Living in a democratic Country!
I am so grateful that I live in the United States of America, a democratic nation that gives me the right to vote! I am grateful that we have the ability to have a say in who will lead us both locally, at the state and at the Federal level. I strongly believe that if we choose not to exercise our agency in this one small way that one day we will find ourselves wondering how our town, state, and country got to a place that we no longer recognize or want to live. There is much in our world that we cannot control, that we have no say in, that cause us daily shock and dismay. However if we do not stand up and speak up at this very basic level we will come to the moment when our voices range among the vocal minority and simply are not heard any more.
I appreciate Elder Dallin H. Oak's thoughts on this topic, in a recent address delivered to the students of BYU on the "Threat of Our "Religious Freedom".
An excerpt from "The Mormon Ethic of Civility":
I am grateful for the founding fathers of our country who recognized how important it was to have a country that allowed each and every adult citizen the right and responsibility to steer the course of our nation. I am also grateful to those who took time out of their day last Tuesday to go to the polls and vote.
PostScript--I was happy to see that my precinct had a little over 3 times the voter turn out for the general election than voted in the Primary election. However I am saddened that this was still less than 10% of those registered to vote. I am trying to be happy with small changes and to any of you who did go and vote I am grateful that you added your voice to mine in speaking up for who our local leaders should be for the coming years.
I appreciate Elder Dallin H. Oak's thoughts on this topic, in a recent address delivered to the students of BYU on the "Threat of Our "Religious Freedom".
An excerpt from "The Mormon Ethic of Civility":
The political world is astir. Economies are faltering. Public trust is waning. Individuals feel vulnerable. And social cohesion wears thin. Meanwhile, stories of rage and agitation fill our airwaves, streets and town halls. Where are the voices of balance and moderation in these extreme times? During a recent address given in an interfaith setting, Church President Thomas S. Monson declared: "When a spirit of goodwill prompts our thinking and when united effort goes to work on a common problem, the results can be most gratifying." Further, former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley once said that living “together in communities with respect and concern one for another” is “the hallmark of civilization.” That hallmark is under increasing threat.You can read the entire commentary, here: The Mormon Ethic of Civility
I am grateful for the founding fathers of our country who recognized how important it was to have a country that allowed each and every adult citizen the right and responsibility to steer the course of our nation. I am also grateful to those who took time out of their day last Tuesday to go to the polls and vote.
PostScript--I was happy to see that my precinct had a little over 3 times the voter turn out for the general election than voted in the Primary election. However I am saddened that this was still less than 10% of those registered to vote. I am trying to be happy with small changes and to any of you who did go and vote I am grateful that you added your voice to mine in speaking up for who our local leaders should be for the coming years.
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