The Proclamation to the World given in 1995 closed with the following:

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng

What actions have been taken by governments since that time have strengthened families? More importantly what policies could we advocate for to follow the first presidencies call?

I am studying D&C and this (Section 98) hit hard after last weeks election and the subsequent appointments:

9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.

This post is sincerely not a "spike the football" thing. I didn't vote for Trump or Harris.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing from those that formerly voted R but have been part of the anti-Trump movement within the last 9 years or so.

Trump is off the stage in 4 years or less. Would you vote for an R president again? Does it depend on the candidate? I really don't think politics will ever see another Trump so any nominee will not be Trump-light even if their opponents try to saddle them with that tag.

How about a Romney/McCain type? Vance? DeSantis? Nikki Hailey? Jeff Flake? Rand Paul?

As a big fan of the Book of Mormon and politics, there are two things that really annoy me regarding Mormon's abridgement:

First, there is the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies as they were fleeing the Lamanites in Alma 27:

21 And it came to pass that the chief judge sent a proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people concerning the admitting their brethren, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.

22 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance.

How??? As written, it sounds like the chief judge sent a question like "what should we do with them?", and somehow the people were able to come up with a specific, actionable plan. But how? Did each city have internal debates and then send representatives to organize and debate them? How did they get such a response and act on it?

Second, there is the amazing time period where the people got it right and kept it right for 165 years, and about all the detail we get is:

2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.

3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.

and that it failed when:

24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.

25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.

26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.

This isn't much to go on. How did they manage to keep it going for so long? How was it managed? What does "common" mean, really?

Mormon spent 45% of the non-Jaredite portion of the Book of Mormon (by word count) discussing the period of time during the reign of the judges, which lasted 121 years - or about 12% of the non-Jaredite portion by time. I believe this was intentional; the reign of the judges was the closest political system to our own, at least of the ones that he elaborated on. There are some valuable insights there, if we aren't too blind to see them. But couldn't he have given us some more detail into these two remarkable events? I wouldn't mind losing a war chapter or two, if space/time was the problem....

If there's one sigh of relief I can find in these jarring results, is that the GOP can finally quiet their brand of the generational war they were starting to drum up during the election cycle. Vivek ran on raising the voting age to 25, JD Vance stated that those with families should get more votes as they had more "stake" in the decision making of the country. Both are incredibly ridiculous takes when you take them at their rationale, but it was disheartening to see church members start believing this drivel.

Okay, so the youth can't be trusted with such an impactful life decision to vote, but apparently are old enough to make the decision to take a life and rack themselves with PTS? At least a vote's impact is mitigated in our system by several factors, negative repercussions can heal with time, and don't directly involve intent to kill. This is one of the most controlled, self-stabilizing actions for young adults to begin participating in adult life, and they arguably have the most at stake with the outcomes since they live longest through the consequences. DINKs/SINKs have some unique circumstances that often cause their choice to forgo having kids. Their situation should be seen as a symptom, not as an adversary.

If we're talking "Family: A Proclamation to the World", it's one thing to perpetually avoid raising a family because you have to get all your ducks in a row, there is always economic uncertainty in the decision. It's another when others are dismissive and questioning the morals of those postponing. There were times where me and other peers were getting accosted by seniors in our ward, some just nicely asking "When?" with understandable enthusiasm, but others implying that those like us were only getting hitched to make lust more condonable. I consider myself fortunate enough to have gotten that liftoff to finally have my son in our life, but I am still uncertain how to take on some prospective challenges that I know are coming, ones I'd prefer not to disclose. Some are not as fortunate, and they are going to have an administration that tacitly admits there will be economic hardships to come (courtesy of Musk). How does that inspire confidence in doing our duty to "rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live"?

I remember even while raised in a Conservative community being hyped up by annual seminary lessons on civic duty, and being encouraged to participate. I can't believe some have turned around and said the past 16 or so years that we need to be mitigated.

I made this argument on a different platform as a "Devil's Advocate", but there are young market optimists who can easily jump margins just like they did this year with effective messaging. Don't need to trample rights to do so.

Time for me to air my grievances about the DNC campaign. For once, I'd say DNC really lost the young this time around despite still technically leading with them. We got lukewarm endorsements from progressives practically reading lines. Must've been a big pill to gulp having to see a party endorse the Cheneys because they didn't want to cause spoiler effects and take a worse outcome. DNC really just presumed the youth would vote for things that were starting to lose the moral high ground (at least with international affairs) and halfheartedly advertising economic policy just because of celebrities and dying media influence, and starting courting the miniscule "Rs without a party". Likely the consequences of having to avoid rocking the boat with wealthy donors after already telling them they have to take unrealized gain taxes. Depressing how handcuffed wealth inequality reform can be, gotta love Citizens United. Most of my Conservative/low-propensity peers when I pressed them could more clearly discern Trump's scapegoating policies and tax cuts, but to them Harris was dodging questions on the fiscal issues or didn't know she was running on caps for healthcare or homeowner aid. Great, you put it on your website. It's clear enthusiastic voters read that stuff (which is why P2025 went places), but the votes you're looking for sure weren't.

I'd say this is a nonpartisan win even if it came at the cost of Democrat votes this election. I've even had Conservatives who pushed this idea several months ago admit that they think it's okay to have the youth brainwashed principally as long as it's from them being in the service, as opposed to "liberal K-12/uni reprogramming" (aka, "it's only bad if I'm not the one doing it").

The point of following Christ is to learn to love as he did. There are still so many who follow, hoping he will vanquish their enemies.

This isn't a letter to any one specific person, but is to several people that I know.

Hi, if you remember me I was in your ward growing up. You had me in primary, or Sunday School, or Young Men's, or Seminary, or perhaps in several of those, or even all of them. Or it's possible you were in some other leadership position where you made an impact on me. You may not remember, but I paid attention when you taught me.

I learned about the importance of reading the scriptures. I learned to follow the prophet. I learned about Jesus and I learned about trying to be like Jesus. I remember the lessons I learned about treating God's daughters with respect and not using them as sex objects. I remember the lessons about caring for all of God's children. I remember the lessons about being valiant and standing up for what is right. I remember the lessons about keeping good friends and not letting the world influence me to lower my standards.

This is something you drilled into me. You warned me about the evil influences of the world. You warned me about the dangers of the music I listened to, the movies I watched, and the media I consumed. I even remember that one time in Seminary when you played Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin backwards so you could have us hear the satanic message hidden in it. (It was ridiculous and Stairway to Heaven is still one of my all time favorite songs, but now years later I understand that you were concerned about those kids you were asked to teach and you were doing what you thought was best to protect them from evil influences.)

Back in the day there wasn't Facebook or anything like social media, but you warned me about internet chat rooms and to be careful about what I got into. You told me stories about people who had not been careful with who they let influence them and it led them away from the influence of the Holy Spirit and into all sorts of trouble.

One lesson in particular I remember was one where you told a parable about a group of boys who found an old car and decided to get into it and push it down a hill for a wild ride. As it started down the hill and picked up speed they discovered that the brakes didn't work. Before it got going too fast one of the boys jumped off and was OK, but the others stayed on. As it picked up speed another boy jumped off, but they were already going too fast so when he jumped he fell down and got hurn. As the car neared the bottom of the hill another boy realized that the crash at the bottom would be terrible so he jumped off, but sustained severe injuries. The final boy stayed on all the way until he crashed at the bottom killing him.

You used this lesson to teach us the importance of not getting caught up in something that will ultimately end badly. It was a lesson about the dangers of mindlessly going with the crowd. It was a lesson I learned very well.

Now many years later I remember all those lessons. I teach them to my own children. I teach them to the kids in my ward. I still read the scriptures. I watch General Conference and take the words of the prophets seriously (seriously, President Nelson is great, President Oaks has always been someone special for me, and President Eyring has always inspired me). I hope for a better world where everyone takes the teachings of our Savior seriously. I see all kinds of possible negative influences of many different philosophies of men (and I even have a degree in philosophy to show for it).

I'm not under the illusion that you were all saints. We are called Latter-day Saints, not as a description of who we currently are, but as who we can become. At the time I wasn't aware of your individual struggles, but now with the experience of age I can look back and recognize the struggles you faced. The challenges of your faith, to supporting your families, the struggles with everything that made you wrestle with God and being part of a church that demanded so much from you. But I saw you go through all of that and you were glorious.

Over the years I have watched many of you grow into wonderful people. But, I have also watched some of you climb on the broken down old car with your friends and start down the hill for a wild ride. I watched as you weren't careful with the media you consumed and who you let influence you. You protected your kids against what you thought was the evil influence of rated R movies and immoral music, but in other cases you just flung open the door to much more destructive influences.

You were so focused on the supposed satanic influences only found when you play a song backwards, yet you missed the satanic influences that spoke in plain language about hating and fearing certain groups of people and supporting violence just because you thought that those people somehow deserved it.

Now you can't say that I was somehow secretly a bleeding heart liberal all along. No, I was on the car heading down the hill with you. I voted for Bush, I voted for McCain, I voted for Romney. I supported the state initiatives on opposing same-sex marriage where I lived. I was an avid reader of the Drudge Report. I read Breitbart. I listened to Glenn Beck. When the Tea Party came around I enthusiastically supported it and voted for the Tea Party candidates. I described myself as a Conservative.

But along the way I could see that something had gone wrong. I could see that the car didn't have any brakes and the direction it was going wasn't good. I jumped ship because I could see that at his core Trump wasn't a conservative. When I left it wasn't painful because I left early before the car had gained too much speed. I kept hoping that the Republicans would wake up, band together, and kick him out. Instead they kicked out the traditional conservatives from the party. And many of you stayed on the car despite the danger you were in.

All of that was just politics and when that was all there was I could disagree with those around me and keep my politics separate from how I felt about them. But things changed. It stopped being about politics and turned into a serious question about how you could support someone so deeply immoral. You were beginning to call evil good and good evil. The things you were saying and supporting were starting to sound foreign to every thing you taught me growing up.

You were being influenced by the media you consumed and the people you listened to. All the things you had warned me about growing up were happening to you. You were lowering your standards because you were being taught to do it by the world. You were being led by the philosophies of men to justify immorality. You were not valiantly standing up for what is right like you taught me.

I wasn't alone in this. Many people noticed. The First Presidency even began to warn us about it. One line from the recent letter from the First Presidency particularly stuck out to me.

Members should also study candidates carefully and vote for those who have demonstrated integrity, compassion, and service to others, regardless of party affiliation.

This is as explicit as the First Presidency could be without actually naming Trump. He fails every single one of these tests. I grew up singing Follow the Prophet. I took that to heart, and I still do.

But I watched as your messages shifted from "Follow the prophet" to "Well the prophet didn't exactly say that" to straight up ignoring the repeated messages from the prophet admonishing us to carefully consider who we vote for, and to not just vote for a single party.

I watched as you brushed off or justified all the immoral things Trump said and did. You ignored the fact that he very publicly treats women as sex objects. You ignore the times he very publicly called for violence against our fellow citizens. He is the embodiment of the lack of compassion. You ignored the fact that his entire life and fortune is built on deceit and lies. Everything he stands for goes against everything you taught me.

One lesson I learned growing up happened when you took the youth down to a local soup kitchen to help feed the homeless people in our city. I have seared into my memory a moment when I was standing in the serving line and a man, obviously an illegal immigrant, came through. With tears in his eyes, and with only the two years of Spanish I took in middle school to understand him, he told me, "Thank you. I haven't eaten since Sunday." This was a Wednesday.

That will forever stand as the moment I began to understood the Savior's teaching,

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Thinking back on all those lessons you taught me, both formal and informal, I know I was listening, but now I'm wondering if you were too.

Trump isn’t the anti christ. He isn’t some great evil. He also isn’t the savior. Yall need to calm down. He is literally the average New Yorker. With a New Yorker personality.

I have grown up in the Southern United States, and lived here most of my 32 years on this planet. I am surrounded by red state. I’m also a Black man. I am constantly reminded how much the ward family doesn’t really care about people.

I am saddened at the amount of members voting for, and openly supporting, this asshole DJT.

He’s a vile person, has no moral compass, has done and been convicted of things that would get him dis-fellowshipped or ex-communicated. So the church members largely voted for him?

He runs on policies that conflict directly with the teachings of the gospel, the largest in my opinion being taking away Agency. What the EFF??? It’s like the cornerstone of teachings. We are here to make our own choices.

Where in the Bible does it say ‘mock and belittle your enemies, and seek to destroy them by any means’??

In the BOM we get a great example of Amalikiah getting pissed, usurping an election, and then he met Captain Moroni. Where is our Captain Moroni in 2024?

It really yanks the spirit away when I’m staring at the back of someone’s head, who just posted on facebook, the most insane rambles about how the country is saved and trump is “chosen” and all this other garbage.

Please, tell me, am I alone in this? Also, how do people who do not support Trump, fellowship and worship with those who wear maga hats outside of church?

• Trump is projected to win the US Presidency.
• Trump wants to massively increase tariffs.
• Tariffs usually result in higher consumer prices (aka inflation) and retaliatory tariffs from other countries (see the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act).
• In Fiscal Year 2018, Trump paid $28 billion to agriculture businesses to offset losses due to retaliatory tariffs from China.
• The Supreme Court ruled in July 2024 that any "official" acts by the president are legal.
• Can the president ignore any precedent or rule of law, and just use executive orders to nationalize property? If no, what will stop him?
• If yes, is it possible that the president will nationalize the Ensign Peak fund (see page 5 here) or other TCoJCoLdS assets to pay for losses during economic downturns caused by tariffs?
• Should he?

Welcome to our world.

As I said, the question- and the aftermath- are very serious. Any chatter among those in the know? Thanks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trumpvirus/comments/1foqx4g/if_donald_trump_and_jd_vance_met_jesus_today_they/