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Mormons in Mourning: Post Election Depression
A Well-Behaved Mormon Woman ^ | November 2, 2012 | Kathryn Skaggs

Posted on 12/29/2012 9:10:37 AM PST by greyfoxx39

From childhood it has been my nature to find that double rainbow in even the worst adversity I've experienced throughout my life, and like so many of you I've had my share. As an adult I am now well conditioned to find it immediately -- as I've learned that to do so I'm able to overcome a setback much quicker, press forward -- come what may. (Of note, this usually accompanies a very fast turn to Christ as part of the process.) But on occasion, life's disappointments refuse to allow such expediency and we are compelled to pause briefly -- rest on why that is -- and find the possible lessons to be learned, seemingly necessary.
So, today I want to pause from my normal, upbeat blogging style to acknowledge what I've been observing throughout my Mormon community since Mitt Romney's bid to become the first President of the United States failed: post election depression.

Like many of you hoping to celebrate the 2012 election results, I was ready to enthusiastically write that historic victory post, not only here, but also on the Washington Post:

Mitt Romney First Mormon President of the United States!

But alas, what many Mormons have been anticipating, praying for and some going so far as to fast for -- some believing it God's will -- were literally left devastated at the final election results! I know this because I've read what you think and heard what many of you are saying. And let me be quite honest here -- I've been somewhat taken back at the public displays of both anger and disappointment displayed by many members through the use of social media and on social networks -- causing me to wonder how future scripture would describe us as a people and what lessons our behaviors would teach future generations.

But please know, I'm not here to judge anyone -- I'm sincerely concerned by such outcry. Strange enough, I read an article a few days before the election suggesting that either way, a Romney win or defeat,
Mormons would not have much of a reaction . Boy did that lady have us wrong! I knew how excited we would all be if it were to have been a victory, but truly I had no idea the level of sadness and/or anger that I would witness by members I personally know and associate with. And this observation is not mine alone. I've receive a few emails from other members expressing this same concern -- which has ultimately driven this post.

I can't really say why, for sure, that my own immediate response turned to finding the positive for Mormonism, in general -- of which I wrote election night and
posted here, and then turned to give my response, as promised, whatever that was to be, to the Washington Post's On Faith Blog -- but somehow I was blessed to be given a view that enabled me to find a triple rainbow -- right away!

How grateful I am for that immediate blessing. Little did I know but that our little band of latter-day saints would collectively be so saddened by these election results. Let me just say, because I know if I don't I will be called out: but I do realize that for many of you it had little or nothing to do with the fact that Mitt Romney is a Mormon -- as I stand in that place -- but for many it was. And that's okay.

I'm not really sure why such extreme responses by so many members. I do realize that many believe this country is heading into some very dark days, and that by having Mitt Romney, a Republican and a Mormon, surely we could course correct this seeming downward spiral -- and with his loss such hopes have been dashed! I get this thought process and I'm sure there's much more that I'm not understanding -- or get -- but I'm still asking myself why? Why such sadness?

I found this quote by President Ezra Taft Benson responding to the popular Mormon belief that our Constitution would hang by a thread (which it likely is), and that the Elders of Israel would basically rise to save the day. I do have a concern that some of the sadness or disappointment being felt might possibly be connected to these thoughts, some feeling that Mitt Romney was the man for the job. And FYI, this 'prophecy' known as the
White Horse Prophecy, is not official doctrine of the Church.

"I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church -- men and women who will subscribe to and abide the principles of the Constitution" (Source: CHB 28-31)
So, according to President Benson, and I don't know what other leaders have said on this topic, but it seems to me that the answer to the Constitution problem will not be solved by one powerful person in government -- but individual members.

How that happens I can't say for sure, but I do believe that education and the preaching of the gospel will have a powerful influence on society as one-by-one individuals turn to God and choose to manage their lives according to His laws. And His laws are in harmony with the "principles of the Constitution".

As we reflect on the what now question and the where do we go from here question it begins to become more clear that the results of this election are that the gates to share the gospel have been blasted wide open and we've all got a lot of work ahead of us. And indeed it may not be too far fetched to suggest that the
lowering of the missionary age requirement, prompting a significant increase in new missionary applications, was the inspired work of our beloved watchmen on the tower -- knowing full well what is ahead.

Michael Otterson, who manages Church Public Affairs, globally, just published an excellent article over at On Faith, wherein he takes a look at:
What lies ahead for Mormons...

"More visibility is not necessarily the same as increased understanding. In reality, a presidential election campaign is probably the worst time to try to educate and inform, because politics by its nature is divisive and often shrill. Many people are ready to believe the worst if it comports with their political leanings. But with the heat and divisiveness of a political campaign behind us, thoughtful Mormons can now look to the possibility of having more serious discussions with others about our faith, and especially about how our theology translates into the way we live."

Isn't that a great point?

Before we move on though, you should know that you're not alone in feeling sad or depressed. Pretty much everyone I know who was hoping that Romney would win the election, and not just Mormons, are feeling pretty blue right now. From what I've observed, there's a whole lot of chocolate going on! ; ) I just thought it might be helpful to acknowledge it and maybe even share some feelings.


TOPICS: Current Events; General Discusssion; Other non-Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: bho2012; depression; election; inman; ldschurch; mormon; romney; romney2012
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To: greyfoxx39
I find it hilarious that mormonism defenders sooner or later resort to bashing Christians on FR and also claim mormon superiority over Christians.

And they seem to NEVER address the FACTS that are tossed in their faces; as in reply numbers #36 and #38.

121 posted on 12/31/2012 12:51:09 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: BillyBoy

Now you’ve upset the C and O’s and they’ll highjack yet another thread that started to illustrate the HERESY of MORMONism.


122 posted on 12/31/2012 12:53:39 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: BillyBoy

Statistics in Utah still reflect a depressive, judgmental, suppressive, negative social atmosphere of control. The prevalence of poor mental health: 41.4% 1st of 50 states, Birthrate per 1,000: 21.2 1st of 50, Physical exercise: 83.1% 2nd of 52 (US Census 2004-2009).


CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

In 2005, Utah had 32,203 total referrals for child abuse and neglect. Of those, 21,052 reports were referred for investigation. 7
In 2005, 8,173 children were substantiated or indicated as abused or neglected in Utah, a rate of 17.7 per 1,000 children, and representing a 3.4% decrease from 2004. Of these children, 20.7% were neglected, 14.7% were physically abused, and 19.3% were sexually abused. 8
In 2005, 10 children died as a result of abuse or neglect in Utah. 9
In 2005, 2,285 children in Utah lived apart from their families in out-of-home care, compared with 2,108 children in 2004. In 2005, 22.5% of the children living apart from their families were age 5 or younger, and 27.4% were 16 or older. 10
Of the children in out-of-home care in 2005, 63.5% were white, 4.7% black, 22.5% Hispanic, 5.7% American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 3.5% children of other races and ethnicities. 11

Divorces per 1,000 Population Utah-4.60 MA-2.40 NY -3.20 NJ-3.0

Murder per 100,000 Pop. Utah-3.90 NH-1.70 IO-1.70 ND-0.90

Rape per 100,000 Pop. Utah-42.70 NY -23.70 CA-33.40 VA-27.20

*Source US Census Bureau

Salt Lake Tribune, Nov 23, 1998—A9

FBI Report: Crime Falls Nationally, But Climbs Again in Utah

As the nation celebrates a six-year decrease in serious crime, Utah’s crime rate went up—again.

An FBI report released Sunday showed that serious violent and property crimes went down 3 percent nationally. But crime in Utah went up 3.8 percent in 1997, continuing a four-year-trend.

Not only is the state’s crime rate climbing, but more Utahns on average are victims of crime.

Nationally, an average of 4,923 out of 100,000 are affected by crime. In Utah, the number is 5,661 people— 13 percent higher than the national rate.

Utah was one of 15 states whose crime rates increased in 1997.

In Salt lake City, 11,969 people out of 100,000 were victims of crime in 1997.

Salt lake Tribune, Feb 17, 2004
“...The 2004 Utah Domestic Violence Annual Report, created by the state Domestic Violence Cabinet Council...In 2001, the report notes, Utah’s rate of females murdered by males in one-on-one incidents was 23% higher than the corresponding national rate.”

Utah: Salt Lake City

Nearly half of the 131 women killed between 1994 and 1999 in Utah were slain by husbands or boyfriends, according to a report released by state health department officials. They urged judges, prosecutors and clergy to pay more attention to the signs of domestic violence and to intervene before it escalates. USA Today

Utah Rape Statistics—2003

Rape Crime in Utah Well Above National Average

A federal report shows that one in five adult women in Utah—or a total of 157,000 women in the state—has been forcibly raped at least once in her lifetime. The report comes from the South Carolina-based National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center, giving Utah the top spot in the continental United States for its estimated percentage of rape victims. “Our findings clearly demonstrate the fact that Utah has a substantial rape problem,” said the report from the research group, which was established and is partly funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Utah has highest rate of “Food Insecurity”
Child poverty rate up
Utah leads nation in bankruptcy

Salt Lake Tribune
11-24-03


Do you need more evidence your assumption is wrong?


123 posted on 12/31/2012 2:42:43 PM PST by svcw (Why is one cell on another planet considered life, and in the womb it is not.)
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To: greyfoxx39

What just is a “born again” type?
Either you are born again or you are not - it’s really that simple.


124 posted on 12/31/2012 2:47:29 PM PST by svcw (Why is one cell on another planet considered life, and in the womb it is not.)
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To: svcw

Thanks for the good post, svcw.


125 posted on 12/31/2012 3:17:22 PM PST by greyfoxx39 (Romney's gift to the country....Boehner bowing to Obama while kicking the Tea Party.)
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To: svcw
Marvel not...
126 posted on 01/01/2013 3:26:06 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: greyfoxx39
HEBREWS 11:3

I post these graphics because:

(1) I have heard what former ldsers and what well-read researchers have said about lds beliefs., i.e. the lds believes that God did not create everything out of nothing.

(2) I have had CURRENT lds people tell me that what I am saying is true, but that I shouldn't say it, because they feel uncomfortable about discussing the issue and its implications.

(3) I believe that God's WORD is living and eternal and that He can use it to scrape away false doctrines from the souls of people.

(4) I post these because the false doctrines of human pre-existence and of eternal marriage are FALSE. They are useful hooks to get people to stay in the lds, but those doctrines are USELESS.

Why?

(A.) They diminish the creative power of God, that He created our spirits out of nothing, and

(B.) the eternal marriage doctrine defames and contradicts the teaching that Christians WILL be married in eternity. We will be married to Christ .... but NOT to each other.

127 posted on 01/03/2013 12:59:50 PM PST by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
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