Hey, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (whew, Mormon/LDS is much easier to type), what happened to free agency? The LDS Church’s statement on the Medical Marijuana Initiative states what the church thinks of members’ and non-members’ ability to think for themselves. The LDS Church is in favor of medical marijuana but not in favor of the Utah voter initiative that is on the ballot. Translation: The LDS Church isn’t controlling the process like it does when legislation is introduced/voted on by state legislators who are LDS members; thus they can’t control we the people. The current medical marijuana legislation passed by the Legislature where you can have medical marijuana if you have six months left to live (timing is everything!) is an example of the LDS Church controlling we the people.
As MormonLeaks has shown, these types of “morality issues” are discussed and decided by a group of old men behind closed doors, not a lightning bolt delivering a stone tablet from God. In fact, one wonders, where is God in some of the LDS Church’s positions or non-positions? I’m referring to the Trump administration’s policy of breaking up illegal immigrant families as an example.
I don’t know about other Utahns, but I am tired of the LDS Church taking away my free agency time and time again (and I’m not even a member!). I don’t believe the LDS Church has that right and if it thinks it does, then maybe it shouldn’t be tax exempt. The people of Utah pay taxes and we should have a say in our government without the interference of any religion. There is this bizarre concept of separation of church and state that I’ve heard about but unfortunately don’t see in Utah.
Ryan Hinkins, Salt Lake City
