating polarization of our society and by our people's apparent inability to recognize the erosion of rule of law when it's being enacted by an authoritarian "conservative". And then I read something like this, and the article referenced above.
Yes, I could wish we were doing better than we are. But we ARE improving, and giving hope to non-LDS leaders in depolarization. I don't just find this comforting. I find it inspiring and encouraging.