It's the End of the World As We Know It

....But it really isn't. 

I’ve seen what I want to say better expressed already this morning much more eloquently and succinctly than I hope to be able to (here and here.) I have way too many Facebook friends whose political leanings differ greatly from mine. I’m okay with that – politically I’m definitely a minority in many of my social circles. What usually makes that okay though, is that my true friends are those who are willing to have a discussion without arguing. This means open ears, open brain – willing to listen and share ideas. LISTEN. Talking politics with people doesn’t bother me. Talking politics with people who have Van Gogh’ed themselves, and then for good measure put their brain in a pickling jar, does. That goes for any of my friends who DO lean the same way politically that I do. That’s what makes talking politics so awful for many people – the lack of desire and/or ability to have an open conversation.

I’m askeered to go on Facebook today because of all the doom and gloom messages I saw last night. I thought that since the election results were in and we now know that the incumbent won, people would at least be willing to put on their big girl/boy underpants and move forward. Instead, I saw a lot of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. It makes me wonder if those same people who profess faith in their (losing) candidate are professing faith in the right person. The answer is, of course they’re not. If they’re that upset and think that the end of the world is imminent simply because their candidate didn’t win, they have an extremely limited perspective. This will sound more blunt than it should, and make me sound all judgey and all, but here it is: I don’t think they truly get the gospel.

I wonder if they realize that when they say the world will now be unfit for their children because the election didn’t go their way, they realize that they are in the minority. The MAJORITY of voting citizens elected a candidate that the MAJORITY of voting citizens believe is capable of being the President for the next four years. I wonder if my disappointed friends have already forgotten this lovely little scripture:

“ Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.

 “And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.” (Mosiah 29:26-27)

Please don’t think I believe that if you voted for the person who didn’t win makes you evil. What I’m saying is that the MAJORITY have made their choice, and it’s not an evil choice. And since it’s not an evil choice, the people whose candidate did NOT win need to suck it up. There, I said it. And simply because your candidate was a member of the same church you belong to doesn’t mean that since he didn’t win means this country is headed for hell in a handbasket. It just doesn’t.

 

“In other words, in a democracy or a republic when the majority of the people desire wickedness and become more numerous than they who choose righteousness, the people can no longer be governed by law or by justice.  This principle applies to our own form of constitutional government.  We who live in the United States tend to feel that we would always be protected by the Constitution.  However, some experienced political scientists and jurists have said that if the day ever comes that the majority favor that which is morally wrong, we as a people would not be safe-even with the Constitution… 

“John Adams often expressed his conviction that a nation's liberty is ultimately dependent upon the morality of the people.  President Adams is quoted as saying:  ‘[The Constitution] was made only, for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other’ (Nelson 101).” (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, Helaman 3 – 3 Nephi 8, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 73)

On the whole, the majority of the people in this country are morally okay because they do NOT desire wickedness. When that day comes (and it certainly will), you’ll know. But that day isn’t today, and it isn’t January 2013.

How about this? This statement was released from the First Presidency this morning:

News Release —  6 November 2012

First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Congratulate President on Election Win

Salt Lake City — 

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Tuesday: 

We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors.

So instead of griping and moaning and blaming big government for everything you think is wrong with this world, work to change it. Pray as if everything depends on the Lord, then get up and work as if everything depends on you.  

“Things work out, it isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out, don't worry. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in him, if we will pray to him, if we will live worthy of his blessings, he will hear our prayers.” (Gordon B. Hinckley)

I really didn't intend for all of this to sound so preachy and churchy and quote-y, so apologies for that. But I'm not sorry for the message.

Everything’s going to be. Just. Fine. I promise.

Ugh. Way too many serious posts. That will change. November's still young! Happy Wednesday!