Civility

There is an election recently. Did you hear about it?

Of course you did! The ads are everywhere--in the mail, on TV, on Facebook. Everywhere. This election is one of the most polarizing in this nation's history. It has created discussion. It has sparked arguments. It has perpetrated division.

I feel that is important for us to recognize in this chaotic times of elections and political scandal and civil disagreement that this world will get worse before it gets better. The Savior said, "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them . . . and looking after those things which are coming on the earth" (Luke 21:25-26). He also said the following in a revelation given to Joseph Smith: "And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them" (D&C 45:26). Moroni adds, "Yea it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations" (Mormon 8:31). This world isn't getting any better.

The line that stands out to me is "men's hearts shall fail them." In scriptural and poetic language, the heart has been used to symbolize many things. But the one most common is the capactiy to love. In the last days (our days), we are seeing the fruition of this prophecy: our capacity to love is failing. My purpose is to encourage members of the church to avoid this plague of the last days, and to hold true to love and civility, even as the world fades into the abyss of selfishness, cruelty, and individualism.


Civility is Part of Our Covenants

Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley said the following on civility:

"Civility, I submit, is what gives savor to our lives. It is the salt that speaks of good taste, good manners, good breeding....It carries with it the essence of courtesy, politeness, and consideration of others. How very much of it we have lost in our contemporary society! All of the education and accomplishments in the world will not count for much unless they are accompanied by the marks of gentility, of respect for others, of going the extra mile, of serving as a good Samaritan, of being men and women who look beyond our own selfish interests to the good of others."

I'd like you to now reread the quote, but this time with the lens of election-time conversation and consideration of others' opinions. His exclamation "How very very much of [civility] we have lost in our contemporary society" is ever the more prophetic. It seems for many people, if they were to speak on any topic except politics and elections, they would speak with politeness and consideration. But once the topic shifts to who they are voting for, what policies they are supporting, or what their opinion is on the latest hot political topics, all of that consideration goes right out the window. They'd shun their best friend if there was disagreement. I've seen it all over the place--it's been on my Facebook feed for the past six months! The important thing to note, however, is that we as members of Christ's Church do not have that type of leeway.

It was Alma who said at the waters of Mormon: "And now as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in" (Mosiah 18: 8-9). Our baptismal covenants are comprised partly of these promises. We are to be examples of Christ himself--as we have taken upon us His name--at all times and in all places. That includes on Facebook, on Twitter, at work, at school, even at the very voting line many will stand in this week. We are to love and respect everyone. Who one votes for does not define them. And it certainly doesn't take away any of the love which our Heavenly Father has for him or her. 

So why should we fail to be civil just because we're talking about politics? What changes?

The correct answer is: We shouldn't. And nothing should.


Civility Brings Peace of Mind and Joy

In his most recent address, apostle Elder Robert Hales said, "As the Savior's latter-day disciples, we come unto Him by loving and serving God's children. As we do, we may not be able to avoid tribulation, affliction, and suffering in the flesh, but we will suffer less spiritually. Even in our trials we can experience joy and peace."

The Savior said: "Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

There are topics we are passionate about. I understand that. But in the Gospel of Jesus Christ there is no room for cruelty. There is no room for judgment. There is no room for speaking badly of others because of what they believe. There is only room for love and respect and civility. And despite the firey speeches and the mudslinging that has been present in the US's current elections, there is still a Savior who loves us and wants us to love all. There will be disagreements. There will be differences of opinions. That will only get worse as we near His Second Coming. But that doesn't mean there has to be hate, and yelling, and screaming.

It doesn't mean our hearts and our capacity to love should fail us.