On January 6, 2021, after watching the insurrectionists storm the Capitol Building, I posted something on Instagram about my feelings. I can’t remember if I’ve ever made a political post before on social media, but I felt I had to take a stand against what I saw as an egregious assault on democracy.

I didn’t expect many of my social media friends to like what I said. Many of them have differing political opinions and beliefs than I do, but I feel like there is room for all of our beliefs. Our country is founded on the principles of choice, the right to have and voice an opinion, and the right to dissent. As citizens of the United States, we are fortunate to have a voice and be able to state our opinion on any platform. I expected that some of my friends would disagree with me. What I didn’t expect were personal attacks, which I received, from friends and family. Attacks veiled as “jokes” but filled with mockery and sarcasm. The worst attack came from a so-called friend, who purports to be an active member of the church, that was filled with mockery, belittlement, sarcasm, and bullying.  

I wasn’t personally hurt by the attacks, but I was saddened by them. How has our world come to this? How is it that we get so angry by someone disagreeing with us that we resort to hateful and hurtful remarks?

“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18).

In the last General Conference, several talks mention Zion and unity. President Henry B. Eyring tells us that the women of the church are a vital element in the gathering of Israel and establishing Zion (Sisters in Zion). Sister Sharon Eubank states how covenant women have a great influence on those around them. Additionally, she says, “We have power to remove prejudice and build unity” (By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God). Elder Quentin L. Cook speaks of unity too. He says, “Righteousness and unity are profoundly significant. When people love God with all their hearts and righteously strive to become like Him, there is less strife and contention in society” (Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity).

In order to establish Zion, I feel we must set aside our anger and discard our contentious thoughts and behaviors. Those feelings cannot coexist in a righteous people. This doesn’t mean that we need to discard our beliefs. Having one mind means opening up ourselves to understanding the mind of another and allowing the Holy Ghost to influence us and change our perspectives, if necessary. It’s coming together and becoming unified in purpose. The purpose of establishing Zion in the last days is to be ready for the coming of the Lord. That should be our focus as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I pledge to make a greater effort to treat others with respect and dignity—even when I disagree with them.

If you would like an idea of the type of unity I am talking about, watch this: