Peaceful Officer

In the world today, we are constantly bombarded with hate.  Political, Religious, Gender, Ethnic, and every other possible variation.  We are constantly told how meaningless we are as people, as workers, and as devout churchgoers.  Every media page (no matter what side they sway with) seems to lead their banter with how much worse the other side is doing things.  And we all know it is wrong.  Yet Satan is extremely successful in getting us into the mix.  Maybe it starts as a good backing of something like our apostles and prophets have encouraged us to support.  Then we get a backlash.  Then we defend righteously.  Then the personal attacks.  Then we are in a full on debate, in the wrong way.  Boom.  We are now just as bad as the ones we were trying not to be like.

Remember this one?

So how do we deal with this?  Let's face it: we have the type of job that begs to be ridiculed.  We are part of a religion that also seems to do the same.  Add to that a protective warrior mentality, and it seems the odds are stacked against us.  But we are also the kind of people who thrive in adversity.  Look at the many prophets and church leaders in the scriptures.  Look at the pioneers (both the 1800's and currently in other countries).  Look especially to the Savior.

Have you read some of the leading/set-up questions those who sought to belittle the Lord?  Sound familiar?  How about the treatment they gave the Savior even though he took upon their sins?  The Lord taught and served with righteousness even when it was unpopular.  He did not stoop to their level.  He taught with meekness and understanding but also firmness and unapologetic.  And here is the key to why He could: He was 100% in the right.

Let that sink in.  On any of the recent arguments you have been dragged into, can you say with 100% surety that you were right?  Perhaps this is why the bearing of testimony is more powerful than anything else.  I am 100% sure that the Savior died for our sins and leads us toward Eternal Life with our Father in Heaven.  I am 100% sure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith through proper authority from God.  I KNOW with 100% surety that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  So if it is any of those questions, I can literally testify of the previously mentioned.  And you can too.

The rest of the topics in this world are definitely worth noting, but not arguing.  Be involved but not the problem.  Publish peace.  Testify of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And if you get stuck or frustrated, step back and excuse yourself, say a prayer, search for answers in the doctrine, and ponder whether or not to re-enter the ring for that topic.  Sometimes it is worth moving on.

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, including LEOs.  Through it we can heal all the ails of the world.  It won't happen in a day, but the more we are Peace Officers on and off duty, the faster you hasten the work of the Lord.

Godspeed LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog