Being Right: The Real American Way
I have had a bit of a change of heart since last Tuesday's landslide election, at least regarding my post entitled Prophetic Guidance for Our Uncertain Times. In fact, I feel rather sheepish that I would condescend to post something so incendiary without fully familiarizing myself with the totality of what it really means. That exact behavior is what I find irresponsible of others, and I try to avoid it as often as possible. So much for practicing what I preach.There are a few glaring problems in what then Elder Ezra T. Benson said that I was all too eager to either ignore or forgive because of who he became. I was given understanding by an anonymous blogger that shared this link with me: http://thefaithfuldissident.blogspot.com/2008/10/ezra-taft-benson-vs-democratic.html.
If you have the time to read through that post I recommend doing so, if for no other reason than to keep your mind and intentions open and honest. Humility is already difficult to come by in our prideful society, but intellectual humility is almost nonexistent. The American way, or almost anyone else's way in this world for that matter, is being right and doing all within our power to assert that rightness. What dangerous and petty grounds we defend when we impose our ideas and ideals on others!
To sum this up, I still have my convictions that a conservative, limited-role government is the best way to maintain our hard-fought freedoms. I still have my reservations about what Pres. Obama will/won't do during the next 4 years. But I refuse to be a part of the bandwagon of president bashing that has destroyed our country's morale, divided our resolve, and tarnished the legacy of courage and service that George Bush has tried to build during his tenure—and which bashing is already being hurled at President Elect Obama, and he hasn't even done anything yet!
Do I fundamentally disagree with many leftist policies? YES. Will I do my part to make sure my voice is heard when I agree/disagree with certain legislation? YES. Will I support our president as he tries to lead this country as he feels is best? YES. If any of you doubt my reasons for doing so, I simply ask you to take a look at the 12th Article of Faith. Until the Lord reigns on earth, this is my duty.
3 comments:
Good for you JR for being man enough to admit when you might have been ill-informed, and good for you for correcting yourself. I've always admired and appreciated that quality in you. Love you :).
JR,
As the blogger you linked to put it, a direct comparison of what President Benson said years ago to today is obviously close minded. However, discounting prophetic guidance on the direction we are headed cannot be discounted. There is an enormous difference between "distribution of wealth" as dictated by god, and "distribution of wealth" as dictated by narrow-minded, special interest focused, leaders. Don't let savvy words and worldly logic sway you from what you really believe. If you look up the true definition of "socialism" there is no arguing the end result, whether or not you term is "democratic socialism"," communist socialism", or whatever. Socialistic policies are what we should be afraid of.
My $.02.
Whole heartedly agreed. I posted this semi-retraction because I've been very blind and short sided when I've found a statement or belief similar to my own among the brethren. I definitely do not support socialist policies of any kind, as I alluded to in the last paragraph. I just need to be more careful of how quickly I react to certain evocative topics or statements, and do my part to gain knowledge and understanding of the truth in its entirety. I may know in my heart what is right, but I know we can't be saved in ignorance. I've got a long way to go on that one. Thanks Jason. You're a stud.
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