(This is intended for my posterity to read and glean from, I do not invite any comments on this post)
This election year has caused many sleepless nights as I see America choosing leaders who do not magnify what I believe is great leadership. And shouldn't the United States of America have plenty of great options to choose wise, honest, courageous, humble, kind, virtuous, experienced, service oriented leaders whose integrity, selflessness, and honorable character support their striving to lead and guide this great nation? YES, we do have these kind of leaders, yet the two main party candidates that have been chosen by the voice of the people, do not magnify these strengths. Many of us feel we are left to choose the lesser of two evils or choose 3rd party candidates. I choose this year to vote for someone I would want to be president and not settle. I plan to vote for the Independent Candidate, Evan McMullin, as he is a man who I feel would be a great leader for our country. I could write a long post about my study of him and his stances, and why I feel he is the best option, but I want this post to be about a tender moment I had with God.
As I layed down to rest while my babes are napping, the 13th article of faith popped in my mind. I slowly contemplated the words, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." I couldn't rest anymore, I leaped to my feet almost running for my scriptures in the living room. I flipped open to the 13th article of faith and read, "
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
I know this scripture well. I have it memorized. I've always loved it and have it printed in a creative art form in my daughter's room. THIS, this is why I can't vote for Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton. THIS is why my heart has been seeking for a better option. THIS is why I cringe at our modern day world of entertainment. THIS is why I can't seem to shake the reality that our American values have shifted and many are choosing to believe that good is evil and evil is good just like the scriptures testify would happen in our day.
I continued to ponder about my "hoping" for a better outcome in this election. Or why I even believe there's a chance someone as great as Evan McMullin could possibly make an impact so late in the game. It's because I HOPE FOR THINGS that are VIRTOUS, LOVELY, OF GOOD REPORT, OR PRAISEWORTHY." It validated my HOPE!!!
I then went to the foot note attached to hope and it lead me to the topical guide. I quickly glanced at the many scriptures it listed and Doctrine and Covenants Section 4: 5 stood out. I turned to it and I was fixed to the words,
"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." I continued to the next two verses,
"Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Ask, and ye shall receive, knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen" (D&C 4:6-7). I decided I would pray about my choice. I would take it to the Lord to confirm if I was making the right choice.
Upon ending my prayer, thoughts began to fill my mind very fluidly without interruption. It was almost like I was reading a letter from my Father in Heaven in my mind. I choose to keep what He shared sacred in my heart, but I can testify that I felt an abundance of peace and even felt for a moment God's whole great plan would all work out and there was nothing to fear. I felt in that moment the strength to conquer whatever obstacle I would face until my time is through here. I felt a calming upon my heart that gave me strength beyond my own. I knew in that moment that the Lord had heard my plea, that He was in charge leading this battle against Satan, that He truly cared about me and my family!
I stayed on my knees and desired to learn more, so I continued to read D&C 5:20-6:20. Now I've read scriptures a lot, but I can count on my hands how many times I've been so engaged in the words that I couldn't read fast enough and felt the words, God's words, speak directly to me. This was definitely one of the times. I didn't want the moment to end. And even here writing this now, I desire to go back that moment yesterday when I felt ever so close to my Father in Heaven!!! I thank the Lord for caring about me and caring about all the people around the world.
I know God is in charge. I know He has a plan for us. I know if we follow God's plan, our lives will be blessed upon anything we can imagine. I know this life is eternal. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
