Political Affiliation of Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS): Republican Majority

The recent presidential election highlighted the political landscape of Utah, where 57% of residents identified as Republican and 43% as Democrat. This raises the question: do more Republicans or Democrats belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often abbreviated as LDS)? This article will explore the political leanings of members of the LDS Church and provide insights into their voting patterns.

LDS Church’s Stance on Politics

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not dictate which political party its members should support. However, this does not mean that members’ political affiliations are random. The majority of LDS members in the United States identify as Republican, which is consistent with their Christian beliefs. The LDS Church encourages personal judgment and agency when it comes to political decisions.

Conservative Tendencies Among LDS Members

Most members of the LDS Church in the United States are conservative Republicans. This aligns with their values, as they are a Christian denomination. It is worth noting that some prominent LDS members, such as former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, have identified as Democrats. This shows that while the church leans conservative, individual members can have diverse political affiliations.

Impact of Political Affiliation on Voting Behavior

The LDS Church, with around 17 million members worldwide and approximately 7 million in the United States, has a significant impact on the political landscape. According to recent data, about half of these members are adults of voting age. In the United States, there are nearly 39 million registered Republicans. It is estimated that at least 2 million LDS adults, or roughly half, lean towards the Republican party.

This means that within the Republican Party, LDS members make up around 5% of the total. However, if all LDS adults were to vote Republican, this percentage could increase to around 9%. It is important to note that the LDS Church does not track political affiliations, and neither does the government. However, registered Republicans tend to vote for Republican candidates, including Donald Trump.

The Case of Utah

The state of Utah, where the LDS Church is most prevalent, sees the majority of its residents identify as Republicans. This is due to the church's influence and the prevalent conservative values within its member base. Historically, Utah residents, including LDS members, have consistently voted for Republican candidates, further cementing the conservative leanings of the region.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not dictate political affiliations, the majority of its members in the United States tend to identify as Republicans. This aligns with the conservative nature of the LDS Church and its members who value traditional Christian values. While there may be exceptions, it is clear that the LDS community in the U.S. leans towards the Republican party in terms of political affiliation.