Trials: The Jury is Still Out

The past two months have been awful and wonderful. Awful because of trials in the form of persecution against me in the branch; wonderful because it has shown me a side of my husband hitherto not seen, and brought us closer together, which is a huge blessing. Nothing is resolved yet, but we're getting closer.

Our First Annual Family Reunion in June was a success and we look forward to next year as we establish this tradition. It was awesome to have all four sons here together. We missed our delightful daughter, but had seen her in May. For the next ten years we expect that not everyone will be at every reunion; however, if we continue in the tradition we can anticipate some wonderful times with our growing family.

School begins in two weeks! Yikes, where did the summer go? We have accomplished a lot and had some wonderful times together, I just want more!

2009 Writings on Government

I found this rebuttal to an op-ed from 2009 when I was cleaning out some folders and files. I think it is good enough to share and the perspective of the subsequent four years makes it quite relevant.

Mr. Eric Samuelsen’s My View made my blood boil with indignation.  I can not keep silent.  I suggest there are several things he needs to read immediately.  First is Marvin Olasky’s book The Tragedy of American Compassion, wherein he reports in great detail how the government take over of compassionate and charitable services has decimated the family and personal responsibility for the outcomes of our lives.  Second, are Ezra Taft Benson’s addresses Our Priceless Heritage (Ensign, November 1976), and  The Proper Role of Government (The Improvement Era, Dec. 1968), which outline what government, particularly the United States government, should be doing and what they should stay out of.  Third is Samuel L. Blumenfeld’s book Is Public Education Necessary, which chronicles education in this country and makes a case against public education.  Finally, King Benjamin’s sermon from Mosiah in The Book of Mormon, which you mention.  What you neglected to mention is that King Benjamin did not confiscate his people’s wealth to redistribute to others, but invoked individual guilt as a motivator for his people to give freely to others.  He also proclaimed that he had worked for his own living so his people would not have ‘taxes, grievous to be borne.’   

 Our current president, as well as leaders in Congress, are leading us deeper into captivity and servitude, with taxes grievous to be borne, laws that restrict our freedoms of choice (something much blood has been spilt over through the ages) and strangling opportunities for improvement of individual lives, while bringing us all down collectively.  Quite an accomplishment.  Our current president and congressional leaders are some of the most frightening leaders we have ever had. 

I do not know what history you have studied, but that which I have studied leads me to opposite conclusions.  That individual enterprise is much more effective at charity and compassionate service than unwieldy governmental programs run by bureaucrats.

A balanced budget at the expense of defense is a backward proposition.  You, sir, have your governmental priorities backwards.  The national government is supposed to provide for our defense which is something we can not do individually.  Social programs, from giving generously to our neighbors in need, to setting up local school curriculum are best left to individuals and local governments, where needs are readily perceived and accountability is visible.  Confiscating my hard earned money to pay a bureaucrat to give a pittance to another is theft, pure and simple.  I would like the freedom to choose to whom and to what I give of my time, money and other resources.

I resent my money being taken and given to persons who are immoral, unrepentant, and unwilling to work (I hate working too and would much rather be a homemaker for my family), and/or persons who use the money to support addictions rather than purchasing healthful foods.  Working at a convenience store has shown me how wasteful people are with the government’s redistribution of my money.  Persons come in everyday wanting to use their food stamp card to buy sodas, donuts, chips and candy.  They get money out of the ATM on their food stamp card to buy tobacco products and alcohol.  My tax dollars are supporting their addictions.  And you wonder why I’m not for government compassion.  There is no accountability, no plan for the improvement of lives, just a constant enabling of unhealthy and immoral practices.

 Now you ask for more of my money to pay for their medical care!  Providing healthcare for all Americans is not the highest moral imperative.  The highest MORAL imperative we have is to get people to repent of their sins and obey God’s laws.  You are right about needing more done to reduce teen pregnancy, encourage adoptions and reducing abortions.  Teaching obedience to the law of chastity will do more to accomplish that than alleviating poverty by wealth distribution ever will.  Teenagers have had more sex education in recent decades than all centuries previously; but without teaching the law of chastity to them all we have done is to fan the flames of teenage hormones, then provide (at public expense) fire extinguishers and mops to clean up the mess.  We need to teach them to keep the powers of creation sacred and under control until they are willing to accept and provide for the consequences, which are real live babies.

We do not have a healthcare problem in this country.  We have a self-discipline and personal responsibility problem.  People smoking, drinking, drugging and eating themselves into disease and crisis. Not to mention all the immoral practices that bring on disease and unwanted or inconvenient pregnancies.  Everyone wants to “have their cake and eat it too.”  In other words, people want to continue their unhealthy and immoral ways and have someone else pay for fixing it.  No personal responsibility, no bad consequences for actions.  There is enough medical care for everyone.  But nobody (individually) wants to pay for it, let alone live, eat and exercise in ways to keep themselves healthy and personally responsible for their choices.  They want the government to pay.  I am the government, and so are you.  Remember, government of the people, by the people and for the people.  The government is not a money making enterprise like Wal-Mart.  At this point in time it is a confiscatory and a deficit spending enterprise; taking money from productive citizens and giving it to unproductive ones. How is that right?  How is that consistent with the ideals upon which this country was founded?

The Second Amendment is an embarrassing anachronism?  No contemporary relevance? As long as terrorists (foreign and homegrown) bent on our destruction, stalk us with illegal weapons we need the freedom and ability to protect ourselves. (No, I don’t own a gun, we have five children. But that’s another subject.)

Just what do you believe is the ‘promise of America?’  I thought it was life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  No guarantees, just pursuit.  But liberty, whatever became of that concept?  Public education doesn’t answer for or provide that promise.  This country was founded without public education.  In fact, all education (schools) in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was of a religious or religion based nature.  Publicly financed education came into being around 1830 (interesting year).  Somebody got the bright idea that education should be divorced from religion and should teach children how to act and think without any reference to God.  We can see where that has gotten us.

There is actually very little that is public about schools, except the money.  I can not, as a member of the “public” go to a class that interests me in any school.  I can’t even walk into a school without first checking in with the Gestapo in the office.  Students are not permitted to come and go freely, cannot choose courses that interest them at the time they are interested.  Public schools have become factories for turning out government programmed workers, unable to think for themselves, curiosity stifled, brainwashed with the approved governmental ideas.  What is so good about that?  And why shouldn’t students have the right to pray publicly at school, in the free exercise of their religion?  And teaching science versus religion?  Science these days takes as much faith in the unseen and unknown as religion.  I’ll take revealed religion over man made science any day.  When will we learn and acknowledge that God operates on natural laws and allows us to discover them one by one in our pursuit of “science.”  True revealed religion and science are one and the same.

I do not want to stay the current course because the course we are on is toward certain destruction.  We need drastic course corrections to bring this nation into line with safety and protection from the God of this, choice and precious above all others, nation.

The governments of the nation, states, counties and cities should look at the way the government of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints runs things.  No deficit spending, no confiscatory practices, no raising of tithing rates (which is a constant rate for everyone, rather than a progressive rate punishing those who are more productive), prudent spending, saving for future needs, pay as you go, and on and on.  Look at the great good that is accomplished by that church!  It is a model for the rest of the world.

Mr. Samuelsen calls himself liberal.  I don’t know what to call myself because I believe the labels liberal and conservative are offensive and divisive.  Very few persons are completely either one.  There are too many areas to cover: finances, social services, morality, national defense, education, commerce, and so forth.  Obedience to God’s laws covers all areas and aspects of our lives.  It is a return to obedience to His laws and following the living prophet that will bring this country back to the right course. 

Our ills cannot be cured by more government regulation and taxation.  In fact, that will add greatly to our sorrows. All the ills of the world can be cured by living the teachings of Jesus Christ, and following the prophet.  The Book of Mormon is a vivid testament to the truthfulness of that statement. 

A Tiny Success

I feel just a tiny bit of pride at a tiny bit of success. We have a mentally challenged woman in our branch (result of an accident when she was a toddler) who loves to be first up for testimony bearing. For many months she drove me crazy with her recitation of what they did at her "old church" (Catholic) and who in her family she was going to visit, etc. I had been her visiting teacher for a long time but reassigned her to another sister so I could concentrate on some others. But the sister didn't visit her so I took her back because she loves to and need to be visited regularly. In April I took my partner, a member of just over a year, and I read Kristen M. Oaks' book "The Testimony Glove" to her (and my partner who needed to hear it too). She enjoyed the story and looking at the glove.

This past Sunday when Sister S. got up to speak she bore a sweet, appropriate, wonderful testimony. I was so proud of her!! I truly believe that most problems can be corrected with a little teaching, a little training, and a lot of listening to the Spirit.

Lessons I Learned Too Late to Do Me Any Good, But Might Help My Children

Some time ago I began a list of lessons I wish I had learned and understood thirty or even forty years ago. I love my parents and am grateful they taught me the gospel, but there are some other things that I wish they'd taught me too. For the benefit of my adult children who are currently looking for companions here is my list, to date, of those lessons. (Not in any order other than as I thought of them and recorded them in my journal over the past few years.)

1. Work together at home. For example: when you finish a meal together, get up and clean up together; as you make this a family habit there won't be arguments about whose "turn" it is. If you eat, you help clean up and many hands make light work.

2. If you want your spouse to help with anything, express your expectations clearly, then don't criticize their methods. Praise the outcome and express gratitude.

3. Debt destroys your future--avoid it like the plague. Sacrifice now to be free later.

4. Experiences are more important than things; and some things are more important than others.

5. If you're a good listener, learn to be a talker; If you're a talker, learn to be a listener.

6. It takes faith, not time or money, to bear and rear children.

7. The cost of breaking the law of chastity is too high to be worth any momentary pleasure.

8. We reap what we sow. In everything.

9. Practice healthy habits from the beginning; help each other to stay slim, trim and vigorous from the start. Reward each other with service, notes, a flower, etc. rather than with unhealthy and fattening treats. Be active and work or play together rather than sitting and watching together.

10. Marry someone who inspires and encourages your best self, one who makes keeping your covenants and the commandments easier, not harder.

11. Don't marry someone who has an addiction of any kind, because often one leads to another.
   a. Word of Wisdom, including or maybe I should say especially caffeine
   b. Technology
   c.  Debt
   d.  Pornography
   e.  Cars (or other idols)
   f.  Sports
   g. Entertainment (TV)

12. Marry someone whose faith and faithfulness to it are the same as yours.

How can you learn these things about a potential spouse? Spend lots of time together in non-entertainment venues such as church or community service, work projects, family gatherings, and such. Marriage is not one long entertaining date; it is daily life with all the drudgery and non-exciting work that goes with it. You can talk about these things, but I've also learned that talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. I guess that is number 13.

My Spirit is Fed

Wasn't conference awesome this weekend?

I'm going to give a quick recap of what I heard in the sessions (except Priesthood);

Elder Packer talked about how the power of the priesthood is given to protect our families and I felt grateful that we are bound by temple covenants.

Elder Davies spoke of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost being the pillers sunk deep to form the foundation of our lives; he also talked of how prayer should be a natural as breathing. Very good talk.

Sister Dalton gave good advice about how our part in mortality matters because we matter! She is just so awesome, we will miss her as the YW President.

Elder Cardon gave a good explanation of repentance and forgiveness. He said "In His mercy He allows improvement over time." How grateful I am for that, because I'm not ready for a final judgement.

Elder Ballard explained about using the power of the priesthood to strengthen families, and partaking of the Living Water by turning to the Savior.

Pres. Eyring also talked about the family and drawing closer to the Lord.

Elder Scott talked lovingly of centering our lives and homes in the Savior; little things lead to big things. Simple, consistent good habits lead to big consequences. Be wise in your use of technology. We can't do all that the Lord asks of us at the same time, He speaks of times and seasons. Such good advice.

Elder Cook talked about the difference between universal or world peace and personal peace which is an abiding, deep happiness and contentment. He told us that repentance allows for peace of conscience.

Elder Ellis said "We are not spiritual orphans." And how we raise our children is more important than where. The Doctrine of Christ is the way.

Elder Dickson (who was our Stake President when we first moved to Oak Harbor, WA) talked about missionary work, both in the time of the ancient apostles and in this dispensation. He talked about the effect of revelation on spreading the gospel and told personal stories about Mexico and West Africa.

Elder Bednar gave a powerful talk about the Law of Chastity which is so needed in the world today.

Elder Nelson also talked about missionary work and proclaimed "Our living God is a loving God."

President Uchtdorf talked about Darkness and Light and said that we choose in which condition we will live. Healing comes when we walk away from the dark and dwell in the light of hope. He gave 3 keys: 1. Begin where you are; 2. Turn your heart to the Lord; 3. Walk in the light. He said Darkness cannot exist in the Light.

Elder Andersen gave a great talk about missionary work and told of miracles associated with that special work.

Sister Wixom talked about teaching and reaching children. She advised us to disconnect from technology to be about to connect with children (and each other).

Elder Clayton taught us about Faithful Marriages:

1. Husband and Wife consider the relationship to be of great worth.
2. Build a marriage on Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (be good and obedient to commandments)
3. Humble repentance is an essential element in good marriages.
4. Respect each other as equal partners
5. Cleave to each other, leave behind a single life. Love each other with complete devotion.
All promised blessings will be our for our faithfulness

Elder Perry ( former Marine) shared what he had learned from a little brown book given to him as he entered the military. "Obedience to Law is Liberty." There are moral absolutes. God and his commandments do not change. Blessings come from obedience.

Then our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson spoke about Obedience and called it an unfailing guide. Life would be simpler is we obeyed exactly. There is no greater example of obedience than our Savior.

I think that was my favorite talk! Because it is something I've been thinking about a lot and trying to teach the sisters of the Relief Society.

We heard from Elder Holland who forthrightly told us about having faith. He said to acknowledge what strength we have and to hold the ground we've already gained. He talked about having integrity, that is having our actions consistent with our beliefs. He advised us to start with what faith we do have because what we know will trump what we do not know. He encouraged us to not be afraid to ask for help, and said that belief is a good place to begin.

Elder Oaks talked about following the example of the Savior and showed from the scriptures how our church follows what Jesus did while on earth.

Elder Golden talked about the nature of Heavenly Father and encouraged us to have a true understanding of Him and His Son.

Elder Falabelle gave a good talk on marriage and parenting. At the end he said "It is not enough to know the scriptures, we have to live them."

Elder Kopischke helped us understand how to be accepted by God and others. He talked about having a soft heart, being teachable and making a conscious decision to keep our covenants by obedience and sacrifice. Having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion is the ultimate sign of our acceptance by God. He encouraged us to seek the Lord's acceptance and receive the promised blessings.

Elder Porter talked about overcoming the world. We need not fear the future for God is with us. Faithful Latter-day Saints will find sanctuary in the Stakes of Zion.

Elder Christofferson talked about Redemption coming through the Savior.

At the end President Monson bore his testimony and gave his blessing to us. He encouraged us to study the messages of conference and live them.

Now I have enough to feast on spiritually for the next five months; I say five because the last month before the next conference I feel like I'm starving!

I find it interesting to hear what others heard in the conference because by the power of the Holy Ghost we hear what we individually need to. How miraculous is that?