The End of the End

I'm thrilled the end is tomorrow . . . the end of the election that is, though some seem to think it will coincide with the end of the world.

I've been away from my blog a bit of late. I've had ideas, just none that really wanted to formulate because I've had a few other things on my plate and my mind. So, as tomorrow is the end, I'll use this last opportunity to express just a few things that have been on my mind concerning the election.

First of all, unlike a few Mormons I've encountered, I actually do believe the Church's statement on political neutrality. I believe they meant what they said, and not in a "nudge nudge wink wink" sort of way. I really believe that "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties". And yet, I'm going to miss hearing from the pulpit during the testimony meeting, things like the democrats are "Gadianton Robbers".

Second of all, given the anti-Mormon persecutions, the lies, the false accusations of not being Christians and so much more that has been spread, whether through ignorance or malevolance over the past couple of centuries, I would like to think that we Mormons would be able to rise above such things and choose not to spread the same kinds of lies about others. I would hope that before speaking, or forwarding defamations of characters, we would scrupulously fact check and refrain from spreading around anything that even smacks of such filth. Yet, again, from the pulpit at testimony meeting yesterday, I was priveleged to hear my fellow saints saying such things as "in the future we may have a non-Christian president." And in case you didn't get his not-so-subtle inference the first time around, he adds "in the very near future." Nudge nudge, wink wink. I'm hoping his intent was either to induce his audience to run out and vote for a democrat tomorrow, or at least head out to the church parking log and slap "Mormons for Obama" bumperstickers on their vehicles, because that was certainly my desire after the meeting.

Third, I'm glad there are people out there, though few they may be, who are willing to have a political conversation without extreme emotion, manipulation, and most of all without using the phrase "I'm so scared" in regard to views they disagree with. Hooray for those who choose to rise above the muck, seek out truth, search out what they themselves truly believe rather than parrot others' views. Isn't this what it's all about? Disagreeing without being disagreeable, I believe is the cliche.

In closing, let me say that I believe I will be voting for Obama tomorrow. I'm not going to give my reasons here. Instead, I'm going to let you guess. Multiple-choice like. Please respond with your best guess.

I am voting for Obama because:

A) He has a great smile.
B) It's a great conversation starter when I visit the in-laws.
C) After weeks of research and introspection, it matters exactly squat who I vote for.
D) John McCain is an admitted adulterer, and I therefore find it difficult to trust him.*
E) All of the above.

*I was called out, and rightly so for my hypocrisy in the personal attack I posted in option D. I should not have referred to him, even in a multiple choice question on my personal blog, as a "philandering creep" and I have tried to clarify what I meant.