Former Utah governor and current Cabinet secretary Mike Leavitt sought to infuse the lessons of his religion into his inaugural address and into state policy, conducting a series of "Early Morning Seminary" classes in which he and top advisers discussed how to incorporate "just and holy" Mormon principles into his governance, archival records show.
The disclosure of those 1996 meetings, never before reported, comes at a time when the interface between God and government is dominating political dialogue and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been forced to take great pains to assure distrustful voters that his Mormon faith will not drive his policy decisions...
Prayer and scripture study
Leavitt's group gathered before work, beginning about 7 a.m. They did not meet at the state Capitol, but did hold sessions at the Governor's Mansion. Meetings opened with a prayer before the group explored the Book of Mormon stories of Korihor, the Gadianton Robbers, Alma and Mosiah, and King Benjamin, seeking insight into what LDS scripture defines as the proper role of government and discussing how they could be communicated in a "bilingual" manner to a secular audience.
The principles the group settled on - free agency, accountability, equality, stewardship, marriage, unity, goodness, heritage, worship, safety and a sense of order - were not overtly religious.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Leavitt looked to faith for philosophy of government
Salt Lake Tribune - Governor and his top advisers had 'seminary' meetings to discuss the role of LDS teachings in government
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1 comment:
Personally I don't have a problem with Gov. Leavitt and his advisors and friends taking personal time to deepen their faith and relate it to their lives. I also have no problem with a discussion faith being brought into the public square. As Mormons governing in a Mormon dominated state I would expect nothing less.
My issue with Gov. Romney is his coyness or deceptiveness in trying to conceal how his faith affects his thinking or policies. If he was just honest about it I would have no problem with it and respect him for it. If only he would fully disclose why he thinks the way he does in stead of judging everything he says through a political calculation or poll like Hillary. That's why people perceive him to be so "plastic."
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