Policies and Announcements

The following letter, dated 1 July 1982 and signed by the First Presidency, was addressed to Church leaders in the United States.

“In this election year we again emphasize the previously-stated policy of the Church of strict political neutrality, and of not endorsing political candidates or parties in elections, and of not using Church facilities for political purposes.

“The Church does not favor one political party over another. The Church has no candidates for political office; we do not undertake to tell people how to vote. The voter should study the issues and the candidates carefully and prayerfully and vote for those he believes will most nearly carry out his ideas of government and its institutions.

“It is contrary to our counsel and advice that ward, branch, or stake premises, chapels or other Church facilities be used in any way for political campaign purposes, whether it be for speech-making, distribution of literature, or class discussions. Needless to say, we are unalterably opposed to the use of our sacrament or other Church meetings for any such purposes, and those who attempt to use the Church facilities to further their political ambitions are injuring their cause and doing the Church a disservice. Church directories or mailing lists should not be made available to candidates for distribution of campaign literature.

“We appeal to all candidates for public office to take notice of this instruction and to conduct their campaigns to comply strictly with this requirement pertaining to the use of Church facilities. We also call on all political candidates who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints neither to state nor imply the endorsement of their candidacy by the Church or its leaders.

“Finally, we encourage Church members as citizens to involve themselves in supporting measures on the ballot which will strengthen the community, state, and nation—morally, economically, and culturally. We urge Latter-day Saints everywhere to be actively engaged in worthy causes to improve their communities, and to make them more wholesome places in which to live and rear families.”

The following item appeared in the July 1982 Bulletin.

Several 16-mm motion picture films with non-English soundtracks are available for use by Church organizations without charge (other than the shipping fees). Those available include The First Vision, in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Dutch (subtitle), and Italian (subtitle); Go Ye into All the World, in French, Portuguese, Samoan, and Spanish; Man’s Search for Happiness, in Finnish and Norwegian; Where Jesus Walked, in Spanish; Johnny Lingo, in Spanish; and Worthy to Stand, in Spanish. These Church-produced films could be used for missionary activities, firesides, family home evenings, and socials. For information about the titles and languages available, write to the Coordinator, Meetinghouse Libraries, Church Historical Department, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150.

The following item appeared in the August 1982 Bulletin.

A wealth of information, resource materials, lesson helps and ideas is available for priesthood and auxiliary leaders and others who serve in the auxiliary organizations of the Church. Materials for teaching, activation, service projects, and activities and many ideas from the field are included. Leaders may visit or write to an auxiliary or department office for information.