Donald Trump is about to be our next president. And there is a lot of controversy about that. I have definite opinions about some of those things. But I’m trying to make this post a politically neutral post so I’m keeping those opinions to myself.
Being LDS, I am also aware of the specific criticisms that our church is receiving (from within and without) because of two situations.
- The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is singing at his inauguration.
- Two apostles will be attending the inauguration.
Because of the amount of controversy over this particular presidential election, the attendance at this event is being seen as making some sort of a statement of endorsement, even though the choir and apostles and have a long-standing history of attending past inaugurations.
And like I said, there’s a lot that can be said about that, which I am refraining from saying. My purpose in that is because I want to emphasize this one point.
Let’s just say that Donald Trump is all the negative things that people say about him. I’m not putting up any argument that he is. I’m saying, for the sake of argument let’s just assume that he is as vile a person who is unqualified for this office of president as we ever seen in the history of our country.
Mark 2:15-17
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus found himself in that exact position where the Pharisees expected him to make a statement, take a side, prove a point by rejecting the company of these Publicans–hated Jewis tax-collecters that were seen as traitors for supporting and helping to contribute to the Romans. Even the phrase “publicans and sinners” showed how the people felt about them because of the job they chose to do. It was completely political.
And yet, he broke bread with the publicans and sinners. And we would expect no less from the Savior of the World who loves us all so much. His atonement was planned and executed for us as well as for the “publicans and sinners.”
And I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ. This church has at its head prophets and apostles who are special witnesses of Jesus Christ, who bear his name, who invite all to come unto him.
Of course the choir and the apostles will be attending the inauguration.
sparkling blue 