Recently, I’ve been getting attacked by friends and people I do not know, because I am #NeverTrump and #NeverHllary. This is especially so from the Trumpistas, who believe I, all by myself, am allowing Hillary to win the election. Rather than continue short posts on the issue that do not fully convey thoughts, or having to repeat myself umpteen thousand times, because different people attack me on different threads.
I have come to the conclusion since the 1990s that the quality of public servants, especially for president, seems to be diminishing. We’ve had periods like this in our history before, such as the time between LBJ and Jimmy Carter. However, previous times seem to pale in comparison with the two sleazy people heading the two main parties. As I’ve discussed this with liberal, conservative and moderate friends, they all agree that at least one of the candidates reeks like raw sewage and is a threat to our democracy and existence as a nation. Still, most of them have chosen to vote for one of these two candidates as being the “lesser of two evils.”
As a historian and longtime student of ancient and modern scripture and early Judaeo-Christian texts, I’ve come to some conclusions. First, our modern prophets tell us every 4 years to prayerfully select a candidates that is worthy of the Lord’s acceptance. I think it immaterial to God whether the person is Democrat, Republican or something else, as long as he or she is a person of solid moral character. As long as we select people of good character, God will bless this land to the Gentiles. If not, then he will raise up another people to destroy the Gentiles off the land (3 Nephi 21). This is prophesied to happen when the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.
Americans are looking for someone to save them. They either want someone who can bring about the Millennium by creating the perfect society where there is no poor, without having to drag religion into it; or they want a powerful person who can strong arm us into prosperity. Americans are willing to look past morality and character, as long as their candidate can deliver a better and safer life. They want a savior.
For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. (Matthew 1:22 JST)
The elect are still the elect, even if deceived. They still are worthy of the covenants made at baptism and in the temple. But some are allowing fear and/or anger to cloud their judgment. They seek to preserve what they have or return to what once was.
So, how do we determine if either of the candidates is setting him/herself up to be a false savior? The Lord warns us of what evils to expect in the last days. We must determine what are some of the qualities the Lord demands of the people we elect, and the vices from the wicked. According to Paul,
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Does any of this sound like your candidate? I personally think that 1/2 of it applies to one candidate, and almost all apply to the other. If so, should I then be voting for either one of them?
“But the next president will select SCOTUS judges! The next president may get us into war with Russia/China/ISIS/etc! The next president will take away Constitutional rights!”
And?
How does this excuse our moral duty to follow the prophets’ sage advice and select only moral people of good character? If guilty of the charges made against them both are worthy of prison – one for illegal use of classified documentation and the other for sexual assault. Both obfuscate on their moral weakness. Apologies, if forthcoming, are calculated, forced and are based on getting caught, not on true repentance. One side promises to “Make America great again”, while the other will save us from global warming.
For me, it would be better to vote for a good person, according to my conscience, and let the chips fall where they may. If one of these are elected and destroys the nation, then I look forward to continuing prophesy. It tells us that the stone cut out of the mountain without hands will roll over the nations, breaking them down, until it fills the earth.
As with the Soviet Union and the Nephite nation (3 Nephi 7), wickedness will probably destroy the American nation and it collapse into several smaller nations. At the moment comes the opportunity for the Elders of Israel to rise up and save the Constitution, which clearly hangs by a thread. Only then will the elect people be ready, amidst the chaos and destruction, to unite in humility and build Zion. Only in Zion will there be unity, peace and real strength. As it is, America is no longer the light on the hill for most of the world, but just a corrupt Roman Empire on its last legs. There is no Ronald Reagan with Constitutional principles waiting in the wings to bring us back from the brink.
Either Hillary is elected and she attacks the 2nd Amendment and Religious Freedom, or Trump is elected and he attacks the 1st Amendment’s Freedom of Press and the 4th Amendment. Both would like to limit Freedom of Speech and have “compliant citizens”. Who knows what other points they would seek to destroy? It is an issue of whether the socialist or the fascist puts the final nail in the coffin.
Given we have a deficit approaching 20 Trillion dollar; Trillions being printed by the Federal Reserve to artificially buoy up Wall Street, and Trillions being give to bail out banks and big corporations; as well as trillions being paid into a corrupt and broken welfare and health care system, we are going to go bankrupt as did the Soviet Union. There’s no way to stop it as long as Americans ignore the problem. Our military is exhausted by endless wars, where they are not allowed to truly fight and destroy the enemy. Russia and China are now militarily and financially ready to take over as the leaders of the world, once we collapse. It isn’t an issue of “if”, but “when”.
While the collapse will be sad, I look forward to it. The signs of the times are screaming at us from all sides, and yet we seem to ignore them (or are afraid to look). It will be the collapse that opens the door for us to start over and build Zion on Constitutional principles. Of course, if you prefer, you can walk away from Zion and join one of the large tribes that will build fascist or socialist nations.
I applaud the Deseret News, several moral politicians and others who have chosen to stand against the tyranny offered by Clinton or Trump. As for me, I would have voted for almost any of the other Republican candidates – even Jeb Bush (and I would hate to have a third Bush in the White House). However, from day one, I have been #NeverTrump and #NeverHillary because I vote my conscience. Neither is a moral person. Neither will uphold the Constitution. Both will scheme to become more powerful and wealthy at the expense of the nation. A vote for a third party is NOT a vote for Hillary, just as someone’s vote for Trump is not a vote for a third party candidate. It shows America who I approve to lead it.
I hope that the elect among us will prayerfully vote for a good and moral person. I know the chances of that person winning is not likely. However, if every disgusted person were to vote for a third party, neither Democrat nor Republican would have a chance to win. It requires bravery to stand apart. I know I’ve been attacked by friends in both parties, sometimes very viciously. Some have called into question my worthiness for a temple recommend. Thankfully, none of them is my bishop or stake president (who are very good men). It is hard to stand for the right, but many great people in scripture and LDS history received worse for standing for the right. I’m glad I have them as an example.
Let us be the elect of God. Let each of us (including me), thoughtfully and prayerfully select a person of good and moral character. Let us not be deceived by the anger and fears that flood the nation, but stand with faith in Christ.