Recently, I heard a news report that a vandal had burned an obscene word into the lawn of Taylor Oldroyd, chair of the Utah County Republican Party.  This kind of despicable act should have no place in politics.  That we will disagree, and sometimes strongly, is a given when we all have differing views about how government should work.  But there are appropriate ways to express disagreement.  

Just six weeks ago, Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke to this very topic in LDS General Conference.  He admonished Latter-day Saints to "be civil in our discourse and respectful in our interactions.  This is especially true when we disagree.  The Savior taught us to love even our enemies."  Elder Cook went on to say, in a prescient statement, that "violence and vandalism are not the answer to our disagreements."  

Since most of the people in this community are LDS, that counsel clearly is relevant to many people here.  To subscribe to principles of Christian behavior on Sunday, and then to abandon them when strong political differences arise, is not to hold to those principles at all.  Those of us who are LDS should look inside ourselves to see if we are making ideology more important than religious belief and practice.

Electoral campaign seasons test our willingness to hold to standards of civility.  A neighbor of mine has put up a sign for a candidate who I do not want to hold the office he is running for.  Should I wait until dark and take down the sign?  Should I shun my neighbor since he is supporting someone I don't approve of?  Should I burn an obscenity on his lawn?   In a land where free speech is established in the Constitution and the freedom to differ is part of our American tradition, the answer should be obvious.

My neighbor has a right to put up a sign supporting his chosen candidate.  I have a right to do the same.  It is what makes our country wonderful - the freedom to express ourselves politically and to work for those things we believe in.

Unfortunately, some people don't get that.  I've had signs removed from my yard.  So have some of my neighbors.   As we go through this campaign season, let's leave each other's signs alone.  Let's be respectful of the rights of others to express their political preferences.  Let's not hate someone because they differ from us politically.

We need to respect each other's differences.  This is especially true here in Utah County where it is easy to assume everyone thinks the same way - politically and religiously.   Also, in general conference, President Dieter Uchtdorf made a comment that applies very much to us:  "I hope that we welcome and love all of God's children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently.... Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home."  

I don't think President Uchtdorf would mind if I broaden that a bit and suggest that we can apply this to all of our neighbors - LDS and those of other faiths or no faith - who seek to express the cherished right to voice their political views and stand for what they believe in.  We should extend to all that measure of charity that would make them feel that, here in Utah  County, "they have finally found home."