Utah is one of the reddest states out there. For the presidential race, ever since 1968, Utah has chosen the Republican candidate. That's hard to imagine -- during my entire lifetime, Utah hasn't gone Democrat even once. This makes sense, as Utah is dominated by Latter-day Saints, who tend to be conservative.
There are some Democrats, but overwhelmingly Republicans win out. Check out these voting stats for Utah:
2000 - W Bush - 66.8%
2004 - W Bush - 71.5%
2008 - McCain - 62.6%
2012 - Romney - 72.8%
Aren't those crazy high numbers? But check this out ...
2016 - Trump - 45.5%
2020 - Trump - 58.1%
Trump still won the state, but these numbers are noticeably lower. In 2016, 27% of the vote went to another conservative, Evan McMullen, and other candidates. And it's not just Utah. Trump just does not poll as well with Latter-day Saints. So, what gives? Perhaps I can provide those answers pulling from Latter-day Saint scripture, such as the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants (modern day revelation), and other official statements of the Church.
Mosiah 29 (in the Book of Mormon) talks about the effects of an unrighteous king. This is around the time that the people decide to switch from kings to judges. I recommend reading the entire chapter to get the whole story -- it would help you to understand the importance members of my church place on having leaders we can choose rather than kings who may turn out to be rotten. Here are some highlights that relate more directly to today's discussion, with my own added emphases.
(11) ... let us appoint judges, to judge this people according to our law; and we will newly arrange the affairs if this people, for we will appoint wise men to be judges, ...
(17) For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
(21-22) And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood. For behold, he has his friends in iniquity, and he keepeth his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in righteousness before him;
(25-26) Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord. Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
(27) And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.
(32) And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, ...
In summary, wicked leaders are bad, and they cause destruction and iniquity. It's common for most people to choose the right leaders. But if they choose poorly, bad things will happen. This is supposed to be a land of liberty (here the scripture is indeed literally referring to the North/South American continent, but the concepts can apply elsewhere as well).
Here is further instruction in Doctrine and Covenants 98. This is revelation Joseph Smith received in August 1833. While the Mosiah scripture above was in relation to events occurring before the birth of Christ, this D&C excerpt is instruction meant for modern members of the Church, including for us today. For the full story, you can read the whole section, but again, here are highlights ...
(4-8) And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them. And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil. I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
(9) Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.
(10) Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
In summary, we again get confirmation (from the Lord) that we should be living in liberty. We should befriend the Constitution. Wicked rulers cause us to mourn, so we must seek out honest men and wise men.
Here another verse describing yet another concept popular among the Latter-day Saints...
Helaman 7:4 And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men;
You may hear this among my fellow church members -- the Gadianton robbers, a gang of men who successfully take over the government through corruption and "secret combinations." This is a special brand of wicked ruler.
And finally, before I bring everything together, the Church often offers official declarations to prepare us for voting. They are usually statements of neutrality, and invitations to participate in the process with open discussion, and not to condemn fellow voters for their decisions.
The latest version came out in June 2023, and here is a particular paragraph of note ...
We urge you to spend the time needed to become informed about the issues and candidates you will be considering. Some principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles. Members should also study candidates carefully and vote for those who have demonstrated integrity, compassion, and service to others, regardless of party affiliation. Merely voting a straight ticket or voting based on “tradition” without careful study of candidates and their positions on important issues is a threat to democracy and inconsistent with revealed standards (see Doctrine and Covenants 98:10). Information on candidates is available through the internet, debates, and other sources.In summary, we get the additional instruction not to do straight-party voting, but to rather study out the candidates and choose those who best embody correct principles. Also, the Republican Party is not the official party of our Church (which is different than what many had told me in Utah when I lived there). Rather, the Church does not endorse either party.
Perhaps you can see where this is all going. Why did Trump not do as well with Utah voters, and with other members of my church?
First off, I should point out that more than half of Latter-day Saints did vote for Trump, and still support him today, and I totally get it. They recognize Trump's foibles, but overlook them. They tell me: don't vote for the man, but rather his policies. They see his ability to make good deals, support religious freedoms, install conservative judges, and promote certain conservative priorities.
But for a large chunk of us (and we are not a few), we see all the above scripture and counsel and we've determined that: no, it really is the man, and not so much the policies. If the man, himself, is wicked, that's what brings the suffering upon the people and causes us to mourn. (In my case, it's the policies, too -- which I feel are inconsistent with Matthew 25:40, but that's another topic.)
We do not see Trump as a wise man who embodies gospel principles and demonstrates integrity, compassion, and service to others. Rather, we see how he mocks others and lies every time he opens his mouth. We also see how he kindles an uncooperative environment -- he even had the largest turnover of staff than any other president in the past 100 years. We see his scams -- how easily he gets money from his followers -- how he cares about nothing more than himself. We've seen how he vilifies his own people -- members of his own party and even his former staff.
We also see him as a Gadianton Robber, who attempted to usurp power at the end of 2020, who has befriended many of his party and has encouraged them to help tear down laws, weaken the Constitution, strip away freedoms, and cast out those who stood up to him in his own party. It's gotten to where there are few left in his party that still have any shred of integrity.
We also saw how bad things got in 2020, and how they didn't get any better until 2021, after he had left office. Instead of mitigating the pandemic, he helped to spread it. And instead of handling riots, he stoked the fires. We see how the people mourned from these poor decisions.
And yes -- I realize that these are all largely my own biased opinions and interpretations of Church doctrine and official statements. But in my opinion, Trump's words and actions and the friends he keeps seem to speak for themselves. It's difficult for me to interpret the above scripture and counsel any other way. And I remain frustrated, as I feel I no longer have a conservative party that represents my beliefs. I wonder why the party can't choose someone better who is wiser and demonstrates integrity, compassion, and service, and doesn't try to usurp power. Is it too late to reconsider someone like Nikki Haley?
So, take it for what it's worth. I figure those who are not of the Church can better understand why a large chunk of us can not now, and likely never will support Trump.
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