Well. This has been a crazy week for everyone hasn't it? Presidential Elections would probably be at the top of the craziness for a lot of us. It seems there are so many issues swimming around in my head and a frustration with understanding other's viewpoints. I realize we are entitled to our use of agency. But I firmly believe that understanding of truth and life lead to a progression of better choices.
I was really glad Proposition 8 passed. Many agree with me and others disagree. I was somewhat apathetic to the Presidential part of the race. I voted for McCain, but had a feeling Obama would win. Obviously this happened. I am not completely disappointed this happened as I didn't really fully agree with either candidate. However I feel McCain more fully represented my priority views regarding abortion and marriage. Obama seems to be fairly level headed and I do think he will make good decisions for our country. I hesitate to give him to much credit too soon, I also think it is wrong for any of us to condemn him too soon. I think it best to ride out the wave and see what happens. I do believe it is a civic and spiritual responsibility to support our leaders in righteousness. What I mean is, if Obama proves to make good decisions and has the welfare of our country (morally, ethically, economically, etc.) in the forefront of his agenda, than I can support him. However, there are several gray areas for me with him. I don't think I agree with stem cell research. I need to ponder it more, but something about it doesn't sit right with me. When it comes to abortion and marriage I am 100% on the side of my faith, which of course is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I think their positions are balanced and unbiased. Some would scream otherwise, but those people do not have a deep understanding of life's purpose nor have they applied themselves to understanding.
I think people forget how slick Satan is. (Sorry about the Tom Selleck as Satan picture...Jenna had it on file and I couldn't resist...) I don't think we should freak out, but we would do well to look at the fruits of certain behaviors and discover their end results. Satan is real and very enticing. People forget that he can creep into our minds and souls. He can feed us our fears and discourage our hearts. Confusion, darkness, emnity, perversion, rationalization, and justification. A few of his tools. He especially likes us to think that we are a "certain way" and cannot change. This is the ultimate tool. If we cannot change then we are stuck. Hope is lost and we must settle with our present selves. I want to scream at people and tell them there is more and that to settle and stay is the same as damning ourselves.
God is the opposite. He is faith, light, kindness, gentleness, encouragement, agency. With God and Jesus we are never lost. We are never stuck. We can change, improve, and progress. This is one reason gay marriage can't be a good option. It is a dead end road. No children. No sealing. No Priesthood. God gives us agency to use, He will not stop us from exercising it. Even to our detriment.In order to fully appreciate marriage between a man and woman though, one must remember and understand the principles and reasons for it. Marriage is not just for tax breaks and insurance purposes. Marriage is ordained of God. Marriage is for us. Marriage is for increasing our posterity. Marriage is a training ground. I think many people are mistaken when they believe marriage is perpetual bliss. It may not be perpetual bliss (it is actually most of the time, when it is being worked at...), but it is eternal happiness. But I guess this all depends on whether you want to accept the fact that life is eternal and God has a plan. If you can accept this, than life has meaning and significance, and there is incredible motivation to keep pushing forward, dealing with weakness, and changing our situation. It also brings incredible motivation to trust God and do our best to follow his path. This means changing.
This all connects, I promise. I think a lot of our country lacks understanding. They haven't been taught. They are learned but they are not wise. Real wisdom comes from God. Real wisdom is making choices that push humanity towards faith in God. Real wisdom does not always grant more license, but encourages self restraint as we progress.
I think people forget that God really is our friend. He knows what will bring happiness. It is our job to discover His mind and will.
I'll end with this quote from President Monson:
"I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make our own decisions. Christ cannot help us if we do not trust Him; He cannot teach us if we do not serve Him. He will not force us to do what's right, but He will show us the way only when we decide to serve Him. Certainly, for us to serve in His kingdom, Christ requires that we experience a change of thought and attitude." -Ensign, May 2008
To go along with that is a scripture from Alma:
"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask,
can ye feel so now?"I realize that I started this post with elections and politics and ended with some thoughts on our use of moral agency and the goodness of God. If we can get this "song of redeeming love" to fill our hearts and minds, if we can get our moral compasses pointed toward God, then I know our "choices" that we have to make come election time wouldn't be so confusing. We would know where we stand and where God stands...and hopefully we would be found on the same ground as Him.
Well. It's been a little while since I have posted anything. I guess I kind of go in "phases". I have been thinking a lot about stress lately. I don't really like how it makes my body feel. It seems to tighten everything up. I also realize, to a point, stress is a conscious decision. Either we take too much upon ourselves, or we hold our selves to an unreasonably high standard.
The best advice I have been able to feel for myself is to "Trust in the the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding." (Prov. 3:5-6) All thine heart is a tall order. This would leave no room for doubt in trusting that the Lord knows us and our hearts and will "order all things for for our good as fast as we are able to receive them." (D&C 111:11) Trusting in something fully brings a lot of peace to our hearts. Trusting in the Lord fully and giving him our doubts and fears brings lasting peace and infinite progress. Maybe not totally stress-free, but it clears clouds and points our path clearly. Knowing we are on the right path in life is the most peaceful feeling of all.
