Leaders

     The state of the union highlights that I saw on the internet incensed me.  I do not believe that our current commander in chief knows how to tell the truth.  He has lied to himself so long he cannot tell the difference between truth and fiction.  He outright lies and people believe him.  He says what people want to hear.  He reminds me of the anti Christs in the Book of Mormon.  They carefully lead people down to hell twisting the truth and telling pretty lies.  What baffles me is that people I respect believe him.  How?  They aren't stupid.  I guess people are so discouraged with their lives they will believe anything that gives them hope for a better future.  Well, I'm not drinking the cool-aid.  Bring on the Second Coming and we'll see who survives.
     President Packer is the opposite.  He tells the brutal truth no matter what.  He used to be more harsh and has softened throughout the years, but he just words it more kindly.  He doesn't twist the truth to sound good.  He doesn't apologize for the truth either.  We love people, not their sinful behavior.  Yes, sinful behavior.  It is not popular to call people to repentance, but he does it anyway.  Good thing God chooses our leaders because our track record with elected officials is pretty horrible.  I'm not much of a historian, but I think George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln were our only great ones.  There have been good ones, but for the most part they have destroyed our country instead of building it up.  I don't even think FDR was good for our country.  Yes, I have high standards.  All the leaders God has chosen for our church have built it up and made it, and us, better.  I wish people in general saw the difference.
     This has made me even more wary about admiring people in the public eye.  Oscar Pistorius.  He was one of the heroes of the Olympics then he goes home and murders his girlfriend.  Yeah, yeah, innocent until proven guilty.  Not in this case.  There is a history of domestic violence.  Now it is too late to say to her do not let anyone treat you like that.  You are not married; you do not have children with him--you are free to leave.  He does not love you if he hits you.  So ladies, all six of you who read this, if your husband hits you it is a deal breaker.  Not too much else is.  Adultery: no.  Lack of faith: no.  Controlling, yelling, meanie: no.  Gay: no.  Actively gay with prolonged refusal to stop:  probably yes.  Potential murder: yes.  See the difference?  I hope so. 
     When you marry it is no longer about you and how you feel.  Hurt feelings do not matter when divorce tears the fabric of society.  Even a horrific marriage is better for society than divorce.  Protecting the institution of marriage is more important than you.  If you are dead you cannot contribute to society.  Putting all your energy into making a bad situation better, regardless of feelings, brings about better results and eternal life.  Giving up because it is hard will never bring what is best.