George W. Romney (1907-1995), governor of Michigan, one-time contender for the U.S. presidency, and LDS stake president, was a Republican, and a conservative one in matters like law-and-order and overall fiscal policy. But he also adopted what most today would see as liberal stands: He came to oppose the Vietnam War, he instituted Michigan’s first state income tax, and he supported the Civil Rights movement. He apparently stood for what he considered to be the right in individual issues, regardless of party affiliation.
Just as it would today, these ideological variations provoked some opposition, even anger, among Church members who, in the words of one woman in 1966, could not understand “how members of the Church (born in the Church) can support liberalism, even socialistic reforms, and yet hold forth to the beliefs of the Church.” This sister carried her concerns about Romney’s perceived liberalism to Joseph Fielding Smith (1876-1972), one of the Church’s most religiously conservative leaders, and, by all accounts, a Republican at the conservative end of that party.
Although a Northerner, this sister objected to a speech Romney had given in North Carolina opposing racism under the guise of states’ rights. She recited her version of an argument for states’ rights. “This is the constitutional meaning of states’ rights, and it is unbecoming for Mr. Romney to repeal it all by himself.”
“I have been informed by members who know Mr. Romney,” she concluded, “that he is a devout member, a fine man, and a member in good standing. Even so, my confusion still remains and your help would be most appreciated. He should practice his beliefs, in accordance to the Mormon religion.”
I’m not entirely sure what “help” she expected – a statement from Elder Smith that he agreed with her definition of states’ rights? A condemnation of Romney for “liberalism, even socialistic reforms”? Some action against Romney’s Church membership? I don’t know.
I’m pretty sure, though, that what she got was not what she expected. Elder Smith wrote back:
I am not a politician and hold no brief for any man who is. However, I am well acquainted with Governor George Romney and believe him to be honest, sincere and a worthy citizen. He is evidently well thought of in his home State. So far as I am able to judge, he is sincere and a loyal citizen of this country.
I do not wish to express myself in relation to any newspaper account of what he may have said. I know that I am misquoted at times in articles appearing in the press and he will no doubt find enemies who will seek for every scratch of a pen, or vocal expression, that they can turn to his injury if he should be a candidate for any political office. Fortunately I am free from anything of this kind. Enemies of a man who is running for office will watch for the slightest expression which they might be able to twist to some disadvantage or injury.
How fortunate it is for some of us who are not in politics and who are not seeking for political position. We are likely to be permitted to live in peace.
Joseph Fielding Smith frustrates, even irritates me, with what sometimes feels like too harsh, too condemning, too narrow-minded judgments of Latter-day Saints who had different but valid approaches to life. Then every once in a while he says something like this, and I find my irritation melting away for a time, replaced by a renewed sense of respect and gratitude and love for a man who, after all, was concerned only with the well-being of the Kingdom of God.
Thanks, Ardis.
And such a clever way of averting making any sort of political statement himself: he suggests that she not judge him because he might have been misquoted, not because church members could disagree on these matters!
Sorry, but this story does not help my irritation melt away. I seriously doubt Governor Romney was misquoted. And furthermore, I doubt he would have appreciated the assumption that he was misquoted. This is nothing more than dismissing uncomfortable facts because they were reported by the liberal media.
This is great, Ardis. Do you happen to know the date of JFS’s response? Thanks.
Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith declined well to involve himself, I think.
Just like we do today, Gov. Romney sought to do “what was right”. It seems that the biggest sticking point is always relieving the suffering of the poor. Everybody seems to want someone else to do it, but forced contribution seems to breed resentment.
One thing is sure, & that is the politicians will not be our salvation.
“Thank heavens, I don’t have to be scrutinized by people like you” was scratched out in the original?
“Fortunately I am free from anything of this kind.” He must have been a young man, then — I recall he had his critics.
Just saw the dates — I guess he was a young man of 89 or 90, with more optimism about his critics than his years might suggest.
… or maybe with 90 years of sarcasm under his belt?
In any case, regardless of the specifics that called forth this letter, I find it heartening to be encouraged to give fellow Saints the benefit of the doubt.
When he passed away even his arch reviles and critics spoke of him very highly. Here in Michigan the papers and news reports, after is passing, were very kind and mentioned his honesty, family values, his church membership but also his abilities to reach across the aisle and make friends and do the things best our state. Good thing we don’t have a political requirement for membership other wise we’d be few and far between. I do agree that President Smith didn’t have many different colors in his crayon box, lots of black and whites.
Oh, I’m sometimes bad at detecting sarcasm in print. That would make the most sense, and really changes the tone of the letter from a bit stern to, well still a bit stern, but twinkly-eyed. I like the idea that he could be joking.
When I moved to Detroit in the 1990s, Brother Romney was my stake patriarch, until I moved into an adjoining stake.
My academic advisor at Wayne State University voted for the Democrat in every election in his life. But when he found out that I was a Mormon, he spoke highly of George Romney and the things he had done for the state as governor.
As Mex Davis has said, when Brother Romney died, the media heaped glowing praise on him. Many people were interviewed who said that they may not have agreed with his politics, but George Romney was a devout Mormon, was as honest as the day is long, and that he could always be counted on to do what he thought was best for the people of Michigan, regardless of politics.
The church literally can’t buy that kind of publicity. Just one man living his religion and doing good, putting principle above politics.
As part of the coverage of Romney’s life, I remember one long-time Detroit newscaster telling a story: