Monday, October 29, 2012

Is the Destiny of This Nation Hanging upon a Single Thread?

Because of my blog post a few days ago, you all know how obsessed I have become about this election. I was looking for the quote about the Constitution hanging by a thread.
 
In my research, I found an awesome article by L. Tom Perry that was adapted from an address he gave at BYU in 1976. Of course 1976 was the Bicentennial celebration of our great nation. So, even though the talk is 36 years old, it’s very much pertinent to today. If not more so than in 1976. I’m not going to post the entire article. I took bits and pieces of my favorite parts out to post on here.
 
But first, here is the quote from Brigham Young given July 4, 1854.

 “The general Constitution of our country is good, and a wholesome government could be framed upon it, for it was dictated by the invisible operations of the Almighty. …
 
“Will the Constitution be destroyed? No; It will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, ‘the time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread; at that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It will be so” (Journal History, July 4, 1854, Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).- Brigham Young
 
Elder L. Tom Perry, July 1976, New Era, “God’s Hand in the Founding of America”

Adapted from an address delivered on February 24, 1976, at BYU03319_000_011
 
I look around me and find some very definite signs of the decay that is beginning to occur. Corruption, crime, dishonesty, immorality, pollution, laziness, devotion only to special interests—these are signs that precede the fall of great civilizations. We see so much evidence of these signs before our eyes. Yet I realize the promise that has been given to us in this great land of America. I also remember the prophecies concerning our great responsibilities to preserve that which we have been blessed with by God. The Lord has promised to sustain the truth in this land.

Our commitment to America has been testified to by many, but I will point out to you special witnesses who have indicated our responsibilities to this land.

 First from Brigham Young, second president of the Church: “Will the Constitution be destroyed? No: it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, ‘The time will come when the destiny of this nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It will be so.” (Journal of Discourses, 7:15.)

Now another witness, John Taylor, third president of the Church: “When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States, the elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth, and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations.” (The Gospel Kingdom, Deseret Book Co., 1943, p. 219.) This is part of the program.
 
A final witness is from George Q. Cannon, former member of the First Presidency, who said that “the day will come when the Constitution and free government under it will be sustained and preserved by this people.” (JD, 23:104.)

Now, I declare to you that if we are not in the beginning stages of the fulfillment of this prophecy, we are at least in the stages where we are preparing for its fulfillment.

Now at this critical stage in our nation’s history we suddenly find ourselves with a great opportunity to reverse the trend and help chart the course of this country back toward righteousness.

 Why is it so important to know and understand America’s past? We know that history provides important lessons and warnings for today—lessons about God and his interest in the affairs of men; and warnings in the form of destructions that came to early American civilizations when they lost their reverence for family, morality, or God.

Today we are fortunate to live in a choice and promised land. It will remain free and blessed as long as its people remember the God who gave them life and this free land. We must remember that the family is the basic unit of a strong society.

We are all part of God’s family; and as our Father, he expects us to build strong family units. It is in the family that the basic morality and righteousness should be taught that will keep America free. Each member of every family plays an important role in America. For several thousand years throughout this land the great fathers and mothers, the noble sons, the patriot sons, the choice daughters have forged America into what we have today.

It is America’s conscience that has preserved her. America is beautiful only when she is good, when children are laughing in her streets, and love abounds in her families. Without this conscience, civilization crumbles, as it has before on this continent. We are all part of America’s future. Our job is to remember the lessons of the past, to patch up the mistakes and the sins of everything that has gone before. The place to start is within our own families; and as we have been counseled, “No success can compensate for failure in the home.”

The source of America’s greatness is not a new doctrine to us. The Book of Mormon has declared over and over again that the blessings of heaven are contingent upon the righteousness of its people. In fact, this teaching has been proven in almost every age. Remember in 1831 when the famous French historian Alexis de Tocqueville said:

 “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world of commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” (Jerreld L. Newquist, comp., Prophets, Principles and National Survival, Salt Lake City: Publishers Press, 1967, p. 60.)

I want to again remind you of your responsibility to preserve the righteousness of America. I have reviewed 4,000 years of history, declaring this to be a land of promise, chosen of the Lord for his special purposes. Now we must deal with America’s future. The land must continue to remain strong and great and good. It is destined to be the major supplier of human and financial resources, to build the kingdom of God here in the whole world, and to prepare the world for the return of the Lord and Savior. The adversary knows all too well that a weak America will literally stop this building process and thwart the work of God.

I hope I have painted a clear picture for you to see your role in this great eternal process. The Lord is making his major investment in you. In my dealings with the Lord, I have found him to be one who expects performance.

 John Adams understood the potential of a righteous government when he wrote:

“Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible as their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obligated in conscience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and charity toward his fellowmen, and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God. In this commonwealth no man would impair his health with gluttony, drunkenness or lust. No man would sacrifice his precious time to cards or trifling with other mean amusements. No man would steal or lie or in any way defraud his neighbor, but would live in peace and good will toward all men. No man would blaspheme his Maker or profane his worship, but a rational and manly, a sincere and unaffected devotion would reign in the hearts of all men. What a utopia, what a paradise this region would be.”

I want to issue you a challenge. I want you who are the best trained, the best educated, who have been given these great advantages here in America to literally become the conscience of America and the molders of its destiny and future. With your knowledge, your training, your understanding of how God works in the hearts of his children here on earth, let us obligate ourselves to temperance, to frugality, and to industry. Let us show justice, kindness, and charity toward our fellowmen. Let us demonstrate the love and reverence we should exhibit toward our Almighty God. Let us not trifle with the things that are holy to God.

 This is the time for you to be bold enough to stand up for what you believe, to let the world know that God still blesses this great land of America—if we will live righteously, according to that which he has commanded.

Will God bless us that we may have the courage to fulfill our responsibility here? I know by personal experience …that the heavens are still open, that he still does direct his work here. That message should ring from the hilltops of this nation…. Will you have the courage to stand up with me and be counted with those who would preserve this land of the free through the righteousness of its people?

(end of Elder Perry’s talk)
 
Can you believe this talk was given 36 years ago? How much more expedient is it now to heed the counsel and warnings of Elder Perry given this talk?

 Yesterday in Sunday school, the following Scripture was read. I thought it went along beautifully with Elder Perry’s talk. So I wanted to include it in this blog post.
 
Ether 8:22-26

22 And whatsoever anation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the bblood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for cvengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.

 23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get apower and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of bdestruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
 
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this asecret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
 
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the afreedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who bbeguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath chardened the hearts of men that they have dmurdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.

 26 Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have ano power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be bpersuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all crighteousness and be saved.

Top of Form
There are plenty of warnings in The Book of Mormon, and from modern-day Prophets and Apostles about the destruction of nations, specifically our nation, when the people are not righteous. But it’s comforting to know, that through righteousness, and doing all we can by voting, etc., that we can and will save this great nation of ours from destruction.

That’s my two cents.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

College Football Picks 2012 week 9 Results

1. Juliet -16 tie breaker 33
2. Dad -17 tie breaker 52

3.Rex -18 TB 53
4.Tammy -19 tiebreaker 39
5. Michael -23 tiebreaker 59
6.Chanelle -24 TB 62
7. Lisa -24 TB 32
8.Richie -28 TB 41
actual tiebreaker 59

*still waiting for your results, Juliet.
Well looks like Juliet beat Dad. Poor Dad thought that he won. Maybe next week!

Relief Society Lesson -- Can Ye Feel So Now?

Can Ye Feel So Now?
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 2012 General Conference


“And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” Alma 5:26

 
Two concerns:

1. The challenge of increased unrighteousness in the world.

2. The apathy and lack of commitment of some members.


“…repentance will be the only panacea for the ills of this world.” —George Albert Smith, 1943
 

Today moral deterioration has escalated.
 

“Everyone knows the culture is poisonous, and nobody expects that to change.” —Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal, July 2012
 

“The spiritual immune system of an entire civilization has been wounded.” -- Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., September 2012
 

Spiritual Drought=Unwise Choices

 
1. casual in their observance of sacred covenants.

2. spend most of their time giving first-class devotion to lesser causes.

3. allow intense cultural or political views to weaken their allegiance to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. immersed themselves in Internet materials …draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony.

 
Any who have made these choices can repent and be spiritually renewed.

Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.
 

Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined

 
“when you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can [go] back.” – Joseph Smith

 
Two challenges:

1. unkindness, violence, and domestic abuse.

2. sexual immorality and impure thoughts.

 
The need for civility in society has never been more important.
 

We were warned…that sexual immorality would be perhaps the greatest challenge.

 
There is virtually no place on earth that cannot be impacted by salacious, immoral, and titillating images.
 

Parents must have the courage to say no, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony.
 

Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes.
 

At baptism we promise to take upon us “the name of [Jesus] Christ, having [the] determination to serve him to the end.” Such a covenant requires courageous effort, commitment, and integrity if we are to continue to sing the song of redeeming love and stay truly converted.

 

Friday, October 26, 2012

Obsession, Kidnapping, And Politics


Let me start out by saying that I have become somewhat obsessed with this upcoming election. The future of our country is in peril and it is expedient that we get new leadership in office. I’m not only talking about the presidential election but also several measures on the ballot, in my state, regarding moral issues such as same-sex marriage and legalization of marijuana. Not to mention we are also electing a new governor and local leadership.

Here’s how obsessed I’ve become. The night before the third and final presidential debate, I woke up dreaming about foreign policy.

Normally I’m not so politically minded. But that’s just how important this election is to our future.

Yesterday I was listening to The Book of Mormon. When I heard these verses, it really struck a chord with me. I immediately thought of our current president and this upcoming election. Insert the words, Pres. Obama for the word King. Pay special attention to verse 27.

Mosiah 29:21-27

21 And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous aking save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood.

22 For behold, he has his afriends in iniquity, and he keepeth his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in righteousness before him; and he trampleth under his feet the commandments of God;

23 And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his people, yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey his laws he acauseth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against him he will send his armies against them to war, and if he can he will destroy them; and thus an unrighteous bking doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.

24 And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that such abominations should come upon you.

25 Therefore, choose you by the avoice of this people, judges, that ye may be bjudged according to the claws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord.

26 Now it is not common that the avoice of the people desireth anything bcontrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the cpeople 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.

27 And aif the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

If that’s not a powerful warning, I don’t know what is. It’s as if these verses were written for this upcoming election. Especially since the voice of the people have yet to approve same-sex marriage in any state. Those states with same-sex marriage on the law books have all been approved by state government and not by popular vote. If referendum 74 passes, Washington state will be the first to approve same-sex marriage by a voice of the people. Verse 27 could not be more direct, and makes it pretty clear what the consequences are.

Speaking of referendum 74, my brother has had a Reject R-74 sign in his yard for about a week. One day, the sign was bashed in and he had to go repair it. Then last night, someone came by and just totally stole it from his front yard.

What happened to free speech, civil rights, and tolerance? Seems there’s a double standard.

It amazes me how stupid, meaning unintelligent, some people are. A lot of people are. Or maybe a better word is ignorant. And the majority of them are liberals. Those who support Obama and immorality.

Case in point. My sister received an e-mail from a member of the church, who apparently was offended by something she wrote in her blog. I’m not going to go into details but, suffice it to say, this e-mailer just proved my point above in trying to preach, “open-mindedness” and tolerance. Because Obama seems like a “nice man” we should vote for him? The arguments made in the e-mail to my sister are so poor, they aren’t worth wasting my breath trying to rebut. But just for fun, let me tell you what a “nice man” Obama really is.

A reporter for Rolling Stone magazine, who was interviewing Obama for an upcoming article writes,

"As we left the Oval Office, executive editor Eric Bates told Obama that he had asked his 6-year-old if there was anything she wanted him to say to the president. ... [S]he said, 'Tell him: You can do it.' Obama grinned," Brinkley wrote, according to Politico. "'You know, kids have good instincts,' Obama offered. 'They look at the other guy and say, 'Well, that's a[B.S.er], I can tell.'"—Fox News, October 25, 2012

Sounds presidential to me.  I took the actual cussword out, and put a euphemism in brackets. I actually cannot believe there’s not much more outrage over this. But then again, the liberal media don’t want to tarnish their baby. Not only that, but apparently society is not bothered by such language.  It is just another example of the obvious difference in class between the two candidates. This was very apparent during the debates. Including the vice presidential debate. Obama and Biden were very disrespectful and condescending.  Whereas Romney and Ryan were assertive yet polite.

When I hear Obama talk about forcing Obamacare upon us.  And then I hear Romney talking about being able to make our own choices about health care. It reminds me of the war in heaven. Two plans. In one plan we have our agency. We can make our own choices. In the other plan, we have no choice and are forced to “do what’s right”. I think the comparison is apropos.

Obama has absolutely no agenda.  None. That’s why he keeps attacking Romney. He’s grasping at straws. His campaign just put out a glossy agenda booklet, which is filled with nothing but old, bad ideas that don’t work. One article I read called it a glossy panic button.

Here is a quote from a recent article:

“Obama will keep slamming Romney as the campaign comes to an end. Drawing “the contrast” as Obama’s team calls it, is still the campaign’s engine.
Obama officials publicly claim the plan was in the works all along and doesn’t represent a major change. But many Democrats and observers see the Tuesday messaging switch as proof Obama leaned too heavily for too long on a negative “Hit Mitt” strategy, at the expense of a sustained push to convince skeptical voters the president deserves another four years.

“The Obama organization did the single best job of destroying a candidate I have ever seen in my career, from May to September,” said pollster Peter Brown, who conducts the Quinnipiac University poll of battleground states.” —Politico, Glenn Thrush, October 24, 2012

Obama has resorted to talking about small things because he has no agenda. What does he talk about? Big Bird, binders, horses and bayonets, Romneysia. All attacks on Romney.  Albeit lame attack at that. No agenda.

In fact, during the last election, Obama himself said, “If you don't have any fresh ideas, use stale tactics to scare people,' -- if you don't have a record to run on, paint your opponent as someone people should run from. Make a big election about small things," – Barack Obama, 2008 [taken from an article on Fox news by Chris Laible, October 19, 2012]

That is exactly what Obama is doing. Attacking Romney and making a big election about small things. So by his own accord he has no fresh ideas and he’s using stale tactics to scare people because he does not have a record to run on.

I just cannot fathom how anyone, with any brain activity whatsoever, would vote for Obama. Like the e-mailer I talked about earlier, they must all be zombies blindly following the masses. They are ignorant sheep. Following a corrupt shepherd. They are uninformed, yet profess to understand the issues and, like the e-mailer, go so far as to say that those who are actually in the know, are the ones who are uninformed and following blindly.

Just on moral issues alone, I don’t see how any member of the church, with a testimony, could, in good conscience, vote for Obama.

From today’s Washington Post:

“The Facts

Obama has talked about Planned Parenthood’s supposed mammography services throughout his 2012 campaign. Here are a few examples of his remarks:

“When Governor Romney says that we should eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, there are millions of women all across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood for not just contraceptive care. They rely on it for mammograms, for cervical cancer screenings.”

— Obama during second presidential debate, Oct. 16, 2012

“When people say we should get rid of Planned Parenthood, they’re not just talking about restricting a woman’s ability to make her own health-care decisions; they’re talking about denying, as a practical matter, the preventive care like mammograms that millions of women rely on.”

— Obama during White House Forum on Women and the Economy, April 6, 2012

“In many of these states Planned Parenthood is your only possible access to not only abortion but pap smears, cervical cancer screenings, mammograms. It is a place where women who may not otherwise have the means can take care of their own bodies.”

— Obama interview with Glamour magazine, October 2012

The problem here is that Planned Parenthood does not perform mammograms or even possess the necessary equipment to do so. As such, the organization certainly does not “provide” mammograms in the strict sense. Instead, its clinics provide referrals and direct low-income women toward resources to help pay for the procedure.” – Josh Hicks, the Washington Post, October 26, 2012

The article gave Obama three Pinocchio’s for these blatant lies about Planned Parenthood providing mammograms. This coming from a liberal leaning publication such is the Washington Post.

The article goes on to say that in 2010 329,445 abortions were performed by Planned Parenthood. And I, as a taxpayer, must pay for these abortions which I find morally reprehensible.

From another news article:

“The Obama administration has forced multiple states to fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business. In two cases, the administration has filed legal papers taking on states in court by siding with the abortion giant in its attempt to overturn de-funding laws.

Last week, the Obama administration-Planned Parenthood partnership was successful in defeating the state of Arizona. Today, that partnership won at the appeals court level against the state of Indiana.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, the head of the pro-life women’s group Susan B. Anthony List, lamented that second win today after hearing news of the appeals court decision in the Indiana case.

“I just learned moments ago that the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals just handed down a decision that will FORCE the state of Indiana’s Medicaid program to fund Planned Parenthood — despite the Hoosier state passing legislation to get taxpayers OUT of the abortion industry,” she said. “The Obama Administration filed a brief demanding that Planned Parenthood funding continue — and even threatened to pull over $4 billion in Medicaid funding from the Hoosier State if they didn’t keep taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood flowing.”

“Today’s court decision is a reminder that we must defeat President Obama if we are going to fully defund Planned Parenthood the nearly half billion in taxpayer funding they receive each year out of our very own pockets,” Dannenfelser said, adding her group would continue to “work to defeat the Abortion President so we can finally defund Planned Parenthood, America’s abortion giant, of every single tax dollar they receive.”

“Over the last two years – as 14 states have introduced or enacted measures to end taxpayer funding of abortion businesses – America’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood has been able to rely only on sympathetic courts and the Obama Administration to buck the will of the taxpayers,” she added. “Despite misinformation from the highest levels – including President Obama’s recent repetition of the falsehood that Planned Parenthood provides mammograms – more and more Americans have concluded that this abortion-centered business does not need or deserve taxpayer dollars. Planned Parenthood may have been handed a victory in the court but is losing, more importantly, in the court of public opinion.”

“Cecile Richards has taken a leave of absence as CEO of Planned Parenthood to campaign full time for Barack Obama,” she said. “It’s the least Cecile could do! Obama is fantastic for her abortion business, as today’s court decision has shown.”

“In addition to the “all-access” pass the White House grants to Planned Parenthood’s abortion lobbyists, Obama has rewarded Planned Parenthood with hundreds of millions in federal tax money to fuel the largest expansion of abortion in history. And if that isn’t enough, he’s given them two new pro-abortion Supreme Court Justices with lifetime appointments,” Dannenfelser said. – Steven Ertelt, life news, October 23, 2012.

The abortion issue and funding of Planned Parenthood with my tax dollars is reason enough to vote against Obama. But remember, he also is endorsing same-sex marriage in several states and, a few months ago he came out, on the record, endorsing same-sex marriage as part of his political platform.

And those are just two of the moral, or should I say immoral, issues Obama supports. I haven’t even touched the surface on his horrible record. The economy has tanked. Deficit way up, unemployment up, families on food stamps up. And what about his promise in 2008 to cut the deficit in half. Instead he doubled it. He said unemployment would be 5.4%. It’s right around 8%. Which is the same, or more than when he took office. Which I think was 7.8%. Is that not reason enough to fire him? It’s obvious he’s a liar.

Yet, still about half the people in this nation will vote for him. I cannot fathom why.  Except, as I said before, they are blind followers who cannot think for themselves.  And yes, even some of them, are members of the church. Despite the obvious mountain of evidence against Obama that shows his blatant disregard for morals. Let alone, leadership skills that will help our mighty nation, not hurt it.

Remember the warning in Mosiah 29:25  “Therefore, choose you by the avoice of this people, judges, that ye may be bjudged according to the claws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord.”

Members of the church who would vote for Obama, or referendum 74(legalizing same-sex marriage), or initiative 502 (legalizing marijuana) reminds me of this quote by Pres. Ezra Taft Benson: Because God has given men their agency, there will always be those who will misuse it. The gospel net draws in the good and the bad, the best and the worst. The worst because the devil, before the final cleansing, put some of his followers within the kingdom in order to try and destroy it. We have some of them within the kingdom today, and in due course their number shall be known.” –Ezra Taft Benson, May 1975 New Era, Jesus Christ-gifts and expectations.

I e-mailed a friend the other day and mentioned that I was somewhat obsessed with this upcoming election. I received a clever response, “Don't feel bad about being obsessed with this election. To not be would be like not being obsessed that someone had kidnapped your kid and was threatening to kill him.”

Our nation has been “kidnapped” and we need to do everything we can to save it.

That’s my two cents.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Go Vote!

 

I was so excited to get our ballots in the mail on Saturday. I heard earlier in the week that they were being mailed out and was anticipating receiving them. For two or three days before the ballots arrived I would ask if they came in the mail that day.

I have voted in every election that I was able to. No matter where I lived, I made sure that I registered to vote and went out of my way to find the polling places before or after school/work. I have always felt that voting is a great privilege and responsibility. Even in the seemingly unimportant primary elections. I’ve always liked voting in the primary elections because not very many people vote and I feel like my vote counts for a lot of people.

It is a bit of work to study up on the candidates and issues but as a citizen I feel it is our responsibility and privilege to do so. It is our opportunity to let our voice be heard and defend our liberties and morals and our society.

This election is probably the most important that I have voted in. Of course, this year marks the presidential election which is always important. Especially with the current administration that has done such a horrible job in office. I don’t think anyone can say they are better off now than they were four years ago. In fact, we are much worse off. I won’t go into the details but suffice it to say, we need new leadership. Our future is in our hands. We have a voice.

Not only do we get to elect a new president this election but, in my state, there are several initiatives on the ballot that are very important. One of course, is referendum 74. The state government, without a vote of the people, passed a law allowing same-sex marriage. It’s not right. We live in a democracy where the people should decide. So, petitions were passed and signed and it’s now on the ballot. Please reject referendum 74.

Another important issue on this ballot is the legalization of marijuana. I personally, still cannot fathom that these two issues are even on the ballot. They are both no-brainers. The sad thing is, that all the money is backing the wrong side on both issues. So, all of the television commercials are backing same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana. Their arguments are ridiculous. But, I’m afraid that a lot of people will be swayed by only hearing one side.

This is why it’s so important to vote. Our lives will be tremendously affected by the outcomes of this election.

I’m happy to say that I voted yesterday.  If your state allows early voting, get your ballots mailed in early. If not, make an effort to get out and vote on November 6!

That’s my two cents.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Split Pea Soup


Yesterday we made split pea soup in the pressure cooker. It turned out awesome. So I thought I would share the recipe with everybody. It’s very easy to make and very quick. I know some people are afraid of pressure cookers but they really aren’t that scary. If you have a smaller pressure cooker you might want to halve the recipe – it is my understanding that you shouldn’t fill the pressure cooker more than half when making soup. If you don’t have a pressure cooker try making this recipe in a crockpot. You will just have to cook it a lot longer. Enjoy!

SPLIT PEA SOUP

INGREDIENTS:
v  2 pounds dried split peas (approximately 5 cups)
v  16 cups water (1 gallon)
v  4 cups (1 quart) vegetable or chicken stock
v  1 package of bacon, or 1 hambone or 1 Pound of Ham chunks
v  2 large onions, diced
v  4 carrots, diced
v  4 celery ribs, diced
v  3-4 potatoes, peeled and diced
v  1 Tablespoon dried thyme
v  1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
v  2 bay leaves
v  Salt and pepper to taste [we used approximately 1 Tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon Pepper]


DIRECTIONS:

1.    In a large pressure cooker, heat bacon over medium high heat.

2.    After bacon has released some of its fat, stir in onions. Cook until onions are transparent.

3.    Add vegetables including dried split peas and water/stock. Stir to mix. [we didn’t have celery so we omitted it – still turned out awesome]

4.    Add thyme, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Stir to mix.

5.    Close lid and bring pressure to 10-15 pounds (most recipes call for 15 pounds of pressure) over high heat. Adjust heat to stabilize pressure.

6.    Cook for 15 minutes.

7.    Remove from heat and let cool until the pressure comes down naturally.

8.    Remove lid and serve soup in bowls.