For example, it turns "free agency" into "abstinence only."

Varela's political-correctness wash isn't necessary anymore. Religion is correct politics these days.

A higher power has Mike Huckabee up in the Iowa polls. Mitt Romney believes religious faith preserves American democracy. President Bush spoke to his father in heaven for advice on Iraq.

And the revelation that Leavitt held early morning scripture study with his staff in the Governor's Mansion fades without a blip in the local or national media.

God is groovy - the more public, the better. And many Americans of faith believe that's just as it should be.

But when the Utah state archivist has to consider whether the disturbingly detailed minutes of Leavitt and future Utah Supreme Court Justice Matthew Durrant discussing Book of Mormon villain Korihor's pride are public documents, something has gone terribly wrong.

The meetings were held in the course of one month in the fall of 1996, part of the giddy governor's preparations for a second term and, perhaps, a book. He wanted to weave state public policy with "just and holy" Mormon principles. The scripture study helped Leavitt develop a new pig-Latin phrase - En Libra - to describe his political philosophy for "bringing into balance." The result was a 1997 inaugural address notable for its religious overtones.

At the same time, Leavitt wanted to cover his tracks. There were repeated warnings to keep the early morning seminary private. Then-policy adviser LaVarr Webb talked of "bilingualism," translating the religious rhetoric for separation of church and state sticklers.

Even Leavitt seemed to acknowledge he'd overstepped good taste and perhaps the Constitution when he asked Salt Lake Tribune editors not to publish the comments of his Book of Mormon study group.

"The role of faith in public policy and politics is a legitimate story. This type of scrutiny and transparency is part of public service," Leavitt wrote. But, "these individuals were talking among friends, 11 years ago, in a setting they thought was private, about things they may deem to be personal, in some cases even sacred."

But they were caught. Staffers paid by the taxpayers were taking notes, including spokeswoman Varela and Leavitt's assistant Alayne Peterson, who followed him to Washington. After the Tribune released the transcripts, state archivists easily concluded the documents are public.

Leavitt says his Utah study group "still meets occasionally in my absence." But he isn't holding early morning seminary in Washington. That almost explains his policy decisions as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary; they don't resemble the Beatitudes:

At the request of the formula lobby, HHS quashed a compilation of studies that documented the benefits of breast-feeding. After backing the Children's Health Insurance Program as governor, Leavitt helped Bush block a CHIP expansion. And while the Food and Drug Administration blocked teenagers' over-the-counter access to the Plan B "morning after" birth control pill and limited school sex-ed to faith-based abstinence-only programs, teen pregnancy rates are on the rise.

Seems those Christian ideals of caring for the poor, the hungry and the meek have been lost somewhere in the translation.

walsh@sltrib.com