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Top LDS leaders have a message for their Utah followers: Get involved in party politics — whether Democratic, Republican or some other partisan persuasion.
"Our communities and our state are best served when Utah citizens fully engage in the political process," the faith's governing First Presidency wrote in a letter read Sunday over Mormon pulpits across the Beehive State. " ... [E]ngaging in the election process is both a privilege and a significant responsibility regardless of one's political inclinations."
The letter also was sent Tuesday to Utah Latter-day Saints who have provided their church with their email addresses.
Specifically, Mormon leaders want members to participate in party caucus meetings planned across the state for March 22.
The letter, signed by church President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors, Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, appears aimed at increasing the Beehive State's lagging voter turnout.
"We are concerned that citizen participation rates in Utah are among the lowest in the nation," the trio wrote. "We urge greater involvement by members of the church in the 2016 cycle."
The letter concluded by reiterating the neutrality of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on partisan politics.
Principles "compatible with the gospel," the leaders said, "may be found in the platforms of the various political parties."
Previous pleas from Mormon authorities have succeeded in boosting caucus participation.
Peggy Fletcher Stack