Standing Up For Christ

Abinidi in chains before King Noah.  By Arnold Friberg
Used by permission from churchofjesuschrist.org

Several years ago Derek was leading a discussion during study time at his parent's house about voting.  He asked the youth, if they were given a chance, would they vote to keep the pool open on Sunday or closed?  Derek did not give his opinion.  Connor listened to the discussion, and then made a comment that I recorded in my journal.

Connor told a story from the Book of Mormon that happened when King Noah and his people were wicked.  I wrote that Connor "talked about Abinidi and how he stood up for the Lord when nobody else would -- even though he was killed for it -- and that we should stand up for the Lord too, and not for everybody elses opinion."

In our voting and in our conversations are we standing up for Christ?  We can stand up for Christ kindly.  We do not need to argue.  We do not need to prove anything.  We can just quietly say what we believe, and respect the fact that they can choose to believe differently.  Maybe, in standing up for Christ in a kind way, we can help others learn again that there is such a thing as disagreeing in a civil way.  We can share our belief and then try to understand what someone else believes without thinking they need to agree with us.  We can be kind without needing to vote for what they want.  They can do that.  We can vote for Christ.