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WASHINGTON - When Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid brought his fellow Mormon Democrats together this week for their first caucus meeting, they nearly had perfect attendance. The fourth member couldn't make it.

It wasn't exactly a political powerhouse.

But for the three members - including Utah Rep. Jim Matheson - who caucused together for the first time Tuesday, part of the goal is to show that "Mormon" and "Democrat" can go together and the policies of their party are not at odds with the teachings of their faith.

"I believe strongly that Democrats have many of the same issues at heart as do members of the church," Reid said. "For example, as a party, we believe it is our moral responsibility to care for the less fortunate and for one another."

The record deficit is another concern of the group, said Reid, who was recently elected as the Democratic leader in the Senate and is the highest ranking Mormon in Congress. His ascent has drawn national attention to Reid's faith and its potential influence on his role as Senate minority leader.

"I think there's an unfortunate misperception at times with people who question whether you can be a Democrat and a good Mormon. This caucus is proof of that and I think people need to know that," said Matheson.

In each election year, Mormon leaders assert their political neutrality, and President Gordon B. Hinckley has declared that it is possible to be a good Mormon and a Democrat.

The church's typically conservative view on social issues, such as its opposition to gay unions and abortion, conflict with views of mainstream Democrats. Nearly 80 percent of Mormons backed President Bush in the last presidential election, according to exit polls.

Reid and Matheson, however, have taken more conservative stances on social issues that are more in line with the church's stance.

"I think that it's important for folks to know that there can be members of the LDS faith in both parties," Matheson said.

There are 16 Mormons in Congress; only four of them Democrats: Reid, Matheson, Rep. Tom Udall of New Mexico, and Eni Faleomavaega, the delegate from Samoa. Faleomavaega was the only one who couldn't make it to Tuesday's caucus.

"For too long there has been a misconception that LDS Democrats and Republicans do not share the same values, but that is not true," Faleomavaega said in a statement. "Our values are the same, but our political philosophies are different."

Udall said he hopes to bring a new voice to policy debates. "As members of Congress from the West, we are committed to establishing federal policies that build strong, sustainable rural communities; ensure access to affordable health care; and develop natural resource and energy programs that protect water and our environment."