Make America Great Again

This inspiring slogan obviously does not inspire some who happen to live here. Some are determined to make themselves and everyone else as unhappy as they are about most everything. Perhaps because these unhappy people always seem more inclined to dispute that America was all that great in the first place.  This is an odd posture to adapt - it appears to me to compromise the very things that gave this country greatness in the first place.

I am proud to be an American.  Not necessarily because our history looks back on a perfect story.  But because we look up to the ideals that lifted us up historically, and gave us the will to look forward, to go on.  In spite of the challenges.  In spite of our imperfections.  My ancestors handed me an incredible inheritance, a place where opportunity was literally only limited by our own imagination.

Have we always been perfect?  No, that was never the promise.  Any who demand a record without blemish will need to look elsewhere, because it is not to be found here.  We all have our own imperfections.  But with the determination of our forefathers, the ideal is still within our vision.  And within our reach.

Mormons Building Bridges to Nowhere

In Utah, one of the most visible local manifestations of homosexual activism seems to be the staging of the annual "Pride" demonstration.

One group advocating for their own exclusive community refers to themselves as "Mormons Building Bridges".  In this instance, the label is intentionally misleading, since the hallmark characteristic of the group appears to be a concerted effort to impose protective walls of separation around certain groups of more sensitive people. 

The fact that this group chooses to stage their demonstrations within view of the temple in Salt Lake City seems particularly aimed to promote derision for the Mormon Church.

It seems intended to be the homosexual advocates answer to the popular annual Pioneer Day celebration staged in the same location on a different day.

The name some members of this group have chosen to identify themselves is particularly ironic.  Rather than building any effective social "bridges", they seem to advocate from the perspective of people who have wilfully alienated themselves from the Mormon Church and Mormon teaching.  In this they effectively act to tear down any existing "bridges" that might exist, apparently anticipating that the entire Mormon community will somehow transform themselves, and concede to demands for "reform" and revision that would serve to accommodate  homosexual advocacy groups.  In a social niche that publicly and vociferously advocates for what they prefer to characterize as "choice", what they seem to be seeking is suspension of any resulting consequences for choosing to engage in deviant behavior, in violation of rules and moral standards which Mormon culture teaches and believes.

Also ironic are attempts some members of these special interests have made to characterize homosexual behavior as "normal" or "natural".  The effort seems to promote a sort of cognitive dissonance, with "normal" but uniquely colorful figures participating in a public pageant that seems intended to accentuate their differences.

Advocacy of this genre appears to exploit the public sympathy for "collective guilt", generally preferring to overlook scriptural admonitions that fail to support such theories.

Another cry commonly raised is that protesters are motivated by "Christlike love".  This argument pointedly ignores that Jesus regularly condemned the unrepentant.  We cannot serve two masters.  It is impossible to please the Lord without resisting the wiles of the adversary.  As writer Orson Scott Card has so aptly put it, 

Those whose "kindness" causes them to wink at sin are not being kind at all, for the only hope of joy that these people have is to recognize their sin and repent of it.   True kindness is to be ever courteous and warm toward individuals, while confronting them always with our rejection of any argument justifying their self-gratification.  (Orson Scott Card, "The Hypocrites of Homosexuality").

"Pride" is yet another term that has been coopted by homosexual groups.  The word used to mean something specific, but now it has become rather exclusively associated with flagrant demonstrations that tend to characterize people focused on the promotion and normalization of homosexuality.

A number of other formerly useful terms are now employed in specifically nuanced ways to obscure all the real implications of homosexual behavior.  One of the most commonly used words that is now used in this context is "equality".

Ironically, in this context the term connotes almost the opposite of the original meaning.  What the group is advocating for basically constitutes special pleading to justify exclusive treatment and a unique set of social rules for a specific group of minority interests.

Members of the group appear to find satisfaction in expressions of contempt for Mormon culture and community.  For example, the effigy figure of a former Mormon political candidate displayed in juxtaposition with promoting a locally popular black-humor satire intended to ridicule local Mormon culture and customs.

One of the common charges such groups level at the Mormon Church is that repressive rules tend to increase stress and depression among those that even bother worrying about trivial things like God's commandments.  In the groups of interest this supposedly results in high rates of abuse for prescription drugs such as Prozac, and even in increased incidence of suicide in some communities.  It is particularly to be deplored if any member of the homosexual community or the feminists might feel depressed or inclined to suicide.

This display of compassion  seems to be reserved for sufferers in the fringe interest groups, however.  It appears to be one of those ideas that can be expressed by a slogan on a protest placard or even a tee-shirt.  Purported "studies" of increased problems experienced by Mormon women or would-be Mormon homosexuals never seem to notice that just about everyone encounters similar challenges, apparently whether they be Mormon or not.

 

As with other such demonstrations, it rather begs the question.  In a manner of speaking, why should we realistically expect to have the mountain come to Mohammed?

October 2008 General Conference: Answering our accusers in the Savior’s way

I am somewhat unhappy about Elder Hales conference talk on how to respond to dissidents and those who would make accusations.

Elder Hales speaks against responding in kind. His counsel is:

When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return.

I can tell you, nothing could be more difficult, for me. When I hear attacks against the things I know are true, my first impulse is always to fight back. I will have to change my responses to conform to Elder Hales' counsel. Elder Hales further counsels:

This is especially important in our interactions with members of other Christian denominations. Surely our Heavenly Father is saddened—and the devil laughs—when we contentiously debate doctrinal differences with our Christian neighbors.

I am made especially uncomfortable at this suggestion. Let me not be found guilty of making the devil laugh. The mental image of demonic laughter haunts me. It is very unpleasant to think of myself this way.


He goes on to extend this idea further:

This is not to suggest that we compromise our principles or dilute our beliefs. We cannot change the doctrines of the restored gospel, even if teaching and obeying them makes us unpopular in the eyes of the world. Yet even as we feel to speak the word of God with boldness, we must pray to be filled with the Holy Ghost (see Acts 4:29, 31). We should never confuse boldness with Satan’s counterfeit: overbearance (see Alma 38:12). True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride.

This part serves as answer to some of my misgivings about pride. There is a significant distinction between the kind of pride that lends us quiet confidence and the quality that leads to the hubris of boastful bragging. We can be forewarned by the kind of attitude our proud feelings lead us to.

Elder Hales further distinguishes between confident speaking and boastful pride:

As true disciples, our primary concern must be others’ welfare, not personal vindication. Questions and criticisms give us an opportunity to reach out to others and demonstrate that they matter to our Heavenly Father and to us. Our aim should be to help them understand the truth, not defend our egos or score points in a theological debate. Our heartfelt testimonies are the most powerful answer we can give our accusers. And such testimonies can only be born in love and meekness.

Thus our personal motive for acting is a key to knowing if we are moved by charity and genuine concern for others, or if our acts are self-serving and centered upon our own interest.

Elder Hales makes a good recommendation for those who are confused like me, and seek some guideline for personal behavior:

We should be like Edward Partridge, of whom the Lord said, “His heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile” (Doctrine and Covenants 41:11). To be guileless is to have a childlike innocence, to be slow to take offense and quick to forgive.

I will have to consider this idea further. It certainly sheds some light on my questions about pride -- but perhaps not in the way that pleases me. I need to change my thinking somewhat to accommodate. Not easy advice to follow.

Questions about Pride

I do not understand warnings from church leaders regarding pride.

To be proud of personal accomplishment is a great motivator. We attempt and accomplish much, overcome many personal challenges, because we feel some sense of pride in our ability. Is this a bad thing?

We discussed this issue briefly in Sunday school lesson this week. The lesson presents an illustration called "The Pride Cycle".


The outcome of discussion furthered my confusion.

I have even further confusion from popular usage of the term "pride" which seems to have been co opted for exclusive usage by militant homosexual groups demanding normalization and acceptance for their perverted habits. This is obvously not the "pride" I am referring to.

President Benson gave the classic speech counselling church members "Beware of Pride". But according to my understanding, he was one of the proudest men imaginable. I have heard that he favored a saying that was even written down on a plaque that he kept on his desk -- "Be right, then be nice. But first, be right." Something like that seems characteristic of a very proud man. Apparently, Benson was considered stubborn and intractable by many.

I don't know. I think he was a man of strong convictions. But I am confused about how to distinguish between firm, unshakeable faith and overwhelming personal pride. As far as I can judge, it amounts to very nearly the same thing.

Political discord

Allow me to preach a bit of repentance here. Feel free to read into it whatever you feel is appropriate.

I cannot imagine what it is about political discussions that seems to make otherwise perfectly nice people suddenly become mentally unstable, abusive, and emotionally volatile. This phenomenon, the tendency to segregate into angry groups that incubate nothing but growing polarized animosity toward others of different views, jeopardizes every legitimate claim we might make on aspiring to become the Lord's Zion people. If we pursue our personal ends under such tactics, I am certain the Lord will disclaim us and the fruits of our efforts.

Our model in such instances ought to follow the example of inspired leaders, none of whom resort to public censure or harsh personal invective to convey the message. They teach correct principles, and good government is the inevitable result.

Perhaps a quick review of President Benson's speech on pride would be an appropriate reminder.

The central feature of pride is enmity--enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means "hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition." It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others.

The scriptures testify that the proud are easily offended and hold grudges. (See 1 Ne. 16:1-3.) They withhold forgiveness to keep another in their debt and to justify their injured feelings.

Let us choose to be humble.

We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. (See D&C 38:24; D&C 81:5; D&C 84:106.)

We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. (See 3 Ne. 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10.)

Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can.

Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 4