During the recent semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson admonished church members to “lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice” and to “promote respect for all of God’s children.”
The upcoming presidential election provides a timely opportunity for people of all faiths and goodwill to unitedly follow this counsel.
The current president of the United States has repeatedly and unapologetically ridiculed Muslims, people of color, immigrants, women, prisoners of war and the disabled. His words, vitriolically laced with disdain and disrespect, reveal his disregard for some of God’s children. He is on record using derisive name-calling and dehumanizing language toward people with whom he disagrees or deems as inferior. Even worse, he models this behavior at his rallies, fomenting prejudicial attitudes and racial hatred among his followers.
Trump’s repeated actions are not benign, isolated incidents but rather evidence of a well-documented, destructive pattern, a pattern that will undoubtedly continue into his next term should he be re-elected. He has hurt many people, and he will continue to do so unless he is stopped.
I assert that Trump’s language and behavior are not in harmony with President Nelson’s current counsel. Further, I contend that America needs a president who will disagree without dehumanization and respond without ridicule. Judging Trump by his own words and behavior over many years, it is clear that he is not that president. As people of faith and goodwill, we can protect those who might be harmed by Trump during his second term by ensuring he doesn’t have one.
Brenda Kay, Spanish Fork
