Polls, Parties and Politics, oh my!

I'm so grateful to live in a nation of freedom, a nation established on principles of "liberty and justice for all." The past couple elections I have voted via absentee ballots, so this year was my first experience with the polls. I knew where I was supposed to be and when, and my friend and I planned on going early to get a prime spot in line. We met up a little before 7 am Tuesday morning and were quickly ushered through. As I filled out and prepared to submit my ballot a curious feeling stole over me. It was a similar feeling to when I bear my testimony of the gospel of Christ. I felt a little nervous, but I felt that the Lord was pleased that I was there, doing my civic duty, trying to make a difference in this world. I cast my vote! And felt so happy! Regardless of the outcome, I knew I had done my part. It felt awesome to participate.

That evening a group of friends came over to my house to watch the outcome of the election unfold. We made a good ol' American dinner: steak, mashed potatoes, asparagus and brownies. As the stress of the evening mounted and the disappointment hit when Mitt Romney conceded the election I felt several emotions vying for my attention. Initially I was grateful for the foundation I have in the gospel of Jesus Christ; that testimony acts as an "anchor to my soul" (Ether 12:4), and gives me stability regardless of the vicissitudes of life. I was grateful to know that this little world of ours isn't just hanging out in the middle of some vast universe, but rather we are under the vigilant and loving eye of a Creator, Who has a plan, Who knows what is happening and is guiding the course of this earth and its people. I was disheartened and disappointed in our nation; I couldn't understand how people could be so blind to the problems that have arisen because of what President Obama had initiated in his first term in office. Why would we want to continue in the downward spiral we are on? And I don't know if Mitt Romney could have done much to mitigate the trials our nation is facing, but we already know the President's track record, and it boggled my mind that people could reinstate him as President. This may sound dramatic, but all I could think of was the verse of scripture from Helaman 5:2, "For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted." I see this happening; I see our laws being perverted from the values and principles they first incorporated. We live in an ever degenerating world, and it hurts my soul to see people voting for leaders and laws that undermine righteousness.

I don't mean for this to be read in a hateful tone. I will continue to pray for my leaders, for this nation, for those in the military, and the world as a whole. I believe that Christ will return to the earth as He promised in the scriptures. I believe that we have a responsibility to prepare the way for His coming. I yearn for the time when He comes and peace may be brought to this world. I love how Isaiah puts it when he writes, "The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing" (Isaiah 14:7). That day will come. I may not always agree with the political leaning of our great nation, but we are still a great nation; this is still a land of liberty. I am proud to be an United States citizen! I'm proud to have voted! May God bless America!