Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

I didn’t vote for you.  I don’t like you.  I hate everything you’ve done with the country.  But instead of getting involved, I feel this country is a lost cause.  So I don’t send a letter to my Senator, or Representative, I just sit at my computer writing hate mail and forwarding it to all of my friends, who in turn either delete the email or forward it to more people because they are just like me. 

I am frustrated that my efforts at forwarding hate mail never seem to change anything.  They feed my desire to be angry and vocal about lost causes.  They make me into a critic picking out every small detail.

I know that leading a country is an exact science.  The outcomes can always be predicted with 100% accuracy.  You just aren’t doing it that way, so our country is dwindling fast.  You can’t seem to predict the future and so our country still struggles.

Sincerely,

Citizen who hates current President

 

Dear Citizens,

If this sounds like you, examine yourself.  Is our country really doomed or is there hope?  In the very worst case we can elect a “better” candidate in 4 years.  We do have a say in how our country works, but we have to get involved and get others involved- not in forwarding our mail but in voting.  Making our voice heard by our representatives so they can carry that message to those who lead this country and bring up the issues we may be facing.

No president is perfect.  I did not vote for our current President.  I do not agree with most of the decisions he has made (at least the bigger ones I’m aware of), but most of the country wanted to see his view of making the country better.  Without our support and “friendly” criticism telling our representatives when things don’t work right no president can make any difference.  We elect those who lead us.  Are they qualified?  Do we talk with our friends telling them why someone is qualified before they’re voted into office so the “wrong” one doesn’t get elected?  Leading the country is not an exact science.  History may repeat, but small circumstances can change the result.  What worked before or what inspired a leader to make a certain decision may not even lead to what he wanted to happen.  There are so many little tiny variables affecting the big picture and struggling to figure out what will work can be hard.  There is no “one way” to do things.  And a whole country, a mix of different cultures and people, and different values is not easy to lead or figure out what the best decision is for everyone all the time.

Have you ever been in charge of multiple people for a project or anything?  Did it go right the first time?  Were you perfect?  Were there no mistakes on anyone’s behalf?  Everyone put in equal effort and did everything perfect?  That’s not how things work- so if you got lucky remember it was just that- lucky.  Everyone makes mistakes- even the best President when it comes to making national decisions.  Let us support the President and be vocal and actively involved- but not hateful.  Let us write to our Representatives- who have a voice in Congress- tell them the issues.  Give them petitions when needed, signed by friends to show it is not just one person’s concern.  Be active in voting.  Let your opinion be heard- but let it have solutions, or explain the problem so a solution can at least be looked into.  Our current President’s speech of “Change” was very inspiring but it wasn’t very specific.  Most of the public is not involved and doesn’t care about the specifics.  So “Change”-  yes we want change- but who can get us there?  HOW will they get us there?  If you can’t answer those questions when complaining then quit complaining and realize that at least the President (even if he screws up) is TRYING to make changes.  He is working towards something, and that’s better than nothing at all.

Sincerely,

A Citizen Determined to Become More Involved

Greenpeace

So, the other day I was going to Trader Joe's to buy a few specialty items- like special bread for my husband and one other thing I can't remember.  On my way out my husband and I were approached by a lady standing outside, advertising/selling something.  Well, my husband stopped.  I usually don't.  I usually walk a different route to avoid them.  But anyways, I don't know how to get out of a conversation and I guess my husband doesn't either, so we listened to her talk about greenpeace.  I mean, I care about the Earth.  I like being able to breathe clean air, and I want it to last.  But here's the thing: I don't believe doing my part for the environment requires monthly payments from me.

I kind of got annoyed.  When I say I don't have money to spare, I don't have money to spare.  We just recently got out of credit card debt, but still have a lot of student loans and 2 car payments.  If it weren't for charity from my grandma and both sets of parents, we probably would be dead about now.  What I make is mainly what we get each month.  It covers bills and $100 for food every month and little else.  Rent- we wouldn't be able to afford it in this area we live in now.  And some girl wants us to give MORE each month, as a commitment?  If we make more in a month, I'm ok with giving when I have more, but we DON'T have extra every month.  Now, I guess some people would say get rid of a car, but that's not very economical either.  My husband and I go in opposite directions, I go farther than he does.  Anyways, even if I had money I tend to resent people who stop me in the street.  When they come to my house, I feel a little bit better, even though I rarely invest in anything that comes door-to-door, but at least I don't resent the people doing it.  The stupid girl made me late to work, because I didn't know how to be rude enough to leave earlier.

Now, onto my REAL feelings for Greenpeace.  I believe very strongly in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon (a Second Witness of Jesus Christ) and in modern revelation, from God directly to Prophets, on what we need to know and do to survive in this world today, both spiritually and temporally.  First there are accounts in the scriptures that say that God made this Earth and He made it with enough resources to support us.  Now I'm not stupid enough to think that if we foolishly waste them instead of use them, that we'll still be blessed regardless.  But the Prophets say to live within our means.  The things I read teach me to be responsible and caring.  I can recycle to help the environment and it doesn't require extra money out of my pocket.  I can sign petitions or boycott companies that mis-use the environment or beg them to change their policies.  Last time I checked, those things CAN get stuff done and don't require more money out of my pocket.  She said that the money they get funds stopping companies like KFC from using some material for the foods, that's harmful for the environment or wasteful... I can't remember, maybe it just boycotts tree farms- or whatever she called them, but can't we just petition or boycott them and let them know that's why we're boycotting them?  Can't an organization work together without wasting money in people's pockets?  Does it cost much to send an email to everyone in a grassroots organization a newsletter telling them what we're focusing on that month to help the environment?

So basically I do not like Greenpeace.  I like that they care about the environment, but I don't believe in their methods.  I believe we can do our best to take care of the environment and be involved in the world around us to help out.  But what IF we are foolishly wasting our resources?  Well, in that case, I am still going to do my part, but I also believe in the Second Coming of Christ.  The Last Days.  Things will get awful, and THEN Christ will come.  The world will be at complete peace and be better than I think I can imagine.  It will be restored to its former glory.  So, again, what if we are wasting our resources?  I will still do my part, but I look forward to the day when Christ will come again.  YES, it will be awful before hand, maybe the quicker it happens, the less the righteous will have to suffer.

So, do what you wish.  As for me, I do not support Greenpeace, but I do love the Earth.  I will continue to recycle and pick up after myself.  I will participate in service projects when I know about them to help keep the Earth clean, but if the resources are still being wasted I will be happy knowing that the awful days are coming quickly and then after them I can look forward to Christ coming.  After the night and terrors of the Last Days, the morning will come and Christ will be here and everything will be alright once more.

Mormon Feminist Movement

So, one day, my husband tells me that there's word on facebook going around about an event- "Wear pants to Church on Sunday".  It was part of a Mormon feminist movement.  First off I felt disgusted and then a little angry. Let me explain.

I love being a woman.  I do not believe in being submissive, weak and being easily pushed aside.  I believe my testimony and thoughts and opinions are equal to any man.  I believe men are no better (and sometimes I think us women really are the best- to be humble).  In my study of the Old Testament I gained a strong testimony of the influence and importance of women.  It seemed that whether a man or nation was righteous or wicked was completely dependent upon the woman.  A woman's influence is powerful and important.

Now, onto the actual event before I explain a little more of my opinion.  What a stupid idea?!  Wearing pants to Church on Sunday?  We go to Church for us and the Lord and we go in our Sunday best to show the Lord our respect.  You want to disrespect the Lord and tell Him He doesn't love you as much as men because you are generally expected to wear a dress or skirt?  I understand if you don't own a dress or a skirt and your Sunday best IS a pants suit, or something like that.  But this event was the stupidest thing I had ever heard of.

Now, let's take a look at other Equal Rights Movements.  Let's start with Civil Rights and the Blacks wanting equal rights.  Think about it in your mind.... were the Blacks wanting to bleach their skins and BECOME whites?  Or did they just want to be treated equally?  Now onto homosexuals.  Are they fighting to be treated equally?  Or do they want to be the same as heterosexual couples and be forced to be straight?  I think the answers to those questions should be obvious.  Now onto the Mormon feminist movement- is it about being treated equally or becoming a man?  The reason women do not generally wear pants is not to show they are unequal but to celebrate womanhood and the fact that there is a difference, not in treatment (hopefully) but just in who they are.  The way we are asked to dress has nothing to do with inequality but celebrating who we are and our differences without necessarily being unequal.

Back to a few things about feminism.  I had someone close to me who was a strong feminist, so I learned a few things from her.  The fact is "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)  
One part goes into differences between men and women: "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children."  But it also says, "In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation."  So there are differences between men and women but they are still supposed to be equal and there is room for adaptation.  The fact is, we have innate differences that are part of our gender- almost genetic in a sense.  I'll give an example from my life:  I have decided I want to major in teaching (not sure what level yet or subject).  I did not choose it because I generally think of teaching as a woman's major- easy to do with a family because you have the same schedule as your kids... I actually fought that major for this reason for awhile.  I looked into Civil Engineering for a little while- a field that makes me think- men.  Although I still have an interest in that it wasn't meant for me.  And likewise the medical field- there are many women nurses and some women doctors, but the thing is: I have a weak stomach.  I would not make a good nurse or doctor.  I chose my major based on my strengths, and our difference in roles as far as gender goes is based on strengths and weaknesses of the genders.  There are cases where there will be adapting because sometimes, perhaps, we don't fit the stereotype, but women are naturally more sensitive and nurturing than men.  Even my feminist friend was a nurturer.  

Now onto serving missions.  The age difference is now smaller.  It used to be women at age 21 CAN serve and men at 19.  Now it's just a year different and women can go at 19.  I've heard a few complaints as to the length of time... women can only serve for 18 months and men go for 2 years. First off, it's 6 months...  Not a big deal.  Granted, I loved my mission and would've loved staying for an extra 6 months.  I think it's easy for a woman/sister to enjoy serving a mission.  You are nurturing people, spiritually and emotionally and serving and teaching- it comes easy to us.  But when I came home I realized that I wanted to stay because staying seemed easier.  I think it's easier for sisters to get lost in the work (which is good) and then want to avoid the rest of their life.  I think if extensions were still allowed, you would see many sisters who would miss out on their own life thinking they were doing good by serving.  But there comes a point where you are using a mission and service as a way to avoid living your own life and finding your own life's mission.  Men: it is considered a Priesthood responsibility (Priesthood brings up another issue for later).  Therefore they are required to go.  Personally, I think this helps a guy mature.  The ones who serve faithfully learn things that influence the rest of their lives for good.  It helps them learn to be more in tune with people, more sensitive to needs and concerns and more caring. 

Now onto the Priesthood:  I've heard women complain about not having the Priesthood.  I kinda disagree with this.  Above I mentioned that our genders give us innate differences.  Men are given the Priesthood as a means to serve others.  That's what it's about- serving others.  They cannot give the Sacrament to themselves, they have to hand the tray to another before partaking.  They cannot give themselves a blessing.  I think the Priesthood helps men keep a sense of service and Christlike qualities in their life.  It is also a blessing.  The Priesthood is God's power given to men on earth to act in His name.  Now let's examine this a little more closely.  When a sister serves a mission it is as if she is there FOR Christ himself, and she is supposed to act as He would in His name- written on her tag.  She is given permission to serve as a missionary to proselyte and serve just as the men are.  Granted she is not given permission to baptize or perform ordinances- but still is given power with permission from God to act in His name.  Now onto creation.  We are told that the ability to create is a power of God.  Women can create in many ways.  They can create a home, or a spiritual place of refuge.  They can create life within our bodies (with the initial help of a man).  This is a special power that we are given permission to use ONLY WITHIN the bonds of marriage.  And finally, I served in the temple.  In the temple you make covenants and ordinances are performed.  In order to perform an ordinance you must have the Priesthood.  Yet, when I went through for myself all my ordinances were performed by women.  When I worked in the temple I was set aside as a temple worker (like someone is set aside for any calling) but I was not given the Priesthood.  The following is not doctrine, but I believe that women DO hold the Priesthood.  Because our gender is different, we are given different responsibilities, but I believe we are born with it in us.  I guess permission isn't granted automatically in the cases I listed, except that members are supposed to be missionaries... But generally our permission to act in God's name is given when we are set aside as missionaries, or married, or when we work in the Temple.  But even when a man receives the Priesthood he still has to report and do it with the permission of local leaders.  So, just food for thought I guess, but I think we do have access to God's power, both through the men and their Priesthood and through our own talents and strengths and gifts and power.

In conclusion, yes, there are differences between men and women in the Church.  It is because of our different strengths, not because of any inequality.  Or our difference in responsibility.  Women do not need to be called to the Priesthood to serve their fellow men care for others- we do that on our own, naturally because we are natural nurturers.  I am proud to be a woman, and my husband can tell you that I am equal to him, even if I have to remind him of it. :)  Be equal to men, but be proud to still be who you are.  Demand respect if needed and remind men that you are equal when needed.