Lessons from Dad: Day 5

Lessons from Dad: Day 5

1.       Civic Duty and Politics

My Dad graduated from BYU as a political science major. Needless to say, one obvious influence of that legacy is demonstrated in the fact that my oldest sister Michelle and I also majored in political science. And beyond that, there doesn’t seem to be a member of my family that doesn’t enjoy a good discussion on politics.

So why the obsession? Almost every time someone learns my major, I am asked, “So are you working towards becoming a politician” or even “does this mean you plan to become President one day?” The answer is an emphatic no. I have no political ambitions to become an officer of government. What really drives our family towards near obsession with all things political is a matter of principle.

Perhaps somewhat inborn, and otherwise influenced by my Dad, each us have come to believe that we can make a difference in the world. We have a passion for truth. We want to help build and strengthen societies upon correct principles. And my Dad has helped contribute to and shape this passion within us.

Family discussions on politics are pretty frequent, with my Dad always reminding us that there is a difference between contentious debate and intellectual discussion. Nothing is learned through angry rhetoric. He particularly always reminds us of the importance of having the Spirit with us as the only source of absolute truth. He is also open-minded. Though firm in his beliefs, I always take a special pleasure in the times my Dad hears out my opinions, thinks about them, and sometimes even agrees. In every case, he can make me feel important and intelligent while making sure I really have thought through my ideas. I know I can always turn to him for help when I am studying a difficult principle in class, or formulating ideas, as I tackle international problems of ethics, law, or even war and terrorism. My Dad knows a lot, but even he will admit he’s still learning.

Some principles that I have come to firmly believe, after great discussion with my Dad and others are as follows:

a.       All governments are based on certain morals. The best governments are based on correct moral principles.

b.      Morality is not relative. There do exist absolute truths, the most important being obedience to God. No society can function effectively without a sound moral foundation of truth. Once relativism is accepted, there remains no solid foundation for any government. Individual freedom, rights, and security also become relative.

c.       Moral agency is not only a good principle of government, but an eternal principle of God. People must have the ability to choose while still being held accountable…this is freedom by law. Freedom cannot exist without morally coherent law.

d.      Freedom of religion/conscious is the most important of all freedoms.

e.      Individual freedom comes in proportion to the level of moral self-discipline that we exercise. The more we control ourselves from within (self-discipline), the less we will have to be controlled from without (government).

f.        No government or economic system is ever perfect without perfect people. The best way to bring about good societies is to start with the perfection of ourselves. Virtue and selflessness is a key to enduring societies.

g.       “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”- Dr. Martin Luther King. We have a moral responsibility to spread the principles of truth, including freedom and democratic ideals, to the world. Everyone deserves a chance at freedom.

h.      My Dad believes that nothing is more worth fighting for than the Kingdom of God, led by the a perfectly just and merciful God, and where only the righteous adherents of moral truth and right will dwell. Often, he reiterates that spreading freedom is important as much as it allows us to spread the truth of the Gospel.

While I am still working out my own, more specific, ideas and enjoy writing about them in papers, books, etc…it would not be right to ignore the influence that my Dad has had on me and our family. Ultimately, he has taught us that we have a moral obligation to those around us, in our country and throughout the world. Perhaps because of him, we are all of us staunch advocates of freedom based on true principle, and we are all believers that we can change the world.

2.       Testimony and Example.

More than anything else, my Dad has influenced me through his testimony of the Gospel of Christ. He believes in God and in the Atonement of Christ. He has faith, hope, and charity. He knows that finding peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come rest on our obedience to God. There have been a number of quotes I have often heard him use, one of them being, “obedience in the first law of heaven,” a reminder that above all, we obey God. Two quick stories to illustrate the influence of his words and example:

My Dad told a story of how, when shortly after I was born, she had to undergo surgery because of pneumonia. To do the surgery, the doctors were required to put me in some sort of a harness for x-ray. Of course, this was uncomfortable and I began to cry hysterically. My dad always describes the situation so poignantly, telling me, “it nearly broke my heart to see you looking up at me in tears, a look of betrayal in your eyes. You didn’t understand why I was letting the doctors do this to you; why if I really loved you? You didn’t understand that it was for your own good, that it was the only thing to be done because I loved you.” My Dad then explains that he came to realize that this is often how our Heavenly Father sees us. We can’t always understand why we have to go through pain or hardships. Sometimes we might look to him as if he betrayed us, but it is only because we do not, and often cannot yet, see the bigger picture. Everything the Lord does for us is because he loves us. It really will be for our eternal good. That is what we must trust. 

Another time, I remember thinking a lot about the evil in the world and how hard it was for some people to suffer so much. We were at a family get-together and my sister Michelle was talking to my Dad somewhat about this subject and about agency…how hard it is that people are allowed to abuse their agency and cause others pain. I don’t remember the details of the conversation, but I do remember at one point my Dad saying, “But at least we know that all the abuses of agency will be made up. That is the beauty and power of the Atonement.”

I had never thought about it quite like that. Whatever we go through, no matter how hard, will be made right again. The Lord has prepared a way for the faithful to find eternal peace and happiness. Those who abuse their agency will not be able to stop us from finding eternal rewards in heaven, as long as we remain faithful to the Lord. Ultimately, agency enables a just punishment upon the abusers and greater strength and ultimate happiness for those of us who endure. It is a comfort to know that I can trust in God and the Atonement.

My Dad never lets an opportunity go by without reiterating again his belief and testimony of the Gospel of Christ. And it is more than words. As demonstrated in this five day memoir, my Dad incorporates these beliefs into his everyday life. He is an example and a hero to me, because above all, he is doing his best to be a true disciple of Christ.

His example is the greatest lesson from Dad I have received.