We Should Consider Accepting Cuba, Though it is Not a Perfect Nation

   I find myself reflecting on a scripture (an LDS scripture, for I am LDS) as I think about Cuba.
   ". . . but we do not believe it right to interfere with bondservants . . . nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men . . ." (Doctrine and Covenants 134:12)
   I do not believe it wrong to ask Cuba to change its ways, and I do not believe we are fomenting violence and civil war in Cuba. But, I do wonder if we should accept the nation as it is, if it does not choose to change. First, find out what offenses the nation is guilty of, but be ready to allow it its own political system if things do not prove too offensive.
   "We believe all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected." (Doctrine and Covenants 134:5)
   Perhaps it is that Cuba does not respect inalienable rights. Perhaps it is, then, that we should not be willing to allow it its own political system. To know how we should be treating Cuba, we should be relooking at what violations of inalienable rights the nation is yet committing as of 2014-2015.
   If while the nation is guilty of making its people "bondservants," but yet it allows them choice and free practice of religion -- if it is allowing its people freedom in other forms of opinion and expression -- then perhaps we should accept the political structure there.
   Regardless what we find, though, I hold to the thought I offered yesterday, that we should befriend this nation, that one of our approaches should be to try to influence through love and friendship. If we should eventually go so far as seeking an overthrow of the government -- because we still find too many offenses against inalienable rights -- let us first seek change through loving Raul Castro and the other Cuban leaders.
   (Edited 12/21/14)