Utah’s Reaction to Mitt Romney’s Vote to Convict Trump: An Example of How Utah Culture Is a Betrayal of the Latter-day Saint Gospel Rhett Wilkinson Follow Feb 8 · 2 min read

Among many expressions of dismay from Utahns on Sen. Mitt Romney voting to convict President Donald Trump, Utah Rep. Phil Lyman proposed a bill to censure Romney over Romney’s decision. Interest also picked up this week in a bill in the Utah legislature that would create a path to hold a vote on recalling a U.S. senator. Further, Utahns have vilified Romney on social media and online generally.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which 65 percent of Utah is members, teaches that folks can receive personal revelation. (Some examples are here, here and here.)

Utah Rep. Phil Lyman wants to censure Sen. MItt Romney. Romney offered that he followed personal revelation, a tenant of the Latter-day Saint gospel, in making his decision on his vote. (Rick Bowmer/AP file photo)

Media reports have flat-out said that Romney’s Latter-day Saint faith is the reason for his vote. Explaining his vote, Romney offered that he got personal revelation on the matter.

Romney told The Atlantic that he prayed over the matter (in addition to studying the Federalist Papers. He also offered up Latter-day Saint hymns). He also said he is “profoundly religious” and also said that following a “partisan end” would open him up to a different, divine censure: a censure of his own conscience.

Also, Romney said: “My promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside. Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history’s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience.”

“Does anyone seriously believe that I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it?” Romney asked.

Romney followed personal revelation, doing exactly what the Latter-day Saint gospel requires. Yet, in Utah, he has been attacked by his fellow Latter-day Saints.

It seems clear that the culture of political conservatism in Utah — Utah ranks as one of the most conservative states in the country — has caused key power players in the state and Utahns in general to prioritize going after Romney. They’ve done it rather than giving a nod to what their faith has to say about Romney’s decision.