By G. Donald Gale

With the Utah Legislature in session, some claim that lawmakers are influenced too much by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Would that it were so!

If the LDS Church (or any church) influenced legislators, Utah programs for citizens in need would provide a model for other states. Thousands of Utah children who go hungry would no longer feel hunger pains. They would have access to nutritional food through some sort of state storehouse, similar to a Mormon bishop’s storehouse. The homeless would receive help and guidance to find living quarters, just as church members down on their luck receive help with housing. Able citizens out of work would receive state-sponsored training and help in finding jobs. (The LDS Church operates one of the best training and job-placement programs in the world.)

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If the LDS Church influenced legislators, Utah’s flat tax rate of 5 percent would be closer to 10 percent, with increased revenue going primarily to education and helping those in need.

If the LDS Church (or any church) influenced the Legislature, certain lawmakers who proclaim themselves "leaders" would not only resign, but apologize for the damage they have done to the state and its people.

If the LDS Church (or any church) influenced legislators, the state would have enlightened laws governing treatment of immigrants, laws patterned after The Utah Compact signed by representatives of Utah churches, including the LDS Church. Bills dealing with immigrant populations would focus on families, on their contribution to the economy and on the statement that "Utah should always be a place that welcomes people of good will." We would recognize anti-immigrant ravings by a few lawmakers and citizens for what they are — racial prejudice.

If the LDS Church had influence over the Legislature, we would have the best public education system in the nation, not one deserving the C-minus grade given it recently. Years ago, LDS Church leaders decided to close church-operated schools and turn them over to the state because they believed that public schools would provide a better, more balanced education. To those early leaders, so-called school "choice" was less important than wisdom, ecumenism and understanding.

If the LDS Church had influence over legislators, public buildings (including schools) would be among the most modern, up-to-date and attractive buildings in the state. They would be well landscaped, well maintained, well lighted, and they would have satellite dishes and computers.

If the LDS Church had influence in the Legislature, health care would be available to everyone. Utah citizens would know that health care — including preventive care — is a social service, just as it still is in care facilities once operated by the church, and in health care missions it operates here and abroad. Principled lawmakers would find ways to fund universal health care through equitable citizen participation. LDS doctrine promotes healthy living, but it also acknowledges responsibility for the sick.

If the LDS Church (or any church) had influence over the Legislature, lawmakers would be less concerned about money and more concerned about human life and dignity. Constituents would be met with the signatory smiles and handshakes of Mormon greetings — whether or not they had money and influence. Instead, ordinary citizens are too often met with cold shoulders.

Sadly, what comes out of the Legislature offers clear proof that religion — LDS or otherwise — has little influence over those who make the rules in Utah.

G. Donald Gale is a lifelong resident of Utah and a long-time observer of forces that influence the Legislature.