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Idaho Secretary of State: This Wasn’t in the Job Description

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho Secretary of State, July 24, 2026)

New recruits and seasoned veterans on my leadership team are often surprised to learn the job comes with homework…and a book club.

The level of enthusiasm varies, but no one gets a pass.

Since my days as Chief Deputy Clerk in Ada County, every leader on my team has been asked to read Thanks for the Feedback, written by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen. At first glance, it seems like an odd choice. It’s not a book about management or strategy. It’s about something much harder: learning how to receive feedback well.

Most of us are pretty good at giving advice. Receiving it is another story.

Better Together

None of us enjoys hearing we could have handled something better. Our instinct is to explain ourselves or defend our decisions. But if we’re unwilling to listen, we’re unlikely to grow.

That’s part of why reading matters so much to me and why we read this book as a group. General James Mattis, who I had the chance to meet years ago, once put it simply: the trouble with being too busy to read is that you learn everything the hard way. He said, “By reading, you learn through others’ experiences, generally a better way to do business, especially in our line of work, where the consequences of incompetence are so final for young men.”

Every election, every project, and every conversation with Idahoans teaches us something. Improvement doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when people are willing to listen, learn, and speak up with ideas that make us better.

Good leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing them.

Happy, Honest

That’s why we’ve worked to build a culture where feedback isn’t something to avoid. It’s something to value.

In our office, we call it our “Happy, Honest” approach. It’s the standard we hold ourselves to every day: Be Helpful. Be Open. Practice Patience. Keep It Simple. Build Trust.

Those values aren’t just how we serve Idahoans. They’re how we work together. We celebrate successes, learn from mistakes, survive long election nights with the occasional shot of hot sauce, and keep asking how we can do better.

An office is only as good as its people. If we’re willing to listen, learn, and grow together, we’ll be better equipped to serve the people of Idaho.

Government works best when the people inside it never stop learning.

That’s the kind of culture we’re working to build, a culture that’s always listening, always improving, and always focused on serving Idahoans better than we did yesterday.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about creating an environment where people are encouraged to find better ones.

Phil McGrane

ABOUT SECRETARY PHIL McGRANE

Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022.McGrane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.

Guest Columnist Brian Almon: IACI vs IFF

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Observer Staff
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(Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

July 24, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

IACI vs IFF

There was a time when there was little daylight between business interests and concerns for individual liberty within the Republican Party. President Dwight Eisenhower’s pick for Secretary of Defense, former General Motors president Charles Wilson, famously said, “What’s good for our country was good for General Motors, and vice versa.” President Ronald Reagan lauded the virtues of free market capitalism in contrast to the encroaching tyranny of government regulation. Many current Idaho leaders have built their political philosophy on that foundation, even as the zeitgeist has shifted in recent years. Over the past two decades, conservative Republicans have watched big businesses outsource jobs overseas, adopt woke ideologies including BLM and LGBTQ+ activism, and attempt to force vaccine mandates on employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has created a divide within Republican circles between those who still believe that what’s good for big business is good for the country and those who view corporate America with increasing skepticism. Someone like Gov. Brad Little—successful businessman, longtime political figure, and former chairman of the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI)—sees big business as an ally in carrying out his agenda and views the state’s economic situation as his top priority. Just look at the governor’s press releases and op-ed from the past week alone:

To be fair, the economy is very important. We all need to feed our families and put roofs over our heads, which means good jobs, low inflation, and affordable housing. I think we sometimes take for granted how well we have it here in Idaho, and the governor and his policies deserve much of the credit.

Nevertheless, a strain of conservatism has emerged over the past two decades that believes economic prosperity is only part of the story. The populism that has underlain the Trump era sees government and corporations as twin villains rather than casting one as the hero of the story. This dichotomy can be illustrated by two different lobbying organizations in the state: IACI and the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF). There’s a certain state senator who, whenever he wants to emphasize the breadth of buy-in he’s sought for a piece of legislation, says he talked to both the IACI folks and the IFF folks.

I wrote about IACI in detail last December, so check out that article for some background. IFF probably needs no introduction for regular readers. It was founded in 2009 by Wayne Hoffman and Heather Lauer, building on the work of liberty stalwarts Ralph Smeed and Maurice Clements. Its original mission was to present policymakers with free market solutions while holding elected officials accountable for expanding government regulations and spending. Former state representative Ron Nate succeeded Hoffman as president of IFF in 2024, while Alex LaBeau has served as president of IACI since 2006.

While the two organizations were often on opposite sides of issues before COVID, it seemed to be during the pandemic that they to drew much harder lines in the sand. IACI supported Gov. Little’s stay-at-home order, along with mask and vaccine mandates, while IFF took both government and corporations to task for infringing on individual rights. IFF’s sister organization, Idaho Freedom PAC, endorsed Ammon Bundy for governor.

Both organizations publish legislative scorecards, though their scope and methodology are quite different. Back in 2023, IFF president Ron Nate wrote an article breaking down the differences between the two scorecards. He noted that there was only one bill scored by both organizations during the 2023 session:

Of the hundreds of bills rated in the Idaho Freedom Index, and the nine bills on the IACI scorecard, there was only one bill scored in agreement: H292, the property tax reduction bill by Rep. Monks and supported by Speaker Moyle. The bill was a modest decrease in property taxes by using general funds to offset property tax needs by local governments.

…

No legislator scoring above 90 percent on the Idaho FREEDOM Index scored above 50 percent on the IACI Scorecard. While the Freedom Index works for the forgotten man, the IACI scorecard works against the little guy. There is nothing conservative about pulling the levers of government in favor of the vested special interests of big corporations.

The graph below says it all; there is a distinct inverse relationship between legislators’ scores on the Idaho Freedom Index versus the IACI Scorecard. IACI works against freedom, period. It is a worthless, self-serving measure of just some of the garbage a big special interest lobby can produce. Idahoans deserve better.

image 18

I’ve written several times not only about the scorecards but also about the dueling endorsements of the organizations’ sister PACs—IACI’s Idaho Prosperity Fund and IFF’s Idaho Freedom PAC. This week, I took a closer look at the correlation between the two scorecards that Nate mentioned three years ago. In 2024, the two scorecards remained strongly negatively correlated, to the tune of -0.87. A high score on one almost certainly meant a low score on the other. By 2025, that correlation had weakened to -0.74, and it declined further in 2026 to -0.50.

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I’m still not entirely sure what is causing this decrease in negative correlation. To learn more, I fed the last three years of IACI scores, IFF scores, legislator ratings on both metrics, and the final status of every bill from 2024 through 2026 into Claude to see what other patterns it could identify. The biggest finding that caught my eye was how many bills in 2026 never made it to the Senate floor. It wasn’t just immigration bills that were blocked, either by being voted down in Senate committees or unilaterally held by committee chairs. According to this analysis, 135 bills met their end in Senate State Affairs alone—40 more than the second-place committee.

When I last wrote about IACI versus IFF, I questioned why the organization had endorsed challengers to Sens. Glenneda Zuiderveld and Josh Kohl despite each earning a score of 75 by IACI’s own metrics:

The average IACI score of incumbents facing IPF-endorsed challengers is 55.7, only slightly lower than the average for IPF-endorsed incumbents. These scores range from Sen. Dan Foreman, who is being challenged by Rep. McCann and scored just 33, to Sens. Josh Kohl and Glenneda Zuiderveld, who each scored 75. IPF nevertheless endorsed their respective challengers, Brent Reinke and Casey Swensen.

I think that question has now been answered. The issues IACI cared most about never made it to the Senate floor in the first place, so they never appeared on the scorecard. However, the organization and its PAC took them into account when making endorsements.

Another interesting data point is how successful each organization was at passing or killing legislation. In 2026, 47.5% of introduced bills were ultimately passed and signed by the governor. Both organizations posted lower success rates than that baseline on bills they supported—39.2% for IFF and 38.5% for IACI. However, their success rates were much higher when opposing legislation. Of the bills IFF opposed, 74.7% were ultimately defeated, while IACI’s figure was 87%. It is clearly easier for lobbyists and policy organizations to kill bills they dislike than it is to pass bills they support. That makes sense: for a bill to become law, it must be printed, pass two legislative committees, pass both chambers, and be signed by the governor. Killing a bill requires stopping it at only one of those stages.

In 2023, Ron Nate noted that IACI and IFF went head-to-head on only one bill. My analysis shows that in 2026 they disagreed on 14 bills, with IACI winning 11 of those clashes. IACI also had the upper hand in 2025 by a margin of 9-6 and in 2024 by a margin of 12-5. IACI, of course, has a much deeper pool of resources than IFF. Big businesses are willing to pay bigly to support an organization that lobbies on their behalf, while IFF relies primarily on donations from individuals and a handful of companies that favor free markets over subsidies and government intervention.

When I fed this data into Claude, it built me—without my even asking—a comprehensive dashboard based on the data. I’m sharing that with you now. Check it out and see what you find. I plan to continue adding more data and teasing out additional conclusions about the legislative process and how conservatives can become more effective at implementing policy.

Click here to examine the dashboard.

About Brian Almon

Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.

Editor’s note:  This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle.  I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing.  Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle

Social Security Announces Significant Improvements in the SSI Program

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Observer Staff
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(Social Security Administration Press Release, July 24, 2026)

Baltimore, MD – The Social Security Administration (SSA) today transmitted the 2026 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program to the President and Congress. Highlighted in this year’s report are significant service improvements for the SSI program under the leadership of Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano.

New initiatives under Commissioner Bisignano have led to a reduction in improper payments, higher levels of accuracy, and better, faster, and higher-quality service for America’s most vulnerable populations. The significant improvements include:

  • Streamlining SSI policy instructions for increased transparency.
  • Deploying technology and call segmentation curating better service for customers.
  • Expanding use of the Access to Financial Institution (AFI) tool, allowing the agency to identify improper payments early and avoid large overpayments.
  • Fully implementing the Payroll Information Exchange (PIE), helping to prevent improper payments with timely wage reporting and reducing the reporting burden for recipients.
  • Strengthening the control environment with tools like the SSI non-medical redetermination process, where SSA conducts scheduled interviews of all non-medical factors to determine ongoing SSI eligibility.
  • Working closely with recipients and their representatives to promote understanding of the SSI program and maintain trust placed in the agency.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are protecting and strengthening Social Security for all Americans, including the nation’s most vulnerable. As part of this commitment, I renewed SSA’s focus on SSI over the last year,” said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “For the first time in the agency’s history, I named a lead executive and established the SSI Improvement office to transform the service we provide to SSI recipients. We have made the program better for the people who rely on it and the SSA employees who support them.”

View the 2026 Annual Report on the Supplemental Security Income Program.

For more than 50 years, the SSI program has provided financial safety for aged, blind, and disabled Americans with limited resources. They rely on SSI benefits to meet basic needs of food and shelter. The program provides security for more than seven million people and is funded from general tax revenues.

Dr. Brett Applebby to Discuss ‘Complete Wellness’ at SUFI Town Hall, Wednesday, July 29

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Observer Staff
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(Stand Up For Idaho Press Release, July 20, 2026)

Idaho Falls–Dr. Brett Abbleby, ND: Achieving Complete Wellness

Dr. Brett Appleby is trained in holistically integrative primary care medicine. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University and received his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from National University of Health Sciences. As an LDS missionary, he served for two years among the people of Thailand, serving in numerous leadership positions, as well as teaching English in schools and volunteering at local hospitals. His passion for health and wellness stems from his own past struggles with a debilitating chronic disease and subsequent healing experience using natural medicine.

As a primary care doctor with extensive medical training and experience, Dr. Appleby treats a wide-range of chronic health issues and conditions. Utilizing a vast array of natural therapeutics firmly grounded in the holistic approach, Dr. Appleby successfully renews hope, health, and vitality. His philosophy is simple—seek and treat the true underlying root cause of disease. As a functional medicine expert he firmly espouses the interconnectedness of mind, body, spirit, and lifestyle in determining the status of one’s health.

As a result of his own personal health journey, Dr. Appleby has made it his life’s mission to help others overcome their personal struggles with illness and frustration with our current medical care system. Now considered one of the fittest doctors in America, Dr. Appleby encourages others to self-educate, to self-empower, and teaches the use of holistic methods to prevent and reverse disease by supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

The Westbank Conference Center, 525 River Parkway, Idaho Falls.
6:30pm (Doors open at 6:00pm)

About Stand Up For Idaho: We are a nonpartisan, nondenominational, nonprofit organization striving to inform and educate the public on a wide range of topics that affect people’s lives. We advocate for the common good, well-being, and civic betterment for all Idahoans, and for the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Idaho.

Gov. Little Joins President Trump at White House to Advance Ratepayer Protection Pledge

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Observer Staff
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(Photo Credit: Karyn Simmons)

(Governor’s Office Press Release, July 24, 2026)

Washington, D.C. – Governor Brad Little joined President Donald J. Trump and fellow governors at the White House Thursday to support the expanded Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a national initiative that protects American families and businesses from higher electricity costs as artificial intelligence and data centers drive increased energy demand.

The voluntary pledge expands beyond major technology companies to include utilities, electric cooperatives, public power providers, data center developers, and state governors. Participants commit to ensuring the cost of powering new data centers does not fall on existing residential and business ratepayers while strengthening America’s energy infrastructure.

“Affordable, reliable energy is the foundation of a strong economy. Idaho is proud to stand with President Trump in advancing an America First energy agenda that protects taxpayers, strengthens our economy, and secures our energy future for generations to come,” Governor Little said.

Governor Little said Idaho has demonstrated that economic growth and energy affordability can go hand in hand.

“Idaho’s success has been built on reliable, affordable power that attracts businesses, creates jobs, and supports one of the fastest-growing economies in the nation. As demand for electricity increases, we must ensure existing customers are not left paying the bill for new development. That is exactly what the Ratepayer Protection Pledge is designed to accomplish,” Governor Little said.

The Governor emphasized three key priorities for Idaho’s continued energy success:

  • Protecting ratepayers. New, energy-intensive developments should bear the costs associated with the additional generation and transmission infrastructure they require, shielding Idaho families and businesses from higher electricity bills.
  • Engaging local communities. Idaho welcomes investment, but communities should have a meaningful voice when large-scale data centers are proposed so growth reflects local priorities and infrastructure capacity.
  • Achieving American energy dominance. Meeting the nation’s growing electricity needs will require an all-of-the-above approach that expands reliable, dispatchable energy production while strengthening the electric grid.

Governor Little noted Idaho is already helping lead America’s energy future through continued investment in advanced nuclear energy, research at Idaho National Laboratory, and policies that support affordable, reliable electricity while fostering innovation.

“America is in a global race to lead the future of artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, and that leadership depends on abundant, affordable energy. Innovation does not happen by accident. It takes smart policy, strategic investment, and a commitment to ensuring growth benefits the people we serve. Idaho is proud to help lead that effort alongside President Trump,” Governor Little said.

Deceased Identification: Two Vehicle Crash on I-15 North of Malad

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Observer Staff
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(Bannock County Coroner’s Office Press Release, July 24, 2026)

The Bannock County Coroner’s Office, in cooperation with Idaho State Police, has confirmed the identity of the deceased following the two-vehicle collision northbound on Interstate 15 at milepost 20 in Bannock County on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Deceased: Jacob Reynolds, 31, of Pocatello

Next of kin has been notified.

The incident remains under investigation by Idaho State Police.

“My deepest sympathies go out to Jacob’s family and friends who are grieving this unexpected loss,” said Coroner Torey Danner.

From Possibility to Practice: INL Tribal Future Corps Gives Students a Firsthand Look at Their Future

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho National Laboratory Press Release, July 224, 2026; Cover image credit: INL FB)

By Mckenzie Duncan, INL Communications

Nineteen-year-old Keylii Tsosie carefully maneuvered a scissor lift across the worksite, applying skills he had recently learned.

Just days earlier, Tsosie earned his certification to operate the equipment through the Tribal Future Corps program, a partnership between the Idaho National Laboratory and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes designed to introduce tribal youth to careers in skilled trades and technology. This year marks the fifth year of a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, a partnership that continues to expand educational opportunities, workforce development and collaboration in skilled trades.

“Getting my license to run the lift made me feel very accomplished, and I was grateful for the opportunity to be able to do something new,” Tsosie said.

For Tsosie and 14 other students participating in Tribal Future Corps, the experience represented more than a summer internship.

It was a chance to move beyond learning about careers and begin practicing them.

Tribal Future Corps reflects a shared investment in education, workforce development and creating meaningful opportunities for tribal youth. Through hands-on projects, mentorship and workplace exposure, students spent four weeks exploring career pathways while developing skills that extend far beyond the job site.

Throughout the program, participants worked alongside professionals, earned certifications and gained firsthand experience in trades and crafts. They learned how to operate equipment, solve problems and navigate professional environments while building confidence.

But the program was designed to teach more than job skills. Four ideas surfaced repeatedly in conversations with students and mentors alike: integrity, leadership, confidence and adaptability.

Those principles were woven into daily activities, from workplace expectations and team projects to resume building and interview preparation. Students were encouraged to think not only about the careers they hoped to pursue, but also about the kind of professionals and leaders they wanted to become.

For 18-year-old Ace Mendez, who hopes to become a welder, those lessons are already shaping his future.

“Building my resume and certification portfolio has prepared me for employment. With the guidance of my mentors, I have learned how to present my skills, experience, and qualifications effectively to future employers,” Mendez said.

The emphasis on career readiness is one of the program’s defining features. Students practiced interviewing, refined resumes and learned how to present themselves professionally, gaining tools that can serve them regardless of their chosen career path.

“Our instructors are role models for our students because they genuinely care about their success, career readiness and future,” said Pam Eschief, superintendent of Sho-Ban Junior/Senior High School. “Our hope is that these students return to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes with the skills they’ve gained through this program to help build a stronger workforce. Beyond career preparation, they’re learning life skills and discovering opportunities that will benefit both themselves and our community.”

While many STEM programs introduce students to possible careers, Tribal Future Corps offers something different: the opportunity to experience those careers firsthand.

Stepping into workshops and professional workspaces gave students a clearer understanding of where their interests and abilities align. Some may choose skilled trades, apprenticeships, technical programs or higher education.

For 17-year-old Mireya Dogsleep, the experience meant confronting fear and pushing beyond her comfort zone.

“Yesterday I was working on the ceiling in our shop, and I was scared to try something new, but I did it anyway,” Dogsleep said. “It was a new experience, and I’m glad I tried.”

Her willingness to take on an unfamiliar challenge reflects one of the program’s most important lessons: growth often begins when students step beyond what feels comfortable.

For Matt Bates, INL coordinator of the Tribal Future Corps program, personal growth is just as important for students as gaining technical skills.

“I hope they carry the passion to keep going and use what this program taught them to chase their dreams,” Bates said.

Some of his favorite moments happen after students complete the program, when former participants share where life has taken them. They tell him about the jobs they have landed, the careers they are building and the goals they once thought were out of reach.

“To see my graduates pursuing careers and thriving is what makes this work so meaningful,” Bates said.

That future was already beginning to take shape during Tribal Future Corps end-of-summer skills showcase.

Students demonstrated the certifications they earned, projects they completed and skills they developed for family members, community leaders and INL employees. For some, it was an opportunity to showcase technical abilities. For others, it was a chance to demonstrate their newfound confidence.

Just weeks earlier, many students had entered the program uncertain of what to expect. By the end of the program, they stood before an audience sharing what they had learned and what they hoped to accomplish next.

What began as a four-week internship designed to introduce students to career and technical pathways ended with something much bigger.

Students left with new skills, professional connections and a clearer sense of where they want to go next. More importantly, they left knowing they are capable of getting there.

“I left this program knowing I can accomplish my goals and keep getting better at what I do,” Mendez said. “I learned how to adapt to different work environments, and I feel prepared for wherever life takes me.”

About Idaho National Laboratory
Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

AG Labrador Defends Rule Blocking Illegal Immigrants from Obtaining Commercial Drivers Licenses

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Observer Staff
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(Attorney General’s Office Press Release, July 24, 2026)

BOISE, ID — Attorney General Raúl Labrador joined a coalition of states led by Florida in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, backing a federal rule that cracks down on states issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants in violation of federal law. The brief was filed in Lujan v. FMCSA, defending a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule that limits states to issuing CDLs to foreign-domiciled applicants only if they hold H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visa status. Applicants for H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 status undergo screening by multiple federal agencies before receiving a visa, giving states a reliable way to identify unsafe drivers before handing them a CDL.

“States like California, New York, and Washington have skirted federal law to issue commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants who can’t read English or our road signs, and families have paid for it with their lives,” said Attorney General Labrador. “The Trump Administration is finally enforcing the law that blue states have ignored for years, and my office stands behind them. Idaho will not let liberal policies put unqualified drivers behind the wheel of eighteen-wheelers on our highways.”

The Final Rule responds to a string of fatal crashes caused by illegally licensed truck drivers across the country. In Florida, an illegal immigrant who could not read English or road signs made an illegal U-turn across the Florida Turnpike with an eighteen-wheeler, killing three people. Similar tragedies played out in California, Tennessee, Indiana, and Oregon, where illegal immigrants holding CDLs issued by states like California, New York, and Pennsylvania caused fatal crashes that killed a combined total of more than a dozen people. The coalition’s brief argues the rule is a lawful and necessary response after the U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to let Florida sue California and Washington directly over their lax CDL enforcement.

The D.C. Circuit already denied a request to block the rule while litigation continues, finding the challengers were unlikely to succeed on the merits. Oral argument is scheduled for September 15, 2026.

Read the amicus here.

PPD Invites Community to Join Them for National Night Out, Tuesday August 4

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Observer Staff
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(Pocatello Police Department, July 15, 2026; Cover photo credit: PPD FB)

Join us for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Lookout Point! The schedule is being planned and will be released soon!

This family-friendly event is a great opportunity to meet your local first responders, connect with neighbors, enjoy activities for all ages, and learn about the organizations that help make our community a great place to live.

Community organizations and businesses: There’s still time to get involved! Showcase your organization, connect with the community, and be part of this exciting event by registering today at the link below.

Lookout Point
Tuesday, August 4
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

We can’t wait to see you there! Be sure to tag your friends and help us spread the word.

Register your organization here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3n9ApZ_-PGUeu0Gyv3j3ZrEr0lpGWXZ9OSUYKU_UFpjdyfA/viewform?usp=header

Guest Columnist Julianne Young: Living the Freedom They Sacrificed to Secure

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Observer Staff
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July 24, 2026

Living the Freedom They Sacrificed to Secure

Idaho GOP 2nd Vice Chairwoman Julianne Young (photo credit: Julianne Young)

By: Julianne Young

On July 24th, we celebrate the day the first company of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. It’s tempting to file this alongside every other westward settlement story — wagons, hardship, a new home carved from the wilderness. But something set these pioneers apart. Unlike most who pushed west for land or gold, they were searching for one thing above all else: the freedom to live their faith without persecution.

Their departure date wasn’t their own choosing. With Missouri’s extermination order hanging over them and mob violence at their backs, the risks of staying outweighed the risks of leaving. My great-great-grandfather Charles led the first company out of Nauvoo, across the frozen Mississippi, into the Iowa wilderness in February 1846. His wife, Julia Ann, and their three-year-old daughter, Harriet, would not survive the westward crossing — both died on the plains of Illinois of malnutrition and cold. Their 14-year-old son, Andrew, would become the youngest pioneer in the Advance Company that reached the valley the following year. My children also have a second pioneer grandfather in that same company: Lorenzo Dow Young, whose father had fought under General Washington — family lore says he carried home a cannonball from that war as a memento. Two generations: one fought to found a nation built on liberty’s promise; the next crossed a frozen river to claim it.

They sang, as they walked, a hymn that has outlived them all: “We’ll find the place which God for us prepared, far away in the West, where none shall come to hurt or make afraid… All is well! All is well!” They sang it despite burying wives and daughters in frozen ground — not because they didn’t grieve, but because they refused to bury their conviction that the sacrifice was worth it. They paid a terrible price, not merely for the right to hold a private belief, but for the right to live it without apology.

The pioneers’ wilderness was physical — frozen prairie, hostile tribes, wolves, starvation, a thousand miles with no guarantee of surviving the winter. The wilderness their descendants face today is daunting in a different way. We must not mistake the difference in landscape for a difference in stakes. No one is stalked by wolves for a religious conviction today. We do not face cold or hunger, but the social and political cost of speaking one’s convictions out loud can be vicious in its own way.

Too often, religious liberty is reduced to a right to worship quietly on Sunday and otherwise keep one’s convictions to oneself — tolerated only as a private habit. But the free exercise of religion has never meant only the freedom to believe. It has always meant the freedom to act on that belief — in civic life, in public debate, at the ballot box. A conviction that can only be held in private can’t really be exercised at all.

This cultural understanding of religious freedom is in jeopardy. Many believe religious conviction in a policy debate is inherently oppressive, or something to be embarrassed about. A recent Facebook comment went further still, dismissing religious belief itself as a kind of mental illness to be scorned rather than engaged. This reflects a broader cultural drift in which sincere conviction is treated as a private eccentricity or a threat rather than the first freedom named in the Bill of Rights.

Here is what might dismay our pioneer ancestors: we have the freedom they died for, and we are too polite, or too afraid of offending someone, to exercise it. We’ve accepted a quiet rule: good citizens keep convictions out of politics — faith belongs in the pew, not the public square. But a freedom unexercised doesn’t stay dormant — it atrophies, then disappears. We lose what we do not use. Yes, we should be civil, but silence is not civility, nor is enforced complacency.

The values our forebears carried across that frozen river — that human life and conscience deserve protection, that moral truth is self-evident natural law, not majority opinion — are the same values declared in the Declaration of Independence, which we celebrate as well this July, and enshrined in the Constitution that followed.

Julia Ann and Harriet didn’t cross an icebound river in February so their descendants could worship privately on the Sabbath and disavow their sincerely held principles the rest of the week. They crossed it so we could stand in the public square and declare the truth as we understand it — unapologetically. Their frontier demanded courage; so does ours. All is well, indeed — but only if we will collectively pay the price to keep it so. This Pioneer Day, let’s live the freedom so many sacrificed so much to secure.

Julianne Young is a Bingham County Mom who loves faith, family, and freedom; a former state representative; founder of the nonprofit Idaho Family Strong; regional coordinator for Idaho Chooses Life; and 2nd Vice Chair of the Idaho State GOP.

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