Reiterating: Get Informed, Get Involved

After finding this counsel in article from the February Ensign magazine, I feel somewhat vindicated in my new avocation in madness.

I am aspiring to get involved in political activism.  Even though I passionately hate to be involved in public affairs.  I am a very private person by nature.  It goes against my natural inclination to force myself into public performances.  I have always preferred to sit in the back.  I gravitate toward the back of the chapel, the back seat of the bus, and the less-noticed bystander on the edges of the crowd.  I long for the freedom of isolation that comes with wilderness places, shunned by the thundering herd.

The Ensign article explores the idea,

IN TODAY’S WORLD, LATTER-DAY SAINTS NEED TO BECOME WELL INFORMED SO THEY CAN SPEAK UP AND ENGAGE INTELLIGENTLY IN CAUSES THAT CONCERN THEM.

I do not have any particular talents that distinguish me, other than plenty of time on my hands.

So far, only a few people have honestly questioned my sanity, and nobody has questioned my sincerity.

The article asserts,

The exaltation and happiness of any community goes hand in hand with the knowledge possessed by the people.  (Joseph Smith)

The man who cannot listen to an argument which opposes his views either has a weak position or is a weak defender of it. No opinion that cannot stand discussion or criticism is worth holding. And it has been wisely said that the man who knows only half of any question is worse off than the man who knows nothing of it. He is not only one sided, but his partisanship soon turns him into an intolerant and a fanatic. In general it is true that nothing which cannot stand up under discussion and criticism is worth defending.  (As quoted by James E. Talmage)

As we educate ourselves on issues and decide a position to take, it’s important to seek the Lord’s will. Once we have studied an issue thoroughly—including the scriptures and the words of our leaders—we can then pray about our decision with confidence that the Lord will guide us. The Savior told Oliver Cowdery, “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (D&C 9:8).

There is nothing new or startling about such principles.  Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, was concerned that the people must be educated to qualify them for the responsibilities of self-government.

I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves: and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is, not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.  This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.  (Thomas Jefferson)

And one of the best-known quotes from Joseph Smith, in answer to a question about how he managed the government of such a large body.

I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.  (Joseph Smith)

I have discovered a mission to be all about helping to learn and teach and advocate for correct principles of self-government.

And finally in our efforts, we should always keep in mind,

Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  (2 Kings 6:16)

Get Informed, Get Involved

After finding this counsel in article from the February Ensign magazine, I feel somewhat vindicated in my new avocation in madness.

I am aspiring to get involved in political activism.  Even though I passionately hate to be involved in public affairs.  I am a very private person by nature.  It goes against my natural inclination to force myself into public performances.  I have always preferred to sit in the back.  I gravitate toward the back of the chapel, the back seat of the bus, and the less-noticed bystander on the edges of the crowd.  I long for the freedom of isolation that comes with wilderness places, shunned by the thundering herd.

The Ensign article explores the idea,

In today’s world, Latter-day Saints need to become well informed so they can speak up and engage intelligently in causes that concern them.

I do not have any particular talents that distinguish me, other than plenty of time on my hands. 

So far, only a few people have honestly questioned my sanity, and nobody has questioned my sincerity.

The article asserts,

The exaltation and happiness of any community goes hand in hand with the knowledge possessed by the people.  (Joseph Smith)

The man who cannot listen to an argument which opposes his views either has a weak position or is a weak defender of it. No opinion that cannot stand discussion or criticism is worth holding. And it has been wisely said that the man who knows only half of any question is worse off than the man who knows nothing of it. He is not only one sided, but his partisanship soon turns him into an intolerant and a fanatic. In general it is true that nothing which cannot stand up under discussion and criticism is worth defending.  (As quoted by James E. Talmage)

As we educate ourselves on issues and decide a position to take, it’s important to seek the Lord’s will. Once we have studied an issue thoroughly—including the scriptures and the words of our leaders—we can then pray about our decision with confidence that the Lord will guide us. The Savior told Oliver Cowdery, “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (D&C 9:8).

There is nothing new or startling about such principles.  Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, was concerned that the people must be educated to qualify them for the responsibilities of self-government.

I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves: and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is, not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.  This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.  (Thomas Jefferson)

And one of the best-known quotes from Joseph Smith, in answer to a question about how he managed the government of such a large body.

I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.  (Joseph Smith)

I have discovered a mission to be all about helping to learn and teach and advocate for correct principles of self-government.

And finally in our efforts, we should always keep in mind,

Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  (2 Kings 6:16)

The Best Time To Plant a Tree

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
 
In this month's Ensign, President Uctdorf counsels, 

Now is the best time to start becoming the person we eventually want to be—not only 20 years from now but also for all eternity.  (January 2014 Ensign, First Presidency Message)

I have long resisted the idea of making "New Years Resolutions", just because it is January.  It strikes me as rather arbitrary rationale.  But I do see that there is merit in the idea of considering the present as a good launching point.  And I am quite accomplished at procrastination, so this is particularly pertinent counsel for me to consider.

I am reminded of an occasion several years ago, when there arose an issue of some controversy here in Provo.  The administrators at BYU had invited vice-president Dick Cheney to be the guest speaker at the commencement ceremony.  Some people decided that they didn't care for him, and they tried to organize protests and political sort of stuff in an attempt to block him from speaking.  It never amounted to much more than another superficial media fest, and Cheney delivered a nice speech, despite the controversy.

One point that intrigued me at the time was one of Cheney's private insights of wisdom that he shared.  I have remembered it.  He said that he had never intended to become involved in politics in the first place.  It was never one of his life ambitions.  But unexpected things kept springing up, as they do through the course of life, presenting him with many unique opportunities.  He said that setting goals was the enabling factor that prepared him to take advantage of these opportunities, when they became available.  When Mr. Bush unexpectedly called him up one day with an invitation to join with him on the presidential ticket, Mr. Cheney said was ready.

Mr. Cheney made reference to the military aphorism that "no battle plan ever survives the first contact with the enemy".  But, he asserted, he made careful plans anyway, because they enabled him to make good, intelligent choices, rather than just reacting or not.  It makes the difference between informed choice and a galvanic response.  One is considered, the other is just an automatic knee-jerk.

President Uctdorf assures us that setting goals is a "worthy endeavor", and that procrastination can "derail" our best efforts. 

Sometimes the thing that holds us back is fear. We might be afraid that we won’t succeed, that we will succeed, that we might be embarrassed, that success might change us, or that it might change the people we love.

And so we wait. Or give up.  (Ibid)

Attempting to withdraw from the struggle is obviously not the best outcome.   It is well worth the effort to press on with our intended goals despite adversity.  Another advantage of advance planning...

We almost certainly will fail—at least in the short term. But rather than be discouraged, we can be empowered because this understanding removes the pressure of being perfect right now. It acknowledges from the beginning that at one time or another, we may fall short. Knowing this up front takes away much of the surprise and discouragement of failure.  (Ibid)