The Words of a Prophet.

Here are some words said by a political scientist turned apostle and prophet:


“Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters -- in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions (see 1 Kgs 18:21).

“President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' (CR, Apr 1941) This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ…

“Your discipleship may see the time come when religious convictions are heavily discounted. M. J. Sobran observed, ‘A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it’ (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, p. 58). This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain of people's opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will soon be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened…

“Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even these, however, must leave a record so that the choices before the people are clear and let others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, that others will step forward, having been rallied to righteousness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds--a majority which was, till then, unconscious of itself.

“Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves ‘summer is nigh’ (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat.”

Said 30 years ago (See the link for who said it and when). What do you think?

Halloween Year-round

So, as I was leaving the grocery store this morning an employee said the following while giving me a high five:

"Whoa, awesome! Except it isn't Halloween anymore."

At first I was confused. Then I remembered.  I have a birthmark on my face.

Good times.

Stalking a Serviceman - A Plane Ride

I'm not someone who likes to pry into someone else’s life. I don't like hearing things I shouldn't hear or seeing things I shouldn't see (see Involuntary Stalking). Luckily though, last week on a business trip I was able to see and hear a small tidbit into the life of one of our countries finest. The life of an army serviceman returning from Iraq.

The soldier

I sat in one of those small economy jets enjoying the spacious cabin while reading a good book and on came a soldier dressed in uniform. He was happy. I would later find out he was going home for a short break after 14 months of service in Iraq, to which he would return and do another tour of the same length.

This solider sat in the row in front of me, putting me in a perfect position to get a taste of who this man was. A stewardess also noticed him, and wanted to show this man how much she respected him, though she had never met him. She offered him a seat closer to the door. Lucky for me not everyone had boarded yet so no seats ended up being available and he was stuck in the row in front of me. She was denied one attempt to show this man honor, but did not let that stop her from a second attempt.

The stewardess picked up her phone thingy that lets her speak to the spacious cabin all at once and openly thanked that serviceman for his service and invited us in the cabin to show him the same thankfulness and respect. We in the cabin responded with applause.

The conversations he had

Another soldier in civilian clothes was sitting in the row in front of the serviceman. They talked. The soldier in civilian clothes asked why he was in uniform, the serviceman responded that they were now supposed to return home in uniform. The soldier in civilian clothes also asked if he was going to have a drink on the plane ride, the serviceman responded that returning soldiers were not to drink on their trip home anymore either.

The woman he sat next to asked about his family. He took out some pictures and showed them to the woman and with joy told her about his son, daughter and wife. He talked about taking them to Sea World and Disneyland during his visit home. He sounded joyful.

I couldn't help but have respect and admiration for this man I had never met and never spoke to. I didn't know him. But the way he spoke to others was with respect and his attitude toward what may seem pointless rules was one of voluntary obedience.

The fourteen month reunion

This was my first business trip away from my family. I slept the night before alone in my house as my wife went to stay with family during my trip. I missed my wife and newborn son greatly. But so far it had been only one night.

When the serviceman exited the plane I heard the words "daddy" said more beautifully than I have ever heard them spoken and saw his little boy run up to this large soldier and wrap his arms around his father's neck, tears filling the little boy's eyes. The boy looked like he would never let go. That was followed by a little girl doing a similar thing. This soldier lifted both children up and held them in his arms. A mother stood watching longingly, and with admiration. I looked back often as I left the terminal, and the picture didn't change.

A tear came to my eye. I wanted/want to be a father like that. Thank you unknown soldier.

What Powers Does Government Have?

I like when I read something and it ignites the ole mind. Sometimes it ignites an idea inside of me that has absolutely nothing to do with what I read. I also like talking to people.

The other day a coworker of mine shared how he was tired of all the junk going on politically and how he wanted something to be done about it. I agreed.

I wonder how much politically is just hot air and how much will actually affect me and my family. I recently-ish became a dad for the first time. Wow what an awesome experience. My new child with my beautiful wife has made me happier than I could have ever imagined. I love more than I have ever loved. I thank my Heavenly Father.

Is the moral fabric of this country falling apart because people want it that way or because the majority isn't doing anything about it? Can they do anything about it?

All those thoughts are mostly independent in context but to me tie to what the title of this post is and what I'm going to write about next. What powers does government have?

I have recently read an article that argued for what most people consider as political conservatism. It argued that government should only have the power to protect our rights to life, liberty, and property and that government should not (or could not rightfully) infringe upon one of those rights to supposedly fulfill one of the other rights. It also argued that government should be servant to the people and not the other way around.

Is that how it should be? If so should we be looking toward the government to fill all our needs or justify our desires, which appears to me to be the case today?

The founding fathers of the United States of America said our rights came from the Almighty. They also said that it was the government’s job to protect those rights.

It seems to me that it wasn't the government's job to decide what was right and what was wrong but to uphold the rights of each citizen that were not even ours to give or take from ourselves but given to each one of us by our Supreme Creator. I don't think government should decide what is right and what is wrong for the people it serves. Is this a correct train of thought?

In the end governments fall and governments rise. We as human beings are seeking the best way to govern ourselves. I just do not feel that the government is greater than those who create it. That leads me to what may well be my next post. The question of where do correct principles come from and where do they not come from. In other words what is right and what is wrong and what is the source?

How Important is Marriage?

What is marriage?

In the year 2000, 61% of voting California citizens said that it was something that could only be done with one man and one woman.

In the year 2008, four out of seven judges in California say any human can marry any other human regardless of gender. This over turned the vote of 4,618,673 Californians.

Two humans of the same gender can produce no children. Law of entropy?

When is what we want to do a wrong thing and when is it a right thing?

Questions?

And you thought it would take at least a year before I wrote on this blog again. Well that is if "you" even exist anymore. I'm sure that most have removed me from their RSS feeds, and others have completely given up on including my blog in their daily cup of "coffee." Well I'm back, and hopefully consistent. The nearly one year of writers block is gone... for at least today.

So I have been thinking about stuff other than babies, MBA school, and my cute wife (but not much). I want to know what principles America or even we as a human race are basing our lives on and striving to achieve. I know there is a lot of talk about "change we can believe in" or "world peace," etc. But what kind of change and what kind of peace? What are we believing in?

I have a belief in my belief system that each person has certain principles they hold themselves to, whether they are aware of them or not. Someone may do the "right thing" because it makes them look good, they get votes, they get a tax break, just cause, or because it is the right thing to do. People may want to save polar bears because they believe animals and humans are worth the same, or because they believe all of God's creatures should be respected and not abused, or just cause they like white fluffy animals that eat you. In essence people have reasons they do the things they do.

So when is that reason right or when is that reason wrong? Or does the principle/reason for an action not matter as long as the outcome is interpreted as good? If that is the case then what is good and what is bad? Is the purpose of this life to fight for what we want to be right or what is already right? I believe in the principle of “by their fruits you shall know them” but what if the person or group I am trying to know is just a sapling?

I believe that there is a right and that there is a wrong. I believe that mankind is not perfect, but we as a people desire to progress. Unfortunately sometimes as we work to progress we miss the progression line and instead digress. What does it take to progress?

I believe the answers are there, so how do we find them?