"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."
-Albert Einstein
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Korihor Is at It Again!
I received this e-mail today and haven't taken time to look into it but it doesn't surprise me, with Korihor at the helm. So I thought I would pass it along so you can check it out yourself.
"Obama Youth Brigade: Church Attendance Forbidden
By Jonas Clark
Is this the change you really voted for? President Obama has only been in office for two months. Now we have HR 1388. The Bill was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) with 37 others. The Bill was introduced to the floor of the House of Representatives where both Republicans and Democrats voted 321-105 in favor. Next it goes to the Senate for a vote and then on to President Obama.
This bill’s title is called “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education” (GIVE). It forms what some are calling “Obama’s Youth Brigade.” Obama’s plan is require anyone receiving school loans and others to serve at least three months as part of the brigade. His goal is one million youth! This has serious Nazi Germany overtones to it.
The Bill would forbid any student in the brigade to participate in “engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.” That means no church attendance or witnessing.
Again, is this what America voted for? Here is part of the HR1388 Bill’s wording:
SEC. 1304. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
Section 125 (42 U.S.C. 12575) is amended to read as follows:
SEC. 125. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Prohibited Activities- A participant in an approved national service position under this subtitle may not engage in the following activities:
(1) Attempting to influence legislation.
(2) Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes.
(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization."
I knew we were doomed when Korihor a.k.a. Obama was voted in as President of the United States. I didn't know he was going to work this fast at destroying our nation and values. Like I said, I haven't really looked into this so I guess I can't comment much on it. I think if Luci had a body, he would look just like Obama.
That's my two cents.
"Obama Youth Brigade: Church Attendance Forbidden
By Jonas Clark
Is this the change you really voted for? President Obama has only been in office for two months. Now we have HR 1388. The Bill was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) with 37 others. The Bill was introduced to the floor of the House of Representatives where both Republicans and Democrats voted 321-105 in favor. Next it goes to the Senate for a vote and then on to President Obama.
This bill’s title is called “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education” (GIVE). It forms what some are calling “Obama’s Youth Brigade.” Obama’s plan is require anyone receiving school loans and others to serve at least three months as part of the brigade. His goal is one million youth! This has serious Nazi Germany overtones to it.
The Bill would forbid any student in the brigade to participate in “engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.” That means no church attendance or witnessing.
Again, is this what America voted for? Here is part of the HR1388 Bill’s wording:
SEC. 1304. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
Section 125 (42 U.S.C. 12575) is amended to read as follows:
SEC. 125. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Prohibited Activities- A participant in an approved national service position under this subtitle may not engage in the following activities:
(1) Attempting to influence legislation.
(2) Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes.
(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization."
I knew we were doomed when Korihor a.k.a. Obama was voted in as President of the United States. I didn't know he was going to work this fast at destroying our nation and values. Like I said, I haven't really looked into this so I guess I can't comment much on it. I think if Luci had a body, he would look just like Obama.
That's my two cents.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Kingston's Adoption Finalization
We received great news yesterday. Juliet called to tell us that they received their court date for Kingston's adoption finalization. It will be April 8. We are all so excited. As soon as the adoption is final they will be able to move up here, so Kingston will be able to grow up near his cousins. It will be so nice to have everybody so close.This picture of Kingston was taken when he was only seven weeks old. I love this picture of him. He is so happy and smiley.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Interesting Facts
I was watching the History Channel last night and learned some interesting things I thought I would share.
Niagara Falls chews up 3 feet of rock per year. Therefore, it is receding at a rate of 3 feet per year. It has been receding at this rate for 12,000 years, since it was created. It will take about another 12,000 years of receding at this rate before it chews up the Niagara River and recedes back to Lake Erie. At that point, the Great Lakes will not be.
The lowest land elevation in North America is at the bottom of Lake Superior. Much of Lake Superior is below sea level several hundred feet.
Everybody sees rainbows a little differently. Depending on where your head is in relation to the sun and the rainbow. The formula is: the rainbow is seen at 42° with your head being the apex and the sun and the rainbow creating the angle.
If you see a double rainbow, it is seen at 51° and is always more faded than the first rainbow because it has to refract twice. Also, double rainbows are seen in reverse order. For instance, in a regular rainbow you will see red as the top color and blue as the bottom. A double rainbow is opposite with blue on top and red on bottom.
I wish I could remember more but this will have to suffice. These are some things I didn't know and I thought were interesting. I hope you enjoy reading this and maybe learn a couple things.
That's my two cents.
Niagara Falls chews up 3 feet of rock per year. Therefore, it is receding at a rate of 3 feet per year. It has been receding at this rate for 12,000 years, since it was created. It will take about another 12,000 years of receding at this rate before it chews up the Niagara River and recedes back to Lake Erie. At that point, the Great Lakes will not be.
The lowest land elevation in North America is at the bottom of Lake Superior. Much of Lake Superior is below sea level several hundred feet.
Everybody sees rainbows a little differently. Depending on where your head is in relation to the sun and the rainbow. The formula is: the rainbow is seen at 42° with your head being the apex and the sun and the rainbow creating the angle.
If you see a double rainbow, it is seen at 51° and is always more faded than the first rainbow because it has to refract twice. Also, double rainbows are seen in reverse order. For instance, in a regular rainbow you will see red as the top color and blue as the bottom. A double rainbow is opposite with blue on top and red on bottom.
I wish I could remember more but this will have to suffice. These are some things I didn't know and I thought were interesting. I hope you enjoy reading this and maybe learn a couple things.
That's my two cents.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Unanswered Prayers?
I watched a really good devotional last week on BYU TV. It was a talk given by S. Michael Wilcox, I think that was his name. He is a CES instructor, so I guess he teaches Institute somewhere in Utah. I'm going to try to summarize his talk, so I hope I don't butcher it too much.
He started out talking about how God is a fourth watch God. Apparently back in the day, there were four watches during the night. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. was first watch, 9 p.m. to midnight was second watch, midnight to 3 a.m. was third watch, and 3 a.m. to sunrise was fourth watch. Most of us are first watch people. We want things right now, immediately. When we pray, we want the answer now. But it doesn't usually work that way. We need to be patient. The answer will come, but not until the fourth watch. Sometimes we may feel we've already gone around the clock a few times. This brings us to the second topic.
Tight like unto a dish. If you remember the story of the Jaredites. It mentions in the scriptures several times that their barges were "tight like unto a dish"
Ether 2: 17
17 "And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish."
Ether 6: 7
7 "And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters."
So sometimes, we think we aren't getting an answer to our prayers and we've already passed the fourth watch. It may be because we are "tight like unto dish". Meaning that we are prepared to withstand the trials we are facing. Just like the barges were able to withstand the crashing of the waves.
The third topic was a holding place. Sometimes we need a holding place prepared in our hearts before a prayer can be answered, so that we may fully understand. The example brother Willcox used in his talk was a personal experience. He said his father abandoned him when he was a baby along with his two sisters and mother. From the time he was 14 he started praying to be able to understand and forgive his father. But the answer never came. He kept repeating this prayer throughout his life, never receiving an answer. One day he was preparing a talk about families. At this point he was married with several children including two small sons ages six and two. While he was preparing his talk about families he was thinking about his father still not understanding or being able to forgive him. It was then he received his answer to this prayer.
He thought about his two sons and the life experiences he shared with them. He realized that it was his father who had missed out on sharing experiences with his son. And he was able to forgive him. Brother Willcox mentioned that it was merciful that his father didn't understand what he missed out on. So the point of the story was that his prayer was answered as soon as possible. He said he would not have been able to receive the answer before that time because he did not have a holding place in his heart for the answer. He needed to have children and even more than that he needed to have sons and to have shared some life experiences with them to fully understand the answer to his prayers.
And finally, bread or a stone.
Luke 11:11-12
11 "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?"
Heavenly Father will not give us something that is harmful or detrimental in answer to our prayers. Sometimes we may think we are getting a stone when in actuality we are given bread. In other words, we are not always given what we ask for but we are given what we need. The example that brother Willcox used was his mission call. He fervently prayed that he would be sent to the Netherlands on his mission. Everyone in his family went to the Netherlands on a mission. His grandfather and uncles all served in the Netherlands. So this is where he wanted to go. And as a postscript he prayed that he would not be sent to France. Well, as you can probably guess he was sent to France. So in answer to that prayer he felt he was given a stone instead of bread. But after a while he realized he was given bread. France is what he needed. He would not have had the same experiences in the Netherlands that he had in France. So sometimes we might not like the answer we are given but it is what we need.
In summary, here is the list of four topics:
1- God is a Fourth Watch God
2- Tight like unto a Dish
3- A Holding Place
4- Bread or a Stone
The next time you feel your prayers are not being answered, remember this talk and four categories. Most likely, one of these categories will apply to you. God is a loving God and He will answer our prayers as soon as He can.
That's my two cents.
He started out talking about how God is a fourth watch God. Apparently back in the day, there were four watches during the night. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. was first watch, 9 p.m. to midnight was second watch, midnight to 3 a.m. was third watch, and 3 a.m. to sunrise was fourth watch. Most of us are first watch people. We want things right now, immediately. When we pray, we want the answer now. But it doesn't usually work that way. We need to be patient. The answer will come, but not until the fourth watch. Sometimes we may feel we've already gone around the clock a few times. This brings us to the second topic.
Tight like unto a dish. If you remember the story of the Jaredites. It mentions in the scriptures several times that their barges were "tight like unto a dish"
Ether 2: 17
17 "And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish."
Ether 6: 7
7 "And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters."
So sometimes, we think we aren't getting an answer to our prayers and we've already passed the fourth watch. It may be because we are "tight like unto dish". Meaning that we are prepared to withstand the trials we are facing. Just like the barges were able to withstand the crashing of the waves.
The third topic was a holding place. Sometimes we need a holding place prepared in our hearts before a prayer can be answered, so that we may fully understand. The example brother Willcox used in his talk was a personal experience. He said his father abandoned him when he was a baby along with his two sisters and mother. From the time he was 14 he started praying to be able to understand and forgive his father. But the answer never came. He kept repeating this prayer throughout his life, never receiving an answer. One day he was preparing a talk about families. At this point he was married with several children including two small sons ages six and two. While he was preparing his talk about families he was thinking about his father still not understanding or being able to forgive him. It was then he received his answer to this prayer.
He thought about his two sons and the life experiences he shared with them. He realized that it was his father who had missed out on sharing experiences with his son. And he was able to forgive him. Brother Willcox mentioned that it was merciful that his father didn't understand what he missed out on. So the point of the story was that his prayer was answered as soon as possible. He said he would not have been able to receive the answer before that time because he did not have a holding place in his heart for the answer. He needed to have children and even more than that he needed to have sons and to have shared some life experiences with them to fully understand the answer to his prayers.
And finally, bread or a stone.
Luke 11:11-12
11 "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?"
Heavenly Father will not give us something that is harmful or detrimental in answer to our prayers. Sometimes we may think we are getting a stone when in actuality we are given bread. In other words, we are not always given what we ask for but we are given what we need. The example that brother Willcox used was his mission call. He fervently prayed that he would be sent to the Netherlands on his mission. Everyone in his family went to the Netherlands on a mission. His grandfather and uncles all served in the Netherlands. So this is where he wanted to go. And as a postscript he prayed that he would not be sent to France. Well, as you can probably guess he was sent to France. So in answer to that prayer he felt he was given a stone instead of bread. But after a while he realized he was given bread. France is what he needed. He would not have had the same experiences in the Netherlands that he had in France. So sometimes we might not like the answer we are given but it is what we need.
In summary, here is the list of four topics:
1- God is a Fourth Watch God
2- Tight like unto a Dish
3- A Holding Place
4- Bread or a Stone
The next time you feel your prayers are not being answered, remember this talk and four categories. Most likely, one of these categories will apply to you. God is a loving God and He will answer our prayers as soon as He can.
That's my two cents.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Idol
I have a real problem with anything entitled "Idol". This is why I have chosen not to watch American Idol this year. Now, I admit, I have watched it in years past. But I have always been bothered by the moniker. You could argue that the program is just a harmless talent competition with a misfortunate name. I would disagree.
In our society, idols are commonplace. Movie stars, sports figures, musicians, even politicians are idolized. Most, if not all, are bad examples of what we should aspire to be. Money and materialistic possessions are also idolized. Things such as fancy cars, expensive namebrand clothing, boats, houses, etc. are idolized and seem to reflect who we are. People even idolize their own bodies. Just look at all the cosmetic surgery, weight loss programs, fitness centers (gyms), etc. all aimed at making us "look better". How we spend our time including hobbies and recreation are reflections on who or what we idolize. The list goes on and on.
A television program with the title, "American Idol", is not just a harmless talent show. It is yet another way for the media to emphasize idolization. The contestants start out as average people and through the course of the competition they have stylists and makeup artists who transform their hair and clothes and change them from average to "idols". The people who have won the competition in years past, are not the same regular Joe's they once were. They are now among the famous, who are now idolized.
Exodus 20:3-5
3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them ..."
"When anything wastefully dominates our time, compromises our loyalty, or confuses our priorities so that God and his work become second, we are worshiping idols." Dennis Largey, “Refusing to Worship Today’s Graven Images,” Liahona, Mar 1998, 17
Matthew 6: 24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
In the world we live in, we are constantly being bombarded by "graven images". The last thing we need is another television program about "idols". You can rationalize that American Idol is just a harmless singing competition. But it is not harmless. It teaches us to idolize someone because they can sing and are now famous.
We should focus on doing that which does not idle our time away, or confuse our priorities. We should focus on worshiping God and not worshiping idols.
That's my two cents.
In our society, idols are commonplace. Movie stars, sports figures, musicians, even politicians are idolized. Most, if not all, are bad examples of what we should aspire to be. Money and materialistic possessions are also idolized. Things such as fancy cars, expensive namebrand clothing, boats, houses, etc. are idolized and seem to reflect who we are. People even idolize their own bodies. Just look at all the cosmetic surgery, weight loss programs, fitness centers (gyms), etc. all aimed at making us "look better". How we spend our time including hobbies and recreation are reflections on who or what we idolize. The list goes on and on.
A television program with the title, "American Idol", is not just a harmless talent show. It is yet another way for the media to emphasize idolization. The contestants start out as average people and through the course of the competition they have stylists and makeup artists who transform their hair and clothes and change them from average to "idols". The people who have won the competition in years past, are not the same regular Joe's they once were. They are now among the famous, who are now idolized.
Exodus 20:3-5
3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them ..."
"When anything wastefully dominates our time, compromises our loyalty, or confuses our priorities so that God and his work become second, we are worshiping idols." Dennis Largey, “Refusing to Worship Today’s Graven Images,” Liahona, Mar 1998, 17
Matthew 6: 24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
In the world we live in, we are constantly being bombarded by "graven images". The last thing we need is another television program about "idols". You can rationalize that American Idol is just a harmless singing competition. But it is not harmless. It teaches us to idolize someone because they can sing and are now famous.
We should focus on doing that which does not idle our time away, or confuse our priorities. We should focus on worshiping God and not worshiping idols.
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Quotes of the Day
I haven't felt like blogging much so here are a few quotes you might enjoy.
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."
-Albert Einstein
"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."
-Albert Einstein
"Patience is the companion of wisdom"
-St. Augustine
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."
-Albert Einstein
"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."
-Albert Einstein
"Patience is the companion of wisdom"
-St. Augustine
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wheelchair Batteries Update
I'm sure all of you are on the edge of your seats wondering if I got my wheelchair batteries replaced. Well, you can all relax, I am all powered up now. Dad and I drove over to the wheelchair store this morning and purchased them. It just so happened that they sold a pair yesterday so they didn't have any in stock. But he said his supplier was just down the road. So he said it would only take a few minutes but it actually ended up taking closer to a half-hour to get the new batteries. When he was replacing the batteries he told me I had rocks in the compartment and he had a hard time getting the battery out :-) but he eventually got them replaced. So now I am all powered up for hopefully another five and half years. I wonder which will last longer, the batteries or me? I guess time will tell.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wheelchair Batteries
It looks like my wheelchair batteries have finally given up the ghost. I've had the same batteries in my wheelchair since I got it 5 1/2 years ago. They have given me a lot of good use. The life expectancy of wheelchair batteries is three to five years, so I have exceeded that already. I am thankful for the mobility my wheelchair provides. Hopefully we will be able to get new batteries tomorrow. We already found a place that stocks these batteries so it is just a matter of driving about 45 minutes to get them. And forking over a few Benji's. Hopefully I won't be powerless for long!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
It seems like over the past few weeks Korihor, a.k.a. Obama, has basically erased all of the work President Bush did during his administration. For instance, yesterday, Obama removed the ban on using federal monies for embryonic stem cell research. Which now opens the door, and allows our tax dollars to be used for what I believe is unethical and immoral research.
You might be thinking that I would be happy about this because I could potentially benefit greatly from embryonic stem cell research. Quite the contrary, I do not believe in destroying one life to potentially benefit another. Who can say one life is more valuable than another? Just because one life is only five days old and perhaps only 32 cells, does that make it worth any less than another human being? I think not. It is not right to destroy human life no matter what stage it is in. We all began as embryos. Given the right environment and enough time those embryos will develop into full term babies.
My tax dollars should not be funding something that I believe is morally wrong.
That's my two cents.
You might be thinking that I would be happy about this because I could potentially benefit greatly from embryonic stem cell research. Quite the contrary, I do not believe in destroying one life to potentially benefit another. Who can say one life is more valuable than another? Just because one life is only five days old and perhaps only 32 cells, does that make it worth any less than another human being? I think not. It is not right to destroy human life no matter what stage it is in. We all began as embryos. Given the right environment and enough time those embryos will develop into full term babies.
My tax dollars should not be funding something that I believe is morally wrong.
That's my two cents.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Our Choices Reflect Our Value System
Benjamin Franklin said:
“We stand at the crossroads, each minute, each hour, each day, making choices. We choose the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, the passions we allow ourselves to feel, and the actions we allow ourselves to perform. Each choice is made in the context of whatever value system we’ve selected to govern our lives. In selecting that value system, we are, in a very real way, making the most important choice we will ever make."
"Those who believe there is one God who made all things and who governs the world by his Providence will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who hold in reverence that being who gave them life and worship Him through adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who believe that mankind are all of a family and that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to man will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who believe in a future state in which all that is wrong here will be made right will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who subscribe to the morals of Jesus will make many choices different from those who do not.”
“Since the foundation of all happiness is thinking rightly, and since correct action is dependent on correct opinion, we cannot be too careful in choosing the value system we allow to govern our thoughts and actions."
“And to know that God governs in the affairs of men, that he hears and answers prayers, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, is indeed, a powerful regulator of human conduct.”
-Benjamin Franklin
I did a blog post about choices a few months ago. So I won't say too much here except that Benjamin Franklin is 100% correct. Our choices are a reflection of the value system we have chosen to govern our lives. What a wise man. No wonder they put him on the hundred dollar bill. :-)
That's my two cents.
“We stand at the crossroads, each minute, each hour, each day, making choices. We choose the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, the passions we allow ourselves to feel, and the actions we allow ourselves to perform. Each choice is made in the context of whatever value system we’ve selected to govern our lives. In selecting that value system, we are, in a very real way, making the most important choice we will ever make."
"Those who believe there is one God who made all things and who governs the world by his Providence will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who hold in reverence that being who gave them life and worship Him through adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who believe that mankind are all of a family and that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to man will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who believe in a future state in which all that is wrong here will be made right will make many choices different from those who do not. Those who subscribe to the morals of Jesus will make many choices different from those who do not.”
“Since the foundation of all happiness is thinking rightly, and since correct action is dependent on correct opinion, we cannot be too careful in choosing the value system we allow to govern our thoughts and actions."
“And to know that God governs in the affairs of men, that he hears and answers prayers, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, is indeed, a powerful regulator of human conduct.”
-Benjamin Franklin
I did a blog post about choices a few months ago. So I won't say too much here except that Benjamin Franklin is 100% correct. Our choices are a reflection of the value system we have chosen to govern our lives. What a wise man. No wonder they put him on the hundred dollar bill. :-)
That's my two cents.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Angels
Here's a great quote from one of the 12 apostles, Jeffrey R. Holland. To read the entire talk, click on the link, or title. It would be well worth your time. It's a great talk.
"When Adam and Eve willingly stepped into mortality, they knew this telestial world would contain thorns and thistles and troubles of every kind. Perhaps their most challenging realization, however, was not the hardship and danger they would endure but the fact that they would now be distanced from God, separated from Him with whom they had walked and talked, who had given them face-to-face counsel. After this conscious choice, as the record of creation says, 'they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence' (Moses 5:4). Amidst all else that must have troubled them, surely this must have troubled them the most."
"But God knew the challenges they would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near. Indeed, shortly after Adam and Eve found themselves in the lone and dreary world, an angel appeared unto them, who taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come."...
"In the course of life all of us spend time in “dark and dreary” places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. More serious than these—and sometimes related to them—are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad. But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:
“Has the day of miracles ceased?"
“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?"
“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men." …
“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” "
Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Angels," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 29
Elder Holland's talk is titled "The Ministry of Angels". It is about Angels helping us in times of need. Whether they are Angels in the true sense, or people around us here on earth who help us. My parents are Angels to me. They have dedicated their lives to helping me. My siblings are also Angels who bear me up. I know I was surrounded by numerous Angels when I was struggling for my life in the ICU. Because of all of my Angels, I am here today. I would like to thank all of my Angels!
Remember when you are in a "dark and dreary" place that angels are there to comfort you and bear you up. And you are not alone!
That's my two cents.
"When Adam and Eve willingly stepped into mortality, they knew this telestial world would contain thorns and thistles and troubles of every kind. Perhaps their most challenging realization, however, was not the hardship and danger they would endure but the fact that they would now be distanced from God, separated from Him with whom they had walked and talked, who had given them face-to-face counsel. After this conscious choice, as the record of creation says, 'they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence' (Moses 5:4). Amidst all else that must have troubled them, surely this must have troubled them the most."
"But God knew the challenges they would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near. Indeed, shortly after Adam and Eve found themselves in the lone and dreary world, an angel appeared unto them, who taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come."...
"In the course of life all of us spend time in “dark and dreary” places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. More serious than these—and sometimes related to them—are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad. But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:
“Has the day of miracles ceased?"
“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?"
“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men." …
“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” "
Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Angels," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 29
Elder Holland's talk is titled "The Ministry of Angels". It is about Angels helping us in times of need. Whether they are Angels in the true sense, or people around us here on earth who help us. My parents are Angels to me. They have dedicated their lives to helping me. My siblings are also Angels who bear me up. I know I was surrounded by numerous Angels when I was struggling for my life in the ICU. Because of all of my Angels, I am here today. I would like to thank all of my Angels!
Remember when you are in a "dark and dreary" place that angels are there to comfort you and bear you up. And you are not alone!
That's my two cents.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Read The Book of Mormon!
When President Hinckley issued a challenge in August 2005 to complete The Book of Mormon by the end of the year I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to do that. But then I remembered that I had The Book of Mormon on CD. So, I started listening to The Book of Mormon every morning. It is a habit that has stuck and Mom and I continue to listen to the Book of Mormon every morning while getting ready. I am grateful to President Hinckley for issuing that challenge. Listening to The Book of Mormon for about 1 1/2 hours every morning, we have completed it numerous times. Granted, I am not always listening intently, and sometimes my mind wanders, but nonetheless, I feel that my day goes better and I feel closer to the Lord because of listening to The Book of Mormon daily. The prophets and apostles have spoken, here are a few quotes:
From President Ezra Taft Benson:
"The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God designed to “sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out [His] elect.” (Moses 7:62.) This sacred volume of scripture needs to become more central in our preaching, our teaching, and our missionary work.
At present, the Book of Mormon is studied in our Sunday School and seminary classes every fourth year. This four-year pattern, however, must not be followed by Church members in their personal and family study. We need to read daily from the pages of the book that will get a man “nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (History of the Church, 4:461.)...
“Few men on earth,” said Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “either in or out of the Church, have caught the vision of what the Book of Mormon is all about. Few are they among men who know the part it has played and will yet play in preparing the way for the coming of Him of whom it is a new witness. … The Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its peoples will have been influenced and governed by it. … There is no greater issue ever to confront mankind in modern times than this: Is the Book of Mormon the mind and will and voice of God to all men?” (Millennial Messiah pp. 159, 170, 179.) We testify that it is."
Ezra Taft Benson, “Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 4
From Elder L. Tom Perry:
"President Ezra Taft Benson reaffirmed the fact that the Book of Mormon is of particular value to our time when he said:
“The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of the book. It is a record of a fallen people, compiled by inspired men for our blessing today. Those people never had the book—it was meant for us. Mormon, the ancient prophet after whom the book is named, abridged centuries of records. God, who knows the end from the beginning, told him what to include in his abridgment that we would need for our day” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, 63).
How often we read the record primarily as a history of a fallen people, failing to remember that it was compiled by inspired prophets for the purpose of helping us come unto Christ. The major writers of the Book of Mormon did not intend it to be a history book at all. In fact, Jacob said that his brother Nephi commanded him that he “should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people” (Jacob 1:2).
Each time we read the book we should probably ask ourselves: “Why did these writers choose these particular stories or events to include in the record? What value are they for us today?”
Among the lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon are the cause and effect of war and under what conditions it is justified. It tells of evils and dangers of secret combinations, which are built up to get power and gain over the people. It tells of the reality of Satan and gives an indication of some of the methods he uses. It advises us on the proper use of wealth. It tells us of the plain and precious truths of the gospel and the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all mankind. It informs us of the gathering of the house of Israel in the last days. It tells us of the purpose and principles of missionary work. It warns us against pride, indifference, procrastination, the dangers of false traditions, hypocrisy, and unchastity."
L. Tom Perry, “Blessings Resulting from Reading the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 6
From President Gordon B. Hinckley:
"Today, a century and three-quarters after its first publication, the Book of Mormon is more widely read than at any time in its history. Whereas there were 5,000 copies in that first edition, about 5,000,000 are currently distributed each year, and the book or selections from the book are available in 106 languages.
Its appeal is as timeless as truth, as universal as mankind. It is the only book that contains within its covers a promise that by divine power the reader may know with certainty of its truth.
Its origin is miraculous; when the story of that origin is first told to one unfamiliar with it, it is almost unbelievable. But the book is here to be felt and handled and read. No one can dispute its presence. All efforts to account for its origin, other than the account given by Joseph Smith, have been shown to lack substance. It is a record of ancient America. It is a scripture of the New World, as certainly as the Bible is the scripture of the Old. Each of these volumes of scripture speaks of the other. Each carries with it the spirit of inspiration, the power to convince and to convert. Together they become two witnesses, hand in hand, that Jesus is the Christ, the resurrected and living Son of the living God....
I know of no other writing which sets forth with such clarity the tragic consequences to societies that follow courses contrary to the commandments of God. Its pages trace the stories of two distinct civilizations that flourished on the Western Hemisphere. Each began as a small nation, its people walking in the fear of the Lord. But with prosperity came growing evils. The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living. These evil schemers led the people into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final and total extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras.
No other written testament so clearly illustrates the fact that when men and nations walk in the fear of God and in obedience to His commandments, they prosper and grow, but when they disregard Him and His word, there comes a decay that, unless arrested by righteousness, leads to impotence and death. The Book of Mormon is an affirmation of the Old Testament proverb: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34)....
Very near the end of its 239 chapters, you will find a challenge issued by the prophet Moroni as he completed his record nearly 16 centuries ago. Said he:
“And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? …
“And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true” (Moro. 10:27, 29).
Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Testimony Vibrant and True,” Ensign, Aug 2005, 2–6
I have put in bold President Hinckley's promise that reading The Book of Mormon will bring the Spirit of the Lord into our lives stronger, that we will be more obedient, and that our testimony will increase. I know this is true because I have felt these blessings from my daily book of Mormon study. I challenge everybody reading this blog to read The Book of Mormon daily. I know everybody is busy and it's difficult to make time but, put the book of Mormon on your iPod and listen to it while you exercise, or drive to work, or on the school bus, or run errands, you can even listen to it at the doctor's office in the waiting room, etc.. You will be blessed, and I will go so far as to say your life will be happier for reading The Book of Mormon.
That's my two cents.
Anyone willing to accept this challenge Post a comment and let me know!
From President Ezra Taft Benson:
"The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God designed to “sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out [His] elect.” (Moses 7:62.) This sacred volume of scripture needs to become more central in our preaching, our teaching, and our missionary work.
At present, the Book of Mormon is studied in our Sunday School and seminary classes every fourth year. This four-year pattern, however, must not be followed by Church members in their personal and family study. We need to read daily from the pages of the book that will get a man “nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (History of the Church, 4:461.)...
“Few men on earth,” said Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “either in or out of the Church, have caught the vision of what the Book of Mormon is all about. Few are they among men who know the part it has played and will yet play in preparing the way for the coming of Him of whom it is a new witness. … The Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its peoples will have been influenced and governed by it. … There is no greater issue ever to confront mankind in modern times than this: Is the Book of Mormon the mind and will and voice of God to all men?” (Millennial Messiah pp. 159, 170, 179.) We testify that it is."
Ezra Taft Benson, “Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 4
From Elder L. Tom Perry:
"President Ezra Taft Benson reaffirmed the fact that the Book of Mormon is of particular value to our time when he said:
“The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of the book. It is a record of a fallen people, compiled by inspired men for our blessing today. Those people never had the book—it was meant for us. Mormon, the ancient prophet after whom the book is named, abridged centuries of records. God, who knows the end from the beginning, told him what to include in his abridgment that we would need for our day” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, 63).
How often we read the record primarily as a history of a fallen people, failing to remember that it was compiled by inspired prophets for the purpose of helping us come unto Christ. The major writers of the Book of Mormon did not intend it to be a history book at all. In fact, Jacob said that his brother Nephi commanded him that he “should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people” (Jacob 1:2).
Each time we read the book we should probably ask ourselves: “Why did these writers choose these particular stories or events to include in the record? What value are they for us today?”
Among the lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon are the cause and effect of war and under what conditions it is justified. It tells of evils and dangers of secret combinations, which are built up to get power and gain over the people. It tells of the reality of Satan and gives an indication of some of the methods he uses. It advises us on the proper use of wealth. It tells us of the plain and precious truths of the gospel and the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all mankind. It informs us of the gathering of the house of Israel in the last days. It tells us of the purpose and principles of missionary work. It warns us against pride, indifference, procrastination, the dangers of false traditions, hypocrisy, and unchastity."
L. Tom Perry, “Blessings Resulting from Reading the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 6
From President Gordon B. Hinckley:
"Today, a century and three-quarters after its first publication, the Book of Mormon is more widely read than at any time in its history. Whereas there were 5,000 copies in that first edition, about 5,000,000 are currently distributed each year, and the book or selections from the book are available in 106 languages.
Its appeal is as timeless as truth, as universal as mankind. It is the only book that contains within its covers a promise that by divine power the reader may know with certainty of its truth.
Its origin is miraculous; when the story of that origin is first told to one unfamiliar with it, it is almost unbelievable. But the book is here to be felt and handled and read. No one can dispute its presence. All efforts to account for its origin, other than the account given by Joseph Smith, have been shown to lack substance. It is a record of ancient America. It is a scripture of the New World, as certainly as the Bible is the scripture of the Old. Each of these volumes of scripture speaks of the other. Each carries with it the spirit of inspiration, the power to convince and to convert. Together they become two witnesses, hand in hand, that Jesus is the Christ, the resurrected and living Son of the living God....
I know of no other writing which sets forth with such clarity the tragic consequences to societies that follow courses contrary to the commandments of God. Its pages trace the stories of two distinct civilizations that flourished on the Western Hemisphere. Each began as a small nation, its people walking in the fear of the Lord. But with prosperity came growing evils. The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living. These evil schemers led the people into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final and total extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras.
No other written testament so clearly illustrates the fact that when men and nations walk in the fear of God and in obedience to His commandments, they prosper and grow, but when they disregard Him and His word, there comes a decay that, unless arrested by righteousness, leads to impotence and death. The Book of Mormon is an affirmation of the Old Testament proverb: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34)....
Very near the end of its 239 chapters, you will find a challenge issued by the prophet Moroni as he completed his record nearly 16 centuries ago. Said he:
“And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? …
“And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true” (Moro. 10:27, 29).
Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Testimony Vibrant and True,” Ensign, Aug 2005, 2–6
I have put in bold President Hinckley's promise that reading The Book of Mormon will bring the Spirit of the Lord into our lives stronger, that we will be more obedient, and that our testimony will increase. I know this is true because I have felt these blessings from my daily book of Mormon study. I challenge everybody reading this blog to read The Book of Mormon daily. I know everybody is busy and it's difficult to make time but, put the book of Mormon on your iPod and listen to it while you exercise, or drive to work, or on the school bus, or run errands, you can even listen to it at the doctor's office in the waiting room, etc.. You will be blessed, and I will go so far as to say your life will be happier for reading The Book of Mormon.
That's my two cents.
Anyone willing to accept this challenge Post a comment and let me know!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Proposition 8 Under Attack Again
It is bewildering to me how a few evil misguided gay activists can attack the sanctity of marriage again and again. Read the following article:
March 5, 2009
From: Maurine ProctorWashington, D.C.
All Eyes on the California Supreme Court Today
"The courtroom will be jammed today, demonstrations are being held statewide, and a crowd will watch from a giant outdoor screen at the San Francisco Civic Center as oral arguments are given before the California Supreme Court to determine the fate of Proposition 8, defining marriage as an institution of one man and one woman.
It is another in a series of astonishing events since the November passage of Prop 8 by a healthy 600,000 votes and a chance to see if the voice and will of the people will be squelched.
In this battle to uphold the results of a legitimate election, many of the elected officers of the state have, in fact, abandoned the people.
The ProtectMarriage.com is the only organization arguing to uphold Prop 8 in this court battle. Attorney General Jerry Brown, whose oath of office requires him to defend the People's right to amend the constitution, instead decided to oppose Prop 8, a remarkable dereliction of duty.
When Brown filed a brief for the state, instead of doing what his job compels--offering up the best legal defense of the state and its laws in court, he offered a "crackpot" theory, whose argument he summarized in his press release: "The amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification."
He is basically contending that the constitution declares same-sex marriage to be a fundamental expression of liberty and equality.
The editors of National Review noted, "Brown invents this argument out of whole cloth: Further, how is it that a ‘right' to same-sex marriage that the state supreme court invented just months ago, and that even Brown's brief concedes was not something ‘the Framers [of the state constitution] contemplated' should suddenly be deemed a ‘fundamental' constitutional right?
"In Brown's theory, there is no popular check on the judicial-activist invention of rights."
Legislature and Betrayal of the Public Trust
Much of the rhetoric surrounding the attacks on Prop 8 has been deliberately misleading, and none more so than in the California legislature which betrayed the public trust by passing a non-binding resolution contending that Proposition 8 was an improper revision of the state constitution and contending that sweeping revisions can only be adopted if they originate in the legislature and gain two-thirds approval of that body.
The language is extreme. "We're talking about a radical revision to our constitution," said Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, an openly gay member of the Legislature.
"Do we have a constitutional democracy in California," Leno asked, "or do we have mob rule, where a majority of Californians can change the constitution at any time?"
Notice in his inflammatory statement how the legitimate vote of the citizens of California is transformed into "mob rule", and defining marriage as it has always been accepted in California before a close, 4-3 Supreme Court ruling is suddenly a "radical revision."
These are the two major lines of argument those who want to topple Prop 8 will be presenting today in court.
Arguing for the Protect Marriage coalition and Prop 8 is legal heavyweight, Ken Starr, dean of Pepperdine University School of Law, who is best known to the public for leading the investigation into President Bill Clinton's affair with a White House intern. Among the many conservative causes that he champions, he has previously written briefs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a gay marriage case in California.
"He brings an extraordinary degree of credibility on constitutional law, which is ultimately what this case hinges on - whether or not people have the right to amend our constitution," Frank Schubert, who works with the Protect Marriage coalition, said.
Starr sees this as a fight of great importance, "We will not mince words," Starr wrote in his court papers. "The attorney general is inviting this court to declare a constitutional revolution."
Leading the opposition team is Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, who spent his first 35 years as a female and the lead counsel in the state Supreme Court case decided last May.
Two more different legal top guns could hardly be found.
The stakes are high, but if logic, if reason, if precedent carry the day, Prop 8 should survive, however, legal observer Ed Whelan put it this way, "I make no predictions as to how the court will actually rule, as a court that can render the May marriage decision is capable of any sort of judicial malfeasance."
The LA Times reports that the arguments may mean less than we think as "By now, the court already has drafted a decision on the case, with an author and at least three other justices willing to sign it. Oral arguments sometimes result in changes to the draft, but rarely do they change the majority position. The ruling is due in 90 days."
This is not the first time that the ProtectMarriage.com committee has been in court. They continue to litigate to protect the privacy of donors to the campaign. They note, "Too many of our supporters have been subjected to harassing calls, emails and other retaliation for supporting Proposition 8. There is clearly an organized effort underway to contact our donors and attempt to silence them from supporting our efforts.
"Some of our opponents, for example, have put many of our donors' information on the Internet using Google mapping technology, displaying the location of contributors of as little as $100. (see http://link.smartcommunicator.net/?135-226-237-56976-1461) For this reason, we are mounting litigation in the federal courts to protect our donors from further disclosure. We expect this litigation to take some time, and likely will not be successful until it is in the federal courts of appeal."They were right. Their preliminary injunction against releasing the names of the donors failed in court and the names were released."
Isn't it interesting that people who support proposition eight and protecting the sanctity of marriage are continuing to be harassed? I haven't heard any news about those who oppose proposition 8 being harassed. And why is it that a few, as I said before, evil misguided gay activists can continue to fight against the will of the people? When the people speak via voting that is usually the end of the story. The people have spoken and want to protect marriage. How can the court system, i.e. a handful of people, overturn and nullify the voice of the majority? It is ridiculous to me that this could even get as far as going to the court system. This is just another example of the demise of our democracy. Let's hope that the courts do the right thing today and uphold proposition eight!
That's my two cents.
March 5, 2009
From: Maurine ProctorWashington, D.C.
All Eyes on the California Supreme Court Today
"The courtroom will be jammed today, demonstrations are being held statewide, and a crowd will watch from a giant outdoor screen at the San Francisco Civic Center as oral arguments are given before the California Supreme Court to determine the fate of Proposition 8, defining marriage as an institution of one man and one woman.
It is another in a series of astonishing events since the November passage of Prop 8 by a healthy 600,000 votes and a chance to see if the voice and will of the people will be squelched.
In this battle to uphold the results of a legitimate election, many of the elected officers of the state have, in fact, abandoned the people.
The ProtectMarriage.com is the only organization arguing to uphold Prop 8 in this court battle. Attorney General Jerry Brown, whose oath of office requires him to defend the People's right to amend the constitution, instead decided to oppose Prop 8, a remarkable dereliction of duty.
When Brown filed a brief for the state, instead of doing what his job compels--offering up the best legal defense of the state and its laws in court, he offered a "crackpot" theory, whose argument he summarized in his press release: "The amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification."
He is basically contending that the constitution declares same-sex marriage to be a fundamental expression of liberty and equality.
The editors of National Review noted, "Brown invents this argument out of whole cloth: Further, how is it that a ‘right' to same-sex marriage that the state supreme court invented just months ago, and that even Brown's brief concedes was not something ‘the Framers [of the state constitution] contemplated' should suddenly be deemed a ‘fundamental' constitutional right?
"In Brown's theory, there is no popular check on the judicial-activist invention of rights."
Legislature and Betrayal of the Public Trust
Much of the rhetoric surrounding the attacks on Prop 8 has been deliberately misleading, and none more so than in the California legislature which betrayed the public trust by passing a non-binding resolution contending that Proposition 8 was an improper revision of the state constitution and contending that sweeping revisions can only be adopted if they originate in the legislature and gain two-thirds approval of that body.
The language is extreme. "We're talking about a radical revision to our constitution," said Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, an openly gay member of the Legislature.
"Do we have a constitutional democracy in California," Leno asked, "or do we have mob rule, where a majority of Californians can change the constitution at any time?"
Notice in his inflammatory statement how the legitimate vote of the citizens of California is transformed into "mob rule", and defining marriage as it has always been accepted in California before a close, 4-3 Supreme Court ruling is suddenly a "radical revision."
These are the two major lines of argument those who want to topple Prop 8 will be presenting today in court.
Arguing for the Protect Marriage coalition and Prop 8 is legal heavyweight, Ken Starr, dean of Pepperdine University School of Law, who is best known to the public for leading the investigation into President Bill Clinton's affair with a White House intern. Among the many conservative causes that he champions, he has previously written briefs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a gay marriage case in California.
"He brings an extraordinary degree of credibility on constitutional law, which is ultimately what this case hinges on - whether or not people have the right to amend our constitution," Frank Schubert, who works with the Protect Marriage coalition, said.
Starr sees this as a fight of great importance, "We will not mince words," Starr wrote in his court papers. "The attorney general is inviting this court to declare a constitutional revolution."
Leading the opposition team is Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, who spent his first 35 years as a female and the lead counsel in the state Supreme Court case decided last May.
Two more different legal top guns could hardly be found.
The stakes are high, but if logic, if reason, if precedent carry the day, Prop 8 should survive, however, legal observer Ed Whelan put it this way, "I make no predictions as to how the court will actually rule, as a court that can render the May marriage decision is capable of any sort of judicial malfeasance."
The LA Times reports that the arguments may mean less than we think as "By now, the court already has drafted a decision on the case, with an author and at least three other justices willing to sign it. Oral arguments sometimes result in changes to the draft, but rarely do they change the majority position. The ruling is due in 90 days."
This is not the first time that the ProtectMarriage.com committee has been in court. They continue to litigate to protect the privacy of donors to the campaign. They note, "Too many of our supporters have been subjected to harassing calls, emails and other retaliation for supporting Proposition 8. There is clearly an organized effort underway to contact our donors and attempt to silence them from supporting our efforts.
"Some of our opponents, for example, have put many of our donors' information on the Internet using Google mapping technology, displaying the location of contributors of as little as $100. (see http://link.smartcommunicator.net/?135-226-237-56976-1461) For this reason, we are mounting litigation in the federal courts to protect our donors from further disclosure. We expect this litigation to take some time, and likely will not be successful until it is in the federal courts of appeal."They were right. Their preliminary injunction against releasing the names of the donors failed in court and the names were released."
Isn't it interesting that people who support proposition eight and protecting the sanctity of marriage are continuing to be harassed? I haven't heard any news about those who oppose proposition 8 being harassed. And why is it that a few, as I said before, evil misguided gay activists can continue to fight against the will of the people? When the people speak via voting that is usually the end of the story. The people have spoken and want to protect marriage. How can the court system, i.e. a handful of people, overturn and nullify the voice of the majority? It is ridiculous to me that this could even get as far as going to the court system. This is just another example of the demise of our democracy. Let's hope that the courts do the right thing today and uphold proposition eight!
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Television Is Detrimental To Toddlers/Babies
I came across this article today and I thought might be helpful to those of you with children. It's interesting to me that they even have to do a study about television been detrimental to children. To me it seems only logical. I guess what they were studying was the so-called educational DVDs made for children. The conclusion was all television, even educational, was detrimental to children and babies. It's also quite interesting if you read the article that the people who make baby Einstein videos are defending their product and calling "screen time" not evil. They say that parents are determined to use television therefore, their product is useful. While it's true that using the television as a babysitter is much easier than interacting with your child, don't kid yourself into thinking that just because the DVD or television program is educational that it is helping your child. As you will see by reading the article, television is detrimental to children and babies. Here is the article:
(CNN) -- Watching television does not make babies smarter, according to a study released this week in the journal Pediatrics, adding to existing research that challenges the usefulness of baby educational videos and DVDs.
A pediatrician recommends using blocks, puzzles and books to entertain the baby rather than TV.
Researchers from Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and Harvard Medical School reached this conclusion after monitoring more than 800 children from birth to 3 years of age.
"Contrary to parents' perceptions that TV viewing is beneficial to their children's brain development, we found no evidence of cognitive benefit from watching TV during the first two years of life," the authors wrote.
Educational DVD and videos geared towards enriching babies and toddlers, such as "BabyGenius," "Brainy Baby" or "Baby Einstein," which proclaim to "encourage discovery and inspire," have no benefits, researchers said.
This echoes a similar finding published in the August issue of Pediatrics. Researchers from the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute found no evidence of benefit from baby DVDs and videos and suggested that it may be harmful. Infants who watched the videos understood fewer words than those who did not watch them.
Pediatrician Dr. Michael Rich, a co-author of the latest study from Boston, calls baby educational DVDs and videos "just wasted time."
"At the very best, they steal time from much more productive cognitive developmental activities," he said. "Ultimately, what it's about is to make parents not feel guilty about an electronic baby sitter."
The parents of the 872 children in the Boston study estimated the number of hours their toddlers spent in front of the television, including TV programs and DVDs. Researchers did not have data on what kinds of programs the toddlers were watching.
On average, babies at 6 months watched approximately 0.9 hours of TV per day. That number increased as the child aged: 1.2 hours at 1 year and 1.4 hours at 2 years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen media for children under the age of 2 years. Educational DVDs are tailored for babies as young as 3 months.
In the Harvard study, two I.Q.-related tests were administered to the children: the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III, which indicates how many words the child understands and uses, and the Wide-Range Assessment of Visual Motor Ability test, which presents puzzles and peg boards to test cognitive abilities.
Babies who spent more time watching TV had lower language and visual motor skills at age 3. But when results were adjusted for household income and education levels, the association did not appear.
Lead author Marie Evans Schmidt and her colleagues "did not find evidence of harm or benefit of TV viewing."
Based on the existing body of research, Schmidt, a developmental psychologist instructor at Harvard Medical School, said, "there's still more evidence of harm than benefit as far as TV viewing in infancy is concerned."
Studies exploring the relationship between TV viewing and the effects on children are just beginning, she said.
"My hope is that when this information is made available to the general public, that it won't be perceived as study that means there are no harmful effects of TV viewing on infants, because other studies have shown TV viewing at high levels can put kids at risk for some things like obesity, sleep disturbances and possibly attention problems," Schmidt said.
Rich, a pediatrician who directs the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, said TV watching during infancy instills habits that promote obesity.
"You're teaching 4- or 5- or 6-month-olds how to watch TV," he said. "They're learning to watch TV. The more they watch as they get older, they're snacking in front of TV, they're exposed to snack-food commercials, which inspire them to eat even more and sit even more. It is a cumulative effect of many, many factors."
But Karen Hill Scott, a senior fellow at UCLA who works in the field of child development, said the criticism ignores real life. "To me, as a scientist and parent, we can't hold on to completely demonizing screen time when parents are really very determined to use it."
Modern parents "want kids to be literate on computers. They don't see the screen media as evil," said Scott, a consultant for Baby Einstein."The net effect that it's not harmful is a relief to many families who have been made to feel guilty or awful that they use screen time."
Scott said the material in educational baby DVDs is similar to what is in books.
Baby Einstein products were designed by Julie Clark, a teacher and mother, and were not devised through scientific research. Susan McLain, general manager of Baby Einstein, said the company receives thousands of letters from satisfied parents.
"We've basically stayed true to the philosophy to what [Clark] created. That was exposure to real-world imagery," she said. "The core themes are art, music and nature; that's the core essence of what we've created."
She said the Harvard study indicated that "screen time is not harmful for baby and infants."
Rich, the study co-author, recommended relying on what has been proved to benefit children.
"The best thing for our kids is to provide them with stimulus that we know is positive for their brain development," Rich said. He suggesting activities like reading, singing, interacting and stacking blocks to help children. " Article taken from CNN.com
The study showed that children who watch television have a lower IQ and lower vocabulary and visual motor skills than those who don't. I don't think we need a study to tell us this. It seems quite logical to me that children who play with blocks and toys and interact with each other will be much smarter than those who veg out in front of the television.
That's my two cents.
(CNN) -- Watching television does not make babies smarter, according to a study released this week in the journal Pediatrics, adding to existing research that challenges the usefulness of baby educational videos and DVDs.
A pediatrician recommends using blocks, puzzles and books to entertain the baby rather than TV.
Researchers from Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and Harvard Medical School reached this conclusion after monitoring more than 800 children from birth to 3 years of age.
"Contrary to parents' perceptions that TV viewing is beneficial to their children's brain development, we found no evidence of cognitive benefit from watching TV during the first two years of life," the authors wrote.
Educational DVD and videos geared towards enriching babies and toddlers, such as "BabyGenius," "Brainy Baby" or "Baby Einstein," which proclaim to "encourage discovery and inspire," have no benefits, researchers said.
This echoes a similar finding published in the August issue of Pediatrics. Researchers from the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute found no evidence of benefit from baby DVDs and videos and suggested that it may be harmful. Infants who watched the videos understood fewer words than those who did not watch them.
Pediatrician Dr. Michael Rich, a co-author of the latest study from Boston, calls baby educational DVDs and videos "just wasted time."
"At the very best, they steal time from much more productive cognitive developmental activities," he said. "Ultimately, what it's about is to make parents not feel guilty about an electronic baby sitter."
The parents of the 872 children in the Boston study estimated the number of hours their toddlers spent in front of the television, including TV programs and DVDs. Researchers did not have data on what kinds of programs the toddlers were watching.
On average, babies at 6 months watched approximately 0.9 hours of TV per day. That number increased as the child aged: 1.2 hours at 1 year and 1.4 hours at 2 years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen media for children under the age of 2 years. Educational DVDs are tailored for babies as young as 3 months.
In the Harvard study, two I.Q.-related tests were administered to the children: the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III, which indicates how many words the child understands and uses, and the Wide-Range Assessment of Visual Motor Ability test, which presents puzzles and peg boards to test cognitive abilities.
Babies who spent more time watching TV had lower language and visual motor skills at age 3. But when results were adjusted for household income and education levels, the association did not appear.
Lead author Marie Evans Schmidt and her colleagues "did not find evidence of harm or benefit of TV viewing."
Based on the existing body of research, Schmidt, a developmental psychologist instructor at Harvard Medical School, said, "there's still more evidence of harm than benefit as far as TV viewing in infancy is concerned."
Studies exploring the relationship between TV viewing and the effects on children are just beginning, she said.
"My hope is that when this information is made available to the general public, that it won't be perceived as study that means there are no harmful effects of TV viewing on infants, because other studies have shown TV viewing at high levels can put kids at risk for some things like obesity, sleep disturbances and possibly attention problems," Schmidt said.
Rich, a pediatrician who directs the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, said TV watching during infancy instills habits that promote obesity.
"You're teaching 4- or 5- or 6-month-olds how to watch TV," he said. "They're learning to watch TV. The more they watch as they get older, they're snacking in front of TV, they're exposed to snack-food commercials, which inspire them to eat even more and sit even more. It is a cumulative effect of many, many factors."
But Karen Hill Scott, a senior fellow at UCLA who works in the field of child development, said the criticism ignores real life. "To me, as a scientist and parent, we can't hold on to completely demonizing screen time when parents are really very determined to use it."
Modern parents "want kids to be literate on computers. They don't see the screen media as evil," said Scott, a consultant for Baby Einstein."The net effect that it's not harmful is a relief to many families who have been made to feel guilty or awful that they use screen time."
Scott said the material in educational baby DVDs is similar to what is in books.
Baby Einstein products were designed by Julie Clark, a teacher and mother, and were not devised through scientific research. Susan McLain, general manager of Baby Einstein, said the company receives thousands of letters from satisfied parents.
"We've basically stayed true to the philosophy to what [Clark] created. That was exposure to real-world imagery," she said. "The core themes are art, music and nature; that's the core essence of what we've created."
She said the Harvard study indicated that "screen time is not harmful for baby and infants."
Rich, the study co-author, recommended relying on what has been proved to benefit children.
"The best thing for our kids is to provide them with stimulus that we know is positive for their brain development," Rich said. He suggesting activities like reading, singing, interacting and stacking blocks to help children. " Article taken from CNN.com
The study showed that children who watch television have a lower IQ and lower vocabulary and visual motor skills than those who don't. I don't think we need a study to tell us this. It seems quite logical to me that children who play with blocks and toys and interact with each other will be much smarter than those who veg out in front of the television.
That's my two cents.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Catching Wild Pigs
My dad sent this to my e-mail the other day and I found it quite apropos.
"A chemistry professor in a large college had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back, and stretching as if his back hurt. The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government. In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?' The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity. The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America . The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc.. While we continually lose our freedoms -- just a little at a time."
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson
I found this little analogy quite true to several applications. First of all, this is what is happening to our country. Especially with the new administration. It is getting out of hand. I have blogged about this before but I thought I would mention it again. We're slowly but surely losing our freedoms and becoming more dependent upon the government and its so-called "social programs" which so many people rely on and expect. As the government continues to grow, we continue to lose our freedoms. I really like that quote from Thomas Jefferson.
Something else that I thought of while reading this analogy was that this is how Satan works. He throws out some free corn and before we know it we are trapped. But, like the analogy with the pigs, most people are quite content to be trapped in Satan's snares while eating their free corn.
That's my two cents.
"A chemistry professor in a large college had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back, and stretching as if his back hurt. The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government. In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?' The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity. The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America . The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc.. While we continually lose our freedoms -- just a little at a time."
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson
I found this little analogy quite true to several applications. First of all, this is what is happening to our country. Especially with the new administration. It is getting out of hand. I have blogged about this before but I thought I would mention it again. We're slowly but surely losing our freedoms and becoming more dependent upon the government and its so-called "social programs" which so many people rely on and expect. As the government continues to grow, we continue to lose our freedoms. I really like that quote from Thomas Jefferson.
Something else that I thought of while reading this analogy was that this is how Satan works. He throws out some free corn and before we know it we are trapped. But, like the analogy with the pigs, most people are quite content to be trapped in Satan's snares while eating their free corn.
That's my two cents.
High Ground
For those of you who were not able to watch the CES fireside last night I am posting an article from the Deseret News that recaps what Elder Hales said. I actually had to DVR the fireside because we had our monthly family home evening last night. I watched it this morning and it was really good. If you're interested in watching it, it will be rebroadcast on BYU TV Sunday, March 8 at 7 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. (Daylight savings Time begins March 8) hopefully you will be able to watch it during one of these times. Here is the article:
Strive to obtain spiritual high ground, Elder Hales says to LDS young adults
By Greg Hill
Church News staff writer
Published: Sunday, March 1, 2009 10:43 p.m. MST
PROVO — Strive to obtain spiritual high ground, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve counseled young adults in a Church Educational System fireside Sunday evening.
Speaking from the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University during the fireside that was broadcast via satellite throughout North America and to other parts of the world, Elder Hales said, "To seek spiritual high ground is to rise above the world and its temptation and to follow our Savior."
To attain such high ground, Elder Hales told the congregation of mostly 18- to 30-year-olds that they need to exercise faith, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, obey the commandments, study the scriptures and pray.
He added, "The Lord's storehouse is both spiritual and temporal," listing temporal principles of provident living and self-reliance "to build temporal resources to meet our needs and serve others."
"Provident living means not caring for or coveting the things of this world," he said. "Provident living means avoiding excessive debt and being content with having that which is sufficient for our needs."
Obtaining an education or vocational training is an element of provident living, he told the young adults.
He told them to "develop a spending and savings plan — the world calls it a budget."
Speaking of principles important in marriage, Elder Hales said, "I have often felt that a companionship needs not only to hear the cherished three words, 'I love you,' but also the tender four words of caring: 'We can't afford it.' When a couple makes financial decisions, they have to talk with one another. If a husband or a wife makes a large purchase without discussing it together and taking it to the Lord in prayer, it causes financial stress in a marriage. … If couples are not one in temporal and financial matters, I can assure you they are not going to be one in spiritual matters."
Paying tithing and fast offerings are also important in provident living, he said. "It helps us to quench the selfish, temporal thirst for the things of this world and turns our thoughts and actions to eternal objectives and a willingness to help others in need."
Elder Hales called the temple "the highest ground we can achieve in mortality" and spoke of the importance of keeping covenants made there.
He said building strong marriages as husbands and wives includes principles such as knowing the doctrines of the gospel and thinking of one another before themselves.
"In so doing, they lift each other to high ground," Elder Hales stated.
He concluded by again exhorting the young adults to seek for and retain spiritual high ground to qualify for eternal blessings.
Strive to obtain spiritual high ground, Elder Hales says to LDS young adults
By Greg Hill
Church News staff writer
Published: Sunday, March 1, 2009 10:43 p.m. MST
PROVO — Strive to obtain spiritual high ground, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve counseled young adults in a Church Educational System fireside Sunday evening.
Speaking from the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University during the fireside that was broadcast via satellite throughout North America and to other parts of the world, Elder Hales said, "To seek spiritual high ground is to rise above the world and its temptation and to follow our Savior."
To attain such high ground, Elder Hales told the congregation of mostly 18- to 30-year-olds that they need to exercise faith, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, obey the commandments, study the scriptures and pray.
He added, "The Lord's storehouse is both spiritual and temporal," listing temporal principles of provident living and self-reliance "to build temporal resources to meet our needs and serve others."
"Provident living means not caring for or coveting the things of this world," he said. "Provident living means avoiding excessive debt and being content with having that which is sufficient for our needs."
Obtaining an education or vocational training is an element of provident living, he told the young adults.
He told them to "develop a spending and savings plan — the world calls it a budget."
Speaking of principles important in marriage, Elder Hales said, "I have often felt that a companionship needs not only to hear the cherished three words, 'I love you,' but also the tender four words of caring: 'We can't afford it.' When a couple makes financial decisions, they have to talk with one another. If a husband or a wife makes a large purchase without discussing it together and taking it to the Lord in prayer, it causes financial stress in a marriage. … If couples are not one in temporal and financial matters, I can assure you they are not going to be one in spiritual matters."
Paying tithing and fast offerings are also important in provident living, he said. "It helps us to quench the selfish, temporal thirst for the things of this world and turns our thoughts and actions to eternal objectives and a willingness to help others in need."
Elder Hales called the temple "the highest ground we can achieve in mortality" and spoke of the importance of keeping covenants made there.
He said building strong marriages as husbands and wives includes principles such as knowing the doctrines of the gospel and thinking of one another before themselves.
"In so doing, they lift each other to high ground," Elder Hales stated.
He concluded by again exhorting the young adults to seek for and retain spiritual high ground to qualify for eternal blessings.
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