What I'll Be Doing This Election Cycle

Note: Oops! I’m sorry, I’m cheating and posting on my wrong day. I wasn’t able to get this up in time for my regular day last week. Sorry, MMWs!

I’m sure I don’t have to point out to any of our American readers—and possibly not our international readers either—that this has been a rough presidential election year for the US. Now, what I want to say here is somewhat political, but it’s more about who we are as people. So I hope you’ll stick with me in a dicey subject.

Many of us have struggled with who to vote for, and I’m not going to address that at all. That’s your decision, and I only suggest that it be made with prayer and consideration. But no matter who we vote for, there are some things I think we can and should do.

I was reading this past week about when Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount. As you may remember, He says this: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). This struck me forcibly as I thought about the news, the general world that we live in, and this election in particular.

There’s a nearly 100 percent chance that we will end this cycle with a president I personally am unhappy with, someone I am not naturally inclined to love (since, to be frank, I don’t like either of the major party candidates). Regardless of who wins, around the country there will be anger, name calling, scandals, fights. This is inevitable and I can’t change the general climate. But what I can change is my own response.

I can pray for the future leaders of this country, even if they feel like enemies. I can pray for those who show their displeasure in immature, unpleasant, and even violent ways. I can pray, and by praying I can increase my love (even if I still don’t like them).*

But how can you pray for them sincerely, you ask? I have given some thought to this, and here are some of the things I feel like I can genuinely pray for, no matter who it is:

*That they will be guided to choose the best possible advisors and friends.
*That they will listen to wise counsels to the greatest extent possible.
*That they will be moved to strive for nobility in action, even when it’s difficult.
*That they will experience the true joy that comes from choosing righteous paths, and that that joy will lead them to seek more good.
*That they will be protected from making choices that will lead to their own and others’ suffering.
*In general that they will find wisdom and then find joy in following wisdom’s path.

Are these not things that we can ask for anyone who enters an office, no matter whether we consider them enemies or those who despitefully use us? Are these not things that we should be able to pray for all?

I guess no matter how we feel about our elected officials this election season or any other, no matter how we feel about our neighbors, our acquaintances, the anonymous commenters on news articles, I hope we will find the moral courage and the true charity (AKA love) to pray.

*Yes, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to love someone even if you don’t like what they do or want to hang out and get pizza together.

Not Even Politicians

-a post by Jeanna Mason Stay

*Jeanna steps up on soapbox to air a grievance.*

Look, I’m probably preaching to the choir here. At least, I hope I am. But I’ve got to get this said: All human beings deserve some minimal level of civility. Even people whose opinions and actions we can’t stand.

When I was growing up, my dad had a rule: Never call anyone “stupid.” I don’t know how he managed it, but by and large I remember my siblings abiding this rule, as well as just generally not calling one another mean names. I still have a hard time even saying “stupid.” It just feels . . . wrong.

However, my dad also had an exception: politicians. Politicians got called all sorts of bad things in our household.

I don’t know that I gave it much thought when I was a kid, but when I think of it now, this just doesn’t sit right with me. Politicians, incidentally, happen to be human, just like the rest of us. Sure, they’re out there in the public realm more than most of us, and they had better have some seriously thick skin, but their thick skin doesn’t entitle us to behave badly.

And that’s what I see constantly, especially in politics, but in other areas online as well. People behaving just really badly.

You’re allowed to disagree, you’re allowed to critique, you’re allowed to think someone else’s politics are downright appalling. But if you aren’t capable of doing anything beyond calling them and their ideas stupid, then I’m really not very impressed.

Now, honestly, I usually stay out of politics. This probably has something to do with the atmosphere in which I was raised—where everyone was treated reasonably kindly, except the politicians. It also has to do with just having a nonconfrontational personality. I don’t really like conflict. I do, however, have some pretty strong opinions this time around, and none of them are very pleasant to dwell on. But I’m a human being, capable of choosing the words I use. Better yet—I’m a writer! I know how to wordsmith, right? I can refine the words I use so they are clear, reasonable, and respectful. And so can everyone else. What a nice world that would be.

If nothing else, can we all just remember an incredibly basic tenet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Little children sing it all over the world just about every Sunday. “I am a child of God.” And by extension, so is everyone else—the politician you can’t stand, the anonymous commenter on some internet chat board, the rude lady who did a lousy job of bagging your groceries the other day, and your next door neighbor who’s just a little too nosy.

Now imagine that you are saying your words to this “child of God’s” face—with that Heavenly Parent standing just behind him/her.

Would you do it?

If not, maybe try just a little bit harder to be civil.

*Jeanna steps off soapbox.*