Church Manual notes that Church leaders instructed members to vote Republican in 1890s.

Date
2003
Type
Book
Source
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
LDS
Hearsay
Direct
Reference

"Chapter Thirty-Four An Era of Reconciliation," Church History In The Fulness Of Times Student Manual (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2003), accessed May 9, 2022

Scribe/Publisher
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
People
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Audience
Reading Public, Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PDF
Transcription

Establishing the national Democratic and Republican parties in Utah proved exceedingly difficult. Traditionally the Saints had leaned toward the Democratic Party because the Republicans, who had been in power most of the time since 1861, had promoted and enforced the anti-polygamy legislation. Furthermore, the Democratic-appointed officials of 1885–89 had been more lenient with the Saints. Considering the political tendency of Church members and the fact that most nonmembers in Utah were Republican oriented, the First Presidency wanted to avoid the Democrats becoming another Church party.

Meetings were held with stake presidents and bishops where they were instructed to encourage more Latter-day Saints to vote Republican. This would demonstrate to national party leaders that a viable two-party system could exist in Utah. Local leaders, however, were also urged to use good sense and caution in their encouragement. Church members who were known to have strong Democratic convictions were not asked to switch parties, but those whose commitment was not particularly strong were encouraged to change. This method was effective, and by 1892 the Republican Party was strong in Utah politics.

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