Thank you so much to all who commented on the last post. I was glad to hear that people are, for the most part, at least paying attention to what is going on and trying to learn as much as they can. It was good to know that I wasn't alone. :) That is actually part of the 9/12 project to bring us all together so that we aren't alone. As I was thinking about the comments it would spark new desire in me to continue getting information out there. Don't worry...I will still post pictures of Maddi. (We're actually getting pictures done today) Anyways...my cousin got me interested in some things that Ezra Taft Benson had talked about back in the 1960's. Reading his stuff has reinforced my desire to be involved and reaffirmed by beliefs that it is everyone's responsibility to do so. I'm not dictating how it is you will be involved...thats up to you and your situation. I am warning that this post could be a bit lengthy, but I promise that the quotes and excerpts I have found through my research will be worth reading!!!
This first one is from an address given by Benson in 1965 entitled "Stand Up For Freedom"
"Now I would say in the great free country like ours, if these men [government] advocate suicidal and often treasonable doctrines shouldn't every patriotic American be free to speak out against them?"
It is our right to be able to speak out against policies we don't agree with. You can call or write your representatives, you can attend rallies, you can spread the word, whatever, but you have that right!
Now for anyone who feels they don't need to be involved in any way, take a moment to ponder these two quotes.
"Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the Prophet and keep the priesthood off-balance, inneffective, and inert in the fight for freedom. He does this through diverse means, including the use of perverse reasoning, he will argue there is no need to get involved in the fight for freedom, all you need to do is live the Gospel." - President Ezra Taft Benson 1966
"Parents also need to take a stand for all that is honest, virtuous, and praiseworthy. It is the responsibility of heads of families to support wholesome influences for their children in government, schools, in the home, in the neighborhoods, in stores, in local theaters. Parents have responsibility to see that freedom is preserved for their children, and that the present generation does not burden future generations with debt and wasteful extravagance. The gospel, the kingdom of God, can prosper only in an atmosphere of freedom. Every adult has responsibility in selecting government leadership, for as the Lord has said, “I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; … Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently.” (D&C 98:8–10.) Ezra Taft Benson, “‘May the Kingdom of God Go Forth’,” Ensign, May 1978
All the freedoms we enjoy, even those that allow us to worship freely, to teach our children good values, and improve our life through hard work can be taken away if we have a government too powerful. "If the government is big enough to give you everything you want, it is big enough to take away everything you have."(Gerald Ford 1974)
Lastly I will end with Benson's words during the "Stand Up For Freedom" address:
"No American is worthy of citizenship in this great land who refuses to take an active interest in these important matters."
3 comments:
Thanks for the quotes! I especially liked the one that talked about protecting our freedoms for our children and not placing burdens on the future generations due to our greed and extravagance. It is easy to forget that our actions now change the future, for good or bad. If we don't fight to keep a healthy country now, who will have to do it for us in the future?
There is much to think about there and I know that I am thinking about it. I especially like the quote that points out that it is a tool of Satan to think all we have to do is live the gospel. It is a self centered thought to only be concerned with your own welfare or that of your own family, and a sneaky one, because being involved in what goes on in this country IS living the gospel and worrying about our family. I am grateful that prophets and saints in all generations of time were concerned with more than themselves and their families. Each generation is called upon to bear some burden. The pioneers sacrificed nearly everything, even their lives sometimes in order to come West and find a place where the gospel could grow and thrive. The founding fathers fought for a country where the pioneers would be free to make that choice. History proves that each generation has a part to play. We have been often been told that we were saved for these latter days. Perhaps we were saved for a time such as this. Remember the story of Esther. . . she didn't realize the importance of her role until she stopped to think, ponder and pray. Maybe we should all be doing a little more thinking, pondering and praying so we can figure out what it is the Lord saved us for and how best to be an instrument in his hand. I have a strong and firm testimony of my role as a mother, it continues today even with most of my children out of the house. My example will be the best teacher. I want my kids to learn that some things are more important than a clean house, a manicured garden, and a hot meal. I know that as a young mother it seems impossible to do any of that let alone be involved in your community in other ways, but it can and should be done. I'm pretty sure my kids don't remember what day the house was cleaned, but I'm pretty sure they remembered which day I helped at the school, which day was mutual (cuz I spent the night with my "other girls"), and which day was election day. I'm sure it will surprise no one on this blog to know that Myranda was voting for George W. Bush at age 3, and wasn't afraid to let anyone know.
OK I'm rambling, but gosh darn it, I get passionate when it comes to saving something so vital like our liberty. You go girl!!!
I was just actually reading D&C section 98 yesterday because of what you had explained to me.
Thanks for encouraging all of us to do what we know we should.
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