From the Rooftops, what I believe
I woke up this morning with my mind racing. I had had some disturbing dreams but my mind went quickly to the troubles of real life.
I have been wanting to know what is that I can do now to help my troubled country. What power of persuasion do I have to help move our country toward a more perfect union? Is it time to be more militant? Is it time to be louder? Is it time to draw lines in the sand?
In my musing, my mind was drawn back to one of my favorite scriptures. A set of verses that have served as a personal creed when it comes to issues of power, influence and inspiration, Doctrine and Covenants Section 121 verses 34 through 46. In particular two phrases come to mind;
First, “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.”
and
Second, “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.”
These scriptures speak to my soul. I have sought to apply them in my everyday life and I find them surprisingly relevant to so many of our human conflicts. But when I do apply these scriptures to non-religious settings I tend to substitute two words.
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of [one’s office/position], only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.”
I wish I saw more examples of this type of leadership in our political system. I wish that this type of leadership was rewarded in our system. But nevertheless, I can still live my own life this way and reward those who most closely match this style of leadership.
I also want others to know, I want to shout it from my rooftop, that this is what will motivate me to put my trust in their leadership. And right now, I want others to know this is why I cannot support President Trump or the movement he has come to embody.
I look forward to the day when I will be able to vote Republican again with a clear(er) conscience, but in November I will proudly vote for Joe Biden.
The events of the last two decades — both international and domestic — have made me ever more grateful for America and its form of government. Although founded on ideals of personal freedom and unalienable rights, it does not ignore the ugly realities of our human condition. The core of our government is the balance of power and the open marketplace of ideas. And still there are times when evil must be conquered and when physical force is necessary.
In determining how when and how to act, I turn again to Doctrine and Covenants, Section 121: 34–46 for guidance. I try and apply that doctrine to America's ideals of freedom and the rights of man. In my review of these verses I declare;
- That I believe that American ideals of law and authority are inseparably connected with the powers of freedom and that authority and law can only be exercised upon the principles of freedom.
- That I believe that authority can be conferred upon our fellow men while still being committed to freedom, but when that authority is used to cover sins, gratify pride or ambition or exercise dominion or control not leading toward the freedom of all men, that authority and those laws can no longer claim to be connected to America’s ideals or the inherent inalienable rights of man.
- That I believe that there will be times when pursing the freedom of all men will require reproof or force, but that afterwards, there must be an increase in love towards those reproved.
- That I believe that we do not now, nor have we ever lived up to our full ideals of freedom, but that our progress has been and will be incremental that if we are unceasing in our resolve, we can move forward confidently and freedom may continue to distill upon our nation as dew from heaven.
Today, I join that fight. But that fight will not be focused on restoring a past glory. Rather, as every worthy American movement has been, that fight will be focused on the future. On expanding personal freedoms and creating a more perfect union.
