Jeremy Spilsbury never suspected that anything was off. He attended services at his local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward, stayed for a meeting with the missionary committee and then bid them farewell — including his across-the-road neighbor.

But as Spilsbury pulled into his quiet, residential street in this Phoenix suburb of about 511,000, he noticed the neighbor’s new yard sign: “Cucks for Harris.”

Spilsbury did a double take. Then he googled the offending word.

A “cuck,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “often used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a man who has politically progressive or moderate views.” The word has sexual connotations, too, meaning a man whose female partner is unfaithful.

“When I found out what it meant, I was kind of appalled, because it’s obviously designed to be as offensive as possible,” said Spilsbury, who had a “Republicans for Harris-Walz” sign in his own yard.

The neighbor’s sign, while biting, underscored an emerging reality in Arizona’s sizable Latter-day Saints community — that while church members are overwhelmingly Republican, there is some erosion in their traditionally airtight support for Republicans.

“There has been a long-standing belief from people who have not been LDS that Mormons are homogeneous in their beliefs and their voting and the way they enact living their faith,” said Brittany Romanello, a cultural anthropologist at Arizona State University who has studied Mormon identity and was raised in the church.

Mormons were the most Republican-leaning religious group in the country, the Pew Research Center found in 2016. But “the politics and willingness to openly disagree with one another in these LDS spaces … is becoming more and more apparent,” Romanello said.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign team is hoping to collect any stray votes — especially in Mormon-heavy battleground states such as Nevada and Arizona, where the church numbers about 443,000 members and polling shows Harris and Trump neck and neck. Harris appealed to Latter-day Saints members at an appearance in Scottsdale Friday, saying, “I am committed to all of you to be a president for all Americans.”

Her campaign in Arizona launched a Latter-day Saints advisory committee weeks ago, and another one in Nevada on Monday. Trump’s campaign announced a Latter-day Saints for Trump group Tuesday.

The budding Latter-day Saints groups for Harris are an aberration, said Tara Rowland, the neighbor with the “cucks” sign.

After Mesa City Council member and Mormon Julie Spilsbury put up a “Republicans for Harris-Walz” sign in her frontyard, her neighbor across the street, who is a Trump supporter, put up this derogatory “Cucks for Harris” sign on Oct. 1 in Mesa, Ariz.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

“They do not represent the majority,” she said. “There’s these few people in our congregation who everybody knows is full of it.”

The church takes pains to keep its official positions apolitical, and last weekend, one of its senior leaders, Dallin H. Oaks, encouraged members to be civil ahead of the November election. Despite its pledged neutrality, the church has waded into issues it considers moral, supporting conservative views on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.

“Mormon socialization from a very young age encourages you to participate in civic engagement. The importance of voting … of being prayerful,” Romanello said. “And that means that you don’t align yourself with a particular party.”

Like many church members, Rowland has been active in politics since she was 14, mostly supporting Republicans, though she has voted for non-Republicans in local elections.

Although Trump “says stupid, clownish things, and he’s a buffoon,” Rowland said, “he’s the best choice of the two.”

“I believe that family and religion and God and the sanctity of life is important, and Trump is the most in line with our values,” Rowland said, adding about her neighbors, “If they were voting their values, they would not be voting for Harris-Walz.”

LDS for Harris-Walz

About a dozen Mormons gathered in a church member’s Phoenix living room recently for a “Latter-day Saints for Harris-Walz” vice presidential debate watch party.

Latter-day Saints who are supporting the Harris-Walz ticket gather to watch the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1 in a private residence in Phoenix.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Within minutes of arriving, Jeremy and Julie Spilsbury were swapping names of congregants they shared in common with Bobby Parker, 79, who said he lost many of his ties to the community when he came out as gay about 20 years ago.

“It’s like being a Republican for Harris — you’re not supposed to fit!” Julie Spilsbury joked, and they all laughed.

For most of their lives, Jeremy and Julie Spilsbury were in step with their church’s political culture. They avidly listened to conservative talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. They voted Republican — including for Trump.

But things started to change around 2020.

“He always jokes, it’s because of Trump that we’ve changed a lot of our thinking politically, religiously,” Julie Spilsbury said of her husband. “It’s actually been a good thing for us in our personal growth.”

In 2020, Jeremy Spilsbury was serving as bishop of his ward, a volunteer role in addition to his job running a small arborist business. When one of his employees assumed he was voting for Trump again, Spilsbury knew he didn’t want to keep quiet.

He typed up what would become the first of several Facebook posts, alerting his community to his new political views.

The backlash was almost immediate. Though few people confronted him in person, Spilsbury said he heard that many thought he had been “deceived.” Rowland said he “caused such a division between our congregation.” Congregants asked for him to be “released” as bishop (his term expired in 2021).

But he was committed to his increasing outspokenness. Soon, he quit his job to go back to school and study peace and conflict. He refused to leave the church or Mesa.

“To use a religious term, I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Spilsbury said. “There’s no one more dangerous than an insider pretending to be part of the group.”

Then Julie Spilsbury was elected to the Mesa City Council and a few months later, her first controversial issue reached the agenda: an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations, employment and housing.

Mesa City Councilmember Julie Spilsbury, who is a member of the Latter-day Saints, is a Republican who supports the Harris-Walz ticket.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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The ordinance caused consternation across Mesa, home of the state’s first Latter-day Saints temple and a concentrated Mormon community in Arizona. A local representative of the church weighed in, signing a letter along with other interfaith leaders and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in support of the ordinance. But others, including Rowland, spoke against it at City Council meetings.

“Say a baker doesn’t want to make a cake for a transgender wedding or something like that,” Rowland said in an interview. “They should have the ability, that’s their business.”

“A lot of LDS people thought … ‘You’re doing something that’s contrary to our religious beliefs.’ When, in fact, that was 100% not true,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles, a Republican and church member. “The LDS church leadership is actually far more progressive than a lot of these traditional, kind of fundamentalist people in the church. And they just kind of refuse to acknowledge that they’re out of step with where the church is.”

The ordinance ultimately passed, and an attempt to put the issue to voters as a referendum was dropped.

“It’s something I’m very proud of, but I have a lot of people who hate me now because of it,” Julie Spilsbury told Parker at the watch party. She flashed her phone’s lock screen, featuring a bright, neon-colored rainbow flag.

“I was just amazed by how wonderful these people were, you know?” Jeremy Spilsbury said of the LGBTQ+ community. “I had all these preconceived notions growing up in the church. They’re perceived as a threat, you know, their lifestyles.”

“Lifestyle,” Parker repeated, chuckling. “I’m an old grandpa, great-grandpa. I like to wear short shorts, that’s my lifestyle.”

Mormon momentum

When Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee, a smattering of identity-based affinity groups burst into being, including the Latter-day Saints committees.

Mesa Mayor John Giles is part of Latter-day Saints for Harris-Walz and Republicans for Harris.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Then Giles, who ruffled feathers when he endorsed Democrats Gov. Katie Hobbs and Sen. Mark Kelly in 2022, came out with a pro-Harris media blitz: penning an op-ed in the Arizona Republic, appearing on major news networks and capping it off with a speech at the Democratic National Convention, where he said, “The Grand Old Party has been kidnapped by extremists and devolved into a cult, the cult of Donald Trump.”

Giles has repeatedly been censured by the local Republican Party. But he shrugged off the criticisms. More important, he said, choking up, are the people who approach him in grocery stores, thanking him for voicing their feelings about politics and the party.

“The fact that I have an opportunity to maybe influence the outcome of an election is something that is just too compelling for me to not participate,” Giles said.

Other prominent Mormon Republicans emerged for Harris, too, such as former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake. While he hasn’t formally endorsed Harris, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney is a vocal opponent of Trump.

That momentum, plus the Spilsburys’ “Republicans for Harris-Walz” sign, was too much for Rowland. The “Cucks for Harris” sign went up.

Jeremy Spilsbury shot off a text to his neighbors: “Hey, I’d love to come over and talk to you tomorrow about the sign that you have in the front yard. Is there a time that works for you?”

The next day, Spilsbury found himself sitting on a couch across from Tara Rowland and her husband, who could not be reached for comment for this article. Spilsbury said he asked them to take the sign down.

After Julie Spilsbury put up a “Republicans for Harris-Walz” sign, her neighbor put up a derogatory “Cucks for Harris” sign.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

“For the sake of the relationship that we have as neighbors and at church, this isn’t good,” Spilsbury recalled saying. “This doesn’t help our relationship, and I’d hope that that would be more important to you.”

“Yeah, unity is really important to me as well. But sometimes Christ goes into the temple and turns over the tables of the money changers. It’s not always kumbaya,” Rowland told a Times reporter.

She said she just wanted a simple answer: What was Spilsbury’s problem with Trump? “You can’t vote for somebody just because you hate somebody else. And voting for someone because of your hatred for someone else, that’s not unity either. That’s Satan.”

Spilsbury said later that he hadn’t intended to debate which candidate was stronger. He wanted to know why his fellow church member would post a sign so blatantly insulting.

The neighbors argued back and forth and “voices were raised,” Spilsbury said. After about 45 minutes, he walked home.

The Rowlands’ sign stayed put — along with a Trump banner and an upside-down American flag.

The Arizona Cardinals managed a huge win a week ago against the 49ers in San Francisco. Does Arizona have what it takes to pull off consecutive wins on the road against NFC title contenders?

The Cards are out in Green Bay to play the Packers, whose offense is dynamic both through the air and on the ground, coupled with a defense that is playing better than many would give them credit for.

I’m not sure if they’re better than the Niners, but they’re just as big a challenge for the Cardinals.

At 2-3, the Cardinals can smell a .500 record, but they need to beware of several factors as they prepare for this battle. These are the three areas that have the panic meter ticking.

Love has been volatile this season. After suffering a knee injury in week one against the Eagles in Brazil, one that we all thought would be season-ending, he’s returned to play the last two games.

In three total games played, Love has 873 passing yards with eight touchdowns with five picks and just a 56.1 completion percentage. He’s failed to complete 60% or better in all three games and has at least one pick in each game.

The Cardinals’ defense has to be excited over the potential to get some turnovers, but Love has made some insane plays this year. In each game, he has at least one completion of over 40-yards and has made guys like Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft into borderline household names. He’s dangerous.

This game is likely to be a shootout (stop me if you’ve heard that before), and Love’s gunslinger mentality this year gives Green Bay an edge. The Cardinals will need several turnovers in this game, but I’m truly unsure how you can stop him from the big plays. In fact, I don’t think you’ll be able to…

Panic meter: 8/10

McKinney has had an interception in all five games this season and has recorded a pick in six-straight games. That leaves the 26-year-old one pick away from an NFL record for consecutive games with a pick.

Since being a second round pick by the Giants in 2020, McKinney has steadily gotten better each year and cashed out big with Green Bay this offseason. He’s earned every penny as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate and has been undeniably the best defensive back in the league this year.

Kyler Murray has only tossed two interceptions on 138 attempts this season (~0.014%), so taking care of the football is far from an issue for him. However, McKinney is unlike any DB that the Cards have faced this year and if Murray is forced to throw the ball he is more subject than ever this year to make a mistake. And with how historic McKinney has been playing and an NFL record on the line, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play his best game of the year.

I’m not sure if Murray will throw a pick with how safe he’s been, but he needs to be on red-alert and locate #29 before every snap.

Panic meter: 9.5/10

Did you know the Packers own the number three rushing offense in the NFL? I certainly did not until I started prepping for this game. It makes sense when you consider they went all in on Josh Jacobs, whose 402 rushing yards are the fourth-most in the league.

The Packers are averaging 164.8 rushing yards per game this year with 5.2 yards per carry to go along with it. Green Bay is also creative in their approach to running the ball, as they don’t mind getting receiver Jayden Reed involved (eight carries for 110 yards). It’s a run game that has plenty of contributors that leave opposing defenses guessing.

I already said that the Cardinals panic meter is high on Jordan Love and the passing game, but they can’t overlook the ground game here, and I think we’re looking at an even split for which to worry about more. On the road, Arizona’s 28th ranked run defense is in for a busy day if the Packers get an early lead. Hopefully, the Cards can force a shootout through the air. Otherwise, Green Bay could play some good ole fashion ground and pound football.

Panic meter: 8/10

Brent Brennan had his hands full on the recruiting trail when it came to securing a solid 2025 class for Arizona after he was hired in January to replace departing head coach Jedd Fisch.

With some players who previously committed to the Wildcats deciding to follow Fisch to Washington, Brennan was able to get some of his own recruits to follow him from San Jose State, but without a full cycle to pursue prospects for Arizona, the final couple months before early National Signing Day become important for this program.

Continuing to build and maintain relationships between the staff and players will be huge in securing the group of 20 who have verbally committed to the Wildcats.

With star quarterback Noah Fifita still having a multiple years of eligibility remaining, the need to have an immediate replacement isn’t present, but it’s clear Arizona is looking to bring in more options to that room with two commits at that position in the 2025 class.

Three-star Luke Haugo was on campus for an official visit this past weekend, and despite the tough loss against Texas Tech in their Big 12 home opener, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller came away impressed and firmly on board.

“There wasn’t really one highlight that stood out, everything was special in its own way. Just the chemistry and bond I already have with the staff and many people over there is really important to me and my family. The coaching staff is spectacular. There’s quite a few things that have been discussed and I feel I’m in a very solid position heading into next semester,” he said per Blair Angulo of 247Sports.

The Phoenix native committed to the Wildcats back in early-June over Oregon State, Rice, and Utah.

Because of his local ties, he’s already established relationships with players currently in the program, so visiting Tucson this last weekend confirmed in his mind that he made the right choice.

“I had a few players throughout the weekend show and teach me a couple things, have a lot of friends on the roster already from the time spent in youth and high school playing each other. I’m for sure locked and loaded,” he said.

That’s great news to hear for Arizona as they look to secure the first class under Brennan.