Letter: Don’t politicize religion

Last night I watched in complete and total disdain as Sen. Mike Lee made the comparison between President Donald Trump and Captain Moroni. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has major concerns and reservations regarding the current president of the United States, this felt very personal.

I felt that this was an incredibly manipulative tactic of using a book that is so precious and important to so many as a tool in gaining votes for President Trump. Even more offensive was the comparison of Captain Moroni to a man like Donald J. Trump. The two men could not be more different. Moroni was a man of character, faith and integrity. His name should never be used in conjunction with our current president’s unless it is to highlight the massive differences between them.

One of the foundations of our country is the separation of church and state. Mike Lee’s use of religion was wrong. I, like others, am also concerned about how this reflects on my religious views to the rest of the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a history of being misunderstood, and this adds to the confusion. Because of the senator’s remarks, those who have not read the Book of Mormon and are unfamiliar with Captain Moroni will make incorrect assumptions that could do damage to our integrity.

As I scanned social media to find others’ opinions, I was heartened to see many like-minded individuals who were commenting on Mike Lee’s Instagram and asking for a public apology. This is my intention in writing this letter. Sen. Lee, I am asking you to publicly apologize for your use of the Book of Mormon as a tactic to gather votes. I believe that we are all entitled to our opinions and beliefs in politics, but to bring religion into it, especially as a senator on the national stage, is inappropriate and offensive.

Aubrey Stewart, Springville