By Kellene Bishop 
Face it. You’ve no doubt heard yourself uttering, or at least thinking the words “the lesser of two evils” when it came to voting for a particular candidate. However, to put it simply, choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil. As members of His church who have covenanted to build up this kingdom and to protect it, we simply cannot settle for such mainstream thinking. We are not here in the last days to take it easy and bask in the abundance of technology and goods. We are here to preserve, protect, and to prepare for His coming. And yes, it is US that are here to do so, not our distant ancestors still to come, folks. In 1980, Ezra Taft Benson gave a talk at BYU in which he stated, “you students are a part of a choice young generation—a generation which might well witness the return of the Lord.” He went on to say, “It will be your responsibility not only to help to carry the kingdom to a triumph but to save your own soul and strive to save those of your family and to honor the principles of the inspired constitutions of the United Stated.”
So, are we responsible for choosing only that which is good for our country and our religion, or shall our hands be clean if we simply vote for the “lesser of two evils?”
In Alma 46, Captain Moroni shows us just how important it is that not only do we refuse to accept any degree of evil among us, but that we must also ensure it doesn’t live to infiltrate our lives in the future generations either. (See verses 29-35)
Still others, who are strongly rooted among us, would have us believe that a belief that “Right will reign if we but stand firmly for it” is idealistic, and as such is doomed for failure—especially in light of our prominent two party voting system. I’m certain that such a view point is perpetuated by the adversary. I’m convinced that the Lord’s way is not to advocate “that which isn’t most wicked” but rather to always stand for that which is truly right, that which will truly protect freedoms, and preserve our religion.
The nay sayers can call this being an idealist all they want, telling the world how an idealist never gets anywhere so they can/should simply moderate towards the centrist view. I firmly do not believe this. The attitude that “we simply can't afford to be idealistic” and that we need to moderate in order to get back to the Constitution is what got us here to begin with. Surely we have seen that those who hold the views which threaten our religion and our freedoms never moderate, ever. Have you not noticed that? They don’t. And they never sleep. The holders of these views even admit that they have extreme agendas. But then they watch as the typical Conservative movement gets all bent out of shape, then “they” back off from their original extreme agenda and accept a few baby-steps towards their original agenda. And so on it goes. Lather, rinse, repeat, until the adversary ends up with what he wanted all along. Perhaps it’s hard to stand boldly and courageously in the face of truly evil principles, because such principles are held by living, breathing human beings who we instinctively love and strive to nurture, not destroy. But stand we must, regardless of the face which breathes out these false principles.
Perhaps the tragedy in all of this is not that many have tried to make a difference and feel that they have failed in doing so, but more importantly, the disaster is that we who hold the truths actually give up in fighting against evil. We try so hard to resist evil that we forget that the strength is in persisting evil. Understandably our nemesis does not sleep, nor get distracted with families, television, church callings, or other intrusions on his efforts to thwart the Lords plan. But far too many Believers have given up. Where would we be today if people had held strong to their ideals and principles 70 years ago? 50 years ago? Even 20 years ago? I believe we would be in the midst of a far different nation, and even world.
It is because we have decided to abandon our principles for so long that we find ourselves in our current situation, not because we held to them too tightly before finding it didn't work exactly as we had planned. It is far too common that the Holders of Eternal Truths simply live their lives, hoping (or even assuming) that someone else will take the heat and tow the line, while the adversary works tirelessly for his cause, knowing that it is all dependent upon him to do so. It is because Believers have not stood by their principles that we are left wondering what principles are anymore, let alone which ones we should try to hold onto and which ones we should save to fight for another day.
If we are not willing to stand on our principles, how can we expect anyone else to? If we are willing to stand on our principles, why not NOW so that we can begin to affect change? The Savior will not do it for us. We are to make these changes for Him.
Do you simply believe that you are not leadership material? That somehow true leadership is somebody else's responsibility? What is it about standing for something right now that scares us so badly? Do we think we will lose an election by doing so?
Advocating a slower moving train towards Socialism/Communism is still advocating for such a repugnant government. We cannot fool ourselves into believing that someone who will give away ANY of our Constitutional freedoms may not be as bad as someone who confesses that they would give them all away. Raping and pillaging is a violation of another, regardless of the speed at which it comes. Worse, if we don't see the freedoms that we’ve lost up to this time, then we are truly blind to what has been going on in this nation for far too long.
Yes, holding to our principles and voting for better leadership than we have now will split the Conservative ticket and allow a puppet of the adversary to be elected, but it will also show other Believers that they, too, can hold strong to their principles and cast a better vote. The fight must begin with us, though the minority. We cannot wait until we are in the majority, because it will never happen, according to prophesy. In addition, as that movement grows, it will show the current leadership that there are those of us out here that stand for something and that we will no longer remain silent. It is when we refuse to lead out, be first, and stand strong that both dominant parties know they can move where they want to because there is no one that will hold them accountable. You’ve heard of gun-free zones, right? You’re aware that the last five “mass shootings” all took place in a noted “gun free zone,” right? Well, “the powers that be” prey upon “truth free zones.” That is where we find ourselves today. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that continuing to cast a vote for the lesser of two evils hasn't worked out real well for us thus far, and that this simple, but stubborn fact isn't likely to change in the future either.
How well did abandoning our principles and moderating the Republican Party work for us in the last election? How well did abandoning our principles stop WRONG from being elected last election, and how well were we able to stop the last Presidency from destroying liberties faster than we were able to stop them? Americans are justifiably fatigued with voting for the lesser of two evils and getting government leaders like we've had and have. They're waiting for someone else to take a stand, someone to rally around. Why can't that be you? Frankly, it should be all of us.
I promise from this day forward that I will never vote for the lesser of two evils again. If that puts me squarely in the camp of "useless idealist" then so be it, but I am responsible for my votes and actions to a Heavenly Father that expects more of me than that. Again, I implore you to read H. Verlan Anderson's "Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen" (http://www.redhotlogo.com/2-Many%20Called.pdf) before entertaining a thought process which attempts to address the lesser of two evils. It’s not an A or B vote, folks. It should always be the Lord’s vote.
While some may claim it to be idealistic, it is also according to the Lord's commandments that we seek good and honorable men for our leaders. If choices are not available before us, then we must step up to provide such a choice, just as Joseph Smith did. The ONLY reason why he ran for President of the United States was to preserve our religious and Constitutional rights. (See Teachings of Joseph Smith pages 331-334) He even goes so far as to say, “if I lose my life in a good cause I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness and truth in maintaining the laws and Constitution of the United States, if need be, for the general good of mankind.”
The problem of giving up our “idealistic” cause in response to the dominance of the current two-party system is akin to thinking, "Well, kids are going to have sex anyway, so let's at least provide them a condom and teach them how to have sex safely." Clearly that doesn’t work for us and violates what we know to be right. It is this mentality that causes our actions, even when shooting for best, to do nothing more than hand the victory to the other side. Some have even gone so far as to rationalize “let's get closer to the other side so that we can get votes from both sides.” This certainly is a faulty strategy. Even as an accomplished and skilled warrior as well as a righteous man that Teancum was, he was victorious over his enemies until he shunned the protection of the Lord by going “forth in his anger.”
Either we stand on principle, or we admit that our principles can be bought. Which is it for you? “Let's elect someone that takes us down the road of Socialism slower, yeah, that will be better for us, but, hey, at least we won the election.” Nope. We will never win with such thinking. The adversary will always win in this case by convincing us that voting for the lesser of two evils was much better than voting our true conscience, which is what the Lord asks and requires of us as citizens entrusted with a great nation and great, though lessening, liberties.
Prayerfully read the scripture for guidance on these matters. Then read the published political platform of which you support. Ask yourself if this platform truly ensures freedom for all men, and the liberties as the Lord had intended. Unfortunately, I assure you that neither of the predominant platforms will reflect His Gospel. So you need to ask yourself, “if not this, then what?” I pray that you will find guidance and sure direction in exploring this question.
May we also covenant as did Moroni: “Behold, whosever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.” (Alma 46:20)
In parting, let me say this: In the war in heaven there was a group of Communists (roughly a third) that wanted to be forced back into the presence of Heavenly Father. There were a group of Constitutionalists (roughly a third) that were willing to accept complete liberty and freedom to take on the responsibility for their own actions and then rely on the Lord to make up the difference. And then there was a group of fence sitting, middle of the road, let's-play-nice-with-everyone-so-we-don't-tick-anyone-off-so-everyone-will-like-everyone, just-a-little-bit-of-both-sides-is-good-for-me, I-just-want-to-be-on-the-winning-team-regardless-of-who-it-is "voters" (roughly a third) that were willing to give up a little liberty to get a little security. Which one are you?
The Lord claimed the Constitution as a work provided by inspiration at his hand through men he raised up for this very purpose (compare its ideals to those given by Christ in the war in heaven). In response, Satan came up with the Communist Manifesto (compare its ideals to those given by Satan in the war in heaven), but he doesn't care if we accept it wholeheartedly right now as long as we're moving towards it, however slowly that may be. Any move away from the Lord's plan towards Satan's plan is unacceptable.
As for me, I'll take the Constitution coupled with the Gospel.
What type of tyranny would you like served today? And would you like fries with that?
Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.
Face it. You’ve no doubt heard yourself uttering, or at least thinking the words “the lesser of two evils” when it came to voting for a particular candidate. However, to put it simply, choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil. As members of His church who have covenanted to build up this kingdom and to protect it, we simply cannot settle for such mainstream thinking. We are not here in the last days to take it easy and bask in the abundance of technology and goods. We are here to preserve, protect, and to prepare for His coming. And yes, it is US that are here to do so, not our distant ancestors still to come, folks. In 1980, Ezra Taft Benson gave a talk at BYU in which he stated, “you students are a part of a choice young generation—a generation which might well witness the return of the Lord.” He went on to say, “It will be your responsibility not only to help to carry the kingdom to a triumph but to save your own soul and strive to save those of your family and to honor the principles of the inspired constitutions of the United Stated.”So, are we responsible for choosing only that which is good for our country and our religion, or shall our hands be clean if we simply vote for the “lesser of two evils?”
In Alma 46, Captain Moroni shows us just how important it is that not only do we refuse to accept any degree of evil among us, but that we must also ensure it doesn’t live to infiltrate our lives in the future generations either. (See verses 29-35)
Still others, who are strongly rooted among us, would have us believe that a belief that “Right will reign if we but stand firmly for it” is idealistic, and as such is doomed for failure—especially in light of our prominent two party voting system. I’m certain that such a view point is perpetuated by the adversary. I’m convinced that the Lord’s way is not to advocate “that which isn’t most wicked” but rather to always stand for that which is truly right, that which will truly protect freedoms, and preserve our religion.
The nay sayers can call this being an idealist all they want, telling the world how an idealist never gets anywhere so they can/should simply moderate towards the centrist view. I firmly do not believe this. The attitude that “we simply can't afford to be idealistic” and that we need to moderate in order to get back to the Constitution is what got us here to begin with. Surely we have seen that those who hold the views which threaten our religion and our freedoms never moderate, ever. Have you not noticed that? They don’t. And they never sleep. The holders of these views even admit that they have extreme agendas. But then they watch as the typical Conservative movement gets all bent out of shape, then “they” back off from their original extreme agenda and accept a few baby-steps towards their original agenda. And so on it goes. Lather, rinse, repeat, until the adversary ends up with what he wanted all along. Perhaps it’s hard to stand boldly and courageously in the face of truly evil principles, because such principles are held by living, breathing human beings who we instinctively love and strive to nurture, not destroy. But stand we must, regardless of the face which breathes out these false principles.
Perhaps the tragedy in all of this is not that many have tried to make a difference and feel that they have failed in doing so, but more importantly, the disaster is that we who hold the truths actually give up in fighting against evil. We try so hard to resist evil that we forget that the strength is in persisting evil. Understandably our nemesis does not sleep, nor get distracted with families, television, church callings, or other intrusions on his efforts to thwart the Lords plan. But far too many Believers have given up. Where would we be today if people had held strong to their ideals and principles 70 years ago? 50 years ago? Even 20 years ago? I believe we would be in the midst of a far different nation, and even world.
It is because we have decided to abandon our principles for so long that we find ourselves in our current situation, not because we held to them too tightly before finding it didn't work exactly as we had planned. It is far too common that the Holders of Eternal Truths simply live their lives, hoping (or even assuming) that someone else will take the heat and tow the line, while the adversary works tirelessly for his cause, knowing that it is all dependent upon him to do so. It is because Believers have not stood by their principles that we are left wondering what principles are anymore, let alone which ones we should try to hold onto and which ones we should save to fight for another day.
If we are not willing to stand on our principles, how can we expect anyone else to? If we are willing to stand on our principles, why not NOW so that we can begin to affect change? The Savior will not do it for us. We are to make these changes for Him.
Do you simply believe that you are not leadership material? That somehow true leadership is somebody else's responsibility? What is it about standing for something right now that scares us so badly? Do we think we will lose an election by doing so?
Advocating a slower moving train towards Socialism/Communism is still advocating for such a repugnant government. We cannot fool ourselves into believing that someone who will give away ANY of our Constitutional freedoms may not be as bad as someone who confesses that they would give them all away. Raping and pillaging is a violation of another, regardless of the speed at which it comes. Worse, if we don't see the freedoms that we’ve lost up to this time, then we are truly blind to what has been going on in this nation for far too long.
Yes, holding to our principles and voting for better leadership than we have now will split the Conservative ticket and allow a puppet of the adversary to be elected, but it will also show other Believers that they, too, can hold strong to their principles and cast a better vote. The fight must begin with us, though the minority. We cannot wait until we are in the majority, because it will never happen, according to prophesy. In addition, as that movement grows, it will show the current leadership that there are those of us out here that stand for something and that we will no longer remain silent. It is when we refuse to lead out, be first, and stand strong that both dominant parties know they can move where they want to because there is no one that will hold them accountable. You’ve heard of gun-free zones, right? You’re aware that the last five “mass shootings” all took place in a noted “gun free zone,” right? Well, “the powers that be” prey upon “truth free zones.” That is where we find ourselves today. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that continuing to cast a vote for the lesser of two evils hasn't worked out real well for us thus far, and that this simple, but stubborn fact isn't likely to change in the future either.
How well did abandoning our principles and moderating the Republican Party work for us in the last election? How well did abandoning our principles stop WRONG from being elected last election, and how well were we able to stop the last Presidency from destroying liberties faster than we were able to stop them? Americans are justifiably fatigued with voting for the lesser of two evils and getting government leaders like we've had and have. They're waiting for someone else to take a stand, someone to rally around. Why can't that be you? Frankly, it should be all of us.
I promise from this day forward that I will never vote for the lesser of two evils again. If that puts me squarely in the camp of "useless idealist" then so be it, but I am responsible for my votes and actions to a Heavenly Father that expects more of me than that. Again, I implore you to read H. Verlan Anderson's "Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen" (http://www.redhotlogo.com/2-Many%20Called.pdf) before entertaining a thought process which attempts to address the lesser of two evils. It’s not an A or B vote, folks. It should always be the Lord’s vote.
While some may claim it to be idealistic, it is also according to the Lord's commandments that we seek good and honorable men for our leaders. If choices are not available before us, then we must step up to provide such a choice, just as Joseph Smith did. The ONLY reason why he ran for President of the United States was to preserve our religious and Constitutional rights. (See Teachings of Joseph Smith pages 331-334) He even goes so far as to say, “if I lose my life in a good cause I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness and truth in maintaining the laws and Constitution of the United States, if need be, for the general good of mankind.”
The problem of giving up our “idealistic” cause in response to the dominance of the current two-party system is akin to thinking, "Well, kids are going to have sex anyway, so let's at least provide them a condom and teach them how to have sex safely." Clearly that doesn’t work for us and violates what we know to be right. It is this mentality that causes our actions, even when shooting for best, to do nothing more than hand the victory to the other side. Some have even gone so far as to rationalize “let's get closer to the other side so that we can get votes from both sides.” This certainly is a faulty strategy. Even as an accomplished and skilled warrior as well as a righteous man that Teancum was, he was victorious over his enemies until he shunned the protection of the Lord by going “forth in his anger.”
Either we stand on principle, or we admit that our principles can be bought. Which is it for you? “Let's elect someone that takes us down the road of Socialism slower, yeah, that will be better for us, but, hey, at least we won the election.” Nope. We will never win with such thinking. The adversary will always win in this case by convincing us that voting for the lesser of two evils was much better than voting our true conscience, which is what the Lord asks and requires of us as citizens entrusted with a great nation and great, though lessening, liberties.
Prayerfully read the scripture for guidance on these matters. Then read the published political platform of which you support. Ask yourself if this platform truly ensures freedom for all men, and the liberties as the Lord had intended. Unfortunately, I assure you that neither of the predominant platforms will reflect His Gospel. So you need to ask yourself, “if not this, then what?” I pray that you will find guidance and sure direction in exploring this question.
May we also covenant as did Moroni: “Behold, whosever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.” (Alma 46:20)
In parting, let me say this: In the war in heaven there was a group of Communists (roughly a third) that wanted to be forced back into the presence of Heavenly Father. There were a group of Constitutionalists (roughly a third) that were willing to accept complete liberty and freedom to take on the responsibility for their own actions and then rely on the Lord to make up the difference. And then there was a group of fence sitting, middle of the road, let's-play-nice-with-everyone-so-we-don't-tick-anyone-off-so-everyone-will-like-everyone, just-a-little-bit-of-both-sides-is-good-for-me, I-just-want-to-be-on-the-winning-team-regardless-of-who-it-is "voters" (roughly a third) that were willing to give up a little liberty to get a little security. Which one are you?
The Lord claimed the Constitution as a work provided by inspiration at his hand through men he raised up for this very purpose (compare its ideals to those given by Christ in the war in heaven). In response, Satan came up with the Communist Manifesto (compare its ideals to those given by Satan in the war in heaven), but he doesn't care if we accept it wholeheartedly right now as long as we're moving towards it, however slowly that may be. Any move away from the Lord's plan towards Satan's plan is unacceptable.
As for me, I'll take the Constitution coupled with the Gospel.
What type of tyranny would you like served today? And would you like fries with that?
Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.
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