The Golden Rule

So, let’s talk about the race for president this year. I have some opinions, but let me bring to your attention that none of my opinions have to do with the actual candidates. Because since when was it my job to judge somebody just because they sin differently than me?

Oh that’s right, it’s not. 

We live in a society that is constantly throwing opposite ideas at us and this might just be one of the biggest ones I have seen yet. 

We see all the time people posting pictures of inspiring quotes about not judging others, about accepting everybody how they are, helping people who are struggling or who don’t understand certain concepts yet, however these same people then post things on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. “[candidate] is sexist.” “[candidate] is a liar.”

Okay.

And have you looked in the mirror lately?

Alright, maybe your flaws aren’t the same flaws, but they’re there.

Granted, you aren’t running for president, so you’ve got that going for you, but then again, you aren’t running for president so who are you to judge those who are? 

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…” (John 8:7)

There are no conditions in that story. The woman that Jesus Christ himself saved was an adulterer. “And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

Now let’s take a moment to put this into perspective. 

We are all children of God and His love for us is infinite. So infinite in fact, that He sent His only begotten son to the earth to atone for our sins that we might have the chance to live with Him again. Jesus Christ suffered, was crucified, and was resurrected, all for us. 

For every single one of us.

Obviously, we must learn to accept him in our lives and use the atonement that he has provided, but just picture Jesus putting himself in front of the adulterer to protect her, or in front of yourself, your brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, children and grandchildren…

[insert name of presidential candidate]

Are they not children of God, too?

Fortunately in the story that the Bible portrays, the people realized pretty quick that none of them were without sin and nobody threw a rock, but today, the situation is not the same. Today, people are hurling rocks at anybody and anything, people we don’t even know personally, even friends and on occasion, our own family members, not only blood-related but in our family of faith. 

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

So those rocks you’re throwing, are you really throwing them at a presidential candidate? At a work colleague? At a brother or sister?

Or are they all hitting that one person that put himself in front of them to protect them? 

Is this not exactly what Satan wants? 

Have we not all fallen into his snare?

Even if we do not agree, even if what they are doing is not morally correct, we do not have the right to judge them as people. That is not our job. 

We as followers of Christ more than ever in these times need to be the light in a world of constant chaos. We should be building others up; not tearing them down, whether they be presidential candidates or relatives. What kind of example are we giving to the people around us (friends, coworkers, bosses, children) as we post degrading or cruel comments or articles? And what kind of behavior are we showing our Father in Heaven?

We are not animals. We are not objects. We choose how to react. 

So are we choosing to be like Christ, “at all times, and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in…”? (Mosiah 18:9)

Or are we letting a presidential race affect our relationship with God?

If you don’t agree with a candidate or consider them unfit, find a different one and get over it. 

Does putting nasty comments on Facebook change anything? Has it ever?

Support righteousness and good morals; don’t waste your time stepping on the other guy. I guarantee it’s going to stick with you a lot longer than with them.

Hypothetical situation time: 

     You’re in the library. You hear a person talking about something you did across the room. You would probably ignore it, am I right?

     Now, you’re still in the library, but this time a person approaches you and addresses you personally about something you’ve done. In this case you might have a bit more interest, no?

Do you get where I’m going here?

It does no good to talk about people, only through talking to people can we get things accomplished. So seeing as none of us will probably ever get the chance to talk face to face with one of the presidential candidates, it’s best we show them with our vote what we think, no nasty Facebook argument necessary. 

Let’s just all get along. Life is hard enough for all of us without throwing this in. Get out of the house for a bit, go for a walk, revel in the fact that you are alive and you are a child of God. Vote wisely and quietly; don’t allow Satan to use you as his tool to create contention. 

Standing up for good morals and righteousness doesn’t mean standing on top of your opponent, it means standing next to them on a bedrock podium of unshakeable testimony and unquestionable virtue, alright people? 

And if after all this you still don’t know who to vote for… vote for yourself!

Just kidding, actually please educate yourself about all the possible candidates, but in the right place (i.e. not social media), and try voting according to your conscience, having taken all factors into account.

The presidential race will end; it’s not going to last forever. In comparison to the eternities we will live and have already lived before this life, this moment in time is nothing. In reality, our decisions right now are both of great and little importance: if the presidential race is causing you to change how you react to situations and comments in a negative way, that will be reflected in a negative light at that great and last day, whereas if we continue to follow Christ, be examples of Him, and love all people, that will also be reflected, but as a virtue. 

So, let’s just remember who we are, what we stand for, and let us always follow the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.