Editorial: Mormon’s timely remarks may help ‘add the words’

With Idaho’s House State Affairs Committee continuing a long overdue – and therefore very prolonged – hearing on “add the words” legislation, the very public remarks Tuesday on religious freedom and nondiscrimination by sometimes circumspect leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could not be more timely. And helpful.

Although not definitive, the statements should encourage the many Mormon members of Idaho’s Legislature to abandon prejudices against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual Idahoans, who for years have sought protection against housing and employment discrimination.

The hearings themselves are a breakthrough. Just one year ago, dozens of members of the LGBT community and their supporters were arrested in the Capitol because they were shut out of the lawmaking process.

Whether the testimony will lead to the immediate insertion of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” into Idaho’s anti-discrimination laws – the committee vote could come today – the comments by three members of the LDS governing Twelve Apostles, and one woman leader of the church, should provide political protection for conservatives ready to support the change.

But the statements were not unqualified affirmation of support for nondiscrimination in all cases, particularly when someone asserts a religious objection to providing a service. “The Church is alarmed at the erosion in religious freedom,” says the summary of the announcement.

People have been subject to intimidation and retaliation, in some cases suffering financial loss for holding to their beliefs as individuals, or corporate leaders, the summary continues. And by imposing silence on these voices, democracy loses, just as the LGBT community did during years of exclusion in Boise.

The leaders say they are looking for a “third way” to resolve, not escalate, the conflicts emerging as sexual minorities more aggressively assert their rights, as women and racial groups continue to do. The way to compromise is certainly not straight, but the leadership deserves credit for encouraging the church’s 15 million members worldwide, and the 400,000-plus in Idaho, to engage in the discussion.

It is regrettable that it has taken Idaho so long to participate. The testimony in committee on both sides has been heartfelt and informative.

The Apostles’ new pronouncements are much like those coming from Pope Francis, who is fundamentally conservative but has softened the tone of the conversation regarding Catholic doctrine in order to shape a more tolerant, accommodative church.

Mormons know well from their own history the tension between the rights religious freedom and nondiscrimination; the struggle to make Americans more tolerant and accommodating.

The call for a third way is a reminder the search goes on.