Ontario Mormons Counselled to Vote

One of the rights we enjoy as citizens of a free and democratic society is the right to vote. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to participate in the political process and to vote their conscience to elect those that best represent their values and opinions.

The Church counsels its members to play a role as responsible citizens, including becoming educated about issues and voting in elections. Church members are expected to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner. The Church respects the fact that its members come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.

A letter issued by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 5, 2016, and read to Church congregations throughout the United States expresses:

As citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future. We urge Latter-day Saints to be active citizens by registering, exercising their right to vote, and engaging in civic affairs.

We also urge you to spend the time needed to become informed about the issues and candidates you will be considering. Along with the options available to you through the Internet, debates, and other sources, the Church occasionally posts information about particular moral issues on which it has taken a position at www.MormonNewsroom.org.

Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles.

While the Church affirms its institutional neutrality regarding political parties and candidates, individual members should participate in the political process. The Church also affirms its constitutional right of expression on political and social issues.

This message is equally applicable in Canada and other democracies throughout the world.

The Church maintains a position of political neutrality. Its official statement reads in part:

The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.

The Church does not:

• Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.
• Allow its Church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be used for partisan political purposes.
• Attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they should give their votes to. This policy applies whether or not a candidate for office is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader.

The Church further:

• Requests candidates for office not to imply that their candidacy or platforms are endorsed by the Church.
• Reserves the right as an institution to address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church.

Being a good citizen is never easy — it requires judgment, civility and patience. But in a democracy, we have the privilege of electing representatives. Principles compatible with the gospel of Jesus Christ may be found in various political parties. Latter-day Saints have the responsibility and privilege to make their country and community in which they live a better place. One way of doing this is by taking the time to vote for those who one believes reflects his or her values, who are wise, good and honest and who are committed to improving the lives of those they are elected to represent.