I will not hesitate to say I am extremely conservative; I hold the constitution close to my heart and I really, really hope I'll be able to have a good talk with the founders in the life hereafter. I'll be the first to say that the government is drifting further and further from the inspired intentions of the founding fathers and that our economy is falling apart more and more every day. I hold true to these views completely. However...
I think there's more pessimism about politics going around than we'd all like to admit.
Ever since the 2012 Election I have seen more ridiculing and complaining about political things than ever before (which was expected), and lots of it has come from people with conservative views similar to my own. Obama this, congress that, "lies lies lies", yada yada. I may agree, but I think there is a difference between standing up for your opinions and what you believe in, and just down-right complaining. I think we've seen a lot of the latter. Just go look at Facebook. We all know the contrast I'm talking about here.
I am NOT saying people shouldn't use their voice about their political opinions. I'm all for that. I'm doing that right now, actually. NEITHER am I saying everything in America is fine and dandy and we should just ignore current events and frolic in dandelion fields and roll in our money. No way. What I am saying is that there is a silver lining here, even with the political/economic chaos. That silver lining? The gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I'm a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I believe with all of my heart and my soul that His gospel has a purpose here on Earth and is meant to be spread to every nation and people. The fullness of the gospel was restored here--in America--by Joseph Smith, a living prophet, over a hundred years ago. We could never have this fullness if it weren't for freedom, and a place where people could be free. That's where America comes in. That's what I believe America's true potential is--establishing a place where the fullness of Christ's teachings could take root and branch out to the whole world. America provided that back in the 1800's, she has done her job, and now thousands of people have received the fullness of the gospel. It's a beautiful thing.
I also believe the world and those in it who fail to follow our Savior will fall in some way. I have no way to judge who those people are, but I know it will happen. It is doctrine we all know.
This hymn is one of my very, very favorites. It expresses the duties of the original America so beautifully--to establish a place where His truth could march on.
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.
CHORUS:
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on.
CHORUS
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish`d rows of steel,
"As ye deal with my condemners, So with you my grace shall deal;"
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on.
CHORUS
He has sounded form the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
CHORUS
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on.
CHORUS
Finally, with all this in mind, here is what I am striving to do. I invite all to take part in the endeavors.
1. Be informed. I believe it is SO important to know what's going on in the world today and establish opinions on it. And not just for adults to do so, but the teenagers. The next generation of adults. The next generation of leaders. And that's coming from a sixteen-year-old.
2. Not freak out. Going on rages about Obama's administration and everything I disagree with will make no difference. I speak my mind and I do so intelligently (or try to). I think it's time we all accept the fact that memes about congress and "liking" that one picture on Facebook isn't going to stop an executive order, or anything.
3. See the biggest picture. Know that no matter who is president, Heavenly Father is King and He calls the shots. Know that everything is happening because He has a plan for the world. Be informed, hold opinions, stand up for those opinions, be an instrument for good, but keep calm and know that America has done her job and whatever happens is because of a divine plan we can't comprehend.
With love,
Julia
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