Latter-day Saint Politicians Encourage Responsible Citizenship

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are urged to be active citizens by “exercising their right to vote and engaging in civic affairs” (“Political Participation, Voting, and the Political Neutrality of the Church,” October 6, 2020). In advance of the upcoming federal election on September 20, 2021, Latter-day Saints who have served or are currently serving in elected positions share words of advice and encouragement regarding responsible citizenship.

The Honourable Dr. Grant Hill from High River, Alberta, served as a member of Parliament from 1993 to 2004. When asked about important lessons he learned while serving as a government official, Hill said, “I learned … that people from vastly different backgrounds can have an impact in the political sphere.”

Latter-day Saints are encouraged to “engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters” (“Political Neutrality”).

Cora Bunn, who served two terms as the president of the Grand River Métis Council in Ontario, said, “It’s important to remember that there are many good people out there who are anxious to do their very best for their citizens and community. As citizens, we have a responsibility to vote and have a say in the government that leads our country.”

Jas Payne, a city councillor in Sylvan Lake, agrees. He said, “We have an obligation, as citizens, to carefully select those who will represent our values and beliefs.”

Greg Melchin of Calgary, Alberta, served three terms as a member of Alberta’s legislative assembly from 1997 to 2008. During those 11 years, he said he learned “how significant the voice of the people is in implementing what they want for a government.” He encourages civic engagement because “involvement in our communities, in whatever area of interest, … is vital to sustaining and improving our society.”

Vesna Higham, a city councillor in Red Deer, Alberta, suggests that we need to have a “collective commitment to being caring, engaged, responsible citizens — and in this regard, we all have a role to play, whether by community volunteerism, helping to clean our streets and parks, or something as simple, yet eminently powerful, as voting in an election.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has expressed, “It will be hard to change society at large, but we must work to improve the moral culture that surrounds us. Latter-day Saints in every country should be good citizens, participate in civic affairs, educate themselves on the issues and vote” (“Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage,” October 2013 general conference).

Higham reminds us that “one voice does make a difference; many voices, all the more.”