Political Correctness VS Gospel Principles

We Must Choose A Side

 

We have come to a point in the world where sitting on the fence is no longer an option. Regardless of what the world says, there is no gray area when it comes to right and wrong. The line is drawn in the sand, and we must each decide on which side of the line we want to stand. The world’s view changes rapidly, but God’s laws are eternal.

 

People see things much differently today than even ten years ago. The speed at which views are changing is no less remarkable than the rapid destruction of the Nephite people in The Book of Mormon. We are letting go of the iron rod and gospel principles in order to be politically correct. Political correctness lures us to that spacious building of people mocking Christ’s disciples (1 Nephi 8:26-27).

 

I used to read the scriptures in amazement at how blatant people were about their lack of obedience. I was also incredulous that they lacked understanding of the signs given to them. Now I draw comparisons to our time. We are just as disobedient as many of the people in the scriptures, and we are ignoring the signs of the Second Coming of the Savior. Why? Satan is not whispering in our ears anymore—he is yelling. Too many of us are listening.

 

God Will Guide You

 

Eternal truths are as close as a fervent, sincere prayer. God has told us that all we have to do is ask, and we can know the truth of all things. Why are we not asking? Instead, we listen to the world tell us what is politically correct, and we fall in line. My parents used to say in answer to peer pressure issues, “If your friend jumped off a cliff, would you jump too?” The answer was always no, but that didn’t squelch the temptations of growing up in the 1960s and early 1970s. I submit that political correctness is often nothing but peer pressure with its banner waved by Satan.

 

It is hard to stand out from the crowd. It always has been and always will be difficult to be different. I grew up being called a “square,” which was hurtful and demeaning. It was also a test to see if I was ready for these last days. I didn’t buckle under peer pressure as a teenager, and I won’t now. There is right, and there is wrong. Satan wants us to believe there is a gray area in between, and that for the sake of political correctness we can bend the rules. Well, guess what? God’s laws are not flexible. If you try bending them, it is you who will bend and break; not God’s laws.

 

Search The Scriptures

 

This year was a year of intense scripture study for me. In just nine months, I read the Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price from start to finish. This is not the first time I’ve done this, but it certainly was the most productive. I made a point of reading the footnotes. When I didn’t understand something, I prayed. I have never been an expert on the scriptures, and I don’t claim to be one after this experience.

 

One thing I can say, however, is that I understand the scriptures much more now than ever before. That may be due in part because I have 61 years of living behind me, but mostly because I can look around me today and see everything that has been foretold in the scriptures—save the Second Coming itself.

 

Reading the scriptures used to be clear as mud to me, but now I’m drinking from a crystal clear spring. I don’t think that’s because I’ve gotten any smarter. When you look up and see what is right in front of your eyes, it’s pretty easy to see prophesy fulfilled. We must begin to heed the warnings.

 

To heed is to give careful attention. Heeding those who do not believe in Christ will not help you find Him. Searching #spaciousbuilding for knowledge will not lead you to truth. It’s not posted there. Only the Savior has “the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Everything else is just words. The large and spacious building symbolizes the “vain imaginations and the pride” (1 Nephi 12:18) of the world—in other words, distraction and deception. It’s filled with well-dressed people who seem to have everything. But they mock the Savior and those who follow Him. They are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7) They may be politically correct, but they are spiritually lost (Elder Kevin W. Pearson, “Stay by the Tree,” Apr. 2015 General Conference).

 

Follow Gospel Principles

 

Every day I see people who are ever learning and not able to obtain truth. It is incredibly sad. It used to be shocking to me, but it happens so frequently now that I’m no longer shocked. Elder Pearson is right. They are politically correct, but spiritually lost. They remind me of puppies chasing their tails—always running, but never catching the prize. It just isn’t important to me to be politically correct at the risk of losing my eternal home in heaven.

 

To further complicate matters, others try to persuade us that our decisions must be socially acceptable and politically correct. Some pondering of that approach will reveal how wrong it is. Since social and political structures differ widely over the world and can dramatically change with time, the folly of using that method to make choices is apparent (Elder Richard G. Scott, “Truth: The Foundation of Correct Decisions,” Oct. 2007 General Conference).

 

Following gospel principles in strict obedience is how we obtain the prize. We need to be a covenant keeping people. Stop wondering what our neighbors think of us. It doesn’t matter.

 

It is time we learned to be the “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9) which is our destiny. If we aren’t politically correct, so be it. We may not be loved by the world, but by standing for truth, many will respect us—and some of those may even find Christ in the process. More importantly, by keeping our covenants we will receive eternal blessings. Have faith. Stand for truth and righteousness. Be the person Heavenly Father wants you to be.