There seems to be a belief that things are more contentious today than in the past, particularly when it comes to politics, politics has forever been contentious even here in the US. I think the ease and quickness and ability of everyone to get online almost instantaneously the minute somebody says something or an event occurs has contributed to the seeming atmosphere of contention. People have forgotten, probably because he was so popular and a genuinely humble person that there were those who hated Ronald Reagan. In the Journal of Discourses Vol 18, pages 335-348, Elder Orson Pratt makes some interesting comments about the politics of the day and the slander and contention. In Vol 5, pages 60-62 of the Journal of Discourses, Elder George A. Smith gives a talk and comments about the situation in the nations capitol, it is as timely and applicable for today as it was 175 yrs ago, great analysis of politics. Thomas Jefferson was hounded and slandered by many, one in particular a man by the name of James Callender who published and said all kinds of slanderous, false and vile things about Jefferson (ultimately Calender drowned himself) but as the great man he was and unlike today, Jefferson took the high road and never worried about his critics or responding in kind, great example for us all.
Elaine KempJuly 5, 2024
Love this article by Daniel Peterson and Lisa's comments. I concur with Daniel Preteen when he said he couldn't call this year's political discussion's debates. I have repeatedly said to my husband that I have felt I am living in days such as those days in Helaman and 3rd Nephi before Christ visited America after his death and the destructions in this land. God bless our righteous Prophets, Apostles, and all who follow their counsel. God bless us to be one in love and unity though we have differences of opinion. May I be a better disciple of Christ. Elaine
Lisa ReisingJuly 5, 2024
Thank you for these thoughts! I particularly like that you brought forward the counsel of Elder Soares from the last General Conference. Perhaps this is a reason for the proliferation of temples around the world, to teach us how to seek to live in higher ways and see each other as God sees us. And as far as your last comment about tumultuous times ushering in the coming of Jesus Christ... haven't we been told we need to be preparing a Zion people to receive Him the second time? I want to be in that camp, and that requires me to view my "political adversaries" as brothers and sisters.
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Corey D.July 21, 2024
There seems to be a belief that things are more contentious today than in the past, particularly when it comes to politics, politics has forever been contentious even here in the US. I think the ease and quickness and ability of everyone to get online almost instantaneously the minute somebody says something or an event occurs has contributed to the seeming atmosphere of contention. People have forgotten, probably because he was so popular and a genuinely humble person that there were those who hated Ronald Reagan. In the Journal of Discourses Vol 18, pages 335-348, Elder Orson Pratt makes some interesting comments about the politics of the day and the slander and contention. In Vol 5, pages 60-62 of the Journal of Discourses, Elder George A. Smith gives a talk and comments about the situation in the nations capitol, it is as timely and applicable for today as it was 175 yrs ago, great analysis of politics. Thomas Jefferson was hounded and slandered by many, one in particular a man by the name of James Callender who published and said all kinds of slanderous, false and vile things about Jefferson (ultimately Calender drowned himself) but as the great man he was and unlike today, Jefferson took the high road and never worried about his critics or responding in kind, great example for us all.
Elaine KempJuly 5, 2024
Love this article by Daniel Peterson and Lisa's comments. I concur with Daniel Preteen when he said he couldn't call this year's political discussion's debates. I have repeatedly said to my husband that I have felt I am living in days such as those days in Helaman and 3rd Nephi before Christ visited America after his death and the destructions in this land. God bless our righteous Prophets, Apostles, and all who follow their counsel. God bless us to be one in love and unity though we have differences of opinion. May I be a better disciple of Christ. Elaine
Lisa ReisingJuly 5, 2024
Thank you for these thoughts! I particularly like that you brought forward the counsel of Elder Soares from the last General Conference. Perhaps this is a reason for the proliferation of temples around the world, to teach us how to seek to live in higher ways and see each other as God sees us. And as far as your last comment about tumultuous times ushering in the coming of Jesus Christ... haven't we been told we need to be preparing a Zion people to receive Him the second time? I want to be in that camp, and that requires me to view my "political adversaries" as brothers and sisters.
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