This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I admire Mie Inouye's courage in putting forth her excellent op-ed piece ("Dissent while remaining loyal to LDS Church," Nov. 23). It constituted a 21st Century expression of "conscientious objection," which the church has endorsed through its mouthpiece, the Deseret News.

The term "conscientious objection," according to the News, refers to a refusal to participate in military service because of moral or religious opposition to war. However, the News broadened that definition as "an appropriate term anytime conscience conflicts with the performance of societal mandates and duties. The society that genuinely cherishes freedom of conscience should expect and accommodate more, rather than less, conscientious objection," the paper said.

Is the church a "society that genuinely cherishes freedom of conscience"? If so, it should cherish and accommodate more, rather than less, conscientious objection like Inouye's to the misguided policies toward LGBT persons and their families.

Curt Burnett

South Jordan