LDS author discusses church's turbulent 191 year history with US leaders

IDAHO FALLS - The year was 1900 and it was the dawn of a new century in America.

William McKinley had been elected President just three years prior and the following year, in 1901, he became the third U.S. president to date to be assassinated.

Theodore Roosevelt was serving as McKinley's vice president at the time and was now vying for the presidency. While on the campaign trail that fall, the presidential hopeful made a stop in Rexburg. It was here that Roosevelt got acquainted with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"Ben E. Rich, who had returned home for a break while serving as president of the Southern States Mission, introduced him to the audience with great eloquence and even declared that Roosevelt would be the next President of the United States," Mike Winder writes in his 2007 book, "Presidents & Prophets: The Story of America's Presidents and the LDS Church."

Rich's words later proved prophetic when Roosevelt was elected as the nation's 26th president.

Impressed with Rich's introduction, Roosevelt invited Rich to accompany him on his trip from Idaho Falls to Utah, where they spent many hours discussing the church and its doctrine. Rich even gave Roosevelt a copy of The Book of Mormon.

"In the early morning hours, when Rich left Roosevelt's private (rail) car, Roosevelt thanked him and said he had 'never listened to a more interesting account of a great people and a great religion,'" writes Winder.

Roosevelt's visit to Rexburg was an historic occasion in more ways than one. Not only was it the first known time an elected federal official made a stop in eastern Idaho (Idaho officially became a state on July 3, 1890 after becoming a territory on March 4, 1863), it was also the first time a Republican candidate for president held the Latter-day Saints in such high esteem.

Roosevelt went on to serve two terms as president and became a great supporter of the church. In 1903, he was instrumental in helping LDS Apostle Reed Smoot secure a seat as a U.S. Senator.

The LDS Church has a long and turbulent history with each of America’s Commanders in Chief, all of which are highlighted in Winder's book. The church was officially organized on June 6, 1830, more than 40 years after the signing of the Constitution.

The LDS Church is known today for being politically neutral, but its leaders have always encouraged members to vote and be involved in the political process. Throughout the 19th century, church members were frequently persecuted and Latter-day Saint leaders often endorsed candidates who were sympathetic to their cause.

Winder, a lifelong member of the church who is currently serving his third term as a Republican representative in the Utah legislature, tells EastIdahoNews.com it was democratic presidents who regarded the Latter-day Saints most favorably in those early days.

"The church, at the time, felt enormous gratitude toward the Democratic party because that was the (party) that signed (Utah) into statehood. The Republican party was formed in the 1850s to 'abolish the twin relics of barbarism, slavery and polygamy' (the latter of which many church members practiced until it was abolished in 1890)," Winder says. "Since the mid 20th century, the church has tried to be more politically neutral. That's served the church's purposes better."

There have been three additional presidents since the release of “Presidents & Prophets.” President George W. Bush’s interactions with the church are the last to be highlighted. Winder is hoping to include details about Pres. Obama, Trump and Biden’s relationship with LDS church members in an upcoming edition of the book.

Winder’s latest book, “Favorite Scriptures of 100 American Leaders,” was published in 2019.

Winder spoke with EastIdahoNews.com about his book, faith and political career. Listen to the entire conversation in the video player above.