The LDS Church does not endorse any political party or political leader, and I believe it is our moral and civic duty to be active in the political process and challenge political views and policies. This does not mean all faithful LDS Church members must be Republican, and an individual's choice to vote for or support the Democrats (or any other party issue or candidate) does not mean opposition to the church. Many church leaders have served in the Democratic and other political parties.

As a political independent (a moral conservative with both social liberal and fiscal conservative leanings on various issues), I see definite problems with both parties -- neither is inherently morally superior to the other. To suggest such is to make the claim that the world is made up of simple black-and-white issues.

I live in an intricate world of beautifully contrasting colors of all shades, and such beauty should be treasured, not ignored or avoided.

Jonathan H. Westover