Another excommunication

Just found out about this. An LDS man thought that what the leaders of the Mormon church are doing in regard to Proposition 8 in California was wrong. In a nutshell, they are instructing bishops and stake presidents in California to read letters to their congregations telling them to vote for the Proposition to ban gay marriage in the state. These same men are also being told to go to member homes and request donations that will go to the group supporting Prop 8, Protect Marriage.

This man thinks that what the church is doing goes against the teachings in D&C that say to keep religion and government separate. He set up a website called Signing for Something that asks other members to sign a petition and/or contribute letters defending their political independence.

His own explanation:

Your views are welcome

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been taught, “We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government …” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:9). Recent action taken by the First Presidency in support of a constitutional amendment in the State of California has rallied us to the cause of freedom.

Write a Letter
Please join us in standing up for our moral beliefs and our political independence by writing a letter and Signing for Something.

• Letter Submissions: 191

He explains here that as a result of his efforts, he has been visited by the bishop and a couple of high priests who have asked him to resign or face church discipline.

For having a different opinion on politics than the top of the church?

Sounds similar to Sonia Johnson, a woman who devoutly believed in the Mormon church, but was excommunicated in 1979 for her support of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment).

It'll be interesting to see if this has a chance to play out in the media, and whether that will make any impact on the vote in CA this November.