I don’t mean that title as a reference to my family’s political views or involvement (although that will inevitably come to light through this discussion) but rather the family as a political topic and issue. Since today is Election Day (did you vote) let’s tackle this one.
It is interesting to me that the family is even a political issue at all. I recall in 1995, when The Proclamation on the Family was first issued by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that my mother and aunt commented “Well, it’s just because the family is so under attack these days.” Boy, they had no idea.
C.S. Lewis begins his book, Mere Christianity, by offering filial relationships as a proof for universal morality. I have often wondered to myself (as I’m making my AWESOME corn chowder, or cleaning up the bottle of baby shampoo from the bathroom floor) what such a discussion with Mr. Lewis would be like in today’s social and political enviroment. How would he, who is one of the greatest reasoners of Christianity, answer the questions faced by the American family today?
There is so much turmoil, and so much anger with what the family is and represents in America today. From every front the family is told that it is not doing enough and to fear the future. You cannot provide for your family’s education: we must create infant education plans. You cannot provide for your family’s healthcare: we must socialize healthcare. You cannot provide for your family’s physical needs: we must bail you out of your bad mortgage descision. You cannot make a choice about the moral education of your children: we must pass laws that enable the government to ignore parents right to teach moral and ethical values. Based on this assessment of the family, it’s a wonder the institution has lasted this long!
Of course, there’s the gay marriage issue, which has been heavily reported on as California and other states have been voting on laws of how to handle the “definition of marriage.” It’s interesting to me that this needs to be defined for some people. I won’t apologize, I don’t want the wrath of God kindled against this nation. And I’m not being evangelical about this. I really believe the wrath of God will be kindled, and I really don’t want it to be.
Now, if you’re still reading, my last point: as I’ve been reading in the Book of Mormon these past few weeks, with America’s political environment in mind, there have been a few things that have really stood out.
1 – Mosiah 29:26-27 Now it is not common that the avoice of the people desireth anything bcontrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the cpeople to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. And aif the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you;
This passage gave me hope for this election season. I still believe in America, I still believe the greater part of the American people want a moral and just society.
2 – 2nd Nephi 10
This is talking about America as a nation, and it’s interesting to me: the bit about “the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them . . .” (vs. 9). This is an Isaiah reference, so really, who knows if I get this right or not. But my sister Carrie was telling me about her friends in Brazil, and how they are worried about the current economic crisis and how they want American money, and then Wyatt and I saw a News Hour where they discussed the Argentine people converting their money into U.S. Dollars (where in the recent past they had exchanged for Euros) because they see the U.S. as being “the nation that will get through.”
What a heavy responsibility. I actually thought about this as I stood at the voting booth today. I have a voice – I am a queen of the Gentile Nation, and my decision will effect my brothers and sisters all the world over! Goodness, that’s a lot of responsibility.
And yet the promises are clear: the Lord will protect and sustain this nation until the very last day. And I don’t think that day has come yet.
But if you voted no on Proposition 8, you just brought it a little closer.
*clearly I only cited Obama’s website as the government position. He seems to have been elected President, so I thought trying to present both sides was a mute point.