I'm sorry that I was unable to post this until the day of the election. Whether it affects your vote before the deadline is less important than whether it affects your heart before your deadline.
We read of captain Moroni:
Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. (Alma 48:17)
What made him special?
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. (Alma 48)
Among other things,
- He knew what he was talking about. He had a "perfect understanding" of how things were, what was right, what was important, and what price was worth paying.
- He loved freedom.
- He was humble before God, and grateful for what blessings God had given him.
- He put his whole might into the things that deserved his whole might.
- He was willing to die for things worth dying for.
There was a time when the Nephites had spiritually decayed to such a degree, and the Lamanites had repented to such a degree, that the Lamanites went to the Nephites and preached the gospel among them.
In our day, we are seeing increasing examples of bold, courageous, truth-filled disciples of Christ rise up from every corner, and often in the last place you would expect. For those who have spent time in an organized church, you will be shocked to listen to how boldly this unknown Catholic Priest lays down truths about the spiritual implications of our social and political state--truths you would never, ever hear today from almost any pulpit in any sect, whether because the leaders fear of revocation of tax exempt status more than they fear God or simply because they love the world's ideas more than God's truth.
https://youtu.be/6pEPJ8wfjLI [1]
How sad is it that God has so few laborers that this message is an aberration in the churches that claim to be his?
Where are the warriors for Christ who, like captain Moroni, were willing to learn what was right, learn what is important, and say what is true--even if it costs them dearly?
Who are those who, like Joseph, son of Jacob, cannot imagine doing anything but what God would do in their place--not for fear of punishment, but because they cannot dare offend a being who they love so dearly?
Who is on the Lord's side? Who? Now is the time to show. Stand up. Align yourself with the Son of God internally, then go forth and stand as a witness to him in every way, until you find yourself face to face with the Master you have come to know even more than you know yourself through serving him at all costs.
[1] While I admire Father Meeks and find almost all of almost all of his videos worth watching, I do not agree with all he believes. One point of disagreement is that I cannot faithfully hope or pray for this country to turn around, because God has told me that is not going to happen. The Lord will do all he can until he can do no more, and then this nation will be utterly swept clean from all who do not live the law of the Lord. The labor is no longer one of sparing the nation from temporal destruction, but helping those who will stand with the Lord to be saved from everlasting spiritual destruction, and this by rising up to his standard, and following him in every way, for the remainder of their lives, no matter what comes.