Well, I’m not sure what the Second Amendment is. I never said that we should support rights acknowledged by a supreme court . (Why do I seem to be using “I never said…” so much when I’m responding to you?)

Joseph Smith made it clear that the exercise of our religious opinions should not infringe upon the rights and liberties of others. I quoted it directly.

No, it doesn’t. How are you defining “the Gospel”?

Do you feel the same way about the ruling on Second Amendment gun rights? Given your logic, once the SCOTUS speaks, we should all just genuflect and back off and support such rights. (Note: I am for strict gun control including requiring a note from a psychiatric exam certifying that one is sane enough to own a gun before being allowed to purchase a hand gun).

Kim: Yes, the gospel does say something about same sex conduct — it says it is a sin and you cannot get a temple recommend if one engages in it. Did you miss that?

I so agree with you on the implementation of communism. I think capitalism is far too ingrained in our political system to change things.

It will be interesting to see what society looks like when Jesus returns.

The left generally is morally permissive but more generous when it comes to government programs. The right is generally is less permissive socially but less altruistic economically. One could find a morally justifiable position in either of these camps.

I think Jesus would lean more left than right but that is a personal judgement. Jesus said his kingdom “is not of this world”, so I don’t think he cares that much about politics.

The right often reacts with hostility to big government … but D&C 134:1 says…

1 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.

I don’t think scripture supports the view that big government is inherently evil. The right see Obama’s Health Insurance as intolerable. I see universal health care as being “for the benefit of man”. We are our brother’s keeper. Saying that we won’t help the poor because they haven’t earned it is like believing you can actually earn salvation. Grace is not for sale. Remember King Benjamin, we are all beggars. Remember the year of Jubilee when property was returned to the original owners. The Old Testament Law of Moses unashamedly redistributed property and protected the poor.

Regarding you interest in Communism is am suspicious of most “isms”. I bet the Lords ways are better than most human ways… but since we are free to choose how we want to live Communism is worth considering.

If we take seriously the having all things in common in Acts and 3 Nephi communism can not be overlooked. The saints have never successfully had all things in common for long. Perhaps we will again.

If we do have all things in common again I don’t believe it will be the political infrastructure that brings it about.. It will have more to do with the condition of our hearts.

Knowing many Latter Day Saints as I do I would be embarrassed to think that any of them support Donald Trump. Even Stephen Harper who has consolidated power in the P.MO. so effectively that the voice of the people is no longer heard.

I never argued that the vast majority of Mormonsare too stupid to realize that conservatism is incompatible with the Gospel.

I never claimed any of the scriptures I cited supported government action.

No, I never suggested all conservatives are racist.

The Gospel says nothing about same sex conduct (whatever that means), so it neither supports or opposes it.

Thanks for your comments.

For example you cite Mosiah 4:17-18 urging us to be nonjudgmental and charitable. How does that support government programs or action? King Benjamin who could easily have set up governmental programs as king asked for individuals, not governments, to act charitably. Just how is that incompatible with conservatism which urges individuals to act individually and through charities — which are far more effective, far lest wasteful, and do not act through coercion.

With respect to environmental issues there is once again a request that we individually respect our stewardship over the earth — there is never a call to governmental programs to save the environment. Neither scripture nor church statements say anything about global warming so this point is simply irrelevant.

Racism — really? Are you suggesting that all conservatives are racists? How do you fail to see that your own suggestion in this regard is the hallmark of bigotry by lumping everyone together and not taking folks as individuals?

Marriage equality — yeah right. While it is appropriate to treat all others with respect and love, the gospel does not support same-sex conduct as morally equivalent to heterosexual conduct within marriage. Your suggestion otherwise lacks all plausibility and this is not a basis for suggesting that the liberal position which supported and argued for same-sex marriage is consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of repeated statements by the Church and the prophet to the contrary.

Thanks for the added insights, TA. I concur.