Utah became a Republican state because Latter-day Saints disagreed with changes brought by the sexual revolution. Abortion, pornography, gay marriage, as well as the decline of traditional families and the rise of out-of-marriage births led them to Republicanism; Utah non-Mormons, facing a seemingly permanent religious-political majority, became Democrats. LDS adherence to the old morality also affected Utah demography, making the state the youngest and most married. Decker’s new book, Utah Politics, changes the story of Utah history and shows how the state assimilated until the mid-1970s, when political and demographical changes reoccurred. Decker offers a new look at Utah history, politics, and government, one that highlights the importance of Latter-day Saint moral and family differences.

Rod Decker, Devery Anderson