My biggest hang up over voting for either of the two main party candidates is that I just don't trust them. I don't trust that they have America's best interest at heart. They scare me and I just don't believe the words that come out of their mouths.
But just because I view them with a lens of fear, worry, and disbelief doesn't mean that I don't live with faith, hope, and confidence. Here are a few things that I do believe:
America is Already Great!
Photo Credit Julie Wilson Burr
- There is a loving Heavenly Father who loves and cares for all of us more than we can comprehend, and that includes Hilary and Trump. All men and women are created equal and should be treated as such.
- Though it's not our place to unrighteously judge others for their choices, we need to consider the facts as we move forward to the future.
- "No matter who you're voting for, we're all children of God." -James the Mormon
- There's a bigger picture than who our president is for 4-8 years and perhaps there's a more wholistic view to take on this narrow-sighted election.
- Principles are more important than party.
- “Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently" (D&C 98:10).
- I believe that the Lord demands of those who are to represent us... must be good, wise, and honest. --Benson
- I can vote for or write in the very best candidate even if they don't have a chance of winning (for the record, 3rd party does have the chance of winning).
- My vote is my voice, and my voice is one of hope and optimism for the future of my religion, family, and community.
- We Americans have the blessing and the responsibility to independently exercise our right to vote, and voting is a right.
- My vote is too valuable to be wasted as a "stop the other person" vote, but rather it "is an opportunity to stand for principle" and that vote, my vote can be a "badge of honor" -Mindy Finn
- On November 9th, I can move forward with confidence knowing that I voted for a man who lives a life of virtue, honor, and sacrifice.
- The founding fathers were prepared, inspired, led, and sustained by God.
- All Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
- Standing up for right required sacrifice then as it does now.
- "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." -John Adams
- The fight for freedom isn't always popular.
- We must fight for religious freedom and for its parallel freedoms of speech and assembly.
Stand for what's Right:
- Contention is of the devil, as are contentious behaviors that turn people against each other; no matter our political differences we can be kind and respectful in the way we communicate them.
- As we seek to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand. We must not surrender our positions or our values." -Oaks
- Religion, values, and wisdom are taught in the home regardless of who's in the Oval office.
- "Nations around the world look to the United States as a light of hope." Evan McMullin
- The future of our country is still in God's hands and He is worthy of my trust, faith, and hope.
- “It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and unpopular that which is unsound. ‘Tis right, politically, for a man who has influence to use it - Joseph Smith
- The constitution will be saved by the righteous citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church—among others—men and women who understand and abide the principles of the Constitution. -Benson
- God of heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has now sent other choice spirits to help preserve it." -Benson
- God can give us the faith and the courage exhibited by those patriots who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
- Light is stronger than dark and in the end, good always prevails
At the end of the day:
- Temporary rifts between friends will heal as we collectively work to share goodness.
- "We should follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. We should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. -Oaks
- “When our positions do not prevail, we should accept unfavorable results graciously and practice civility with our adversaries.”-Oaks
- I believe that Hope is a characteristic Christian virtue and that we can keep moving when we trust in the Lord that all will work out. There is no fear in love.
- Regardless of external circumstances, my home can be a heaven on earth filled with faith, love, respect, and joy.
- No matter the outcome, we will continue to be law abiding citizens as the fight for good continues and no matter our political differences we can be kind and respectful in the way we communicate them and that we can find joy and goodness as we share light and goodness in our respective neighborhoods, schools, and communities.
God Bless America this day and Forever!
