First Presidency to FDR: Pound Sand!

See past Sunday Musings: SundayMusings.org
In 1941 the top leadership of the LDS Church wrote a letter to FDR\'s administration expressing opposition to the New Deal and the war buildup… but is this letter real?

[@mandeepeterson2297]

My grandfather was in his late twenties was an adult who worked through the great depression. He tried very hard to never say bad things about anyone. When I asked him for his opinion about FDR, his jaw got hard and his face closed down. He took a moment to keep control of himself and try to give his opinion without breaking his rule about bad talk. His response came, "Well, I never had much use for him." Knowing my gramps, I knew he found FDR detestable.

[@jay6562]

I’m proud of President Grant for opposing the new deal and FDR. FDR was the closest thing to a dictator that we ever had. He was incredibly socialist. On the other hand, I’m not so proud of the fact that the fed chief was a latter-day saint and present it over the horrific deepening of the depression that happened during the FDR time period. He made it worse.

[@shayestevens6627]

Connor, if you can check out Cleon Skousen's work especially if you can get some of his lectures on tape. In one recording, he talks extensively about the calling of J.Rueben Clark who was a finance and contract attorney that uncovered a conspiracy in 1905 to start WWI. Clark, although never active in the LDS Chucrh went to the 1st Presidency and informed them. They asked him to keep them informed, and subsequently moved him into the 1st Presidency so he could talk to the saints about sustaining the Constitution and standing against communist doctrines and socialist influences. According to Skousen this made Clark the most unpopular apostle in the Church. Clark passed on his work to Ezra Taft Benson who had held a government position as Secretary of Agriculture, so Taft was familiar with shadow power. Taft wrote some fantastic books, namely, "An Enemy hath Done This", which quotes a lot of Book of Mormon warnings about the Secret Combination that WILL arise in the last days. When Taft was sustained as Church President, many of us patriots thought this would be a turning point in the whole church standing against them instead of becoming the HQ for the NSA Database and SLC as the capital for credit card processing. Skousen died iin 2006. A great patriot. I had a chance to visit with him in his home in 1990. Since then, there is not a General Authority in the Church to call us to repentance for our neglect and remind us of the very peril that took down both the enormous Jaredite and Nephite civilizations. Therefore, look around. It is no longer at the gates. All is not Well.

[@bradhardisty1652]

Before the laws were changed under LBJ where a church had to register as a 501c3 in order to be tax exempt, many leaders would touch on politics even in General Conference, the evils of Communism were a regular issue. They actually warned the members against voting for FDR, they did anyway in Utah. The First Presidency was really upset with that. The church was forced to taper language as part of the guidelines to not lose 501c3, the law was partially made in order to muffle church leaders in all churches from speaking out against evil politics.

[@truthbetold23762]

Thank you! As someone who is from Hong Kong and now living USA as legal immigrant, how much that I wished the leaders of the church these days would stand up for freedom and not to follow the corrupt government.

[@aprilpark7223]

I don’t know if they said it but I definitely think they could have. President Benson definitely wasn’t one to mince words. He said you can’t be a liberal and call yourself a member of the church.

[@sdb816]

One of many reasons why I’m voting for RFK this November.

[@clarestucki5151]

I don't know if that is an official LDS quote or not, but if not, it should be. In fact it should be said by every American!!

[@jowosocal]

Truman Madsen said in his series on presidents of the church that HJG was strongly anti-war after his brother was killed in WW1. Also UT was Not strongly Republican in the late 30’s early 40’s. My grandparents were Democrats then but later changed. The Democrat party in Utah was very moderate then. My dad who served as a Captain in WW2 was Republican and had strong feelings against FDR, the New Deal, and also Truman. I believe the reason UT voted 62% in favor of FDR was fear of poverty and hope for prosperity. As the letter from the church pointed out the way to prosperity in our country is not thru public handouts. And in fact it appears what the letter suggested for the future of our country has come about. Also BYCollege was in Logan. My grandmother went there. The correspondence is fascinating! Thanks for bringing it to light and for all your research. I am going to read the full 18 pages. Anderson was a staunch constitutionalist. We need more people in our church leadership today like him. President Oaks is a blessing to us.

[@matthewarnold6794]

My Dad, third generation from handcart pioneers, and a WW2 veteran very much disliked FDR and the new deal. The correspondence from Pres. Grant and the First Presidency perfectly explains why dislike. Even years later, as I was growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s, I would hear dad say negative things about FDR and the new deal.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

My father fought in WWII. He landed on Omaha Beach on D Day.

[@lukeslc-xd8ds]

Free stuff is much more powerful than morals and common sense.

[@jasoncarter-uc4ni]

I was deeply moved by this musing. Your documentation of your investigations is inspiring.

[@user-nr8bu1gw8r]

Excellent find! As a longtime leader in the Constitution Party, which has similar views regarding war and taxation, as well as an experience with editorial commentary in the Deseret News, I am pleased to hear your "Musings" on these matters. I've also been a fan of J. Reuben Clark and David O. McKay, as well as other well-known liberty-minded leaders serving both in the Church and in the U.S. government. Thank you for all your hard work!

[@johnbushman57]

Connor is definitely not one accused of ever saying "All is well in Zion."

[@billboswell6036]

There is no doubt in my mind that ever since the Manifesto, the Church leaders are very much aware of the power that the US federal government has to control the activities of the Church, if it so chooses. Therefore, I feel confident that the Church leadership will publicly support the position of the federal government most of the time.

[@Veevslav1]

Federal Government "Join our secret combination"... First presidency... "HELL, NO!" Eccles to a friend that works at Deseret News "I need a favor..." First Presidency...

[@littled6698]

This quote is how I first ever found anything to do with you, Connor! I was ALSO trying to find out if it was real, AND all the stuff about President Grant telling members NOT to vote for FDR.

[@timmcclannahan8309]

And here we now are

[@patrickluchycky1172]

Beware of pierre delecto and his clan. The enemy within.