LDS Identity

Stephanie Probert

Although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints rarely releases official statements on political issues, the culture of Christianity leads Mormon voters to lean Republican.  Thus, I believe there is a distinct political identity among Saints in the United States.  This can be largely attributed to the fact that our church holds very high, unique standards that often can be translated into political ideology.  Some of these include belief in a traditional family and marriage, sanctity of life, and to live within our means.  Utah is considered a Republican state, “having voted Republican by at least 19 percentage points in every presidential election after 1964” according to the New York Times. 

A political identity is defined as “the way that individuals categorize themselves, with a resulting feeling of close emotional association, or a subset of culture” (Hawkins, Oct.9). The idea that LDS voters have a political identity is clearly demonstrated in the fact that 69 percent of  Mormon people living in Utah claim to be Republican (Brown 2010). This number being higher than any other state, most people would agree this is because conservative values align most similarly with those of the church.  

Now that we have established the idea that an identity is here, one must wonder if that identity is primordial, or constructive.  The theory of primordialism claims that people are born with their political identity, and that identities that can become political are those formed very early in life or perhaps vaguely racial or genetic. (Samuels, P.153).  On the contrast, constructivism is the belief that identities are malleable, and that they evolve, thus, anything can become politicized (Samuels, P.153).  As for Mormon voters in America, I would say their identity is a combination of these two, however more so primordial.  Primordialism strongly emphasizes kinship, and the Mormon culture is one that values relationships, social capital, and bonds created within the church.  Members are usually tight knit, living in close proximity, serving one another, and having meetings multiple times weekly.  Thus, we are a church who likewise values kinship.  If one is to remain a devout member, I do not think ones political identity would be considered “malleable”.  

In our church we are very imprinted while we are young.  Primordialism believes that our political identities are created in our very early life, thus typically not changing throughout ones life.  Members learn the set values at church in this very young stage, and are likely to learn it within their home from member parents.  In basic primary classes youthful members learn to love one another, that we are all children of God, to be honest, to value our elders, and that families are the most important unit.  Many of these basic principles, learned between the ages of 3 and 12, closely align with values that one would take to the voting booth.  

There also is some value to the idea of constructivism.  Children do not understand concepts such as foreign policy, women’s rights or equality among minorities; opinions evolve and education levels change throughout ones lifetime.  However, if one abides fully with the teachings of the church, they will likely stick to what they were taught when they were young.

Sources:

Brown, Adam. More on whether good Mormons can be good Democrats. Posted December 7, 2010. http://utahdatapoints.com/2010/12/more-on-whether-good-mormons-can-be-good-democrats/ (accessed October 11, 2012)

Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, 2012. Print.

Cohen, Mica. Utah: Very Republican, but Not Quite as Conservative as It Appears. Posted July 9, 2012. New York Times. (accessed October 11,2012).