Sunday, September 14, 2008
Banter all you want!
Regarding all this political stuff: Read, argue, banter, fall for every line... As push comes to shove, my strategy is to pray about who might be the best candidate for our Nation. Whether God aswers my prayers or not, you can't fault me for not asking supreme guidance on the subject. Kim
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Yeah! Kim (and Amy?) are on board! Welcome to the blog. I was a very late comer, I had other more important things to worry about, but now that Nick is slowly improving, I have time. I have really enjoyed blogging, reading, arguing, bantering, and NOT falling for every line!
So, I have a question, if God does answer your prayers, I trust you will share that 'cause it is important info. However, regardless of the answer you may get, I'll bet you can find those who prayed too and who got a different answer, in such case, may I ask to whom God is giving the right answer?
The Republicans. They seem to have more pull from the Christian right wing on their side.
Ha! Just kidding. I was trying to be funny. :) Actually, I am sure God would be fine with either set of candidates as long as neither have evil intent on their minds. And I don't beleive that either of them do! I am sure they all want best for our country, they just have different ideas of how to bring about the best for our country. I won't be mad or extremely upset with whomever gets voted into office on this election, although I do have my preference.
Yes. Doug brings up a very important question. One that most Mormons, and probably others of other faiths struggle with.
How does one distinguish between one's own deep desires and God's will? It's difficult to know whether ones desires are somehow being misinterpreted as God's will.
Also, suppose the answer to your prayer is that you should vote for the party that you don't agree with. Do you have the courage to actually vote that way?
In the end, one cannot know God's mind. It is stated in Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."
One more thing, you say "you can't fault me for not asking supreme guidance on the subject."
Being Christian, I wouldn't fault you for that, neither should an agnostic, but an atheist might think you're a fool.
I think that two people who pray for "guidance" may get two different answers because I believe that our Heavenly Father at times just says..."make up your own mind." I do that with my boys a lot. Either way the election goes, I believe our country is blessed and watched over by our Heavenly Father. I think that He gives us direction and lets us govern ourselves then we live with our decisions.
As for me, Mom, I just pray every evening that after the elections we will have a good president to lead the country.
I am surprise that no one realized that their is an article about Personal Revelation in this month ensign pg 18 to 22. It is title "Spiritual Promptings". I believe that is pretty much how we receive answers to prayers. Also if you would read in the Book of Mormon the Lord has promised that this land will be protected as long as righteous people still are here and I believe that there are still alot of good, righteous people. Also remember that one can only get inspiration for themself or their family. So I say pray all you want but I don't think you will really get an answer on that one. You will have to exercise your free agency and your own judgement.
If God did indeed answer Joesph's prayer in the grove about which church is true, why is it that you all don't believe that he can answer my simple prayer about who is the best to lead this country? Don't you think that God knows who could do the best job? What about the topic of preordination as I believe was the case with George Washington and many others of our founding fathers, leaders, prophets...?
"you all - 1"
As I stated in my comment above, I don't fault you at all, and I believe that God can tell you who He would like you to vote for, and fore-ordination is a definite possibility in many cases. So, has God fore-ordained each and every president despite their personal foibles? Perhaps, but we don't (can't) know for sure. Could it also be that God thinks "None of the candidates will detract from my plan for humanity, so the people can chose whomever they wish."
I think that my original question still stands. When answers to prayers by different parties conflict, how does one determine which, if any answer, is correct? Alan asks a great question too, how to react if the answer seems contrary to your desires or inclinations.
Churches split over such divinely delivered convictions that diverge one from the other on the same question. The LDS Mantle Experience in Nauvoo was an example. Baptist churches by the hundreds have the same problem each being lead by its own pastor. Islam has continually the same problem. Someone is right and therefore someone is wrong. It must be so otherwise relativism rules the day. And that is scary. Knowing the mind of God is truly a weighty responsibility.
Kim's comment regarding prayers and answers as they pertain to elections seems innocent, but it begs some really good questions about God's connection to Man and Free Agency.
Isabelle and Brian addressed these conundrums very reasonably.
I say vote your conscience. If you are inspired...your conscience will know what to do, if you are not inspired, you vote the way your logical brian tells you too.
Teresa,I question whether Brian is always logical! ha ha ha
Kim, I personally believe that if Heavenly Father wanted a particular candidate to win, he would reveal such a thing to his prophet who would in turn ask us to vote a certain way. But, because the church as ALWAYS stayed out of elections for leaders, he leaves i up to us to decide...hence our freedom to choose. I think there have been times when the church ahs taken a stand on some political issues and asked us to vote or put pressure for elections to go a certain way. When that happens, if we as members truly believe in our prophet, we should follow their guidance. When there is no guidance, vote your conscience.
Sorry Brian....I didn't mean to imply that you are logical in any way. :) I meant..."brain" obviously, not "Brian".
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