'Father Forgive Them'

This was a marker sketch from Sacrament meeting today

I have heard "meekness" defined as absolute power under absolute control. To me, the Savior's public disgrace, torture, and crucifixion stand even 2,000 years after the fact as the single greatest example of meekness in human history. God of the Earth, not only did he control his power and quench any anger in his heart, he found room even to love his murderers as they killed him.

In light of Christ's example, I think we should re-consider the way we think about our enemies. This last week, Osama Bin Laden, public enemy number one and murderer of thousands, was brought to justice. I believe this was necessary and good; left unchecked, his evil would have continued and God's children would have continued to suffer. I believe there is a place for war. Evils exist in the world that we have a duty to stop. Violence is seldom the answer, but when it is, it is the only answer. Some dragons will only be vanquished by the sword; such was the case of Bin Laden. However, I was ashamed to see the way many people reacted to the news of his death. People celebrated, laughed, sang, and danced upon his metaphorical grave. I can't imagine that the one who uttered the words, "Father forgive them . . ." could have looked down on us and been proud the Monday before last.