To All You Harry Reid Haters . . .

[Levin]

When was the last time you brought a former U.S. Senator into the embrace of the gospel? And that former U.S. Senator happened to be a Republican senator for nearly 20 years, while you worked on the other side of the aisle?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...DS-Church.html

[PaloAltoCougar]

When was the last time you brought a former U.S. Senator into the embrace of the gospel? And that former U.S. Senator happened to be a Republican senator for nearly 20 years, while you worked on the other side of the aisle?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...DS-Church.html

That's a very interesting story. Except for Reid's scurrilous attack on Romney with respect to taxes, Reid never bothered me all that much. But I confess I'm surprised he played a significant role in someone's conversion. And I'm very happy to see Clayton's doing okay; he looks good, despite his many health issues.

[clackamascoug]

Reid's back story on his recent "facial trauma" was interesting. I knew there had to be more to the story.

[Indy Coug]

It reaffirms that it is the Spirit that converts, despite the messenger.

[cowboy]

I admit that this story has changed my opinion of Brother Reid, though I still believe Senator Reid is a jerk. Nobody is all good or all bad.

[byu71]

It reaffirms that it is the Spirit that converts, despite the messenger.

I have been looking for the words to say, those are perfect.

One thing I have complained about as far as this church goes is the seemingly lack of emphasis on the importance of honesty. WOW, modesty, read your scriptures etc. are big items. Honesty, well that is up to the individual.

[Goatnapper'96]

I admit that this story has changed my opinion of Brother Reid, though I still believe Senator Reid is a jerk. Nobody is all good or all bad.

I give Harry Reid the same liberty I give any other person wrt the Church. I have long liked that Harry is a powerful political leader in the Democrat Party who happens to be LDS. I like that it demonstrates that we don't walk to the same tune and I like that his existence illuminated the hypocrisy of the hard lefties skeptical of any religious soul when they went after Mitt being a stooge for President Monson. It made me chuckle. I have long believed Harry was very sincere about his faith and I believe he should be free to worship comfortably without his occupation impeding his worship. The only time I thought he went too far was when he said that Romney sullied the LDS religion. Similar to me allowing Harry the latitude to have his own professional career I think Mitt should be given similar latitude by Harry and Harry should have said "Mitt is awful and doesn't pay taxes yadda yadda yadda" but he should not have brought up Mitt's religion. Harry is a shady partisan twit, just like just about everyone in Congress and certainly like everyone in a leadership position. He lies as much as he can to further his agenda and believes the end justify the means. That is no different than what I believe those on the right do. Anyone who thinks these people believe in anything than furthering their own agendas is naive. That is Harry's job and while I don't agree with his agenda I believe he approaches his professional responsibilities no different than any other politician in leadership.

I also think he made some really dumb professional decisions. It will be interesting to see how this develops for the Democrats as my opinion is Harry and President Obama decided that having Harry gum up the works of the Senate to keep gridlock intact would allow the President the cover he needed to try and further their agenda as much as possible through executive orders. I think it was a principle cause of the loss of the Senate by Democrats and it will be interesting to see if this improved and more functional Senate that the Republicans have brought will provide their more vulnerable Senators more national cover come the Presidential elections in '16.

Finally, I thought the story of Sen Presslar joining our throng was really cool. It demonstrated that Harry is what I had always given him the benefit of the doubt of being and it is cool that a really capable human joined my faith community. Who doesn't want double affirmation from the same story?

[dabrockster]

Meh.. Not even a smidge of feelings have changed, but thanks!!

[Bigfoot is Cain]

Last July we were visiting the DC area and we stopped by the DC temple to take some pictures. There was a limo waiting in the parking lot. Unfortunately I wasn't paying attention when the limo moved to the front door to pick up the patron. I wonder if it was Harry Reid.

[imanihonjin]

Last July we were visiting the DC area and we stopped by the DC temple to take some pictures. There was a limo waiting in the parking lot. Unfortunately I wasn't paying attention when the limo moved to the front door to pick up the patron. I wonder if it was Harry Reid.

In DC, there is a whole host of individuals who that the limo could have been waiting for. I saw Glenn Beck there once, even did a sealing session with him and his wife. When I walked out of the temple, there was an escort and security worthy of a high ranking diplomat waiting for him.

[Nakoma]

Harry is banking on the efficacy of James 5:20.

[BlueK]

I have been looking for the words to say, those are perfect.

One thing I have complained about as far as this church goes is the seemingly lack of emphasis on the importance of honesty. WOW, modesty, read your scriptures etc. are big items. Honesty, well that is up to the individual.

how are modesty and scriptures also not up to the individual? And honesty is included in the temple recommend interview, so that's pretty far up there. I think what you probably mean is individual members often miss the point of what the core of the gospel is. If your heart is really in line with Christ you're just not going to defraud your fellow man. I think you're saying it bugs you how a lot of members seem to think the Gospel is just a checklist of do's and don't's, along with a big emphasis on making sure they appear righteous on the surface, but totally miss the point of Christlike love for and treatment of others, and keeping your covenants and your word. If that's what you're saying, I totally agree with you on that.

I think it also really comes down to how parents teach their kids. At least for those who grow up LDS, 99% of the time, the combination of all teachers, bishops and all other church leaders are not going to have as much influence on how someone understands the Gospel than what that person learned at home from their parents. If the emphasis at home was all about the commandments checklist, but not so much on developing the spritual connection directly with God, and on love for him and their brothers and sisters on earth, then it's much more likely they'll totally miss the point.

[Omaha 680]

When was the last time you brought a former U.S. Senator into the embrace of the gospel? And that former U.S. Senator happened to be a Republican senator for nearly 20 years, while you worked on the other side of the aisle?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...DS-Church.html

I have never brought a former US Senator into the embrace of the gospel and I hate Harry Reid.

[frank ryan]

I have never brought a former US Senator into the embrace of the gospel and I hate Harry Reid.

Hate is toxic.

[Pelado]

I have never brought a former US Senator into the embrace of the gospel and I hate Harry Reid.

You're just jealous.