by David Magleby
By the end of 2007, BYU will have hosted the Vice President of the United States, the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, and the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. These prominent national leaders, representing all three branches of our federal government, provide BYU students and faculty a rare opportunity to think about our system of government, constitutional checks and balances, the two-party system, and other important topics. Having three such distinguished guest speakers on campus in one year has never happened before at BYU and would be extraordinary on any college campus. Two of these visits are forum assemblies this semester and build on the foundation laid by President and Sister Samuelson in the first Devotional of this school year.
Vice President Dick Cheney's invitation to speak at Commencement last April prompted me to write an article for this newspaper in which I urged all students to be civil. I said at that time: "Over the next year several high-profile political figures will visit campus. It will be most regrettable if we do not treat them with respect - even if we strongly disagree with them." I believe just as strongly now as I did then that if we do not afford the courtesy of civility to political speakers we bring dishonor to the university and the Church. Again quoting from my earlier column, "by civility, I mean considering their ideas without rancor or vitriol and not disrupting their lectures. Vigorous discussion about these figures, their ideas, and their policies should also be part of campus forums and class discussions. Civic engagement requires active participation and consideration. But it is antithetical to the principles of democracy and higher education - not to mention discipleship - to fail to honestly and courteously consider opposing points of view."
It is also important to underscore that there is not a Mormon political party. Active members of the LDS Church are found in both the Democratic and Republican parties. In March 2006 the Church issued a statement that reads in part: "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major political parties. While the church does not endorse political candidates, platforms or parties, members are urged to be full participants in political, governmental and community affairs."
Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, will be speaking at Tuesday's forum assembly. As Senate Majority Leader, he is the first member of the LDS Church to lead his party in either the House or the Senate. He is a convert to the church who is frequently described as a committed member of the church. Whether we do or do not agree with Senator Reid on any particular policy matter, he deserves our respect and appreciation for his long career in public service.
Within the church there can be and should be room for disagreement about political matters. At the 1968 Commencement exercises President Hugh B. Brown encouraged students to "strive to develop a maturity of mind and emotion, and a depth of spirit which will enable you to differ with others on matters of politics without calling into question the integrity of those with whom you differ. Allow within the bounds of our definition of religious orthodoxy a variation in political belief. Do not have the temerity to dogmatize on issues where the Lord has seen fit to be silent."
David Magleby is the dean of the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences.
Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Oct 2007
