After significant prayerful deliberation, as an organization we have specifically chosen not to engage with the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage. While we acknowledge the strong emotional and moral pull inherent in both these issues, they have been used by both major political parties to divide the electorate, create animosity among fellow citizens, and shield politicians from a focused analysis of their broader policy records.
By creating single-issue litmus tests, our political parties have excluded well-qualified and thoughtful individuals from participating in the political process, driven discussion away from the center, and avoided accountability for a wide range of complex policy issues. Politicians on both sides have used these issues to manipulate emotions in order to retain power when their political competence or ethical behavior would suggest their removal. Finally, to focus on one social issue above all others (regardless of its importance) can itself be construed as unethical.
Mormon Women for Ethical Government is dedicated to restoring civility and productivity to government. For now, we have set aside these highly emotional wedge issues while we establish a public space of respect, open discussion, and purposeful engagement. We encourage all members to engage with other organizations dedicated to these important policy matters as their conscience dictates.