The winter holidays prompt many Utahns to reflect on matters spiritual and share joy.

And although some CEOs who don't live in Utah have expressed concerns about our local culture, one of the season's memories I am fond of is my party's campaign seven years ago to proclaim the virtue of being a Mormon and a Libertarian.

The year was 1998.

In the spring of that year, Elder Marlin Jensen of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gave a lengthy interview, urging members of the LDS Church to become not only more politically active, but active in more than one political party.

"It would just help if we had a multi-party system that was really working," said Elder Jensen.

That's "multi-," as in "more than two."

Of course, members of the LDS Church who are also Libertarians have long noted doctrinal similarities. So, in the fall of 1998 and following Elder Jensen's lead, the Libertarian Party of Utah took out half-page ads in local newspapers to declare our common values.

The ads garnered national attention, including a story in the October 29, 1998 edition of The New York Times.

Past LPUtah Chair Jim Dexter and those members of the LDS Church he consulted deserve credit for their wordsmithing. Enjoy!

Why It's OK to Be a Mormon and a Libertarian

Now is the time for all LDS to heed Elder Jensen's words of political wisdom

Did the Lord let one-third of the Hosts of Heaven choose eternal damnation only to see agency stifled here on earth for the rest of us? If the Doctrine of Agency is central to your beliefs, then you must be a libertarian.

The Libertarian Party believes self-responsibility is the key to a righteous, prosperous and free society. But, if you're not allowed to prove you can govern yourself, how will Father in Heaven know you can govern a world of your own?

Can Lucifer Create a Moral Society?

Does not the use of government to force yourself and others to be good follow Lucifer's plan? By voting for those who use government power to suppress activities you should avoid on your own, you deny Christ's greatest gift ... your own agency.

But when you vote for the Party of Free Agency -- the Libertarian Party of Utah -- you vote to restore true Constitutional government, where people can learn correct principles and govern themselves.

Libertarians will relieve the burden of taxes so both parents won't have to work for your family to live well. Libertarians will let you educate your children where prayers aren't prohibited and condoms aren't distributed. Libertarians will protect your full rights of armed self-defense. Libertarians will give you limited, principled, and accountable government.

Wasn't individual liberty the whole point of the War in Heaven? Where is it written that the Lord wants you to use force to stop others from straying?

When did God reveal to you that you are so righteous, that your life is so perfect, that you have the right to order the lives of other adults? And if you don't have the right, how can you give it to government?

Yet the Republicrats seem to believe that only government can be responsible. They believe the people, educated in their godless, government schools, are ignorant and cannot be trusted with most decisions. So, their officials practice unrighteous dominion over your life every day.

Divine Inspiration

Did the Prophet Joseph Smith reveal the Constitution to be divinely inspired just to let the government you elect ignore it routinely 150 years later? (Did you vote against light rail only to have elected officials decide you didn't know what you were doing?) The Constitution, which guarantees your rights and liberties -- and freedom from government -- is now bound in red tape and hanging by a very thin thread. Libertarians fear for the Constitution.

Elder Marlin Jensen has announced the LDS Church wants to restore political diversity in Utah. Now is the time to cross the aisle to the side that wants to protect everyone's right to free agency.

If your faith decides your politics, become a Libertarian. We are the only party pledged to give you less government, lower taxes, and the freedom to choose the right path for yourself. Please join today.

With wishes for peace on Earth and goodwill to you, I am

Yours in liberty,

Rob Latham, Chair

Libertarian Party of Utah