When LDS Church Representatives Meet with the State Legislature

A little late in getting to this, but Michael Otterson’s response to the perennial complaints about LDS Church involvement with the Utah legislature can’t go by unnoticed. Particularly since the SL Trib’s archives of death will swallow up the article soon (but good for them for publishing this response to their Rebecca Walsh’s claims of theocracy).

Here’s how the meetings go down if you’re interested.

Lunches both for Democratic and Republican legislators follow exactly the same pattern:

An expression of appreciation to those who work long hours and devote a good slice of their lives to serving our communities.

A reminder that we meet with both parties, and that the church maintains its position of partisan neutrality.

Much more listening on the part of church representatives than speaking. Legislators are much more prone to express a variety of views on issues than are church leaders.

As any legislator who has ever attended these lunches will tell you, the LDS Church’s central message is to encourage legislators to be wise, thoughtful and compassionate as they go about the people’s business. It is not prescriptive. The church takes a position on very few bills anyway, but when it does that position is made public.

Funny how there weren’t complaints last year when the Church was encouraging compassion for immigrants.

(Possibly) Related posts:

1. Two Church-State Scrambles
2. Al Gore meets with LDS Church leaders