Blessed are ye: a svithe

While I expressed some concern after the election, I have to say that I am not bitter that Obama is now our President. I have actually felt pretty peaceful that we are where we need to be. What does that mean exactly? I'm not sure. I know it doesn't mean life will be all roses and no thorns. I have a feeling that both good and bad things will come. All I know is that what comes will come (good or bad), and we should worry most about the things directly in our control. What is in our control? Our hearts. Our words. Our actions.

This svithe is actually inspired by my cousin's 8 year old daughter. My cousin posted that the other night in prayers her daughter said,

"We are thankful for President Monson (the leader of our church) and for President Obama. Please bless him, and bless us that we will like him soon..."

From the mouth of babes! I think she hit the nail on the head. President Obama is the President of the United States and he needs our prayers.

Luke chapter 6 also holds some very pertinent lessons for those of us who weren't quite elated at the election outcome.

vs. 27 "Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you."
vs. 28 "Pray for them which despitefully use you."
vs. 30 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
vs. 36 "Be ye merciful"

Another verse I thought was relevant to the outburst and protestation of Prop 8 and The Church.

vs. 22 "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall separate you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake."

My cousin pointed me to an amazing talk given by Neal A. Maxwell way back in '78. I swear it could have been written yesterday!

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions."

"In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ!"

"This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened. "

"If people, however, are not permitted to advocate, to assert, and to bring to bear, in every legitimate way, the opinions and views they hold which grow out of their religious convictions, what manner of men and women would we be?"

"If the challenge of the secular church becomes very real, let us, as in all other relationships, be principled but pleasant. Let us be perceptive without being pompous. Let us have integrity and not write checks with our tongues which our conduct cannot cash."

Amen.