By Roy
Harry Mason Reid was born on December 2, 1939, in Searchlight, Nevada. He is one of the most well-known Mormon senators and is oft-quoted by many aspiring leaders and politicians because of his achievements. Harry Reid is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called “Mormons” by many people.
Regarding his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ and the blessings associated with it, Reid said,
Our blessings are many. We have five children and soon will have twelve grandchildren. All five of our children have attended BYU, and all have been married in the temple. Each child has been a positive example for us. After these many years I believe that the Church has been a steady, positive blueprint for my life. Without the direction of the Church, I would have been without a compass.”
Harry Reid is the youngest son of Harry Vincent Reid and Inez Orena. Searchlight, Nevada, is known for its mining activities, a rural mining town, and one of the chief sources for mining industries in Nevada. His father was a miner. Reid’s parents didn’t have college degree but then they were very diligent and faithful in obeying God’s commandments. In return, God did support them in their daily needs and provided Reid and his siblings the opportunity to go further in education. They believe and apply the teachings of the Church regarding provident living, which is living within one’s means and saving up for something in the future.
During Reid’s teenage years there was not really an established high school in Searchlight with the educational standards we have come to expect, so Reid attended Basic High School in Henderson. Nothing stopped Harry Reid from attaining many goals that would change his life or from becoming one of the great leaders in his town. He met Landra Gould at Basic High School, who became his high-school sweetheart. After two years of courtship, Harry and Landra were married in1959. They have four sons, Rory, Leif, Josh, and Key, and a daughter, Lana.
Reid was financed by some friends and the Henderson Businessman for college education after high school. He obtained scholarships that helped him ease some financial difficulties. His wife even left college to work, so he could attend school and finish his degree. Reid worked nights at his part-time job as a U.S. Capitol police officer. In 1961, Reid graduated from Utah State University. He then earned a law degree from George Washington University. It was at Utah State that Harry and Landra Reid joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after receiving many years of teaching and example from LDS Church members.
Harry Reid and his family returned to Henderson after college, and there he became the city attorney. At age 28, he was elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 1968. He became the youngest Lieutenant Governor in Nevada history, elected when he was 30 years old. Reid was appointed Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission in 1977. He engaged in private law practice for a few years, and then was elected in 1982 to the first of two terms in the United States House of Representatives.
Reid’s political success went on. He was elected to the Senate in 1986. He has developed a reputation as a consensus builder and a skillful legislator. In 1998, he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Assistant Democratic Leader, also known as the “Whip.” After he won a fourth term in 2004 by a wide margin, he was unanimously elected Senate Democratic Leader. He is the first Mormon to serve as majority leader and is the highest ranking elected Mormon in American History.
Since the majority of Mormons are conservative and Republican, Reid, a liberal democrat, is the manifestation of the claim of the Church that it does not seek to sway the political opinions of its members. Mormons are of all political persuasions that are honorable.
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (C)(D-NV) Reid, a moderate Nevada Democrat, was elected by colleagues on Tuesday November 14th 2006 as U.S. Senate majority leader for the 110th Congress took office January 3, 1987. It was the highest ranking government leadership position ever held by an LDS Member of Congress,
First elected to the Senate in 1986, he served as the Senate minority leader, replacing Senator Tom Daschle (D, SD) who lost his seat in a very close race to Congressman John Thune (R, SD). “The biggest strength he has is that he always keeps his word,” says Senator Patrick Leahy (D,VT). “He’s a straight shooter, smart and easy to work with,” says Senate Republican whip Mitch McConnell.
Source: CNN
Mormon and Democrat? At the same time? Yes it is possible and it will surprise LDS members to find out many popular Mormons were or are democrats.
Church President Heber J. Grant started out as an ardent Democrat. Also among Democratic First Presidency counselors who have been Democrat Anthony R. Ivins, a passionate Democrat Charles W. Penrose, equally passionate; John Rex Winder; John Willard Young; Stephen L. Richards; Henry D. Moyle; Hugh B. Brown, another ardent Democrat; and his nephew, N. Eldon. Apostles who have been Democrats are poet and historian Orson F. Whitney; Franklin D. Richards; Moses Thatcher; Abraham H. Cannon; Stephen L. Richards; Melvin J. Ballard; and Joseph F. Merrill. Source an e-article by Todd Compton
References:
Articles of Faith 1; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Additional Resources:
Basic Mormons and Real Mormon Beliefs
