The Time Has Come Today

As Election Day draws near, we find ourselves being bombarded with political advertisements. One can hardly pick up a paper, or turn on the TV without seeing evidence of the heated presidential race, not to mention all of the other hotly contested issues ready to hit the ballot in November. These circumstances bring to mind wise counsel from former LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.

“Legal restraints against deviant moral behavior are eroding under legislative enactments and court opinions. This is done in the name of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of choice in so-called personal matters. But the bitter fruit of these so-called freedoms has been enslavement to debauching habits and behavior that leads only to destruction. A prophet, speaking long ago, aptly described the process when he said, “And thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” (2 Nephi 28:21)
On the other hand, . . . I am one who believes that the situation is far from hopeless. I am satisfied that there is no need to stand still and let the filth and violence overwhelm us, or to run in despair. The tide, high and menacing as it is, can be turned back if enough of the kind I have mentioned will add their strength to the strength of the few who are now effectively working. I believe the challenge to oppose this evil is one from which members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and citizens, cannot shrink.” (1975)

For those who might not be aware, there is a Proposition on the ballot of California that is aimed at protecting the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. For more information on this critical piece of proposed legislation, visit www.preservingmarriage.org. Supporting Proposition 8 is the specific type of activity that needs to be done in order to fight back this “tide.”

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the political process. Many feel that there is no point in caring, because their vote doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things. What difference can one person make?

In a speech given to students at Yale in 1962, President John F. Kennedy shed light on this dangerous train of thought. “The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived, and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.” The hopelessness that often spawns apathy is just that—a myth. We have been persuaded for so long that dreaming of making a difference is childish and naïve. But change is possible. Positive change is not only possible, but it is within reach of everyone with a voice. We all have the power to influence those around us. We all have the ability to make our voice heard. Now more than ever, we can let others know what we stand for and how we feel about the direction our country is headed. “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. He makes statutes and decisions possible or impossible to be executed.” (Abraham Lincoln) We can use every medium that is at our disposal. Blog. Chat. Talk with friends. Write your local paper’s editorial section. Do whatever it is you can to make your voice heard. If nothing else, we can help to shape public sentiment, and by doing so we exert as much or more influence than the lawmakers themselves.

Shakespeare once said, “They do not love, that do not show their love.” I think this also applies to the love of country. Those who wish to show their gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy need to act. Apathy is not an option. Educate yourself. Find out what it is that matters most to you and do something about it. President Hinckley stated, “It is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world and the world must be a better place for your presence.” Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Now is when your country needs you. Now is the time to act. I close with the inspiring words of Winston Churchill, who saw Britain through its darkest hours. “To every man there comes that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talent. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour.”