I hope that we will leave off the political rhetoric and ask what we can do for those suffering on Long Island, and in the rest of New York and New Jersey!

I have a good friend, who was my stake president for a while. We were talking a few months after my 30th birthday. I was lamenting losing my calling as regional humanitarian co-chairman, and how it was a jolt to be called into a primary presidency where I felt like I was constantly putting out little fires of no real importance. He reminded me that meeting the needs of the kids in my primary was no less important than meeting the needs of thousands. Then he said something that has stuck.
“Julia, you got a lot of recognition for making projects happen that quite frankly most of the stake presidents thought was impossible. You did great things, but your primary children will remember you much more than any of the members or nonmembers you served in a regional calling will. Maybe you should spend your 30s building bridges between people, rather than large bridges for many to cross.”

Six years later I am still practicing thinking about individual relationships and smaller groups. Even with that practice, it was hard to read this and not think, “could this become a rallying cry today to combat global markets and create cottage industries, supported by LDS communities?” I admit, I started seeing visions of industrious saints, going back to a time when quality was valued more than cheapness, and having money meant an obligation to create jobs and industries. I am still in love with the grand visions of what could be. But, I am not 40 yet, so I instead am asking myself, how do I reach out to those who need me now?

“the Lord has given us the way, and the plan by which might come the ultimate solution of all the economic problems of this day.”

“I am persuaded that the days of trial and tribulation, the time for testing the fidelity of the Latter-day Saints is here as has been foretold.”

“I fear that under existing conditions we are gradually drifting toward a paternal government, a government which will so entrench itself that the people will become powerless to disrupt it.”

The system described, however, requires putting others’ needs above our own, so implementation on a national scale becomes problematic.

I know these longer posts are read by comparitively few ‘ninnies, but I enjoyed this one alot.