I have to admit that on this election day, I could hardly think of anything to write about that did not directly relate to politics. While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints maintains political neutrality, politics are still a very hot topic among LDS members. And, I have to say that I have been ashamed by some of the comments I have seen by LDS members of the church opposing other parties.
Politics and Religion are two things that do not go hand in hand very easily. However, I have felt that during this election year, I have seen behavior by both my LDS and non-LDS friends that has angered me. Yet, when I see an LDS person who is outright hateful in their political remarks, I can’t help but feel ashamed that we share the same religion. After all, as members of the church, we are supposed to follow the ultimate example, Jesus Christ. And, He taught that it is our responsibility to love all men. Even our enemies.
Let’s take this recent innocent article that was published about the Mormon Helping Hands organization and their hurricane relief efforts in the northeast. The article was not meant to be political, but the comments on the article turned political and ugly quickly.
I am tired of the blaming and the over generalization between political parties. “No Good Mormon can be a Good Democrat” is just an example of the type of negative comments I read on a daily basis. Why is it that when we are a church that is supposed to be loving, kind, and accepting, that we can’t even accept each other in our differences of political opinions?
Our church is made up of a diverse background. Mormons were not all born and raised in Utah. We do not all share the same political beliefs. Just because a Mormon is running for president does not mean that all mormons must vote for him. We have not been told this by our church leaders.
I just wish that more Mormons would accept that we are a diverse country, and we are a diverse church. Show love and compassion, and be accepting of others and their political views. We are lucky enough to live in a country where we have the right to vote, so the best way to voice your opinion is to do it at the polls and leave the negativity and back biting to those that don’t know any better.