LDS Church Donates $1M to Anti-Prop 1 Campaign
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a $1 million contribution to the opponents of Proposition 1, marking the largest single donation to an anti-Prop 1 campaign in Idaho.
The funds went to the Too Extreme for Idaho Political Action Committee. Local News 8 confirmed the donation and received the following statement from a Church spokesperson outlining the faith’s policy regarding political participation.
“While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains neutral toward political candidates, it actively addresses ballot initiatives it believes carry significant moral consequences. Accordingly, the Church has joined a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in Idaho to dedicate resources toward defeating Proposition 1.”
Former Superintendent of Public Instruction and former Idaho Republican Party Chair Tom Luna first revealed the donation during an appearance on the Idaho Falls radio station NewsTalk 107.
If passed by voters, Proposition 1 would establish a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom and privacy, effectively repealing Idaho’s current abortion ban. The initiative would permit abortion up to the point of fetal viability and establish a new legal definition for fetal viability within state law.
The major financial contribution follows official statements issued by Church leaders in opposition to the initiative. In a letter read during Sunday worship services across Idaho congregations, the Area Presidency reiterated the faith’s position on abortion.
“As noted in a 2024 statement, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral regarding political parties and candidates and addresses issues it believes have significant moral consequences. We join with other like-minded individuals and organizations in working against this initiative and encourage our members to voice their opposition in a respectful manner consistent with our prophetic direction of always demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.”
For more information on the faith’s stance on abortion, click HERE.
The contribution comes after an opinion issued by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, which affirmed that religious and tax-exempt organizations are allowed under state law to donate money to political action committees and ballot initiative campaigns, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.
While multiple religious organizations, including several groups affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, have contributed to PACs opposing Proposition 1, the $1 million contribution from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represents the largest single contribution to date.
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