Recently, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton published an op-ed in the Mormon-owned Deseret News. In the op-ed, Hillary makes the case to the voters of Utah why she's the best candidate for President. Much of her op-ed focuses on her defense of religious freedom and the importance of the U.S. Constitution. She quotes several prominent LDS people including church prophets and other high profile figures like Mitt Romney. Her case is a strong one, particularly in Utah where the large majority of Republican Mormons can't tolerate Trump at all. There are other options this election and I'm here to make the case that in addition to being a champion for religious freedom and the constitution, Hillary Clinton will be the most pro-family candidate we've ever had, very much worthy of Mormons' consideration come this November.
As Mormons, the importance of families is an integral part of our theology, it's baked into the core of what our doctrine is about -- eternal families. Every conference session we are told we must "defend the family." While unfortunately most Mormons are misguided on what "defending the family" truly means, most believing they are to oppose marriage equality, what "defending the family" actually means is to be pro-family, to advocate for improved policies and laws that benefit and strengthen all American families.
In this election the choice is clear, there could not be a more pro-family candidate than Hillary Clinton. Her record on these issues is unmatched, shown below are just a few of the countless ways she has advocated for families and children her entire career.
- Newly out of law school, Hillary joined the Children's Defense Fund where she advocated for impoverished children and kids with disabilities.
As a Mormon, I believe that being pro-family means supporting the issues that Hillary Clinton has advocated for her entire life. Being pro-family means electing a candidate who fights for paid maternity leave so that a mother or father can stay home with their new child. Being pro-family means electing a candidate who believes we must close the pay gap so that women in the workplace are paid equally to their male counterparts. Being pro-family means electing a candidate who will work for making quality, child care a reality for all families in this country. Being pro-family means electing a candidate who's advocated for gender equality abroad, helping break down the social, economic, and legal barriers that hold women back. Being pro-family means electing Hillary Clinton and so come November 8th, this Mormon will be proud to say that #I'mWithHer.