The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell Nelson, recently urged members to “lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice” and “to promote respect for all of God’s children.” This sentiment should be shared by all Utahns. After these statements, however, it is shocking that current polling shows Donald Trump leading Joe Biden by 10 points in Utah — a state that is nearly 68% Mormon.
Trump called immigrants from Mexico criminals and rapists. He called white nationalists “good people,” after they chanted “Jews will not replace us.” Peaceful protestors, who were actually following the teaching to promote respect, were tear-gassed and beaten in order for Trump to have a photo-op. He closed the borders to those fleeing for their lives to seek asylum here. He implemented policies taking immigrant children away from their families and holding them in worse than prison-like conditions. Then, there is the most recent claim of our country performing unnecessary and unwanted hysterectomies on women held in overcrowded immigrant detention camps.
How is any of this acceptable to Latter-day Saints or any Utahn? The only way to follow the words Nelson is to stand against Trump and the Republicans who support him and vote for Joe Biden and down-ballot Democrats.
Charlotte Maloney, Millcreek
