A Brighter America

Every Man Ought to Bear His Part


Contrary to that which is right
Corruption by rulers oft shows
As they put themselves up as a light
In truth, this ought not to be so
For every man ought to bear his part
Of the burden placed on each land
Enjoying light, as privileges impart
From heeding what the Lord commands
Mosiah is a great lesson on individual rights, self-government, responsibilities of citizens….
Mosiah 29:
26 …Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law-to do your business by the voice of the people.

The Essence of Freedom

The essence of freedom
Is to know Jesus Christ
To journey in wisdom
Holding to truth and light
Pondering The Infinite Atonement
by Tad R Callister

Perfect Your Powers of Reason

Perfect your powers of reason
Discover the how’s and why’s
Explore our times and seasons
And God’s mysteries, sublime
In ever small ways we can measure
And mirror the life of the Lord
To more fully feel light to treasure
As we learn from His two edged sword
The doctrines of the atonement
Must be felt and internalized
To find in the most trying times
A close kinship with Jesus Christ
Pondering The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister

In the Promotion of the Common Good

In the promotion of the common good
Of our beloved country
We unite religions in brotherhood
For the voice we are wanting
We defend the rights of conscience
Of  individuals and churches
To preach on moral principles
And share God’s light for all who searches
“The lesson of American history is that churches and other religious bodies prosper in a nation and a social order that respects religious freedom and recognizes that civil government should never stand between the consciences and the religious practices of its citizens and Almighty God,” he said.
Speaking of the partnership Catholics and Mormons have in defending religious freedom, Cardinal George acknowledged that “sometimes our common advocacy will make one of us the target of retribution by intolerant elements” but emphasized that such actions should not deter religions from making their voices heard. “In the coming years, interreligious coalitions formed to defend the rights of conscience for individuals and religious institutions could become a vital bulwark against the tide of forces that work in our government and society to reduce religion to a purely private reality.”
Cardinal George pointed out that “society is based not on individuals but on families, on mothers and fathers with duties and obligations to their children, on children who learn how to be human, in the school of love, which is the family, which tells us we are not the center of the world individually.”
He also lauded the growing relationship between the Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their joint efforts, such as providing aid to the poor and needy and combating pornography.
“I’m personally grateful that after 180 years of living mostly apart from one another, Catholics and Latter-day Saints have begun to see one another as trustworthy partners in the defense of shared moral principles and in the promotion of the common good of our beloved country,” he said.
“Our churches have different histories and systems of belief and practice, although we acknowledge a common reference point in the person and the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Cardinal George is president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the first Chicago native to become archbishop of Chicago. He presides over 2.3 million Catholics in the Chicago Archdiocese.

The Irrevocable Human Right

The Irrevocable Human Right
Of our freedom of religion
Is ingrained within every heart
Thus, to reason each decision
“Freedom of religion is not an American invention. It’s a universal value. And it’s enshrined in our Constitution and ingrained in every human heart. The freedom to profess and practice one’s faith, to believe or not to believe, or to change one’s beliefs, that is a birthright of every human being. And that’s what we believe. These rights are rightly recognized under international law.” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, May 20, 2013
https://www.facebook.com/SupportReligiousFreedom

Obedience to Law Is Liberty

Today we’re in a war
Of words, thoughts and deeds
Remember who we are
And plant gospel seeds
May we ever be a light
High upon a moral hill
Showing the way that is bright
Doing our Father’s will
Blessings always come
Through our obedience
Then, liberty is won
And we are freed from sin, hence
“Today we find ourselves in another war. This is not a war of armaments. It is a war of thoughts, words, and deeds. It is a war with sin, and more than ever we need to be reminded of the commandments.”
May we ever be a light on the hill, an example in keeping the commandments, which have never changed and will never change. Just as this small book encouraged LDS servicemen to stand morally firm in times of war, may we, in this latter-day war, be a beacon to all the earth and particularly to God’s children who are seeking the Lord’s blessings. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Civility

All the best artillery
Even for centuries acquired
Does not assure security
When civility has expired
All the best artillery
A nation acquires
Cannot prevent the enemy
From evil desires
The strength of a nation
Is the good people therein
Who found their education
In the home where choice begins
Life, hope, and liberty
Is worthy of any price
And a nation is found hurting
When we forget to be nice

Death for the Atheist

Death for the atheist
As the enemy fires
Is full of emptiness
As existence expires
But, then to awake
On the other side
Through the veil to break
What then to decide?
Death for the atheist
As the enemy fires
Is full of surprises
When the Earthlife expires
Pondering the retirement of Pres. Eisenhower’s saying, “there are no atheists in foxholes” as the military puts in atheist chaplains.

A Nation Founded on Prayer

http://youtu.be/QnWfYDUEXQ4
In 1956, President Eisenhower made “In God We (Still) Trust” America’s official motto.
A nation founded on prayer
Shines a light made bright to share
It carries a message in its strong beams
It is God who makes us free for our dreams
first_prayer_in_congress
First Prayer in Congress http://carlduckett.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/let-us-call-for-freedom-once-again/
United States Congress
March 27,1854, a report from Mr. Meacham of the House Committee
“At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, not any one sect [denomination]. Any attempt to level and discard all religion would have been viewed with universal indignation. The object was not to substitute Judaism or Mohammedanism, of infidelity [Atheism], but to prevent rivalry among the [Christian] sects to the exclusion of others.
It [Christianity] must be considered as the foundation on which the whole structure rests. Laws will not have permanence or power without the sanction of religious sentiment, — without a firm belief that there is a Power above us that will reward our virtues and punish our vices.
In this age there can be no substitute for Christianity: that, in its general principles, is the great conservative element on which we must rely for the purity and permanence of free institutions. That was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants. There is a great and very prevalent error on this subject in the opinion that those who organized this Government did not legislate on religion.”

Light to Freedom

The door opens a crack
And lets in some light
It may be a small act
But freedom’s in sight


If We All Exercised our Freedom of Religion

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

If we all exercised

Our freedom of religion

And kept God before our eyes

We’d be as He envisions

 A land healed of what’s wicked

To stand united to pray

Where miracles are witnessed

As we keep His laws each day
Calling America

To each of us, pass that rock around.
As a nation we are hurting.
Like an Ebenezer to be found.
We must hold on to liberty!

1 Samuel 7:12 Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the LORD has helped us!”

My Hope with Billy Graham

The heart of our great nation
Has need of our help
Some healing education,
By Jesus, himself
Let us bring souls to Him
And introduce who He is
Tell them how much He loves them
We’ve light on how to do this
Phillip brought a friend
Andrew, his own brother
And Matthew in the end
Brought fellow colleagues together
We must know our neighbors
And gather in His light
Miracles, he favors
As we’ve faith and do what’s right
If our nation won’t call for a day of fasting and prayer, we can organize ourselves…

  1.
    July 30, 2012 – In November 2013, the biggest North American evangelistic event in more than 60 years of Billy Graham’s ministry will take place—on the week 

What is Security?

Without freedom
How can one feel safe?
Act with wisdom
Or become a slave

Noah pack up
While others jeered
Building was tough
But freedom neared

The pioneers
Left the known behind
Despite the tears
They’d freedom to find
What is security
And a comfortable life
Without liberty
And faith to help you strive

The World Needs Pioneers Today

BY PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSONJULY 2013, ENSIGN
We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph ended—how a slackness and softness finally overcame them to their ruin. In the end, more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security and a comfortable life; and they lost all—comfort and security and freedom.   http://www.lds.org/liahona/2013/07/the-world-needs-pioneers-today?lang=eng

Liberty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty‎

Liberty is the value of individuals to have agency (control over their own actions). 

He who sacrifices freedom for security will soon have neither.-  Ben Franklin


Those who would give up Essential Liberty
to purchase a little Temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

Mr. Lincoln

Mr. Lincoln,
You called us to pray as a nation.
I think we should do it again.
For the economy and education,
Our freedoms, and enemies to befriend
We have ‘nowhere else to go’
But directly to our knees
Under much weight we groan
Still, we trust God knows our needs
Image: Abraham Lincoln in Thinking Pose by Mathew Brady, 1862 (Public Domain image)

http://opensiddur.org/2012/02/memorial-prayer-for-abraham-lincoln-by-isaac-goldstein-the-levi/

Challenge To Faith Leaders – TheBlaze

Your light will blow out
If you do not let it shine
Set yourself apart
Be a light others can find

World War 3 Globe Remolded – TheBlaze

The world is up for grabs.
Chaos is everywhere.
We can’t pack up our bags.
We’ve a message to share.
To all who will hear:.
What’s self-evident you cannot take.
Our words must be clear.
The cause of freedom to re awake.

Glenn Beck Delivers Tearful Monologue without Saying a Single Word

If today were the last day
That your voice could be heard
What would you want to say
As your final last word?
I love you, I miss you, I am sorry
I would take back much from the past
Only the best words would I carry
From my heart, the ones meant to last
I would say the words that lift up, inspire,
And offer comfort to many
I would say wake up and never tire
Of doing good a plenty
In my life I have spoken a lot of words
How many of them were well thought out?
How many of them were in the breeze, for the birds?
How many, of my character, left doubt?
Before I changed my life and sobered up
Many of my words were vile
Judging others became not enough
To build myself all the while
But that didn’t work, it never does
I’ve changed a lot since then
More so with my final words, because
I KNOW where I have been
And now all I want to do
Is “wake up” more each day,
Heal, and help others anew
For that is the healer’s way
No one wants to hear
Our country is in trouble
Corruption is here
We need to become humble
And deeply apologize to the world
For who we are, we’ve forgotten
Under God, united, we once stood
To lift up the downtrodden
We have been so busy fighting
Along a political stream
That our city once know for lighting
The world, is a distant dream
The wars, bailouts, whatever
That no longer counts
Let’s all work together
To change and surmount
It takes courage to grow
It takes a change of heart
But, we want the world to know
We have that heart to start
We can make it if we love
Even those who offend
And speak highly of
Those who are not quite a friend
We are in this together
This is not a time to fear
For our children’s children, forever
Our unity must appear
I believe that with God
It is never too late to change
We can live as He taught
For on this our freedom hangs
With malice towards none
We can love one another
This miracle can be won
As we see serve each other
We can do the right thing
Life, marriage, school, job
Freedom in truth does ring
And call forth for God
Answers don’t come quickly
Through any single, powerful man
They come through love, simply
As we give up pride,  we can
History teaches us
To shut up and sit down
Stop questioning, thus
That’s not good, we’ve no doubt!
It is not too late
To save our country, true
We must give up on hate
We’ve better words to choose
Thank you Glenn Beck.  In a day when men’s hearts are failing, you are reaching and teaching hearts.  Thanks for reminding us of what a patriot should be!

The Flag Takes the Brunt

Our flag takes the brunt
Of each bad thing we do
As nations then confront
Our constitution, too
The flag that we salute
Has seen us through “it all”
To goodness, now be true
Or with the flag we will fall
This was one of those middle of the night, write it down, poems…

Strengthening the Free Exercise of Religion – Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Shoulder to shoulder, let us unite and walk
On this enduring path we exercise, let us talk
Let us speak of our common goal to be free
To act as our creator taught us how to be
Let us speak of our faiths, each to stand apart
And fan the flame of belief of which we’re a part
Under God, we are what lights this country strong
A city on a hill offering freedom’s song

Archive for the ‘america’ Category

The Pilgrims Story Episode 2

The need for fresh air
Caused the accident.
He was saved through prayer-
Divine providence
Thrown overboard
In a storm, with little hope.
He prayed to the Lord
And found beside him, a rope!
Click on the title to go to a wonderful site and listen to founding stories of American history.
Mountain Star Network.  Great site for summer listening.

The History of Memorial Day: by Studies Weekly

Before your summer begins
And you fire up the grill
Remember our fallen men
The unknown and missing still
Place a flower, wave a flag
Visit a resting place
Give thanks for all you have
We’ve freedom to embrace!

E Pluribus Unum

E pluribus unim
Out of many, one, thus
Hearts sing out in union
And proclaim, “In God we trust!”

Taps history told by John Wayne

It was a sweltering day
Every scent hung, heavy
Here seven thousand soldiers lay
This was seven thousand, too many
The roar of the cannons had ceased
The hills were covered in blood
As darkness enclosed from the east
A colonel arose from above
His bugle was slowly, gently raised
He played what he had just composed
And expressed the feelings on this day
The cry of the lone heart exposed

Ways and Means America

Make all the comments you want.
Arguing who and what you will pay.
It is our children who will take the brunt.
If we do not get started today.
How will we ever balance this budget
If we all argue to get our way?
Set an example of getting out of debt
As the sole ways and means to obey

Margaret Thatcher’s Eulogy to Ronald Reagan

He mended America
Through grace under pressure
He through a miracle
Improved the free world we treasure
He was candid and tough
Of firm mind, an example
Rooted in humor and trust
He lifted nations and people
In the midst of great terror
When hysteria could rise
He inspired hearts to be tender
And brought down walls and built ties
He transformed the economy
Turned enemies into friends
His accomplishments were many
The best, his example he lends
He had providence with him
As from God’s word, he often spoke
We know that this great pilgrim
Knew Heaven’s welcome as dawn broke
 He died June 5, 2004As a nation we were remembering DDay’s 60 year anniversary the next day.President Bush was in Paris, France honoring the heroes of WWll.http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/05/reagan.health/President Bush responded to Reagan’s death in Paris, France, where he is on tour to honor the heroes of World War II on the weekend of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
“He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save. During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt, and, because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny,” Bush said. (Bush statement)
Bush’s father, former President George H.W. Bush, said “history will give Reagan great credit for standing for principles.”
“It was wonderful the way that he could take a stand, and do it without bitterness or without creating enmity with other people,” said the elder Bush, who was Reagan’s vice president.

The Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson

The redistribution of wealth is usurpation
And will surely lead to the downfall of our nation

  1. usurpation - definition of usurpation by the Free Online Dictionary …

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/usurpation‎

    u·sur·pa·tion (y s r-p sh n, -z r-). n. 1. The act of usurping, especially the wrongful seizure of royal sovereignty. 2. A wrongful seizure or exercise of authority or …

  2. Usurp – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson

Government has a role
It is to guarantee
God given rights for each soul
To know self agency

  1. Agency - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

    http://www.lds.org/topics/agency?lang=eng‎

    Agency is the ability and privilege God gives us to choose and to act for ourselves.Agency is essential in the plan of salvation. Without agency, we would not be …

The Constitution Will Be Saved – But Not In Washington

The constitution will be saved
By great citizens of this nation
Who from our founders have not strayed
And share of it for education
The stars and stripes will wave
When the Savior comes again
His Saints will work and save
The Constitution, our friend

John Wayne & Ezra Taft Benson – The Vietnam War

Freedom began to crumble
When we caved in defeat
And left nation in trouble
Let history not repeat
When this bully picked a fight
With friends of good ol’ Uncle Sam
Communism gained in might
When in unity we did not stand

Armor-Clad Mayor Asks City: ‘Who’s Willing To Fight For Stockton?’ « CBS Sacramento

With a mace raised way up high,
He asked, “Who’s willing to fight?
For this city, to try
To restore it from crime!”
Then he looked all around
And asked, “Who’s left their ego?
Volunteers must be found…
And, (oops…) all your guns must go!”  (Uh, No!)
Oh, and please be notified
That taxes must increase
Filling courts with more tried
Which the jails will release….
Let us pray for the home
The backbone of each town
Make each neighbor known
That civilization be found
What happened to the good ol’ days
When you could protect yourself?
Where respect and honor pays
And a show of guns would help?
This article grabbed my attention.  I thought about Captain Moroni, of course!

Brush Fires of Liberty

Reignite the fire
That once shone upon a hill
Raise that flame up higher
We are America, still!

Given the Chance to Pray for this Land

Given the chance to pray for this land,
I pray for what, once, made it so grand.
That document, that made us a light on the hill.
Oh, that it be honored and protected still!
The constitution written by inspiration,
When others would have given up in exasperation,
Proclaims things as they really ought to be
For each individual to progress well, in liberty.

We Were on a Roller Coaster

We were on a roller coaster
Exciting and thrilling
The ups and downs jarred to closure
With lessons instilling…

Of shameful attacks,
Shallow scrutiny,
And slips through the cracks,
All hollow and tinny

Still, passion was there
America awoke, bold
Seeing, all aware
We were about to be sold

We came up short, we lost
The slow purchase was subtle
Basic freedom, the cost
We are flat out in trouble
Pondering
The New Yorker
MARCH 4, 2013

ANN AND MITT ROMNEY’S LOST FAIRY TALE

POSTED BY 
Looking back on the campaign, Romney said, “We were on a roller coaster, exciting and thrilling, ups and downs. But the ride ends. And then you get off. And it’s not like, Oh, can’t we be on a roller coaster the rest of our life?” 

Framing America- Religion and Family

Ever since the Pilgrims
Colonized this great land
Freedom of religion
Has framed this country grand!
Limiting government and laws,
Around rights we are born with;
Allowing man to define God
Through our conscience ours to live.
The family ere since defined
Creation’s at the forefront.
As new motions have combined
Each change we must confront!
For who is better to help this land
Than the husband and the wife?
Who’ll raise children to understand
Values upon which we all thrive?
Prosperity’s future
Depends on integrity.
Our children we must tutor
To stand for liberty!
Prosperity’s future
Depends on righteousness
Letting God’s laws tutor
Will secure this land His!

CitizenLink Report: The Gift of Freedom




Prayer played its part in WW ll
For men of faith knew what God could do
Like, as when the freezing rain pounded
A troop found themselves surrounded…

General Patton asked the chaplain to write a letter
A prayer to be shared to ask for good weather
Three thousand men were enlisted then to pray
Bringing to mind the faith of Gideon’s day

A week later, after the prayers began
That God heard them? The men knew that He had!
For the rain ceased and sudden relief came
And, the victory was won in God’s name

Just before the Battle of the Bulge, as Allied forces found themselves surrounded by the enemy and hounded by freezing rain that kept reinforcements from reaching them in the Ardennes Forest, Gen. George Patton asked his chief chaplain to write a prayer for good weather. Patton then used it as a training letter for 3,000 officers, asking them to instruct all their enlisted men to pray. “Those who pray do more for the world than those who fight,” the letter said. “We must urge, instruct and indoctrinate every fighting man to pray as well as fight. In Gideon’s day and in our own, spiritually alert minorities carry the burdens and bring the victories.” 
A week after the prayers began, the troops received an answer: The rain ceased, relief came and the Nazi advance was crushed. 
The letter of 1944 shows us that with all the battles we have to fight, and all the means that have been given to us with which to fight them, our most effective weapon is always prayer. The One Who calls His people to be overcomers holds all victories in His hands, and is able to do “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.” 
http://www.pattonhq.com/prayer.html


You’re probably familiar with John 15:13, 
which says, “Greater love has no one than this: 
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This story includes the enemies…

The U.S. medics set up in a church 
to treat all the injured French
When the Germans broke in to seize
To help their wounded, they did not flinch

But, as they were in the house of the Lord
They asked the weapons stay at the door
And hidden snipers who were prepared
To shoot them thought better… because of care

So much that when Normandy was reclaimed
These snipers surrendered peacefully, unashamed
The doctors concern was in preserving lives 
And many soldiers and wounded were saved on both sides

“I saw an example of that firsthand recently, in a memorial to World War II soldiers in Normandy, France — which I discussed with Stuart Shepard recently on the CitizenLink Report. It was in the stained-glass window of a church near the scene of some particularly bloody battles, where scores of Americans died while trying to liberate the French people from the occupying German army.
Two U.S. medics had set up an aid station inside the church, but when it was captured by German soldiers, they asked if the medics would work on Germans as well. The Americans said they’d work on anybody, as long as everyone left their weapons at the door. This impressed two German snipers, who were watching, unnoticed, from their hidden position in the church’s belfry. Shortly afterward, the town was recaptured by the Allied forces — and the snipers, whose perspective of the enemy had been changed, peacefully surrendered.

Aside

Aside the demands
Of the day to day
Fellow Americans
For what did you pray?

Look to All You Can

We look to all we can
To lead our country forward
To inspire our children and
Give us goals to work toward
“And we citizens also have to rise to the occasion. We look to our teachers and professors, we count on you not just to teach, but to inspire our children with a passion for learning and discovery.
We look to our pastors and priests and rabbis and counselors of all kinds to testify of the enduring principles upon which our society is built: honesty, charity, integrity and family.
We look to our parents, for in the final analysis everything depends on the success of our homes.
We look to job creators of all kinds. We’re counting on you to invest, to hire, to step forward.”   Mitt Romney

The Constitution Lays in Shreds

The Constitution lays in shreds

With one hand, we work hard to hold it up

In fellowship our other hand extends

For help, for alone we are not enough



A Few of the 23 Million



 Where do you put your trust
After your last step’s been made?
How do you still look up
When every hope for a job does fade?

You do by sharing your pain,
Who you are, and what you can do
Believing you have much to gain
Believing in America, anew

There was a time when there was just no laughing


 There was a time I was broken
With my trauma left unspoken
I drank and shut the world out
But that is not what I am about
I knew I had to seek help
I could not do it by myself
I pulled together my resources
And again laughter in me courses

Ann Romney


Let’s talk about what holds us together
As an American family
It is love at home and for each other
That unites us quite happily

Real love is deep and abiding
It brings us our greatest joy
It keeps America shining
With goodness, for the world to enjoy
Let’s talk about those who are struggling
Whose nights are always long
Who are going through hard times and need
The hope a nation strong
Let’s talk about our children’s children
And what we are leaving them
A debt that does naught but deepen
We can turn around and stem
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/28/transcript-ann-romney-speech-at-republican-national-convention/

Be the Best You Can Be


Be the best you can be
Based on the desire you’ve got
Based on ingenuity
And hold your freedoms about

You Need a Record and a Plan

You need a record and a plan
To gain all the hearts of all man
That is what our Father taught
And gave us Christ to be sought

Thinking how this applies to politics as well.
How exciting to think of our Savior coming again
to lead us with a perfect government!

Crescendo Romney, Obama Focus On Debate Preparations « CBS DC

Romney, Obama Focus On Debate Preparations « CBS DC
           Crescendo
A growing crescendo of enthusiasm
Is following this promising campaign
There’s more energy and passion
The heart of America beats again

GBTV: Predictions come true


Change can come at lightening speed
When men combine and design with greed
What lies ahead just before our eyes?
As economically a nation dies…

Find Where the Light Begins

Do not fix on and measure
The total of your sins
But take stock in and treasure
Where Christ’s light begins
See Glenn Becks video interviewing some people who have been touched by Mitt Romney in a personal way.  One who was seeking spiritual counsel received advice that inspired this.

The Last Stretch

It’s the last stretch of the race
His running mate enters in
With great energy in place
Mitt Romney is set to win
Through a lifetime of effort
Of working and doing the right thing
He now sacrifices comfort
For the assistance he might bring

Politics Aside

Politics aside
Mitt is a decent man
With not a thing to hide
He’ll serve this country grand.
He may seem a little distant
Like a boss with things to do
But be assured in an instant
He’d respond to serve you too
Like the surgeon behind the hands
Set to remove that cancer found
Where it counts, he understands
He is the one to have around!
Warm up to the idea
That we need this business man
He does not wheel and deal
But budgets everything he can

Invest in America

Invest in America
In the things that are good
Celebrate each miracle
And live in gratitude

Let the Right and Left Unite

Let the right and left unite
And meet in the middle somewhere
We are a nation of light
And ought to then seek out God’s care
One side says, “Government did it!”
The other says “No, I did it alone!”
But we should each know our limits
Prosperity’s for God to make known

For Such a Hard Time as This


For such a hard time as this
Great women know to unite
And put the world on notice
We are all in need of light
Women of faith now gather
To make an impact and pray
Believing in finding answers
They discuss the needs of our day

The Best of America


Travel across America
And what will you see?
Hardworking, proud people
Who love liberty
Families and neighborhoods
Establishing routines
Volunteering, achieving,
And dreaming, each, big dreams
They’ve vision, values, and character
And a “can do”, high spirit
Their work ethic’s superior
How can we not but cheer this!
Time not so long ago
We could celebrate our birthright
But today, it is not so
As its become hard to unite
But, “there is no other place
I would rather live,” let it be said!
Let us restore America’s grace
And believe better days are yet ahead

Travel Across America

Travel across America
And what will you see?
Hardworking, proud people
Who love liberty
Families and neighborhoods
Establishing routines
Volunteering, achieving,
And dreaming, each, big dreams
They’ve vision, values, and character
And a “can do”, high spirit
Their work ethic’s superior
How can we not but cheer this!
Time not so long ago
We could celebrate our birthright
But today, it is not so
As its become hard to unite
But, “there is no other place
I would rather live,” let it be said!
Let us restore America’s grace
And believe better days are yet ahead
From something that Mitt said in a video and I cannot figure out where.

Grace | Define Grace at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/grace
elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action: We watched her skate with effortless grace across the ice. Synonyms: attractiveness, charm, gracefulness, …

Pull Up the Ladder

Pull up the ladder
To your private back door
In what really matters
You need to say, “NO MORE!”
That door left wide open
Has let too much in
From being complacent
A change must begin

A Reformation of Life

Faith with good works does save
One mightily from the grave
Through repentance and faith in Christ
Who pardons our defects in life
Faith will be counted for righteousness!
Said Jefferson, “Bacon, Newton and Locke…are my trinity of the three greatest men the world has ever produced.”
John Locke wrote the 1669 constitution for the Carolina Colony.  He wrote books on the reasonableness of Christianity.
 According to Jefferson, Locke’s system of Christianity is this:
Adam was created happy and immortal….By sin he lost this so that he became subject to total death (like that of brutes [animals]) to the crosses and unhappiness of this life.  At the intercession however of the Son of God this sentence was in part remitted… And moreover to them who believed their faith was to be counted for righteousness.[Roman 4:3, 5] .  Not that faith without works was to save them; St. James, chapter 2 says expressly the contrary [vs 14-26]….So that a reformation of life (included under repentance) was essential, and defect in this would be made up by their faith; i.e. their faith should be counted for righteousness [ Romans 4:3, 5]…[A]dding a faith in God and His attributes that on their repentance He would pardon them [John 1:9]; they  also would be justified [Romans 3:24] .  This then explains the test “there is no other name under heaven by which a man may be saved”[Acts 4:12], i.e., the defects in good works shall not be supplied by a faith in Mahomet, Fo [i.e., Buddha] or any other except Christ.
The Jefferson  Lies pg. 41
David Barton

Studying the Bible for Days and Weeks

Studying for days and weeks at a time
Sir Isaac Newton was influenced by the Bible
Birthing calculus, he had quite a mind
Sticking to universal laws all of the while
Said of Newton, knighted for his work in physics, astronomy, and optics: ” he spent more time on theology than on science; indeed, he wrote about 1.3 million words on Biblical subjects…Newton’s understanding of God came primarily from the Bible, which he studied for days and weeks at a time….Newton’s theology profoundly influenced his scientific method… His God was not merely a philosopher’s impersonal First Cause; he was the God in the Bible who freely creates and rules the world, Who speaks and acts in  history.”
Said Jefferson, “Bacon, Newton and Locke…are my trinity of the three greatest men the world has ever produced.”
The Jefferson Lies pg. 39
David Barton

Vigorous Pursuit of Truth

A vigorous pursuit of truth
Will lead one directly to God
To serve one’s country and church
Only content to give one’s all
Said Jefferson, “Bacon, Newton and Locke…are my trinity of the three greatest men the world has ever produced.”
Francis Bacon was known for developing the scientific method and is known as the “Father of Modern Science”.
He declared that his threefold goal was to discover truth, serve his country, and serve the church.  He asserted that vigorous pursuit of truth would always lead one directly to God.
Jefferson Lies
David Barton

A Great Friend to American Liberty

A great friend to American liberty
Promotes true and undefiled religion
Refrains from profanity and immorality
And sets himself to God for each decision
Thomas Jefferson was educated by Scottish clergymen even into law school. American lawyers referred to Sir William Blackstone’s 4 vol commentaries on the Laws of England.  Who also followed the Scottish Common Sense philosophy.  ( the will of the maker is also called- the Law of Nature)
The Jefferson Lies
David Barton

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence
Was an expression of the American mind
Of those schooled by the Scottish Common Sense
It is based on Christians writers of the time
Their principle tenets of persistence
Were straight forward- There is a God!
Who wrote upon each heart, a conscience
To base each choice, and create law
This being true, Thomas Jefferson knew
Reason and revelation do not conflict
Though one’s thoughts corrupt and judgments eschew
Laws of nature and inspiration do not contradict
The Jefferson Lies
David Barton

Shall We Persecute?

Shall we persecute any one of us
For being an American citizen who prays?
Who contributes much and is industrious,
Who enriches our culture, our lives, and our states?
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865560200/Huntsman-offers-condolences-to-Utah-Sikhs Jared Page
“When events like (Sunday’s shooting) happen, I want you to know that everyone is with you,” he said during a brief service inside the temple. “They might not come to visit as I have today … but I would say most all Utahns’ hearts are very heavy with a sense of sadness about what happened.”
The Huntsmans sat on the floor of the temple with Sikh members during a reading in Punjabi from the religion’s holy text. Afterward, they were presented with saffron shawls as a show of thanks and honor from the congregation.
“I want to thank you on behalf of a lot of people in this state for the contributions you have made to our society, to education, to industry, to the economy and enriching our culture and our lives in this state,” Huntsman said.
The former governor also thanked the Sikhs on behalf of his family, specifically mentioning daughter Asha Bharati, who was born in India.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, a member of the local Sikh congregation, called the shooting tragic.
“Any time these types of events happen, it’s absolutely devastating to a community, especially when it happens in the context of a prayer service and people at a church are gathering to just pray,” Gill said.
Sikhs worldwide have suffered persecution following 9/11, often mistaking them for Muslims.
“Whether somebody is going after Muslim Americans or Indian Americans, the fact that somebody is going after (anyone) with this hate and this kind of level of violence is absolutely, absolutely wrong,” Gill said.

"The Covenant" Tim Ballard on GBTV w/ Glenn Beck


America has a promise
A covenant to Israel
Our Founding Fathers knew this
With God we will not fail
A nation under God
Has freedom of religion
And prosperity for all
Who make righteous decisions

Decence

We are all governed
By God and not by men.
The freedoms we have been given
Are rights that come from Him.
We will promote virtue
To all upon this land.
We, the citizens, vow to
Unite and take a stand.
We’ll confront behavior
That’s sinful and viscous.
For decency, we labor.
Good must exist in us.

David Barton on Glenn Beck, Christianity and society


Open your mind
Light enters in
Culture to find
God wins in the end

Glenn Beck – Restoring Love 7-28-12


I’ll stand with anyone
Who is willing to fight
To restore America
As a source of light
No bigotries here
All are needed
To brightly appear
Undefeated

Glenn Beck – Restoring Love 7-28-12


Be a beacon of light
For someone else
Turn the world aright
Be a source of help

Duty and Purpose

Duty and purpose
Courage and honor
Demanded his service
As our nation’s father
Again and again
He could not be relieved
For it caused him great pain
When we faltered, he grieved

Our Inheritance

Thousands Gather For Glenn Beck’s ‘Restoring Love’ Event At Cowboys Stadium « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth
Our inheritance
Is a promised land of peace.
Through benevolence
We invest, improve, and increase.
As we give service
It’s love we restore
This is our purpose
Good works to perform
We have courage to stand
And support our community
We offer up a hand
And share of faith, hope, and charity

Answer Your Call

A great gift gone wrong
May still increase, seen strong
But, one day it will fall
Having not answered its call
Answer your call
Have faith through it all
Be strong and fit
See the benefit

Persistence

Persistence cannot be replaced
With talents, genius, or position
Prove your commitment,show your face
Earn respect through your decisions

Show Respect

To show your respect
Be prompt, plan ahead
Mingle, connect
And show you’re well-bred 

Patriotic Service

Service to your country
Never really ends
With the war cry drumming
Re-enlistment begins

Communism

Regrettably, when left to ourselves
We are unfit for fair government
For as the battle for equality swells
The cry for communism laments

Truth

Your version of the truth
Is not all that exists
To new thoughts don’t be alloof
Having all the facts assists
If we are seeking for great truth
We must follow where it leads us
Unafraid to raise the roof
To expose each fatal weakness

Commitment

Gossipers and naysayers
May try to distract you
But regardless of who betrays
Commitment sees you through

Victory

Yes, there will be mountains to climb
And many comforts to sacrifice
Though burdens rack your soul at times
Victory comes with a high price

Make a Difference

Unafraid to make a comment
Or to be seen as different
You prepare well for that moment
Where you can make a difference

Traits We Need

Character, trust, and honor
These are traits that we need
In a modern day father
Who for this country will lead

Prudence

Prudence is exhausting
Much must be weighed to remove all doubt
Though at times frustrating
This is what wise, good men are about
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prudence
the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason

A Good and Great Man

A good and great man
Stands above the crowd
To lead in goodness and
Make his fellows proud
Never to overtower
Or cause to shake or bend
But to instill power
As good wins in the end
Pondering Glenn Beck’s Being George Washington.

Resentment

Resentment is a fuel
Promising an end
But it soon consumes the fool
Who thinks it is a friend
One of the great strengths of George Washington was Civility.  Reading Glenn Beck’s book
Being George Washington.

Skill Can be Used for Good or Bad

Skill can be used for good or bad
According to one’s power and will
But in the end, we’ll wish we had
Used them well, for talents to fulfill
A gift that has gone wrong
For a while holds great power
But it will not last forever strong
Unsupported in death’s hour
I would love comments.
Who can you name in history that used their skill for good and great things, and turned to doing bad things with power.  A gift gone wrong…
An example is Benedict Arnold known for victory in the battle.  He married a loyalist and betrayed his friends, his career, and his country.  Reading Glenn Beck’s Being George Washington.

Honor

Honor does not waver
As does the ever fickle wind
Bur remains solidly clever
To not cower or seek revenge
Honor does not hold a chip
To wear heavily on a shoulder
Nor does it smolder and gossip
But speaks up with a voice grown bolder
For honor stands the test of time
As a constant flowing stream
That causes the wise to climb
To fulfill the highest dreams

The Providential Train

The providential train
Affords convincing proof
Teaching us again and again
God leads us along the way of truth
The providential train
Affords convincing proof
That there is much to gain
Being on the side of truth

An Invisible Hand

An invisible hand
Watches over this land
Not to save us from labor
But to be the best neighbor

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence
Stirred the hearts of foreign lands
That the individual through persistence
Could prosper by the labor of his two hands

America the Melting Pot

America, the melting pot
Of people and ideas
From its infancy has fought,
Under God, bigotries
Touched reading Glenn Becks book:
Being George Washington and the change  that happened at Valley Forge when slaves were offered freedom in exchange for fighting.  There were no bigotries and his troupes became only stronger.

We are Your Best Friend

Countries that long to be free
We are your best friend
Raise your flag of liberty
And what we can we will send

Mr. President

Mr. President,
Rise above the noise
And speak of what is great
Be a sounding voice
And answer to your fate
Recall events in time
Where truth and right prevailed
Help us as a people climb
To where goodness cannot fail

I’m a Mormon, Optimist, and Wounded Soldier


What can this optimist do?
But see the good in each wound,
Be open to questions and comments,
Strengthened by defining moments.

Religious Freedom Defined

Religious freedom is
The human right to express,
Think, and act upon belief
According to what may impress

 Through faith, prayer, and thought
The path of personal faith is found
As answers are sought
The freedom of conscience is more sound

 This is important to us all
Our founding fathers knew it too
The flag of freedom does call
One to be free to think, choose, and do

 Let there be a moral compass
In the choices that we make
Let us unite for this, thus
And for freedom, re awake

 http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/celebrating-freedom-around-the-world
The introduction says that “religious freedom is the human right to think, act upon and express what one deeply believes, according to the dictates of his or her moral conscience. The breadth of religious freedom and its relationship with freedom of conscience helps explain why religious freedom is important for everyone, not just for people of faith.”

Vow to Be Where

Vow to be where
History is made
And declare there
Faith must never fade

Abraham’s Covenant

A covenant was made with God,
Lincoln knew he would live no longer.
He surrendered for us all, 
For righteousness, merit, and honor.  
God exacts a price on freedom,
And as a nation, to Him, we have been blind.
Let us repent for what we’ve done, 
Let us restore love, and seek to be more kind
Let us look for the good
In ourselves and each other
Restoring brotherhood
Let us serve one another
http://web.gbtv.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=22473741&topic_id=24584158&tcid=vpp_copy_22473741&v=3belief.net:
Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles recalled the meeting the same way Chase did. Lincoln called them together and said the slaves were to be freed. “He had, he said, made a vow, a covenant, that if God gave us the victory in the approaching battle (which had just been fought) he would consider it his duty to move forward in the cause of emancipation.” Lincoln knew his listeners might be skeptical or puzzled, but there it was. “We might think it strange, he said, but there were times when he felt uncertain how to act; that he had in this way submitted the disposal of matters when the way was not clear to his mind what he should do. God had decided this question in favor of the slave. He was satisfied he was right—was confirmed and strengthened by the vow and its results; his mind was fixed, his decision made.Thirty years before, in the Age of Jackson, Tocqueville heard an American clergyman utter these words at a public gathering: “O Lord! Never turn thy face away from us; permit us always to be the most religious people as well as the most free.” In Lincoln’s understanding, God required, first, a guilelessness and purity of purpose, and in exchange would relieve the country of fear and sustain her through the fires of war, and the penance he was exacting. Then, and only then, might light come from darkness.

Raising The Flag


The American flag unites us all
with a hope that sets us apart.
Of honor, our rights, it waves forth to call
and stirs aspirations within our hearts.
No matter what we must go through,
no matter where we have been,
it raises our heads anew
with fresh courage to begin…
It reminds us of commitments
and that of our servicemen,
To our minds, freely, it comments
“Good always wins in the end”
(For God always wins in the end)
Personally, it will always remind me
of a picture of my step-daughter standing outside our home after Adam died and
of our forever folded flag,
of two of our boys becoming eagles,
of flag raising with my cub scouts,
and of Mitt along with others saying our pledge at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as invited, honored guests.
  Go Mitt!

The Secular Competes

The secular competes
With what is sacred to love
The later completes
Us to Father above
We are more than nature
Applied to reason
Our Spirits can mature
Earth is but a season

To Hold Sacred

  • By Elder Paul B. Pieper
  • April 2012 General Conference
…. The opposite of sacred is profane or secular—that which is temporal or worldly. The… …our attention and priorities. Knowledge of the secular is essential for our daily temporal living…. …the choice to place the sacred above the secular…

For Greater Glory | In Theaters 6/1


Heavenly Father is the guardian
Of everyone’s well-being
There is nothing more worth guarding than
Our path homeward, welcoming
When all you have is belief
To protect the rights we all share
Through faith, there will come relief
And leadership to get you there
For your lives and your children
You must fight to the end
Calling on Father in Heaven
For blessing to descend
With what weapons you’ve at hand
Pledge to fight for all that’s right
God will help each bullet land
As you pray with all your might

America It’s Time

I know in my heart
That better days lie ahead
If we’ve qualities to trust
And put our pride to bed
America it’s time
To re awake what’s in your heart
And for that, unite
To never ever again depart
The government is us!
And we must self-govern
If we’ve qualities to trust
We’ll help others in turn
Laws, laws, and more laws
There will never be an end
If everyone puts out their paws
For magical money to descend
With hidden taxes we print
Money that does not exist
What we have won’t make a dent…
To do it again,we must resist
Our budgets now lay broken
As, too, our trust in politics
Blah, blah, blah is spoken
We are sick of schemes and tricks
And so here we say-
To delay is but death
Mightily, let’s pray
And, too, let’s be our best

Attack the Problem

Attack the problem
At the source
Not the people-
The work force
Ingenuity opens
Doors of competition
Governmental programs
Weaken our Constitution
The smoke and mirrors
In debates cannot hide
The present dangers
That leave us bound and tied
Pondering words by Mitt Romney

The Rights of Man


The same revolutionary beliefs
For which our forefathers fought
Cannot be taken by thieves
Cannot be changed or bought
Man’s rights are God given
For the pursuit of happiness
They cannot be taken
Like skin, they’re a part of us
For I have sworn before you and                                  Almighty God, the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago. The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe — the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.”
— John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961
I heard Mitt Romney mention this Inaugural Address- and I wondered what he’d said.  These are amazing words!   

"Berlin Wall" Speech – President Reagan’s Address at the Brandenburg Gat…


Beliefs become a reality
Through freedom, truth, and faith
Becoming the fruits of society
Releasing the spirit… to create

Farewell Speech – President Reagan’s Farewell Speech from the Oval Offic…


Be a communicator of great things
Rediscover patriotism and common sense
Teach what our history best brings:
A shining city of, for, and by the people, hence
click on the ronald reagan label below to read more poems related to his words

President Reagan’s Radio Address to The Nation on the Observance of Mothers


Societies always need
A little reminding
It is our mothers who lead
The future we’re finding
Thank you Nellie for Reagan!

Alex Boye performs the national anthem after becoming a U.S. Citizen


Something you have done
A hundred times or more
Can still cause joy to run
As you sense what it’s been for
Given to much practice
We find out who we are
 By sharing unique talents
We shine bright like a star

God Has Planted in Us a Love for Liberty

God has planted within us
A love for liberty
These times are perilous
In bondage we are hurting
For rebirth let us turn back
To God and search for light
Our freedom’s under attack
And we must do what’s right
The soul of America
Has been deeply injured
We need a miracle
As we now lay endangered
Our Constitution hangs
Sadly by a thread
As for freedom we once sang
We complain now instead
Families, in half, are torn
And marriage is at risk
For wayward children we mourn
The slippery slope- it did this
But the sky still shines with freedom
The clouds promise there’s more
Let us seek God for wisdom
And right this course of error
May our pulpits flame again
And stir our hearts to see
When we’re humble there’s wisdom
Lighting you and me
Re-declare independence
Prepare well for a fight
History’s the evidence
That each must sacrifice
Who will humbly pray?
Who will give their all?
Each and every day?
Answering freedom’s call?
Recognizing God’s hand
Let’s work to do His will
Helping freedom stand
Our destiny to fulfill
Let us pray to be led
By one noble, true, and great
Who has earned respect?
Humbly to take the weight?
Let him not stand alone
May others rise up tall
In truth, to be known
As servants to us all
May they rise in Spirit
And speak with great command
Compelling all to hear this-
“With honor we must stand”
Be of good cheer and sing
In thanksgiving for all we know
Let the cry of freedom ring
And the pledge of allegiance grow
Let us pledge allegiance
To this worthy cause
Calling for obedience
Unto all of God’s laws
Let us raise this great nation
To where it ought to be
And in our homes for explanation
Let us school liberty
Liberty- is will
It’s a part of us like skin
It belongs to us still
And with light will brighten

Founding Principles

Founding principles
Made this land great.
Freedom and enterprise-
It is not too late!

Save the Constitution-
Increase the defense.
“The People” not institutions-
Make the true difference!

The will, the heartbeat
Calls us to work hard.
We have a destiny.
We know who we are!

America’s soul
Is worthy of saving.
Of our leading role
The world is more craving.

Liberty, choice
Freedom, religion-
On each make a noise
The vote… the decision.

The State is No Judge of Religious Truth

The state is no judge of religious truth
It must be mute on such matters
History, alone, gives us the proof
To civic peace it has been disastrous
Each man must tend to his own conscience
Coming to know for himself what is right
Learning to self-govern and to be cautious
Of what puffs itself up to take freedom and light
Religion is that transcendent link
To God and community
That each might spiritually drink
Moral fiber for unity
pondering:

Is religion special?

Desert News

Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 

any comments are appreciated… as I am still pondering

The Golden Thread of Freedom

Throughout the gospel plan
There lies a golden thread
Giving free agency to man
To choose where one is led
Defend the constitution
And each freedom it provides
Safeguard it from pollution
And strengthen it with your lives
Give of yourself in service
As it is vitally important to activate
Those finer qualities of purpose
That refine us and are a joy to radiate
To summarize our capacity to influence those around us, President McKay said the following half a century ago:
There is one responsibility which no man can evade and that responsibility is personal influence. Man’s unconscious influence, the silent, subtle radiation of his personality. The effect of his words and acts. These are tremendous. Every moment of life he is changing to a degree the life of the whole world.
Every man has an atmosphere which is affecting every other. Man cannot escape for one moment from this radiation of his character. This constantly weakening or strengthening of others. He cannot evade the responsibility by saying it is an unconscious influence. He can select the qualities he would permit to be radiated. He can cultivate sweetness, calmness, trust, generosity, truth, justice, loyalty, nobility, and make them vitally active in his character. By these qualities he will constantly affect the world. This radiation to which I refer comes from what a person really is, not from what he pretends to be. Every man by his mere living is radiating sympathy, sorrow, or morbidness, cynicism, or happiness or hope, or any other hundred qualities. Life is a state of radiation and absorption. To exist is to radiate. To exist is to be the recipient of radiation.
“To radiate our positive influence in civic affairs, we must become righteous and moral; we must, as Ghandi once said, be the change we wish to see in the world. We need to learn and abide by the principles found in the Constitution, for as President McKay taught: “Next to being one in worshiping God, there is nothing in this world upon which this Church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States!” (Instructor Magazine, 1956, 91:34). We must take that knowledge and understanding of the Constitution, and infuse our political system with its disinfecting simplicity and principled restraints; we must become leaders and work diligently to support good people in public office, or seek office ourselves. And finally, we must radiate our influence by exposing ourselves to those who might be impacted and uplifted by our actions, words, and character.”

Pause and Remember

Pause to remember
Solemnly with pride
Our American heroes
Who now live and have died
We owe all these men and women
Our respect and admiration
We are grateful for each veteran
For their service to this nation
Mitt Romney
Today, Veterans Day, we pause to remember – and to take solemn pride in -
America’s heroes. We owe the men and women who have served in our armed forces our respect, our admiration, and our eternal gratitude.

We Who in Freedom Live Today

We who in freedom live today
Remember those once brave
Who knew the valiant price to pay
For sovereign rights to save
The greatest act that one can do
Is to do what’s hard, but right
To face enemies and fear too
And be steadfast in the fight
If we ever were to forget
Life’s lessons would be gone
But a patriot’s heart won’t let
Of such comes freedom’s song
Thus in the season where colors fall
And families gather near
Let us pay tribute to honor’s call
And thank our veteran’s dear

We Don’t Need to Redefine America

We don’t need to redefine America
But return to its truths, self evident
The constitution was indeed a miracle
Putting policy where it is best spent
Promoting the general welfare, hence
While granting freedoms equally to all
Providing for the common defense
Responding to liberty’s call
The American Republic, once great
Ought not become a socialist state
Freeing industry improves the employment rate
We must act before it is too late!
Green jobs, stimulus packages, entitlements
Must be a thing of the past
Giving power back to local governments
Returned to the people at last
click on the title to read Tom McClintock’s speech
California: A Morality Tale in Three Parts
The following is a speech delivered to the
Council on National Policy on September 30, 2011….

United as One

United as one…
It can be done
Standing side by side-
If we all decide
To the young from the old
Let freedom be told
From the old to the young
The journey’s begun
Agreeing to disagree
From sea to shining sea
Let us build on what is good
Humbly with gratitude

September 11 On Faith

Surge of Faith
The nine eleven tragedy
Brought us together,as a nation of faith
Feeling the need to be steady
We found God in a remarkable way
Lost Moral Footing
But by nature we are foolishly vain
And we have lost our moral footing
Doing that which causes one pain
As it is God’s commandments we are forgetting
The Key
The key to our happiness
Is found in excellent behavior
As that is when we are blessed
Following the path of the Savior
President Monson, Other Religious Leaders Share Thoughts on 9/11 Anniversary
http://newsroom.lds.org/article/president-monson-on-faith-9-11-forum

A 911 Survivor

911 began as a beautiful day
The sky was blue, perfectly so
With a job for 3 months, I was on my way!
When the plane hit I was among the first to know
I was on the 85th floor working about
The building swayed and then it snapped back
There was nothing but smoke, the elevator was blown out
I was to learn later we had been attacked
We found some stairs, it was a long way down
There was an explosion when I got outside
I just kept moving, following the crowd
When a cloud engulfed, I found shelter inside
The building was gone! My floor was nowhere!
At first I felt blessed… a survivor
Then depressed…when sleep came- I longed to stay there
Desperately I needed my Savior
Some say after 911 that there is no God
But that’s when I found Him… no doubt
My life changed, I sought to be with my family a lot
Through Him, from despair, I was shown the way out
I found a new life reading the scriptures
Where I would bury myself evermore
Christ the healer could make me whole, I was made sure
Awaked to the purpose- of what life is for
The Savior suffered children to come unto Him
And I wanted to bring mine to Him also
We now read together feeling hearts soften
As a family of believers we serve Him and know…
God is there to those who have faith to search
Blessing us… unto gratitude
For my wife, kids, Bishop, and members of the church
I thank you! I was in pain and you understood
From long commutes… from a lifestyle that smothers
To life that’s worth living… and the time to bless others
Read more about V. Guzman
Whom I don’t know but am grateful for!
http://mormon.org/me/1GW3-eng/VGuzman/

Let the Past Teach

To let the past not teach
Would be terribly wrong
God is within reach
And America can be strong

September 11 On Faith

Surge of Faith
The nine eleven tragedy
Brought us together,as a nation of faith
Feeling the need to be steady
We found God in a remarkable way
Lost Moral Footing
But by nature we are foolishly vain
And we have lost our moral footing
Doing that which causes one pain
As it is God’s commandments we are forgetting
The Key
The key to our happiness
Is found in excellent behavior
As that is when we are blessed
Following the path of the Savior
President Monson, Other Religious Leaders Share Thoughts on 9/11 Anniversary
http://newsroom.lds.org/article/president-monson-on-faith-9-11-forum

Give Me Liberty

Give me liberty or give me death
I will say to my dying breath
Given to pursue what lies within
I must also stay clear from sin
Life is dear and peace is sweet
My conscience is there, warm to meet
Thus in the face of slavery
Having faith gives me bravery
And with this courage to act and do
I’ll know strength till my days are through
Following light come from above
For a life that’s filled with God and love
Thoughts from the famous saying of Patrick Henry: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”

Stand Up Tall and Vote

Stand up tall and vote
With your pocketbook
From wise sources quote
Think for yourself and look
Think what unity can do
What would you to protect?
What issues do you value?
And what do you protest?
Be someone that is civil
Speak gently and be firm
As a citizen of free people
You’ve no cause to squirm
It is not a hate crime to have a voice
Nor is it against the law
Expect tolerance, rejoice
In liberty come of God
Tolerance – permit me to disapprove
squirm- The need to wiggle to get free because I feel uncomfortable-
I will not apologize for or feel humiliation or embarrassment for what I believe to be true.

Give Me Liberty

Give me liberty or give me death
I will say to my dying breath
Given to pursue what lies within
I must also stay clear from sin
Life is dear and peace is sweet
My conscience is there, warm to meet
Thus in the face of slavery
Having faith gives me bravery
And with this courage to act and do
I’ll know strength till my days are through
Following light come from above
For a life that’s filled with God and love
Thoughts from the famous saying of Patrick Henry: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”

The Singing Revolution-歌唱革命(民主党全委会贴)-爱沙尼亚-part01


the truth of war- there are some strongly disturbing images in this video
A nation held in bondage
How would you fight back?
When pushed up to the edge
Patiently wait for the crack
What have you been taught?
What did your fathers know?
Hope within must be sought
For freedom’s light to show
The courage then to act
Must override each fear
Voices must attract
And full faith must appear
Then filled with new purpose
Knowing it is right
Avail yourself to service
And sing out with all your might
…..In Estonia…
It was the thinkers
That were the first to go
But… truth still lingers
And can spread to grow
The truth is this simple-
Under God’s laws we can’t go wrong
Getting along- we are “the people”
With unity to be strong
A land that once was choice
Must search their fathers out
And recapture each voice
Of what we are about

We the Family

We the family
Under God above
Represent happily
This nation that we love
We raise up children who-
Have been morally taught
Who- work, serve, and do
And say thank you- a lot

Our Currency

Our currency
Near and abroad
Since its infancy
Has placed trust in God

>The Mormon Moment – Newsweek

The churches of America
Share a common creed
As a nation under God
They help moral convictions lead
In late 2007 Romney traveled to Texas A&M to soothe evangelicals with a speech that downplayed the distinctiveness of Mormonism. “It’s important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America,” he said, “we share a common creed of moral convictions.”

>Abusing Power and Fame

>Abusing power and fame
Integrity is lost
In the political game
Fidelity is one cost
Money and position
Becomes but a tool
To feed pride’s ambition
And a public servant becomes a fool
There’s a lot of talk about politicians and affairs. I feel that many politicians have become a branch of the acting world. (Yet Ronald Reagan came of the acting world and became one of our best Presidents) Would you vote for someone known for cheating on the spouse? Or is that something separate from the ability to perform duties? What if government funds are used to enable these activities? should we feel cheated? Are these affairs just a sample of what the nation is struggling with?

>We the Family

>The writers of the Constitution
Never would have thought
The family institution
We’d turn our own backs on
What could be more stable
Than the family and the home
Where children grow up able
To self govern and raise their own
The family can promote
“The general welfare”
By being home to note
Who is in need of care
As in the day to day
Parents ” establish justice”
Reinforcing always
The light for good within us
Being known to honor
and “pursue happiness”
Each takes their place as patriots
“To provide for the common defense”
The family, being moral
“Secures the blessings of liberty”
Wanting “a more perfect union for all”
Ought we not protect the family?
The generations past
Knew how to sacrifice
Perhaps to them our eyes should cast
For they know freedom’s price
Our country is being torn
In half by divorce,
By entitlements we’ve formed,
And the way our courts discourse
A return to the family
To the bonds we have known
Will help us pursue happily
Liberty- home grown
“We the Family”
Makes a nation strong
Through matrimony
With commitments made lifelong

>The Flag was so Big

>The flag was so big
It had a life of its own
Ruffling in the wind
As a sail that is flown
Then suddenly, it dropped
And hung close to the pole
For a moment the wind stopped
To then relift the flag up hole
Who moves the wind?
That it freely wave?
The air in the end
Comes from God, save?

>The Greatest Good We Can Do

>
The greatest good we can do
In helping others become
Is to free them unto
The living Savior, the Son
The greatest good framed in law
Is when it allows each man
To pursue God, here, below
And witness His guiding hand
We should seek for divine guidance
Before passing any kind of bill
So that in each and every instance
Man is free to reach his potential
thoughts from
Law Allows Us to Reach Our Potential, Says Elder Christofferson
click on the above post title to go directly to lds.org
——————————————————————————–

>Self Government

>Self government is a principle
We are all more in need of
As we strive to be “we the people”
May our rights then prove enough
Our constitution and liberty
Are founded upon being good
With faith, hope, and charity
Creating bonds of brotherhood
Having freedoms in place
There is room to prosper
Through the hard work we embrace
And the self reliance we foster

>Prior to His Second Coming

>Prior to His second coming
Our Lord has restored His word
Preparing us for what’s forthcoming
As through the Spirit it is heard
Through a line of Apostles and Prophets
We’ve new revelation and scripture
Which have been recorded for our profit
To help us prepare well and endure
Upon this continent, centuries ago
There lived a people chosen of God
Who preserved their record- that we might know
God’s word is for holding as a rod
Their record, made on plates of metal
Was buried in a hill nearby
Starting from the days of babel
They were last sealed up by Moroni
His final message was meant for us
As he’d seen a vision of our day
And as he knew our greatest weakness
He warns us of what will come our way
Like his people newly destroyed
We must beware of what might snare
As pride is what we should avoid
For the natural man is found there
He testifies of the appearance
Of Jesus Christ to this land
A second witness for adherence
Of God’s laws, He helps us understand
They had seen the star of Bethlehem
And felt the earth groan at His death
He truly then came and spoke to them
And taught God’s laws and precepts
The book contains a special promise
That if we pray, we might know
The sacredness of its witness
That to the seeker it does show
Through this nation destined to be free
The priesthood was restored
That with the spread of liberty
We have temples unto our Lord
Let us ever be watchful
Of conspiracies today
Without freedom all would be awful
Let us self educate and pray
The path of losing the peace we know
Involves an insidious plan
Of getting power and gain to overthrow
The freedoms of each land
First, we must awake to our judges
Who can usurp power and destroy
Our rights, freedoms, and even justice
While limiting the pursuits we enjoy
Let us not be apologetic
Of our faith, hopes, and dreams
Being righteous and not apathetic
Let us insist on sovereignty
Let us each lean more to God
For the answer to our needs
While holding to the iron rod
And enjoying where that leads
Let us look to that perfect day
When our Lord will return again
And be to all the Word and Way
With evil coming to an end

>It is Flat Out Unlawful and Wrong

>It is flat out unlawful and wrong
To say that churches do not belong
In the court room or the public square
As it is a freedom they also share
When it comes to families and moral values
Who better to help us strengthen statues
To help unite us as one under God
Preserved as a nation with freedoms for all
Let us stand firm to the standard old tradition
Of marriage as it’s been made legal by definition
Let the word remain as it has for thousands of years
And let this message open up those with opposing ears
If those that are not one woman, one man
Would like a union- let it be just that
Call it another name-the choice to be theirs
Let us move on to bigger and humbling cares
Let us consider the sanctity of life
And the responsiblity of husband and wife
Let us strengthen these homes for the children they bare
And offer our prayers, support, and kind care
Too, let us find those who would seek an abortion
And offer them hope, or at least a small portion
Let us open their eyes unto the best option
The beauty of life, family, and adoption
Let us match up the unborn ever voiceless
With couples who are mourning they are childless
Let us think long of the generations to come
And what our nation, united, can then become
“This isn’t about denying anyone rights. It’s about changing the definition of a word that carries significant doctrinal and historical significance for many people of faith. I’m all for allowing ALL people regardless of the sexual orientation the same rights as a married couple when it comes to taxation, visiting rights, inheritance law, etc. However, I stand firm on my position that the word Marriage remain the same as it has for thousands of years.
Posted by: bjsworld | February 10, 2011 7:44 PM “
“Churches of all denominations have every right to speak out on issues that are central to their beliefs without jeopardizing their tax status. That has always been true whether the issue was slavery, civil rights, gambling, temperence, war and peace or any number of other “political” issues that touch upon a communities deeply held beliefs.
Furthermore, unlike other tax-exempt organizations the tax exempt status of churches in not only derived from the internal revenue code. It is inherent in the constitutional protection of religious belief. As the Supreme Court has stated in another context, “the power to tax is the power to destroy.” Therefore churches also derive their tax exempt status from the Constitution itself.
Posted by: Rom08 | February 10, 2011 4:42 PM”

>The Battle for Freedom Lives On

>The battle for freedom lives on
As God’s truth marches along
Swelling across every land
Calling to all to understand

>America’s Dreams

>Paychecks fuel America’s dreams
Through them families fulfill their needs
Millions now can’t find jobs they deserve
The financial strain is a shame to observe
Where is the dignity for those in their prime?
For a non liberal tactic- it is now time
I believe in America- in freedom today
We may have lost some years- but we’ve not lost our way
Our concept of liberty gives others courage to conquer
Our tomorrows can be filled with greatness and honor!
Let’s bring back America to its rightful place
A blessing of example for the human race
click on the above post title to go directly to mittromneycentral…

>We Believe in Freedom, in Liberty, and in the American Dream

>We believe in freedom, in liberty,
And in the American dream
This is the land of opportunity
Shining brightly to be seen
We can be resilient
New jobs can come about
We just need a new president
Who’s a patriot throughout
———————————
Who still believes in America
That it is a nation under God?
A land born of miracles
With religious freedom being its call?
Who can raise the poor out of the dust
And lift the needy out of the dunghill?
But God’s princes placed in trust
Humbly, looking to the heavens still
From the rising of the sun
To the setting in the West
Let our hearts to God be one
Through the Son who gives us rest
The Lord governs the sea and the land
For the blessing of His people
He skips little hills like lambs
Even causing mountains to tremble
Let us look for Him in history
And see He is our help and shield
Unto His name, praise and glory
That we have liberty still
Psalms 113, 114

>Believe In America – Behind the scenes at CPAC 2011

We believe in freedom, in liberty,
And in the American dream
This is the land of opportunity
Shining brightly to be seen
We can be resilient
New jobs can come about
We just need a new president
Who’s a patriot throughout
Who still believes in America
That it is a nation under God?
A land born of miracles
With religious freedom being its call?
Who can raise the poor out of the dust
And lift the needy out of the dunghill?
But God’s princes placed in trust
Humbly, looking to the heavens still
From the rising of the sun
To the setting in the West
Let our hearts to God be one
Through the Son who gives us rest
The Lord governs the sea and the land
For the blessing of His people
He skips little hills like lambs
Even causing mountains to tremble
Let us look for Him in history
And see He is our help and shield
Unto His name, praise and glory
That we have liberty still
Psalms 113, 114

>America’s Dreams

>
Paychecks fuel America’s dreams
Through them families fulfill their needs
Millions now can’t find jobs they deserve
The financial strain is a shame to observe
Where is the dignity for those in their prime?
For a non liberal tactic- it is now time
I believe in America- in freedom today
We may have lost some years- but we’ve not lost our way
Our concept of liberty gives others courage to conquer
Our tomorrows can be filled with greatness and honor!
Let’s bring back America to its rightful place
A blessing of example for the human race
click on the above post title to go directly to mittromneycentral…

>Elder Dallin H. Oaks speech at Chapman University School of Law

>
What religions have in common
Is far more important than how they vary
On this mission we’re now called on
To maintain the religious freedoms we carry
So valuable is religious teaching
To our free society today
We must remind all of how far reaching
We are in charitable service and aid
Let us review history and highlight a few
Of our accomplishments on the public square
The Emancipation Proclamation and civil rights too
Were inspired and furthered through religious care
The practice of integrity and honesty rest
Ultimately on our ideas of right and wrong
While law enforcement is limited at best
The influence of religion is long
From the origin of the Constitution
We’ve defined human worth and dignity
We are a necessary institution
For preserving our nations prosperity
For almost a century
We’ve limited political power as we should
As we are the cornerstone of democracy
Rallying people for doing what is good
Our Founding Fathers deliberately
Placed religious freedom first in the Bill of Rights
So wanting to maintain the guarantee
Of a nation under God’s guiding light

>It is Flat Out Unlawful and Wrong

>
It is flat out unlawful and wrong
To say that churches do not belong
In the court room or the public square
As it is a freedom they also share
When it comes to families and moral values
Who better to help us strengthen statues
To help unite us as one under God
Preserved as a nation with freedoms for all
Let us stand firm to the standard old tradition
Of marriage as it’s been made legal by definition
Let the word remain as it has for thousands of years
And let this message open up those with opposing ears
If those that are not one woman, one man
Would like a union- let it be just that
Call it another name-the choice to be theirs
Let us move on to bigger and humbling cares
Let us consider the sanctity of life
And the responsiblity of husband and wife
Let us strengthen these homes for the children they bare
And offer our prayers, support, and kind care
Too, let us find those who would seek an abortion
And offer them hope, or at least a small portion
Let us open their eyes unto the best option
The beauty of life, family, and adoption
Let us match up the unborn ever voiceless
With couples who are mourning they are childless
Let us think long of the generations to come
And what our nation, united, can then become
“This isn’t about denying anyone rights. It’s about changing the definition of a word that carries significant doctrinal and historical significance for many people of faith. I’m all for allowing ALL people regardless of the sexual orientation the same rights as a married couple when it comes to taxation, visiting rights, inheritance law, etc. However, I stand firm on my position that the word Marriage remain the same as it has for thousands of years.
Posted by: bjsworld | February 10, 2011 7:44 PM “
“Churches of all denominations have every right to speak out on issues that are central to their beliefs without jeopardizing their tax status. That has always been true whether the issue was slavery, civil rights, gambling, temperence, war and peace or any number of other “political” issues that touch upon a communities deeply held beliefs.
Furthermore, unlike other tax-exempt organizations the tax exempt status of churches in not only derived from the internal revenue code. It is inherent in the constitutional protection of religious belief. As the Supreme Court has stated in another context, “the power to tax is the power to destroy.” Therefore churches also derive their tax exempt status from the Constitution itself.
Posted by: Rom08 | February 10, 2011 4:42 PM”

>Prior to His Second Coming

Posted in america, book of mormon, book of mormon pride cycle, tagged , , , ,  on February 5, 2011 | Edit | Leave a Comment »
>
Prior to His second coming
Our Lord has restored His word
Preparing us for what’s forthcoming
As through the Spirit it is heard
Through a line of Apostles and Prophets
We’ve new revelation and scripture
Which have been recorded for our profit
To help us prepare well and endure
Upon this continent, centuries ago
There lived a people chosen of God
Who preserved their record- that we might know
God’s word is for holding as a rod
Their record, made on plates of metal
Was buried in a hill nearby
Starting from the days of babel
They were last sealed up by Moroni
His final message was meant for us
As he’d seen a vision of our day
And as he knew our greatest weakness
He warns us of what will come our way
Like his people newly destroyed
We must beware of what might snare
As pride is what we should avoid
For the natural man is found there
He testifies of the appearance
Of Jesus Christ to this land
A second witness for adherence
Of God’s laws, He helps us understand
They had seen the star of Bethlehem
And felt the earth groan at His death
He truly then came and spoke to them
And taught God’s laws and precepts
The book contains a special promise
That if we pray, we might know
The sacredness of its witness
That to the seeker it does show
Through this nation destined to be free
The priesthood was restored
That with the spred of liberty
We have temples unto our Lord
Let us ever be watchful
Of conspiracies today
Without freedom all would be awful
Let us self educate and pray
The path of losing the peace we know
Involves an insidious plan
Of getting power and gain to overthrow
The freedoms of each land
First, we must awake to our judges
Who can usurp power and destroy
Our rights, freedoms, and even justice
While limiting the pursuits we enjoy
Let us not be apologetic
Of our faith, hopes, and dreams
Being righteous and not apathetic
Let us insist on sovereignty
Let us each lean more to God
For the answer to our needs
While holding to the iron rod
And enjoying where that leads
Let us look to that perfect day
When our Lord will return again
And be to all the Word and Way
With evil coming to an end

>Self Government

>Self government is a principle
We are all more in need of
As we strive to be “we the people”
May our rights then prove enough
Our constitution and liberty
Are founded upon being good
With faith, hope, and charity
Creating bonds of brotherhood
Having freedoms in place
There is room to prosper
Through the hard work we embrace
And the self reliance we foster

>The Battle for Freedom Lives On

>The battle for freedom lives on
As God’s truth marches along
Swelling across every land
Calling to all to understand

>America’s Dreams

>Paychecks fuel America’s dreams
Through them families fulfill their needs
Millions now can’t find jobs they deserve
The financial strain is a shame to observe
Where is the dignity for those in their prime?
For a non liberal tactic- it is now time
I believe in America- in freedom today
We may have lost some years- but we’ve not lost our way
Our concept of liberty gives others courage to conquer
Our tomorrows can be filled with greatness and honor!
Let’s bring back America to its rightful place
A blessing of example for the human race
click on the above post title to go directly to mittromneycentral…

>We Believe in Freedom, in Liberty, and in the American Dream

>We believe in freedom, in liberty,
And in the American dream
This is the land of opportunity
Shining brightly to be seen
We can be resilient
New jobs can come about
We just need a new president
Who’s a patriot throughout
———————————
Who still believes in America
That it is a nation under God?
A land born of miracles
With religious freedom being its call?
Who can raise the poor out of the dust
And lift the needy out of the dunghill?
But God’s princes placed in trust
Humbly, looking to the heavens still
From the rising of the sun
To the setting in the West
Let our hearts to God be one
Through the Son who gives us rest
The Lord governs the sea and the land
For the blessing of His people
He skips little hills like lambs
Even causing mountains to tremble
Let us look for Him in history
And see He is our help and shield
Unto His name, praise and glory
That we have liberty still
Psalms 113, 114

Believe In America – Behind the scenes at CPAC 2011

>
We believe in freedom, in liberty,
And in the American dream
This is the land of opportunity
Shining brightly to be seen
We can be resilient
New jobs can come about
We just need a new president
Who’s a patriot throughout
Who still believes in America
That it is a nation under God?
A land born of miracles
With religious freedom being its call?
Who can raise the poor out of the dust
And lift the needy out of the dunghill?
But God’s princes placed in trust
Humbly, looking to the heavens still
From the rising of the sun
To the setting in the West
Let our hearts to God be one
Through the Son who gives us rest
The Lord governs the sea and the land
For the blessing of His people
He skips little hills like lambs
Even causing mountains to tremble
Let us look for Him in history
And see He is our help and shield
Unto His name, praise and glory
That we have liberty still
Psalms 113, 114

America’s Dreams

>
Paychecks fuel America’s dreams
Through them families fulfill their needs
Millions now can’t find jobs they deserve
The financial strain is a shame to observe
Where is the dignity for those in their prime?
For a non liberal tactic- it is now time
I believe in America- in freedom today
We may have lost some years- but we’ve not lost our way
Our concept of liberty gives others courage to conquer
Our tomorrows can be filled with greatness and honor!
Let’s bring back America to its rightful place
A blessing of example for the human race
click on the above post title to go directly to mittromneycentral…

>Elder Dallin H. Oaks speech at Chapman University School of Law

>
What religions have in common
Is far more important than how they vary
On this mission we’re now called on
To maintain the religious freedoms we carry
So valuable is religious teaching
To our free society today
We must remind all of how far reaching
We are in charitable service and aid
Let us review history and highlight a few
Of our accomplishments on the public square
The Emancipation Proclamation and civil rights too
Were inspired and furthered through religious care
The practice of integrity and honesty rest
Ultimately on our ideas of right and wrong
While law enforcement is limited at best
The influence of religion is long
From the origin of the Constitution
We’ve defined human worth and dignity
We are a necessary institution
For preserving our nations prosperity
For almost a century
We’ve limited political power as we should
As we are the cornerstone of democracy
Rallying people for doing what is good
Our Founding Fathers deliberately
Placed religious freedom first in the Bill of Rights
So wanting to maintain the guarantee
Of a nation under God’s guiding light

It is Flat Out Unlawful and Wrong

>
It is flat out unlawful and wrong
To say that churches do not belong
In the court room or the public square
As it is a freedom they also share
When it comes to families and moral values
Who better to help us strengthen statues
To help unite us as one under God
Preserved as a nation with freedoms for all
Let us stand firm to the standard old tradition
Of marriage as it’s been made legal by definition
Let the word remain as it has for thousands of years
And let this message open up those with opposing ears
If those that are not one woman, one man
Would like a union- let it be just that
Call it another name-the choice to be theirs
Let us move on to bigger and humbling cares
Let us consider the sanctity of life
And the responsibility of husband and wife
Let us strengthen these homes for the children they bare
And offer our prayers, support, and kind care
Too, let us find those who would seek an abortion
And offer them hope, or at least a small portion
Let us open their eyes unto the best option
The beauty of life, family, and adoption
Let us match up the unborn ever voiceless
With couples who are mourning they are childless
Let us think long of the generations to come
And what our nation, united, can then become
“This isn’t about denying anyone rights. It’s about changing the definition of a word that carries significant doctrinal and historical significance for many people of faith. I’m all for allowing ALL people regardless of the sexual orientation the same rights as a married couple when it comes to taxation, visiting rights, inheritance law, etc. However, I stand firm on my position that the word Marriage remain the same as it has for thousands of years.
Posted by: bjsworld | February 10, 2011 7:44 PM “
“Churches of all denominations have every right to speak out on issues that are central to their beliefs without jeopardizing their tax status. That has always been true whether the issue was slavery, civil rights, gambling, temperence, war and peace or any number of other “political” issues that touch upon a communities deeply held beliefs.
Furthermore, unlike other tax-exempt organizations the tax exempt status of churches in not only derived from the internal revenue code. It is inherent in the constitutional protection of religious belief. As the Supreme Court has stated in another context, “the power to tax is the power to destroy.” Therefore churches also derive their tax exempt status from the Constitution itself.
Posted by: Rom08 | February 10, 2011 4:42 PM”

>Prior to His Second Coming

>
Prior to His second coming
Our Lord has restored His word
Preparing us for what’s forthcoming
As through the Spirit it is heard
Through a line of Apostles and Prophets
We’ve new revelation and scripture
Which have been recorded for our profit
To help us prepare well and endure
Upon this continent, centuries ago
There lived a people chosen of God
Who preserved their record- that we might know
God’s word is for holding as a rod
Their record, made on plates of metal
Was buried in a hill nearby
Starting from the days of babel
They were last sealed up by Moroni
His final message was meant for us
As he’d seen a vision of our day
And as he knew our greatest weakness
He warns us of what will come our way
Like his people newly destroyed
We must beware of what might snare
As pride is what we should avoid
For the natural man is found there
He testifies of the appearance
Of Jesus Christ to this land
A second witness for adherence
Of God’s laws, He helps us understand
They had seen the star of Bethlehem
And felt the earth groan at His death
He truly then came and spoke to them
And taught God’s laws and precepts
The book contains a special promise
That if we pray, we might know
The sacredness of its witness
That to the seeker it does show
Through this nation destined to be free
The priesthood was restored
That with the spred of liberty
We have temples unto our Lord
Let us ever be watchful
Of conspiracies today
Without freedom all would be awful
Let us self educate and pray
The path of losing the peace we know
Involves an insidious plan
Of getting power and gain to overthrow
The freedoms of each land
First, we must awake to our judges
Who can usurp power and destroy
Our rights, freedoms, and even justice
While limiting the pursuits we enjoy
Let us not be apologetic
Of our faith, hopes, and dreams
Being righteous and not apathetic
Let us insist on sovereignty
Let us each lean more to God
For the answer to our needs
While holding to the iron rod
And enjoying where that leads
Let us look to that perfect day
When our Lord will return again
And be to all the Word and Way
With evil coming to an end

Self Government

Self government is a principle
We are all more in need of
As we strive to be “we the people”
May our rights then prove enough
Our constitution and liberty
Are founded upon being good
With faith, hope, and charity
Creating bonds of brotherhood
Having freedoms in place
There is room to prosper
Through the hard work we embrace
And the self reliance we foster

Thank You Veterans!

How can our thanks be enough?
As you sacrifice so much.
You are what we rely on-
To keep our freedom strong



Through Common Ground we Build up Bridges

Through common ground
We build up bridges
Here friendships are found
Not on the fringes

A Responsible Approach

A responsible approach
To immigration reform
Is to cause those who encroach
To respect laws and conform

Nations have the right
To enforce law and order
To seek out and indict
Illegals who've crossed the border

A just and caring society
Maintains love for its neighbors
While balancing propriety
As for its citizens it labors

There's an ever present need
To gather families home
May those separated leave
And strengthen up his own

my thoughts on immigration
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Church Supports Principles of Utah Compact on Immigration
found at LDS.org newsroom


It is our Duty- Thanksgiving

It is our duty
To solemnly adore
And give thanks fully
To Jesus our Lord

Having been given
Divine providence
Let us more give Him
Sincere penitence

Under His nurturing hand
There's prosperity and peace
May we unify across the land
And let all strife and tension cease

FOR AS MUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success:
It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole: To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE: That it may please him, to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People, and the Labor of the Husbandman, that our Land may yield its Increase: To take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand; and to prosper the Means of Religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom, which consisteth "in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.And it is further recommended, That servile Labor, and such Recreation, as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)
wikipedia is looking for funding to keep its wonderful service growing. I am thankful for wikipedia!
Wikipedia is about the power of people like us to do extraordinary things. People like us write Wikipedia, one word at a time. People like us fund it, one donation at a time. It's proof of our collective potential to change the world.



Let's Work to Reverse Roe vs. Wade

Let's work to reverse
Roe vs. Wade first
Then let each state decide
Where its people now side

Being compassionate
Let's speak to hearts and minds
Being condsiderate
Let's see what our efforts find


thoughts from reading the Mitt Romney Central site

“Well, I think all of us — I believe almost all of us in the room would say that we’d love to have an America that didn’t have abortion. But the truth of the matter is that — (applause) — that’s not what America is right now. That’s not where the American people are right now, and so I’d like to see Roe v. Wade overturned and allow the states and the elected representatives of the people and the people themselves have the ability to put in place pro-life legislation.

And of course it’s our aspiration that at some point we’ll see a nation that doesn’t have abortion. But until that time, I certainly believe that allowing states and citizens and their representatives to fashion their own laws to protect the sanctity of life is very, very important.

I recognize that for many people, that is considered an act of murder, to have an abortion. It is without question the taking of a human life, and I believe that a civilized society must respect the sanctity of a human life. But we have two lives involved here: A mom and unborn child. We have to have concern for both lives. And so the expression of our compassion and our consideration — and work to change hearts and minds — and that’s the way, in my view, we’ll ultimately have a society without abortion.” -- 8/5/07 at Des Moines, IA debate



Americans are Tolerant




Americans are tolerant
Generous and kind
We oppose bigotry and disparagement
And same-sex marriage, you will find

For 3,000 years unopposed
The world's known traditional marriage as an institution
For the raising of children first and foremost
And we ought to state so in our constitution

thoughts from reading the Mitt Romney Central site

“Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve opposed same-sex marriage, but I’ve also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same-sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance. It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law.” -- Mitt Romney 12/14/06 National Review Online

The American Culture




The American culture
Values strong families and hard work
Invests in the future
And does not see dependency as a perk

Citizens let's unite
And work to curb social ills
Sexual promiscuity- let's fight
Along with pornography and drug thrills

The new and rising generation
Must follow our initiative
And self-promote abstinence education
While seeking opportunities where they live

thoughts from reading the Mitt Romney Central site
The strong family has been, and should continue to be, a source and foundation of American culture.
Couples should get married before they have children. Children benefit greatly from having both a mother and father at home.
Abstinence education should be given to students.
Pornography and sexual promiscuity are great threats to families and our culture.
The United States has always valued hard work, education, and belief in God.
Initiative, risk taking, and opportunity need to continue to be key values of American culture. Dependency is culture killing

On Eagle's Wings, A Memorial



Before he was formed as a fetus
God knew Jeremiah...and he was sanctified
To be a special witness of Jesus
But who listened...as children they sacrificed

JFK on Mormons



Of all the stories heard
From the days of pioneers
Let's look to the Mormon's words
And how they persevered

To see the right prevail,
with unflagging determination
Their courage did not fail
Despite orders for extermination

They had unity to restation
With patience and faith set in motion
It would do well for our nation
To follow these qualities and notions

As the Mormons have succeeded
We, too, can succeed
If we go not back, defeated
But heed their voices as we lead

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power to change

power to change
comes from words from the heart

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The Captain of the Soul- Invictus/ The Soul's Captain by Elder Orson F. Whitney

Invictus by William E. Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Soul's Captain [The Answer]
by Elder Orson F. Whitney
of the Quorum of the Twelve
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear.
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine — free agency
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that head "unbowed,"
Small part of Life's great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul

He's Been There Before

He's Been There Before by Elder Troy Whittle
The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes

The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much
"We have a super day planned," My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
"The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see
Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"


"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before
By Elder Troy Whittle
Texas Houston Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

These poems are my own thoughts and impressions as I study the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints

I encourage you to read from the Book of Mormon and the standard works, and listen to modern day prophets, also, that your mind and heart might be touched.

Kelly Miller

153 Countries Visited! June 2015


Global Statistics
Visits from 153 countries registered.
No.CountryDate of Last VisitPercent & Number of Visits ↓
1
United States		June 15, 2015
82.86%25,281
2
United Kingdom		June 14, 2015
2.61%795
3
Canada		June 13, 2015
2.42%737
4
Australia		June 13, 2015
1.81%551
5
Philippines		June 14, 2015
1.35%412
6
New Zealand		June 14, 2015
0.99%303
7
India		June 14, 2015
0.79%241
8
Brazil		June 14, 2015
0.58%176
9
Germany		May 15, 2015
0.49%151
10
Mexico		June 3, 2015
0.40%121
11
South Africa		June 8, 2015
0.34%105
12
Russian Federation		Apr 20, 2015
0.26%80
13
France		June 3, 2015
0.21%64
14
Malaysia		June 5, 2015
0.14%44
15
Czech Republic		Apr 17, 2015
0.14%42
16
Pakistan		Mar 21, 2015
0.13%41
17
Spain		Apr 28, 2015
0.13%41
18
Italy		June 8, 2015
0.13%39
19
Netherlands		May 28, 2015
0.12%38
20
Europe		June 11, 2015
0.11%35
21
Indonesia		May 18, 2015
0.11%35
22
Cote D'Ivoire		May 17, 2015
0.11%35
23
Japan		Apr 17, 2015
0.11%33
24
Singapore		May 28, 2015
0.11%33
25
United Arab Emirates		Apr 25, 2015
0.10%32
26
Argentina		Apr 27, 2015
0.10%31
27
Korea, Republic of		Feb 1, 2015
0.10%31
28
-		May 10, 2015
0.10%31
29
Thailand		Apr 5, 2015
0.10%30
30
Ireland		May 19, 2015
0.10%29
31
Jamaica		June 1, 2015
0.09%28
32
Turkey		June 14, 2015
0.09%28
33
Trinidad and Tobago		May 18, 2015
0.09%26
34
Sweden		May 8, 2015
0.09%26
35
Guatemala		May 5, 2015
0.08%24
36
Denmark		May 10, 2015
0.08%23
37
Saudi Arabia		May 1, 2015
0.07%20
38
Nigeria		Apr 4, 2015
0.07%20
39
Hong Kong		Apr 18, 2015
0.07%20
40
Colombia		May 29, 2015
0.07%20
41
Chile		Mar 23, 2015
0.06%19
42
Finland		Mar 25, 2015
0.06%19
43
Taiwan		Mar 28, 2015
0.06%18
44
Romania		May 17, 2015
0.06%18
45
Fiji		Feb 27, 2015
0.06%17
46
Ghana		May 8, 2015
0.06%17
47
Belgium		May 30, 2015
0.05%16
48
Switzerland		Apr 12, 2015
0.05%16
49
Poland		Apr 6, 2015
0.05%15
50
American Samoa		Apr 10, 2015
0.05%14
51
Ecuador		Feb 23, 2015
0.05%14
52
Serbia		Mar 10, 2015
0.05%14
53
Austria		Apr 8, 2015
0.04%13
54
Senegal		Nov 24, 2014
0.04%13
55
Norway		June 1, 2015
0.04%13
56
Uruguay		Aug 18, 2014
0.04%12
57
Peru		Apr 13, 2015
0.04%12
58
Portugal		Apr 6, 2015
0.04%12
59
Kenya		Oct 29, 2014
0.04%12
60
Tonga		Dec 9, 2014
0.04%11
61
Dominican Republic		Mar 12, 2015
0.04%11
62
Hungary		Feb 16, 2015
0.03%10
63
Guyana		Apr 28, 2015
0.03%10
64
Bangladesh		Jan 19, 2015
0.03%9
65
Algeria		Feb 5, 2015
0.03%9
66
Kuwait		Mar 30, 2015
0.03%9
67
Egypt		Apr 4, 2015
0.03%9
68
Belize		May 8, 2015
0.03%9
69
Costa Rica		Feb 4, 2015
0.03%8
70
Bahamas		Jan 9, 2015
0.03%8
71
Israel		Feb 27, 2015
0.03%8
72
Ukraine		Jan 24, 2015
0.03%8
73
Asia/Pacific Region		June 9, 2015
0.03%8
74
Honduras		Feb 6, 2015
0.02%7
75
Cyprus		Mar 21, 2015
0.02%7
76
Guam		Apr 10, 2015
0.02%7
77
Greece		June 2, 2015
0.02%7
78
China		Dec 16, 2014
0.02%7
79
Panama		Apr 7, 2015
0.02%6
80
Morocco		Mar 3, 2015
0.02%6
81
Sri Lanka		Sept 28, 2014
0.02%6
82
Iraq		Feb 25, 2015
0.02%6
83
Togo		June 6, 2015
0.02%6
84
Botswana		May 7, 2015
0.02%6
85
El Salvador		Apr 23, 2015
0.02%5
86
Vietnam		Oct 30, 2014
0.02%5
87
Cook Islands		June 3, 2015
0.02%5
88
Bulgaria		Oct 27, 2014
0.02%5
89
Lithuania		June 23, 2014
0.02%5
90
Slovakia		Jan 19, 2015
0.02%5
91
Bosnia and Herzegovina		Mar 23, 2015
0.02%5
92
French Polynesia		Nov 23, 2014
0.02%5
93
Bahrain		Nov 11, 2014
0.02%5
94
Slovenia		Jan 16, 2015
0.02%5
95
Grenada		Mar 10, 2015
0.02%5
96
Qatar		Jan 15, 2015
0.02%5
97
Saint Lucia		May 8, 2015
0.02%5
98
Puerto Rico		Feb 27, 2015
0.01%4
99
Tunisia		Jan 23, 2015
0.01%4
100
Malta		Mar 22, 2015
0.01%4
101
Croatia		Jan 20, 2015
0.01%4
102
New Caledonia		Jan 13, 2015
0.01%4
103
Barbados		Apr 29, 2014
0.01%4
104
Azerbaijan		Jan 14, 2015
0.01%4
105
Moldova, Republic of		Nov 29, 2014
0.01%3
106
Lebanon		Feb 11, 2014
0.01%3
107
Zimbabwe		July 23, 2014
0.01%3
108
Benin		Feb 19, 2015
0.01%3
109
Antigua and Barbuda		Aug 1, 2014
0.01%3
110
Isle of Man		Dec 20, 2014
0.01%3
111
Bhutan		June 8, 2015
0.01%3
112
Venezuela		May 14, 2014
0.01%3
113
Georgia		Mar 3, 2015
0.01%2
114
Namibia		Oct 22, 2014
0.01%2
115
Armenia		Jan 12, 2015
0.01%2
116
Virgin Islands, U.S.		June 20, 2014
0.01%2
117
Jordan		May 19, 2015
0.01%2
118
Mozambique		June 23, 2014
0.01%2
119
Uganda		Aug 4, 2014
0.01%2
120
Marshall Islands		Jan 28, 2015
0.01%2
121
Mauritius		Feb 20, 2015
0.01%2
122
Oman		May 12, 2014
0.01%2
123
Curacao		Apr 29, 2015
0.01%2
124
Sierra Leone		Apr 26, 2015
0.01%2
125
Samoa		Nov 1, 2013
0.01%2
126
Saint Kitts and Nevis		June 30, 2013
0.01%2
127
Macau		July 18, 2014
0.01%2
128
Albania		Aug 17, 2014
0.01%2
129
Dominica		Mar 12, 2013
0.01%2
130
Ethiopia		Jan 8, 2015
0.01%2
131
Estonia		Mar 20, 2015
0.01%2
132
Cape Verde		May 27, 2013
0.00%1
133
Cayman Islands		July 27, 2014
0.00%1
134
Cambodia		Sept 16, 2013
0.00%1
135
Myanmar		July 18, 2014
0.00%1
136
Lesotho		Jan 12, 2013
0.00%1
137
Mongolia		Mar 14, 2015
0.00%1
138
Zambia		Apr 22, 2013
0.00%1
139
Montenegro		Nov 19, 2014
0.00%1
140
Kazakhstan		Jan 9, 2015
0.00%1
141
Nicaragua		May 29, 2014
0.00%1
142
Paraguay		Mar 10, 2013
0.00%1
143
Haiti		Feb 1, 2015
0.00%1
144
Timor-Leste		Feb 21, 2013
0.00%1
145
Iceland		June 20, 2014
0.00%1
146
Aruba		Jan 9, 2014
0.00%1
147
Liberia		Jan 3, 2014
0.00%1
148
Northern Mariana Islands		Oct 9, 2014
0.00%1
149
Gibraltar		Jan 27, 2014
0.00%1
150
Swaziland		June 16, 2014
0.00%1
151
Jersey		Mar 30, 2013
0.00%1
152
Niue		Nov 30, 2014
0.00%1
153
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