LDS Treasures

This is from Standing for Something, under the Ten Virtues section, page 100:

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Some writers of our news columns are brilliant. They are men and women of incisive language and scintillating expression. They are masters of the written and spoken word. Likewise, some television commentators are masters. But some seem unable to deal with balanced truth, notwithstanding their protests to the contrary. The attitude of many is negative. WIth studied art, they pour out their vinegar of invective and ager, judging as if all wisdom belonged to them. Under the guise of analysis and informed opinion, they frequently dwell on their subjects’ failings rather than their strengths. If we took such pundits seriously, we might think the whole nation and indeed the whole world was going down the drain. There have been times when a particularly heavy dose of such cynicism has caused me to reflect that surely this is the age and place of the gifted pickle sucker!”

I think this needs to be plastered on the foreheads of every Latter-day Saint who is intensely into politics. The gospel, while not usually talking specifically about politics, gives us guidelines for running our lives. I’ve not seen where politics are exempted from the gospel. We’re expected to speak respectfully of others and to love them–even if they’re the president of the United States and not of your party. We’re required to tell the truth–even about politicians and political parties.

It’s critical that we remember that the pundits President Hinckley referred to have no particular desire to tell the truth. They count on us being so eager to hear something bad about the other side we won’t check it. If we spread that information without trying to learn the truth–which means searching a variety of sources, and not just your favorite pundit–we are gossipping. If we find out it’s not true, and we continue to spread it to help our side “win,” we’re lying. When we go in for a temple recommend interview, we’re asked about these things. Even if the words President Obama or Democrats aren’t included in the interview, we answer to our treatment of them (or Republicans if we’re Democrats) just the same. God makes no exemptions for politics. The gospel is always the gospel.

So I dare you…find something good to say about the party you don’t belong to, about the president of your country, and about your country in general. If you can’t do it…have a chat with President Hinckley.

Everyone’s been making a fuss over a British woman who appeared on a talent show. She looked, according to the kindest article I read, frumpy. Some places had worse terms. She was an older woman and it was clear Simon Cowle, the other judges, and the audience was certain she would be terrible and was there for people to boo. Then she began to sing, and people were shocked to hear an extraordinary voice coming from the woman.

Am I the only person who is offended by how everyone, even good and moral people, were shocked to hear she had talent? There seems to be an assumption that God saved up all the talent for the beautiful people of the world, or those who meet the artificial standards of beauty the world created. What does her appearance have to do with her voice, anyway? And once the shock wears off, will they let that extraordinary voice go on to have the career the woman deserves? Presumably they’ll make her over until she’s unrecognizable, but will it be enough?

As Latter-day Saints, we know it’s the spirit that counts, not the body. Yet even Latter-day Saints have been “shocked” and surprised. It’s not a unique situation. Long ago, when I was much younger, I moved to a ward and was not given a calling. Eventually, I was invited to speak in Sacrament Meeting. The very next week I was called to teach Relief Society. The Relief Society president explained, “We’d have asked you sooner, but we didn’t really think you’d be able to do anything.” I didn’t pass the outward appearance test. As Latter-day Saints we know man looks on the outward appearance, but God does not. And we don’t have to.

Let’s let Susan Boyle’s talent stand as a reminder to us to look at people with an eternal perspective. The body is a temporary impediment to our dreams. Let’s try to look beyond and not be shocked by the beauty we find inside less than perfect bodies.

Watch the video and “judge” for yourself:
Susan Boyle