President of Mormon Church against the war in Iraq?!?!?!?

[jessicazi]

Mike Wallace: CBS icon visits his friend


LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley "was not and is not happy with the war in Iraq," CBS newsman Mike Wallace said Friday. "He deplores what's going on there."
The longtime reporter, who interviewed Hinckley for "60 Minutes" in 1995, was in Utah to participate in Hinckley's 95th birthday gala at the LDS Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City.
"It wasn't an interview situation, so I didn't press'' Hinckley, Wallace told a half-dozen or so reporters. "But I was sorry I didn't have a camera."
LDS spokesman Dale Bills was quick to say the church "has no position on the war in Iraq" and that Wallace's comments were "his own characterization of a private conversation."


http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2883951


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To clarify. It sounds like this was Gordon B. Hinckley's opinion, and not the Church's official stance, as they maintain political neutrality. However, this is the most influential person in the Mormon Church-this is BIG BIG BIG news.

[Jacobin]

1. Only since it went bad? Or was he against it to start?

[liberaliraqvet26]

2. When Utah turns blue i'll believe him

[jessicazi]

3. Well...

his initial response was very vague and people on both sides had their own idea. However, Mike Wallace said GBH "was not" happy. So, I am thinking he hasn't been fond of the idea for a long while. Perhaps not against it from the beginning, but at least for a while.

YAHOO!!!

[sam sarrha]

4. the Mormons have LOTS of Kids...Lots. maybe not happy about the draft...?

[G_j]

5. I think the ONLY "Christians" on the planet for the war are fundies

The National Council of Churches came out against the war before it started (a first). The Pope was against it.

[bluestateguy]

6. I think only the Southern Baptist Convention overtly supported it

Yet the media blabbermouths tell us that we need to support this war to "connect" with observant Christians. Rubbish!

[wli]

7. LDS has big money operations

And Bush's military cockups are costing them money.

No surprise whatsoever.

[Momgonepostal]

8. VERY cool article, Jessica!

Thanks so much for posting this. I've printed out a copy to show my LDS, Republican husband.

As far as this being big news in general, I think most pro- Iraqi war Mormons will choose to view this as Mike Wallace's interpretation of the thing and point out that the church has no official position on the war. However, as an LDS Democrat who thinks the war is a huge crock, I'm cackling with glee. :wow: :thumbsup: