This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Most LDS legislators are not real Mormons. Real Mormons believe "The glory of God is intelligence" and would never place highway funding ahead of public education. Real Mormons support welfare for those in need and find stiffing the poor reprehensible. Real Mormons find nothing ''virtuous, lovely, or of good report" about assault weapons, gun addiction and the NRA.
Real Mormons live the Word of Wisdom yet have to breathe poisoned air because paid-off legislators have refused to seriously address it. Real Mormons are wise stewards of the land and disdain compromising it for a few rich oil men willing to squander the water supply. Real Mormons believe in community and sharing, not radically self-absorbed individuality.
Real Mormons are not free-loaders and accept tax increases to repay money already spent. Real Mormons want immigrants treated with kindness and respect, not intolerance and rejection. Real Mormons follow their prophets, not Ayn Rand, Glenn Beck, or Gayle Ruzicka.
Real Mormons honor the U.S. Constitution and do not detest a federal government committed to freedom, justice and equality. Real Mormons are actually good Democrats — they just don't realize it.
Ron Molen
Salt Lake City