It is hard to get through a day without being bombarded with hearing or seeing politcal ads, discussion and opinions. You may be looking forward to November for it to be "all over", but let me suggest that we should be looking forward to November because we have the right and privilege to cast our vote in the staet and federal elections. I make that distinction for a reason I will discuss later in this post.
Elder L. Tom Perry in 1998 stated, "The 11th and 12th Articles profess our belief in religious liberty, tolerance, and agency. Agency is one of the great gits of God to His children. It allows all men and women the right to choose for themselves and to earn their own individual salvation. Also declared is our belief in secular governments and "in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law" of the land (A of F 1:12)."
Those Articles of Faith read as follows:
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 .We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
"Voting in government elections and performing other civic duties when we have the opportunity is a sacred responsibility, a God-given blessing, and a duty to be carried out with honor and trust."
Michael A. Neider, October 2012 Ensign.
We need to take seriously the sacred responsibility we have as we vote in the upcoming election. We need to look past the persuasive rhetoric and outright, inflammatory bashing of candidates by one another and focus on the issues, solutions and values put forth by candidates. As dramatic and important as the presidential or federal election is, we should realize that local candidates and state representation is a more effective part of our voting. This grass roots level is where we can have the dictates of our own conscience expressed most influentialy.
Another thing to keep in mind is tolerance. Just as we allow all men the same privilege of worshipping according to their own conscience, we acknowledge their right to vote according to their conscience. By showing one another mutual respect and listening without bias, we can at least understand better opposing points of view and look for common ground rather than judging and getting into heated debate. The more effectively we listen and respect, the more likely we will be listened to and our opinions respected.
The Church does not "endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates, or plateforms." But it does address, in a non partisan way, issues that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church."*
Sisters, let us be well-informed as we carry out with tolerance, honor and trust, our sacred responsibility.
Sister Chris Jackson
First Counselor Centralia Stake Relief Society Presidency
* [See also Answering questions on Political Neutrality of the Church, October Ensign p.41]
