"Dear Mormons" or "Joseph Smith was basically a Libertarian..."

I don’t need to rehash the reasons against voting for either of the two “major” parties.  All the other media outlets are full of news on that front today.  I just have a heartfelt appeal to those in a unique position to truly make a difference in this election cycle…

Dear Mormons (practicing and lapsed ;) ),

I understand how vexing this election is for you. 

Traditionally the values of the LDS Church have aligned most closely to those purported by the Republican Party.  People raised in the church have a strong sense of self-reliance, a moral commitment to defending their freedoms and families even to the bearing of arms, and a view of life that is so sacred we’re compelled take every measure possible to protect it.  Add to that the codes of personal conduct outlined in the Word of Wisdom (abstaining from ingesting potentially harmful substances) and the Law of Chastity (abstaining from extramarital sex acts,) and Federal policies such as The War on Drugs and The Defense of Marriage Act seem like good ideas.

However, given this term’s choice in candidates, it’s time to dig a little deeper into Zion’s past and look more objectively before casting a vote.

I submit that Joseph Smith was, in fact, one of the nation’s earliest Libertarians.  When he penned the 13 Articles of Faith, he was sure to incorporate the belief of “…being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law,” thus admonishing church members to practice their faith to their best ability within the freedoms AND restrictions of the laws of the land in which they lived.  This came into play specifically with regards to prohibition and polygamy when Utah was finally approved for statehood.

Another gem from the prophet Joseph was his governance of Nauvoo, when he described his success in leadership by saying, “I teach [the people] correct principles and they govern themselves.”

This principle is not only an ideal for government; it is the cornerstone of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Mormons believe that they personally fought a great war in heaven to protect our agency to choose right from wrong, so that we may all benefit from the lessons and consequences of our choices to ultimately become more like our Creator.

Where it may feel like moral high-ground to side with an elected official who would work to pass legislation to limit contentious actions such as abortion and drug or alcohol consumption, it is not our place to work to remove agency from our fellow citizens.  It is our place to provide good examples of living a life rooted in service to one another, loving those who falter, and showing that the Gospel provides a way back no matter how far we slip into transgression against ourselves or each other.

Only one presidential candidate in this race promises to maintain a system of rule that allows us to “govern ourselves.”  Only one candidate respects the agency outlined in the US Constitution.  Only one candidate in this election cycle has championed these things while staying completely honest with the electorate, even admitting when he has fallen short in live televised interviews.

Mormons accept the admonishment to “be ye therefore perfect,” even as they accept this goal as physically unattainable in this life. 

I know many of you think because of your beliefs you should not support a candidate like Gary Johnson who openly states that government should not legislate things like who can marry who and what grown adults choose to put in their own bodies.  But Johnson is on the side of agency – the most sacred of all LDS principles.  He believes in the people’s right and ability to govern themselves. 

And as president, he would leave it in your capable hands (and the hands of your fellow Christian brothers and sisters) to go about the business of “teaching correct principles.”

Do you think a Clinton or Trump Whitehouse would care about upholding the tax-exempt status of churches when they’ve made so many promises to other special interest groups and corporations?  Do you think the money you’ve committed to the stewardship of the church will touch as many lives once the government dips their hands in and takes their fill?

Do you believe that either of these candidates will fight to preserve the liberty of the individuals and state governments when both have show their primary interests lie only accumulating more power for themselves?

The reason I am writing to you is because I understand something the rest of the voices in the media either do not understand, or are too afraid to acknowledge.

The Mormon vote has the opportunity to tip this election to the most principled candidate in the race.  Many “civilians” mistakenly assume that Utah is the only real “Mormon State.”  You and I know that they are wrong.  We know how LDS pioneer families settled the west in Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and yes, even California.  We know of the thousands of faithful families in Washington State, and throughout the Great Plains.  We also know the great pride church members take in being civically minded and involved.

And most of all, we know how well Mormons are able to connect with those around us and share our deeply held personal beliefs with our neighbors in ways that earn respect and admiration.

If Mormons took the standard of the Libertarian party and stood strong in our communities, we could turn several Red and Purple states Yellow.  Mormons alone could deny Hillary Clinton the 270 electoral votes needed and also defeat the morally bankrupt candidacy of Donald Trump.

I know so many of you are thinking about writing in Romney or McMullin.  Neither of these men are on the ticket in all 50 states.  And even though they stand for the values you stand for, the office of President of the United States is not the office of Prophet, Seer and Revelator.  Your first duty is to choose someone who would be just and defend the US Constitution, even when that document stands in opposition to your personal beliefs and practices.

The price of freedom is that some will use their agency to choose the lesser part.  You agreed to those terms in the preexistence.  When you vote in this election, please remember that.  You fought so that we could all have choice.  Please consider protecting that choice and the great Constitution, which defends it.

Please consider voting for the ticket with principles that most echo those of the beloved prophet Joseph Smith.  Please consider voting for Johnson and Weld.

Sincerely,

Hillary J.