Faith and prayer were two of the integral issues that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid discussed at Tuesday's forum.
Reid began by sharing a letter he sent to his 16-year old granddaughter about faith.
"As a young man I was taught the gospel, convinced of God and soon developed a testimony of Jesus Christ," Reid read from his letter. "It was through an understanding of the plan of salvation that I understood there was more to life than just me. As Paul taught in the New Testament, faith is a substance or a reassurance of things hoped for, the evidence or demonstration of things not seen."
Reid continued reading from his letter, "I believe faith can be nurtured, faith can be renewed by living the golden rule, study, including scriptures, and constant prayer. As I have proceeded in life, I agree with the old Jewish belief that in the struggle with evil only faith matters."
Reid also said prayer has been a strength and aid to him throughout his life.
"I have prayed all of my adult life," Reid said. "We can pray for anything we need whether temporal, spiritual or physical."
Reid then began to talk about his party affiliation and political beliefs.
"I am a democrat because I am Mormon, not in spite of it," Reid said.
He continued by talking about how President Franklin D. Roosevelt has had a big influence on his life. He also discussed social security, his pro-life stance and the invasion of Iraq being the worst foreign policy move ever.
Reid also emphasized the importance of serving others, specifically in public service positions
"Public service is a broad field and you owe it to your state, your country and yourself," Reid said. "Jewish tradition declares ingratitude to man is an ingratitude to God. President Monson has said that an exciting life is available for each of us today; we can be explorers in spirit with a mandate to make this world better by discovering improved ways of living. God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon it."
He then discussed the greatness of America.
"It took me many years to understand the greatness of our country," Reid said. "My parents were poor, they drank too much. As President Samuelson mentioned, they were uneducated. My father never graduated from the eighth grade, my mother never finished high school, but I learned in America it doesn't matter the education of your parents, what their religion is or isn't; we had none. Their social status; we had none. The color of their skin, their economic status; we had none. I'm an example of this. If I made it, anyone can."
He related a story about James Fallows, a well-known author and commentator, who was interviewed on public radio after being a correspondent in the Far East for many years.
The interviewer asked Fallows who represents America in the most positive terms overseas.
Reid said Fallows answered , "members of the Foreign Service, the diplomatic core; they speak the language and understand the culture. Peace Corps volunteers, who speak the language and help the poor and the underprivileged."
Fallows, who is not a member of the LDS Church, said the last group who positively represents America were the Mormon missionaries. They speak the language, are cleanly dressed and live with the people, not away from the people.
"These three examples show there is beauty and strength in public service by helping others," Reid said.
The crowd reaction was fairly positive, with many giving Reid a standing ovation.
"I think it is wonderful to have a great American Mormon leader in Washington who has the capacity and character to resist the political false dichotomy so prevalent in contemporary politics," said Daniel Inouye, a sophomore.
Other students felt that Reid should not have addressed his political beliefs and viewpoints in the forum setting.
"I felt he did a pretty good job of holding himself back considering the audience he was addressing," said John Smith, a junior. "But at the same time I felt it would have been better if he didn't get into specific issues and policies."
Copyright Brigham Young University 10 Oct 2007
