On a Different Note

I will forgo my plans for the follow up post to discuss something a little more important. Yes, even more important than politics. The blog is called, "Religion and Politics", and I thought it could use a little more religion. You can tell me what you think.

Elder Richard G. Scott gave a very inspiring talk, as usual, at the past General Conference. Some of his statements have caused me to contemplate the fundamental principles of faith.

He said, "Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them". Wait a minute, I thought it was a good thing to become "ever more dependent on Them"? The implications of his statement deserve deep consideration.

Never does our reliance upon the Lord relieve us of our responsibility. Never does our dependence upon Them justify a lack of effort on our part. There are things to act, and things to be acted upon (2 Ne 2). We are not here on earth just to be God's pawns, we have a sphere of influence. God uses His servants, He uses His friends, not pawns, to accomplish His work.

What actions are we not taking today, which, if taken, would bless the life of another? What invitation are we not offering today, which, if offered, would result in a less active friend or neighbor joining us at Church this Sunday? I wonder if the power to work miracles lies within us more often than it does in another? Does God depend on us to bless His children?

The Lord has made great promises to His faithful saints, they don't all need to be repeated here. He says, "signs follow those which believe" (D&C 63:9). Are we living in a manner that would produce such "signs"? Do we ever take action that draws the Lord into our lives because our action demonstrates our faith in His promises? Or do we live in a manner that doesn't necessarily include Him or require His intervention and support? Do we even think about it?

The much repeated slogan of President Hinckley's life comes to mind. I repeat it here once again but with a few added words for emphasis of what I believe he was teaching. "Pray as if everything depends on the Lord, because it does. Go to work as if everything depends on you, because it does."

A Flawed System?

Recently I have had some interesting discussions with friends and acquaintances regarding corruption in our federal government. My frustration with the lack of conversation on religion and politics, as described in my previous post, resulted in a minor outburst on my part. I decided to see if I could drum up some talk by sending a shotgun email out to just about everybody in my contact list. I included everyone from old bosses to college friends I haven't spoken to in years. In the email I asked simple questions about the recipients' views on corruption in our government. In all I sent the email to 94 people and got 15 responses.

There were two main themes in the discussions which ensued, which I think are probably fairly accurate indicators of how most people are feeling.

One common thread was that we have a flawed system. The idea that any time you have individuals in positions of power, greed and pride will enter in and prevent true representation. Even if good people get in, they will ultimately do whatever it takes to get reelected and become corrupt.

With the proposition that our system is not perfect, I agree. We know that until Christ reigns there will be no perfect system. However, I believe it is worth taking a closer look at the flaws in the system and what it is that is going to make Christ's kingdom perfect. That said, I reject the proposal that our flawed system is what got us here. The responsibility for that lies with we the people.

Truly, "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." (D&C 121:39) But leadership does not create the problems. The granting and exercising of authority prevent things from working as they should.

Evidence of this is found in the amazing men who established this nation. They had a moment of opportunity unlike any other. In the process of founding a government they could have granted themselves power, but they chose to spread it out. George Washington refused to serve a third presidential term of his own accord. He and the others exemplified the principles demonstrated by Mosiah and his sons. "Neither would Aaron take upon him the kingdom, neither were any of the sons of Mosiah willing to take upon them the kingdom." For they knew that "if it were possible that you could have just men to be your kings, who would establish the laws of God...then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you." "For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!" (Mosiah 29)

I suppose then that the "flaw" is that "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." (John Adams) Yes, it is unfortunate that the founding fathers could not put something together that would prevent a wicked and adulterous nation from destroying itself. If the weakness of our Constitution is that unrighteous people can prevent it from working, then Christ's system is equally "flawed", is it not? Zionlike nations can only be founded and maintained by righteous individuals. This doesn't make the system of Zion weak, it actually makes it perfect. "The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness." (Moses 7:18)

No, the Constitutional system does not provide an excuse for corruption just because it cannot accommodate pride and sin. No societal organization, which allows for any degree agency, will ever really work until each individual dwelling therein is living righteous principles.

I thank the four people who read my last post. Though I don't really write for your sake, I find it motivating. I still don't know how three of you found out about it, but thank you for the kind comments.

The next post will contain the second common thread from my shotgun email.