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Letter: Deliberation is alive and well in Utah

(Rick Bowmer | AP file photo)  The Salt Lake Temple, at Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, on Oct. 5. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says concerns from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about a perceived lack of safeguards for religious beliefs in a proposed Utah ban on so-called conversion therapy raise legitimate questions. But the Republican governor said Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at his monthly news conference on KUED-TV that they can be worked out and that he's still hopeful a ban will be in place soon.

(Rick Bowmer | AP file photo) The Salt Lake Temple, at Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, on Oct. 5. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says concerns from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about a perceived lack of safeguards for religious beliefs in a proposed Utah ban on so-called conversion therapy raise legitimate questions. But the Republican governor said Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at his monthly news conference on KUED-TV that they can be worked out and that he's still hopeful a ban will be in place soon.

A few weeks ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints clarified its position about the conversion therapy ban that has been recently proposed.

While the church’s influence in Utah politics has been controversial to say the least, I applaud Gov. Gary Herbert’s response to the church’s fears. With unique points of view being raised on both sides, and the governor taking notice, it proves the point that political deliberation is alive and well in Utah. Additionally, this episode in Utah’s political history underscores the necessity for a government which acts as an intentional, deliberative body — one that weighs concerns and the merit of those concerns. With the toxic and smothering political climate we live in, it is refreshing to have leaders who consider perspective. Gov. Herbert has done just that and I’m grateful.

Jacob Olson, Providence

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