Darvish Intelligence: Why an LDS Member Cannot Be a Democrat or Socialist: A Defense of Constitutional Republicanism and Christian Values

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Why an LDS Member Cannot Be a Democrat or Socialist: A Defense of Constitutional Republicanism and Christian Values

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Former Pagan, Christian Conservative LDS Priest

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), my understanding of both scripture and the moral values taught by the Church leaves me with no choice but to reject the Democratic and Socialist ideologies that have gained influence in modern politics. The teachings of the Book of Mormon, the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price stand in stark opposition to the principles espoused by these political movements.

In this article, I will explain, using specific scriptural citations, why a faithful LDS member cannot be a Democrat or a Socialist and why such affiliations directly contradict the values of Christ and the principles upon which the LDS Church is built. I will also explain why the Democratic Party’s current platform represents a danger to the preservation of Christianity, including the LDS faith, and why we must align ourselves with the constitutional republic that our Founding Fathers established.

The Republican Doctrine in the Scriptures

The scriptures make it abundantly clear that principles of liberty, individual responsibility, and the sanctity of private property are foundational to the moral teachings of the Church. These principles align with the values upheld by the Republican Party and stand in direct contrast to the collectivist, statist policies of the Democratic and Socialist platforms. The Book of Mormon teaches that the government should be based on the preservation of freedom and the right to worship according to one’s conscience.

The Book of Mormon teaches that "when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice" (Proverbs 29:2) and "freedom is a gift from God" (2 Nephi 2:27).
The Book of Mormon also condemns the rise of "secret combinations" (Ether 8:18-19), which could be seen as a reference to the corruption and power grabs that typify modern socialist and progressive movements.
Doctrine and Covenants states: “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life” (D&C 134:2). This is a clear endorsement of the Republican values of individual liberty and limited government.
The Doctrine and Covenants further clarifies that "governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man" (D&C 134:1), and that the right to private property is divinely protected.
The Pearl of Great Price, in the Book of Moses, teaches that the creation of the Earth was a process of order, and not chaos. Likewise, the Lord established order in His government through His laws (Moses 3:5). A socialist or collectivist structure, which seeks to impose chaos upon personal responsibility and order, runs counter to the divine principles established by the Creator.

The Abomination of the Democratic Party

The Democratic Party, particularly in its current form, aligns itself with ideologies and practices that are not only incompatible with LDS teachings but are, in fact, an abomination in the sight of God. The party promotes abortion on demand, the erosion of the traditional family, and the redistribution of wealth through government programs—each of which undermines the sacred principles of life, liberty, and property.

The Bible makes it clear that abortion is not acceptable in the eyes of God, as it is written, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13), and children are a blessing (Psalm 127:3).
The Book of Mormon also affirms the sanctity of life, as it teaches that "a man should not murder" (Mosiah 13:22).
The Bible and Doctrine and Covenants teach that marriage is between a man and a woman, and this union is ordained by God (Genesis 2:24, D&C 49:15).
The Book of Mormon warns against the "evil designs" of those who seek to destroy the moral fiber of society (Mormon 8:38).
The Democratic Party's advocacy for same-sex marriage and abortion stands in stark contrast to the divine law as revealed in the scriptures.

Furthermore, the collectivist mindset promoted by socialist policies directly contradicts the principle of personal agency, which is one of the core doctrines of the LDS Church. The Book of Mormon teaches that “men are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, or to choose captivity and death” (2 Nephi 2:27). This principle of agency is foundational to God’s plan for His children, and socialism seeks to remove this agency by imposing control over every aspect of life.

The Dangers of Liberalism and the Salt Lake Tribune

In recent years, liberal forces from the West Coast have attempted to exert influence over the LDS Church and the Utah community, as evidenced by the political leanings of the Salt Lake Tribune and other liberal media outlets. These entities push narratives that align more with progressive, socialist ideologies than with the teachings of the Church.

Doctrine and Covenants teaches that we must be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (D&C 101:4), discerning the threats that can arise from media that promotes a corrupt agenda.
The Bible also warns us about false prophets and false teachings (Matthew 7:15), and the media's attempt to sway LDS members toward left-wing ideologies should be seen as a threat to the purity of the Gospel.
In addition, Doctrine and Covenants 98:5-6 makes it clear that “when the wicked rule, the people mourn,” and that we must seek the right leaders to guide us in righteousness.
The Book of Mormon also warns against the “pride of their hearts” (Mormon 4:5), a condition that liberal elites exhibit in their attempts to control the direction of the Church and society.

The Need for a Strong Constitutional Republic

While I agree with Elder Dallin H. Oaks on the importance of the United States Constitution and its divinely inspired principles, I fundamentally disagree with his more moderate stance on party affiliation. To remain consistent with the teachings of Christ and the scriptures, one cannot support the Democratic Party, which actively works to destroy the freedoms and values that our Constitution was built upon.

The Bible and Doctrine and Covenants both testify that the Lord has established governments for the protection of His children and that those governments must uphold liberty (Romans 13:1-2, D&C 134:1).
The Book of Mormon clearly supports a government that is based on liberty and justice (Alma 46:12).
The Doctrine and Covenants outlines the need for leaders who support and defend freedom (D&C 101:77).

Conclusion

It is clear from the scriptures that a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cannot in good conscience align themselves with the Democratic or Socialist movements. These ideologies are contrary to the foundational teachings of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. As faithful members, we must embrace the principles of liberty, personal responsibility, and the protection of family and life, all of which are best preserved through the values of the Republican Party and the preservation of the U.S. Constitution.