Mormon Question

                Election Day is just a few days away as I write, and most Americans are anxious to have it over. Many people are wondering how the election results will affect our nation and us. One big question is how the Mormon vote will affect the election. A second big question is how the election results will affect Mormons.

                Utah has long been a safe state for Republicans, but it is questionable in the 2016 election. I have heard that Wyoming and Idaho are questionable also, all for the same reason. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often known as Mormons, are a huge part of the #NeverTrump movement. There is a big possibility that Utah will go to Evan McMullin and the election will go to Hillary Clinton because of the LDS vote.

                This possibility is well known to Trump supporters. Pax Dickinson recently fired both barrels on McMullin and Mormons in general when he tweeted: “If @Evan McMullin succeeds and throws the election to Hillary, Mormons will be blamed for it. Chance of a future Mormocaust spikes sharply.” A second tweet says: “America hasn’t boasted a popular movement favoring genocide of Mormons for well over a century but @Evan McMullin is working to change that.” I wonder if the FBI is investigating Dickinson for threats against members of the Church.

                Many LDS members are not voting for McMullin. I know some who are supporting Clinton and many who support Trump. However, I know the Utah vote could have a big impact on the election outcome and the consequences of it.

                I am grateful that Bethany Mandel at The Federalist has come to the defense of Mormons. She relates some of the past history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including the Haun’s Mill Massacre that took place in Missouri in 1839. She questions why it is fair game to taunt, attack, and threaten Mormons when it is not okay to do the same things to Jews or Muslims or even other Christians. This is a good question, and it deserves a good answer. I encourage you to read Mandel’s article for the full effect of her questioning.

                Addition: The election is now over, and Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. Utah gave its electoral votes to Trump. I suppose there is no longer a Mormon question, but I believe there is need to respect the beliefs and views of all people – even and especially when we do not understand them.