As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I take my personal commitment to follow God seriously. One thing millions of Saints from around the world do to show their devotion to Deity is make covenants, or promises, with God.
One important covenant is made when someone is baptized. At the young age of 8, I made a promise to live the following Book of Mormon direction:
“To bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light ... [and] to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as [a witness] of God at all times and in all things.” (Mosiah 18:8-9)
I try to let these principles guide each decision I make. I’m nowhere near perfect at the execution, but I do my best.
In November, you and I have the chance to make a very important decision and, again, I’m allowing my beliefs and values guide my choice — which is why I’m voting for Joe Biden to be our next president.
Donald Trump was elected four years ago to lead our country, but he’s done anything but lead. The way he speaks and acts has divided us, pitting us against one another — brother versus brother — in a way the country hasn’t been since the Civil War. This time, we aren’t in a battle of blood, but a battle for democracy.
We need someone in office who cares about every American and someone who respects the rules and boundaries found within the Constitution.
That someone is Joe Biden.
Utah Democrats: I understand that Joe Biden was most likely not your first choice to be the future commander in chief. March’s Utah Democratic presidential primary results show that, although Biden did lead a couple counties’ votes, his total count was nearly doubled by Bernie Sanders.
But five months have passed and Biden has won the party’s nomination, and, as former First Lady Michelle Obama puts it, “If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it.”
Joe Biden is certainly not a perfect man, but he shows more empathy, and advocates for more unity and inclusion than Trump ever has and ever will.
You and I must choose the only remaining candidate who can best lead this complicated, complex, and cherished country we love.
In his years in public office, Biden has shown a willingness to listen to those who openly disagree with him, for the sake of communication and compromise. He has shown the ability to learn and to become better.
When other people say he’s wrong, Biden doesn’t run to social media to type out a rude, disparaging temper tantrum, filled with elementary name-calling and nonsensical rants. No, he hears them, and views them as people who have legitimate opinions and genuine concerns.
Biden’s desire to work well with — and for — others comes from a personal background filled with unearned tribulation. As a child, Biden overcame a particularly tough speech impediment and his father was jobless for a period of time. Later, Biden would lose his wife and 1-year-old child to a car accident and a son to brain cancer. Evidence suggests he has chosen to transform his pain into compassion, comforting those who need an extra hand or shoulder to cry on.
Because I love this country and my personal freedoms, I cannot vote for Donald Trump. Because I have high hopes and grand plans for my future set and family, I cannot vote for Trump. Because I’m committed to looking out for others and supporting those who need support, I cannot vote for Trump.
For a better tomorrow for every American, I will be voting for Joe Biden.
Tommy Johnson
Tommy Johnson, Cedar Hills, is a recent Utah Valley University graduate.
