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Utah LDS Dems credit record caucus numbers to letter from LDS First Presidency
Crystal Young-Otterstrum (with daughter Betty), Craig Janis, and Jim Debakis, Chair of the Utah Democratic Party, featured in this audio interview.
Utah State Democratic Party chair Jim Debakis was delighted with the soaring numbers of LDS Utahans who turned out for the Democratic party’s caucus meetings last Tuesday, and Craig Janis, head of outreach for the LDS Democratic caucus talks about the increased interest in their newly formed organization just this week.
With the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) expressing concern over a lack of political participation in the state and with worries over an increasingly one-party system of government in the state, LDS Democrats were impressed to hear the following read over the pulpit in church meetings in a letter from the First Presidency of the Church in recent weeks:
“Principles compatible with the gospel are found in the platforms of all major political parties. While the Church does not endorse political candidates, platforms, or parties, members are urged to be full participants int he political, governmental, and community affairs.”
In this audio interview, Crystal Young-Otterstrum points out that in addition, the Church directed local congregations to cancel activities on March 13th and 15th allowing church members to attend the Democratic and Republican caucus meetings held those evenings, respectively. The result? Record participation.
That’s this week on The Cricket and Seagull.
