How can we have shared the same faith with such different results?

The majority of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just voted for Donald Trump for President of the United States, again. 

I’m not surprised but I am pretty confused. Again. Especially because their faith and the stances of the church are not always in line with Donald Trump’s. I’m giving the benefit of the doubt because we all have to compromise on policy. I just hope that regardless of who we voted for we can agree to support some of the specific policies the church endorsed that he does not.

So I  have a few questions and examples here:

First thing I would ask. How does Trump's policies align at all with the church's stances on immigration? Will you support the DACA recipients that are now under attack? What about his proposed mass deportations? His reductions of refugees? When Trump was serving his first term as president he opposed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). He reduced refugee admissions and legal immigration. One of his first executive actions was to ban Muslim immigrants. Finally then and now he supported mass deportations. The church supports none of those stances. First the church supports DACA. Second they oppose mass deportation and support a way for non citizens to stay while working to provide for their families. The church runs immigration center. They support refugees. And they opposed the Muslim travel ban. I struggle to square how President elect Trump's policies stand with the church's at all. I hope that we can find ways to work together to maintain DACA, limit deportations, maintain family units, and work to expand refugee immigration and support. Regardless of who voted for.

Will you support religious freedom? The current conservative movement instituted the before mentioned Muslim Travel Ban. They also have begun to require religious texts and instruction in public schools. We as a church opposed the Muslim Travel Ban. It was commented on by affirming religious liberty, quoting Joseph Smith "if any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves. It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul — civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race." That sentiment is codified in the 11th Article of Faith, "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." The fact that non-christian faiths are facing ostracism at and even official level should not be ignored. It should be noted that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aren't considered christian by most of the Christian churches and community. Mormons are a cult. To see us as a community miss that worries me. 

I know the church has a complex relationship with the LGBTQ community. But they supported the Respect for Marriage Act. Why are we voting for a person and a party who want to limit their rights beyond that.

Character matters. For President right. Or so I was told? But how have we elected person who is a felon? Who is adjudicated as a sexual predator and defamer?

I would be lying if I said that politics hasn’t impacted my ability to worship. To feel safe and supported. I would argue the increased deconstruction since Trump is due to many of the inconsistencies I’ve stated above. It’s easier to maintain personal relationships at a time like this than an institutional one.

It may seem alarmist to say this but, it really does shake the foundations of what I feel. I know what I was taught. What I believe. Where I base my faith. And it hasn’t been all lining up. 

One of my biggest issues has been the abuse scandals of the church and I what I feel are institutional inadequacies to address it. I’ve often felt we protect perpetrators and strive for their repentance more that we protect potential victims and strive to administer them the same level of care. Seeing how quickly we as a faith supported who is now an adjudicated perpetrator of the same acts is beyond damaging to me.

I wonder why the institution is so in the pocket of this movement. These actions. And I have to pause.

My only hope is when it comes time to advocate for policy; and take care of the individuals impacted most severely, that we can work together. Cause right now it feels like the opposite. 

I’ve often been accused of overthinking things. And maybe I am now. But my life experience has brought me to places where this issues matter. They greatly impact people I care deeply about. And I hope that we can have dialogues about how to make their lives better.

If you made it this far. Thanks for sticking around. Thanks for reading. Reach out. I’d love to hear from you. Cause I don’t get it. And that’s uncomfortable.