Tolerance

Yesterday the police department sent me to the Museum of Tolerance for a Training Day. This was my third or fourth visit to this facility over the years, all on duty and all as training days. Each visit saw new exhibits and demonstrations and each was very interesting.

I am, I imagine, not too different from most people who walk in believing that they are in little need of tolerance training. I learned the first time that it doesn't matter. If nothing else, the presentation is extremely thought-provoking.

Yesterday, I had several thoughts. As I watched the evolution of World Ward II in Europe as presented, it is clear that many (not all) average, ordinary people began to, for whatever reason, assume a stance that supported the Nazis. In many cases anti Jewish grafitti and vandalism was done by those ordinary people and eventually some pretty horrific acts including injuring people, then looting and burning their homes and businesses took place. The thought I had was "What would I have been like had I been a German young man at that time?" My next thought was that I'm glad I wasn't put in that position.

Another thought that came to me yesterday was how much cruelty exists in the world. It is beyond me how one human being can not just kill another, but savagely beat them to death. In my 38 years in police work I have come to the unalterable conclusion that I have seen the power of Satan at work among mankind myself and in history. One of the strongest and most powerful reasons that I believe the Gospel is true is that I have witnessed the power and cruelty and dishonesty of Satan. I can't believe people would be that cruel without that influence.

Of course, I have also seen the good things that result from attempting to live by the Savior's very simple instructions as found in the Sermon on the Mount and the Book of Mormon equivalent in 3rd Nephi. Adhering to the Teachings of Jesus Christ results in an absence of contention and conflict and allows peace, happiness and joy to flourish.

So, obviously I had a lot of time to day dream during yesterday's presentation but it was all good.

The closing speaker was an 83 year old Greek Jew who was in his late teens during WW II. He had scars everywhere including dog maulings scars on his face, rifle butt scars on his head, scars from bullet wounds and mishapen fingers from fractures. He had the obligatory numbers stamped on his forearm. He was a little hard to understand but he was a ball of fire. Very spunky and very proud of the mementos given him by the liberating Americans.

Every American should hear the stories this man had to tell. Perhaps we would more completely understand and appreciate how special and rare is what God has created in the land known as America.