I'm so glad all this hype 'ends' tomorrow!

Yay for November to finally be here! And for Nov 4th to be tomorrow to get all this politic stuff done with. I'm pretty excited to vote. I was in Japan, serving a mission, during the last presidential Election so I didn't vote. It was still an "exciting" time over there 4 years ago. I was stopped everywhere and asked by strangers who I was going to vote for as an American. I was even threatened a few times - no one liked the idea of President Bush being President over there. I'm grateful for that opportunity, I realized how much American President Elections affect everyone outside the USA too.

This election I have tried to keep an open mind and really decide for myself who to vote for. Generally, decisions are never easy for me. And I'm sorry to admit I feel whoever I vote for will not make a big difference in the state of Utah (Very Republican). I am very easily persuaded by other's opinions, or those I respect/love's opinions. However, I am really trying to vote based only on my personal research and opinions. (emphasis on trying!) I have watched the majority of the debates, and have studied the official candidate websites. It has been interesting to see how others try to persuade other's votes with false allegations on candidates.

I feel strongly that it is not right to forward E-mails, spread hear say, etc on candidates. I have yet to hear a rumor that is true or useful - everything is distorted/exaggerated/taken out of context, etc. As I have heard some of these accusations I have researched them and every time find that the accusation was distorted, misunderstood, or out of context.

There is a principle to be learned from this. One must go to the official source of interest to clearly understand, become informed, and judge for themselves. For example; When I call my doctor's office and ask a nurse about my special circumstances with the miscarriages they each tell me different advice/assumptions, etc - which is always discouraging. But! from now on I only go straight to my doctor (though that route takes longer and I need to be more patient) but he is the only source I have that gives me correct information for my special circumstances. OR we can apply this to the Latter-day Saint church and all the misunderstandings that exist today because of rumors/hear-say/miscommunications/not studying the facts or going to the official source (scriptures, prophet, prayer, etc). Such controversial topics (polygamy, priesthood for all worthy men since 1970's, temple worship, etc.) today can be easily cleared up/understood if one would go to these Church endorsed sources.

I know I should have posted these recent thoughts of mine weeks ago, but for your consideration, before spreading hear say or basing decisions on rumors/chain emails, etc... just study it out or think about it before accepting it.