A New Era Article written by A. Theodore Tuttle, First Council of the Seventy states,"There are those in the Church who speak of themselves as liberals who, as one of our former presidents has said: “… read by the lamp of their own conceit.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1939], p. 373.)" Tuttle Continues, "One time I asked one of our Church educational leaders how he would define a liberal in the Church. He answered in one sentence: 'A liberal in the Church is merely one who does not have a testimony.'”
Dr. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostoles concludes his statement with this: “It is well to beware of people who go about proclaiming that they are or their churches are liberal. The probabilities are that the structure of their faith is built on sand and will not withstand the storms of truth.” (“Evidences and Reconciliations,” Improvement Era, vol. 44, p. 609.)
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/
There should not be a fear of being "Liberal" in the state of Utah or at BYU. Perhaps the most important reason why students at BYU and members in general remain more Conservative and less Liberal is because of a question we must answer to enter the House of the Lord. "Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" For example, Liberals have a strong belief in abortion and a woman's right to execute that decision without consent of the father of the baby or, if they are under the age of 18, without consent or knowledge of a parent or guardian. Many Liberals also support the union and marriage of homosexuals.
Our alleged "Liberal," former Second Counselor in the First Presidency, James E. Faust stated, "Abortion is one evil practice that has become socially accepted in the United States and, indeed, in much of the world. Many of today’s politicians claim not to favor abortion but oppose government intervention in a woman’s right to choose an abortion."
He continues...
"The Church’s stand on homosexual relations provides another arena where we offend the devil. I expect that the statement of the First Presidency and the Twelve against homosexual marriages will continue to be assaulted. Satan is only interested in our misery, which he promotes by trying to persuade men and women to act contrary to God’s plan. One way he does this is by encouraging the inappropriate use of sacred creative powers. A bona fide marriage is one between a man and a woman solemnized by the proper legal or ecclesiastical authority. Only sexual relations between husband and wife within the bonds of marriage are acceptable before the Lord."
"There is some widely accepted theory extant that homosexuality is inherited. How can this be? No scientific evidence demonstrates absolutely that this is so. Besides, if it were so, it would frustrate the whole plan of mortal happiness. Our designation as men or women began before this world was. In contrast to the socially accepted doctrine that homosexuality is inborn, a number of respectable authorities contend that homosexuality is not acquired by birth. The false belief of inborn homosexual orientation denies to repentant souls the opportunity to change and will ultimately lead to discouragement, disappointment, and despair."
"Alternatives to the legal and loving marriage between a man and a woman are helping to unravel the fabric of human society. I am sure this is pleasing to the devil. The fabric I refer to is the family. These so-called alternative life-styles must not be accepted as right, because they frustrate God’s commandment for a life-giving union of male and female within a legal marriage as stated in Genesis. If practiced by all adults, these life-styles would mean the end of the human family."
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/
I fear that too many of our "liberal" brothers and sisters are misled and misinformed. Does James E. Faust sound like he supports the Liberals? Does he himself sound Liberal? The Liberals in America voted in Democratic Liberal Barack Obama and in less than a day in office, Pres. Obama overturned a bill allowing our tax dollars to federally fund abortions abroad. Also, due mostly to the efforts and support of Liberals, there are bills being passed to legalize gay marriage.
One reason why there are not more Liberals in the Church is because there cannot be a harmony with their views and the doctrines of the church. It is impossible. Dallin H. Oaks in an address given at Brigham Young University stated, If we say we are anti-abortion in our personal life but pro-choice in public policy, we are saying that we will not use our influence to establish public policies that encourage righteous choices on matters God’s servants have defined as serious sins. I urge Latter-day Saints who have taken that position to ask themselves which other grievous sins should be decriminalized or smiled on by the law due to this theory that persons should not be hampered in their choices. Should we decriminalize or lighten the legal consequences of child abuse? of cruelty to animals? of pollution? of fraud? of fathers who choose to abandon their families for greater freedom or convenience?"
"Similarly, some reach the pro-choice position by saying we should not legislate morality. Those who take this position should realize that the law of crimes legislates nothing but morality. Should we repeal all laws with a moral basis so that our government will not punish any choices some persons consider immoral? Such an action would wipe out virtually all of the laws against crimes."
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/
Another reason Liberals are hard to find in the church and at BYU is because many of their political views and policies are contrary to those views and beliefs that the church has. Many of the Conservative views and policies are in harmony with the gospel and the Lord's commands here on earth. This is one of the many reasons I believe that Liberals are hard to find within the church. They must needs be found within the church because there must be opposition in all things. However, we must support the cause for righteousness before we support any political party. If the Conservative party or the Liberal party supports policies which are contradictory to the teachings of Christ, we must not support them, or their party at all.
