On trying to be one of the 50...or one of the 10...
When I first began a serious study of the history of America, I was repeatedly struck by how often I saw the divine hand of providence in the formation and protection of this country. This book is about 7 of those times...seven miracles both in the early and recent history of America. But I don't think that this is what that book is really (or totally) about. I think it is about hope and faith.
As I read the final chapter of this book, Naaman from 2 Kings 5 came to my mind. Wanting to be healed from the plague of leprosy, he goes to the prophet Elisha whom he had been told could heal him. The prophet sends a messenger to Naaman telling him to go and wash 7 times in the river Jordan. Naaman, insulted by this response, prepares to leave. His servants come to him and point out "if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?"
As we watch our own nation suffer economically, socially, and spiritually, I think most of us would do any great thing if we truly believed it would solve the problems we face, and yet we often overlook the simple things that we can and should do. Read this book and when you get to the last chapter, I think you will understand what I mean and why I think it gives us hope.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
This was a very interesting book about the search for truth or meaning in life. There were passages which rang true with me. There were also passages which were intriguing to think about...juicy morsels to chew on, and some passages that just seemed to go round and round in the reasoning used. Definitely a novel to inspire thought. Here are some of the passages that stood out to me with some commentary on them.
“We find consolations, we find numbness, we learn skills with which to deceive ourselves. But the essential, the Path of Paths, this we do not find.” p.17
"Skills with which to deceive ourselves"...which keep us from finding the Path of Paths...or the truth. What might those skills be? Propeganda? The attitude that seeing is believing? The limitations of the scientific method? For most of us, I would suspect that we are blind to those skills we use to deceive ourselves.
“Always I have thirsted for knowledge, always been filled with questions. Year after year I questioned the Brahmins, year after year questioned the holy Vedas. Perhaps, O Govinda, it would have been just as well, just as clever and salutary, had I put my questions to the rhinoceros bird or the chimpanzee. It has taken me long to learn this, Govinda, and still I am not quite done learning it: that nothing can be learned! There is in fact—and this I believe—no such thing as what we call ‘learning.’ There is, my friend, only knowing, and this knowing is everywhere; it is Atman, it is in me and in you and in every creature. And so I am beginning to believe that this knowing has no worse enemy than the desire to know, than learning itself.” p.17
I love the way this begins..."Always I have thirsted for knowledge and been filled with questions." Is it true, however, that nothing can be learned, but only known? True once you understand something, you know it...but when we understand something that we didn't before, isn't that learning? This one seems to go round and round as I try to understand what the author is really trying to say, and I can't quite get my mind wrapped around how the worst enemy to knowing is the desire to know.
“He who immerses himself in Atman, pondering with pure spirit—The joy of his heart cannot be expressed in words.” p. 18
Here is one that rings true to my soul. To me, Atman is God or his Holy Spirit. I have felt this joy that cannot be expressed in words. Perhaps in music, but not words...much as I love words.
“Immersed in deep contemplation of this feeling, which had taken hold of him completely, he walked slowly away, allowing himself to sink to the bottom of this feeling as if through deep water, down to where the causes lay. Recognizing the causes, it seemed to him, was just what thought was; it was only in this way that feelings gave rise to insights and, rather than being lost, took on substance and began to radiate what was within them.” p. 33
This kind of thought takes labor. I think it is what was meant by whomever said "thinking is hard...one of the hardest things we do...which is why we avoid it" Most of us...most of the time...tend to skim the surface with our thoughts. What understandings and solutions might we find if we let our thoughts sink to the bottom and the root causes where true insight may be found.
“You see, Kamala, when you throw a stone into the water, it hurries by the swiftest possible path to the bottom. It is like this when Siddhartha has a goal, a resolve. Siddhartha does nothing—he waits, he thinks, he fasts—but he passes through the things of this world like a stone through water, without doing anything, without moving; he is drawn and lets himself fall. His goal draws him to it, for he allows nothing into his soul that might conflict with his goal.” p. 53
This passage makes me think of a favorite scripture...D&C 121:46 When we reach the point where we are full of charity and virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, then shall the Holy Ghost be our constant companion, that with which we rule our world will be righteousness and truth, and our dominion everlasting..."and without compulsory means it shall flow unto [us] forever and ever." It also reminds me of the premise in "As a man thinketh" that we attract that which we are. It sounds so easy. It probably really is. The trouble is that we TELL ourselves that we have one goal, but inwardly we are seeking something else which is in conflict with that goal. Once our goals are truly purely in line with what we want, it flows easily to us. Perhaps it is so...
“…one cannot receive pleasure without giving pleasure…” p. 57
I thought I was reading that one cannot give pleasure without receiving it, but if one is true, then so is the other.
“He listened much and spoke little…” p. 57
An important key to learning much. Most of us just need to close the mouth and open the ears and we would learn much.
“Never has anything been achieved by scolding.” p. 59
I must admit, this one makes me uncomfortable, and I'm still not sure it's true. It seems so...intuitively. But doesn't the Lord chasten us...because he loves us? Is this the same thing as scolding? Or is scolding just a form of useless complaining about someone else's behavior? I suppose that chastening has a goal. scolding really doesn't. Chastening is to help the child or other person to improve...scolding is just to make ourselves feel better...sort of. Probably the reason I'm uncomfortable is that I scold too much. A good one for me to ponder and watch within myself.
“…within you there is a stillness and a refuge into which you can withdraw at any moment and be at home with yourself…” “Kamaswami is just as clever as I am, but he has no refuge within himself. And there are people who have one whose minds are like those of little children. Most people, Kamala, are like a falling leaf as it twists and turns its way through the air, lurches and tumbles to the ground. Others, though—a very few—are like stars set on a fixed course; no wind can reach them, and they carry their law and their path within them.” p. 63
"LOVED this. We must all reach for that stillness within. We must all be at home with ourselves. And we must all reach the point where we carry our law and our path within us.
“…you heard the bird singing in your breast and followed it!” p. 82
Oh that we all truly followed the "bird singing in our breasts".
“It was the river that taught me to listen, and it will teach you as well. It knows everything, the river, and one can learn anything from it. You too, after all, have already learned from the river that it is good to strive for downward motion, to sink, to seek the depths.” p. 89
Again...learning deeply...not just skimming the surface of the things we would know.
“…he was joyful over all he learned…” p. 90
All learning should be joyful! If it is not, then I wonder if it is really learning?
“Siddhartha began to understand that it was not happiness and peace that had come to him with his son but, rather, sorrow and worry. But he loved him and preferred the sorrow and worry of love to the happiness and peace he had known without the boy.” p. 99
What parent doesn't understand this one? Mary was told by Simeon that "a sword shall pierce though thy own soul also" (Luke 2:35). I think this may be true with all parents to some degree. But still, we love our child and prefer the sorrow and worry to not having the child.
“You do not force him, do not strike him, do not command him because you know that soft is stronger than hard, water stronger than rock, love stronger than violence.” p. 100
Eternal truths here...and faith is also stronger than fear.
“When a person seeks, it can easily happen that his eye sees only the thing he is seeking; he is incapable of finding anything, of allowing anything to enter him, because he is always thinking only of what he is looking for, because he has a goal, because he is possessed by his goal. Seeking means having a goal. Finding means being free, being open, having no goal. You, Venerable One, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for, striving to reach your goal, you overlook many things that lie close before your eyes.” p. 117
So is it good to have the goal or not? Maybe it depends on the goal. With this kind of focus, we'd better be sure that it is a good and right goal. Also, perhaps we need both at different times. A balance of strong focus on the goal...and not seeing anything else for some things and at some times, and being open to discover what one might just find at others. Some things just aren't conducive to goal setting. If I try too hard and focus too much on enjoying the sunset, I can easily...and probably will...miss the mark.
“Wisdom cannot be passed on. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to pass on always sounds like foolishness.” “One can pass on knowledge but not wisdom. One can find wisdom, one can live it, one can be supported by it, one can work wonders with it, but one cannot speak it or teach it.” p. 119
True, I think. We must all come to wisdom by ourselves...through thinking deeply and observing carefully.
“Words are not good for the secret meaning; everything always becomes a little bit different the moment one speaks it aloud, a bit falsified, a bit foolish—yes and this too is also very good and pleases me greatly: that one person’s treasure and wisdom always sounds like foolishness to others.” p. 121
“We find consolations, we find numbness, we learn skills with which to deceive ourselves. But the essential, the Path of Paths, this we do not find.” p.17
"Skills with which to deceive ourselves"...which keep us from finding the Path of Paths...or the truth. What might those skills be? Propeganda? The attitude that seeing is believing? The limitations of the scientific method? For most of us, I would suspect that we are blind to those skills we use to deceive ourselves.
“Always I have thirsted for knowledge, always been filled with questions. Year after year I questioned the Brahmins, year after year questioned the holy Vedas. Perhaps, O Govinda, it would have been just as well, just as clever and salutary, had I put my questions to the rhinoceros bird or the chimpanzee. It has taken me long to learn this, Govinda, and still I am not quite done learning it: that nothing can be learned! There is in fact—and this I believe—no such thing as what we call ‘learning.’ There is, my friend, only knowing, and this knowing is everywhere; it is Atman, it is in me and in you and in every creature. And so I am beginning to believe that this knowing has no worse enemy than the desire to know, than learning itself.” p.17
I love the way this begins..."Always I have thirsted for knowledge and been filled with questions." Is it true, however, that nothing can be learned, but only known? True once you understand something, you know it...but when we understand something that we didn't before, isn't that learning? This one seems to go round and round as I try to understand what the author is really trying to say, and I can't quite get my mind wrapped around how the worst enemy to knowing is the desire to know.
“He who immerses himself in Atman, pondering with pure spirit—The joy of his heart cannot be expressed in words.” p. 18
Here is one that rings true to my soul. To me, Atman is God or his Holy Spirit. I have felt this joy that cannot be expressed in words. Perhaps in music, but not words...much as I love words.
“Immersed in deep contemplation of this feeling, which had taken hold of him completely, he walked slowly away, allowing himself to sink to the bottom of this feeling as if through deep water, down to where the causes lay. Recognizing the causes, it seemed to him, was just what thought was; it was only in this way that feelings gave rise to insights and, rather than being lost, took on substance and began to radiate what was within them.” p. 33
This kind of thought takes labor. I think it is what was meant by whomever said "thinking is hard...one of the hardest things we do...which is why we avoid it" Most of us...most of the time...tend to skim the surface with our thoughts. What understandings and solutions might we find if we let our thoughts sink to the bottom and the root causes where true insight may be found.
“You see, Kamala, when you throw a stone into the water, it hurries by the swiftest possible path to the bottom. It is like this when Siddhartha has a goal, a resolve. Siddhartha does nothing—he waits, he thinks, he fasts—but he passes through the things of this world like a stone through water, without doing anything, without moving; he is drawn and lets himself fall. His goal draws him to it, for he allows nothing into his soul that might conflict with his goal.” p. 53
This passage makes me think of a favorite scripture...D&C 121:46 When we reach the point where we are full of charity and virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, then shall the Holy Ghost be our constant companion, that with which we rule our world will be righteousness and truth, and our dominion everlasting..."and without compulsory means it shall flow unto [us] forever and ever." It also reminds me of the premise in "As a man thinketh" that we attract that which we are. It sounds so easy. It probably really is. The trouble is that we TELL ourselves that we have one goal, but inwardly we are seeking something else which is in conflict with that goal. Once our goals are truly purely in line with what we want, it flows easily to us. Perhaps it is so...
“…one cannot receive pleasure without giving pleasure…” p. 57
I thought I was reading that one cannot give pleasure without receiving it, but if one is true, then so is the other.
“He listened much and spoke little…” p. 57
An important key to learning much. Most of us just need to close the mouth and open the ears and we would learn much.
“Never has anything been achieved by scolding.” p. 59
I must admit, this one makes me uncomfortable, and I'm still not sure it's true. It seems so...intuitively. But doesn't the Lord chasten us...because he loves us? Is this the same thing as scolding? Or is scolding just a form of useless complaining about someone else's behavior? I suppose that chastening has a goal. scolding really doesn't. Chastening is to help the child or other person to improve...scolding is just to make ourselves feel better...sort of. Probably the reason I'm uncomfortable is that I scold too much. A good one for me to ponder and watch within myself.
“…within you there is a stillness and a refuge into which you can withdraw at any moment and be at home with yourself…” “Kamaswami is just as clever as I am, but he has no refuge within himself. And there are people who have one whose minds are like those of little children. Most people, Kamala, are like a falling leaf as it twists and turns its way through the air, lurches and tumbles to the ground. Others, though—a very few—are like stars set on a fixed course; no wind can reach them, and they carry their law and their path within them.” p. 63
"LOVED this. We must all reach for that stillness within. We must all be at home with ourselves. And we must all reach the point where we carry our law and our path within us.
“…you heard the bird singing in your breast and followed it!” p. 82
Oh that we all truly followed the "bird singing in our breasts".
“It was the river that taught me to listen, and it will teach you as well. It knows everything, the river, and one can learn anything from it. You too, after all, have already learned from the river that it is good to strive for downward motion, to sink, to seek the depths.” p. 89
Again...learning deeply...not just skimming the surface of the things we would know.
“…he was joyful over all he learned…” p. 90
All learning should be joyful! If it is not, then I wonder if it is really learning?
“Siddhartha began to understand that it was not happiness and peace that had come to him with his son but, rather, sorrow and worry. But he loved him and preferred the sorrow and worry of love to the happiness and peace he had known without the boy.” p. 99
What parent doesn't understand this one? Mary was told by Simeon that "a sword shall pierce though thy own soul also" (Luke 2:35). I think this may be true with all parents to some degree. But still, we love our child and prefer the sorrow and worry to not having the child.
“You do not force him, do not strike him, do not command him because you know that soft is stronger than hard, water stronger than rock, love stronger than violence.” p. 100
Eternal truths here...and faith is also stronger than fear.
“When a person seeks, it can easily happen that his eye sees only the thing he is seeking; he is incapable of finding anything, of allowing anything to enter him, because he is always thinking only of what he is looking for, because he has a goal, because he is possessed by his goal. Seeking means having a goal. Finding means being free, being open, having no goal. You, Venerable One, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for, striving to reach your goal, you overlook many things that lie close before your eyes.” p. 117
So is it good to have the goal or not? Maybe it depends on the goal. With this kind of focus, we'd better be sure that it is a good and right goal. Also, perhaps we need both at different times. A balance of strong focus on the goal...and not seeing anything else for some things and at some times, and being open to discover what one might just find at others. Some things just aren't conducive to goal setting. If I try too hard and focus too much on enjoying the sunset, I can easily...and probably will...miss the mark.
“Wisdom cannot be passed on. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to pass on always sounds like foolishness.” “One can pass on knowledge but not wisdom. One can find wisdom, one can live it, one can be supported by it, one can work wonders with it, but one cannot speak it or teach it.” p. 119
True, I think. We must all come to wisdom by ourselves...through thinking deeply and observing carefully.
“Words are not good for the secret meaning; everything always becomes a little bit different the moment one speaks it aloud, a bit falsified, a bit foolish—yes and this too is also very good and pleases me greatly: that one person’s treasure and wisdom always sounds like foolishness to others.” p. 121
Socialism, Capitalism, and the Law of Consecration
Is anyone in my church confused by Socialism and the Law of Consecration? I have heard people declare that they believe that Socialism is right because it is like the Law of Consecration. I knew this couldn't be right because it denies agency, but there is more...
I have been reading "The Elders of Israel and the Constitution" by Jerome Horowitz. This is one of the books that was recommended by Ezra Taft Benson in a talk of his that I read. Well, today I came across a section in the chapter on the constitution and capitalism that answers some questions about the law of consecration and socialism. It is titled "Law of Consecration Like Capitalism, Not Socialism", and it details at least four ways that the system of capitalism is most in line with the law of consecration. First, both capitalism and the law of consecration are based on voluntary participation rather than compulsion (we knew that). Second, the law of consecration is actually a private property system in which a person voluntarily conveys to the church all that he owns and then is deeded back that part which it is deemed that he needs…this is then his own private property and his stewardship. In fact, if he leaves the church, he takes that part that was deeded back to him with him…it is his. (The author quoted from D&C 41:46 to show this). After he receives his stewardship, he is then responsible to manage it wisely and build it as well as he is able…and then again voluntarily delivers that portion which he does not need to the church (many more scriptures were quoted). As has often been pointed out, we can live closer and closer to the second part of the law of consecration individually through our choices of what we give to the church in tithes and offerings. The difference then? There is no private property in socialism, and there is no "voluntary" either.
In addition to these differences, it was pointed out that with the law of consecration the individual has no unconditional right to be helped by the group. If he is a lazy person who could work and just expects to profit by the labor of others, he has no claim on the church or his fellows for his support…way different from socialism or government welfare.
And lastly, both the constitution and the law of consecration can only function in a religious society (which we also knew). Hence the need for us to become Zion people before we can live this law. This also points out part of the reason that our country is having challenges and reasons for some of the abuses of the capitalistic system as people become less righteous and less ethical in their dealings with each other. But, as the author points out, these abuses do not show that capitalism is wrong any more than they show that agency is wrong. Agency…choice…must always be at the basis of any correct governmental system.
I would add a final difference between the two. In the law of consecration, all live under this same standard and order. In socialism, the government officials in every circumstance where socialism is in place live a standard of living far above those that they profess to "care for". Socialism is pseudo-philanthropy.The profession of a tyrannical government that they will care for and make all equal, when in fact the real and underlying goal is power and authority. Remember what Satan's plan was in the pre-existence? Let me take care of you...and by the way I want all the glory and power. And in fact, the law of consecration could not exist under a socialistic government or in a socialistic nation. Neither could the church have been organized or exist under this form of government.
There is also an amazingly clear and consice speech on this topic by President Marion G. Romney on the BYU devotional page at this link
http://speeches.byu.edu/index.php?act=viewitem&id=480
Just a few thoughts. Back to my study of the book...I hope to find time to annotate this one on my blog when I'm finished if I can find time...
I have been reading "The Elders of Israel and the Constitution" by Jerome Horowitz. This is one of the books that was recommended by Ezra Taft Benson in a talk of his that I read. Well, today I came across a section in the chapter on the constitution and capitalism that answers some questions about the law of consecration and socialism. It is titled "Law of Consecration Like Capitalism, Not Socialism", and it details at least four ways that the system of capitalism is most in line with the law of consecration. First, both capitalism and the law of consecration are based on voluntary participation rather than compulsion (we knew that). Second, the law of consecration is actually a private property system in which a person voluntarily conveys to the church all that he owns and then is deeded back that part which it is deemed that he needs…this is then his own private property and his stewardship. In fact, if he leaves the church, he takes that part that was deeded back to him with him…it is his. (The author quoted from D&C 41:46 to show this). After he receives his stewardship, he is then responsible to manage it wisely and build it as well as he is able…and then again voluntarily delivers that portion which he does not need to the church (many more scriptures were quoted). As has often been pointed out, we can live closer and closer to the second part of the law of consecration individually through our choices of what we give to the church in tithes and offerings. The difference then? There is no private property in socialism, and there is no "voluntary" either.
In addition to these differences, it was pointed out that with the law of consecration the individual has no unconditional right to be helped by the group. If he is a lazy person who could work and just expects to profit by the labor of others, he has no claim on the church or his fellows for his support…way different from socialism or government welfare.
And lastly, both the constitution and the law of consecration can only function in a religious society (which we also knew). Hence the need for us to become Zion people before we can live this law. This also points out part of the reason that our country is having challenges and reasons for some of the abuses of the capitalistic system as people become less righteous and less ethical in their dealings with each other. But, as the author points out, these abuses do not show that capitalism is wrong any more than they show that agency is wrong. Agency…choice…must always be at the basis of any correct governmental system.
I would add a final difference between the two. In the law of consecration, all live under this same standard and order. In socialism, the government officials in every circumstance where socialism is in place live a standard of living far above those that they profess to "care for". Socialism is pseudo-philanthropy.The profession of a tyrannical government that they will care for and make all equal, when in fact the real and underlying goal is power and authority. Remember what Satan's plan was in the pre-existence? Let me take care of you...and by the way I want all the glory and power. And in fact, the law of consecration could not exist under a socialistic government or in a socialistic nation. Neither could the church have been organized or exist under this form of government.
There is also an amazingly clear and consice speech on this topic by President Marion G. Romney on the BYU devotional page at this link
http://speeches.byu.edu/index.php?act=viewitem&id=480
Just a few thoughts. Back to my study of the book...I hope to find time to annotate this one on my blog when I'm finished if I can find time...
Church and State
This is my response to all those who believe that separation between church and state means that there should be no reference to God in the public arena and that “the church” should not get involved in governmental matters. I would have liked to have taken more time to polish this before publishing, but time is something I have very little of today…perhaps later I can polish it up.
The separation between church and state is a very misunderstood concept. What I think it means is as the first amendment says that government…or congress “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. What does that mean? What then is religion? Is it not the set of beliefs and standards on which a person bases his life and decisions of right and wrong? If a person believes that there is no god…atheism…is not that their religion? How is it then that this religion of “no God” is promoted and promulgated in our government in recent years? Because that is what I see happening…and it is being taught in our schools as well. The ironic thing is that those who do this…who would strip our nation of anything to do with God…are doing it using the very amendment which was designed to protect our religious freedoms. This amendment was put in place not so that we would be a God-LESS nation, but so that all could worship God as they chose and as their conscience dictates. It does not mean that there can be no reference to God in our public arenas…in fact, our founding documents and the words of our founding fathers are full of references to God and to Providence. It is the foundation on which our government rests. That is why our Declaration of Independence makes reference to “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” and also makes reference to the fact that all men are “created” equal and are endowed by their “Creator” with certain inalienable rights. Where do these inalienable rights come from? From “their Creator”. Any rights granted by any other means are subjective and could be withdrawn at any moment by the same governmental system that “granted” them…a king, a parliament or whatever. Any government that is not based on God’s law (or natural law) is nothing more than tyranny of one man over another. Here is how Cicero said it, "...Law is not a product of human thought, nor is it any enactment of peoples, but something eternal which rules the whole universe by its wisdom in command and prohibition...Law is the primal and ultimate mind of God, whose reason directs all things..." (Cicero, Laws II, 8). Our founding fathers were very familiar with Cicero’s writings and it shows in our founding documents.
We are doing ourselves and our posterity a great disservice by kowtowing or by buying into this notion that our belief in “a” God is trampling the rights of others to worship as they choose. Yes…we must be very careful that government does not dictate what a person believes…but that also means government cannot dictate what we are NOT to believe as well. And when we take God out of our government we cut it off at the knees…it is the very foundation upon which our constitution rests. Without God, where do we get right and wrong? With no right and wrong, how then can we impose any law at all. Who is to say what is right or wrong. The “law of the jungle” or “every man for himself” would then have just as much legitimacy as anything else. Lehi said it like this,
“And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.” (2 Nephi 2:13)
My point is that if God is not at the basis of our law, then law is nothing more than tyranny of man over man, and one man’s “law” is just as right as any other man’s “law”.
In D&C 101 the Lord says,
“And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.”
The Lord tells us right here that HE established this constitution through WISE MEN whom HE raised up to that very purpose. On what law then is the constitution of the United States based? On “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God” of course.
Should the church ever speak out on “governmental issues”? Here is what Ezra Taft Benson says about that...I like the way he put it...
"Speaking out against immoral or unjust actions of political leaders has been the burden of prophets and disciples of God from time immemorial. It was for this very reason that many of them were persecuted. Some of them were burned, many were imprisoned. Nevertheless, it was their God-given task, as watchmen on the towers, to speak up. It is certainly no different today." (An Enemy Hath Done This p.38)
Furthermore, he said,
"One of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed or organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road to avoid being "controversial" and get hit by traffic going both ways." (An Enemy Hath Done This p. 45)
We must not only know what is right, we must know why it is right…and then we must not be afraid to stand up and defend it. Here are some things I recommend for further study on the matter.
“The 5000 Year Leap” by Cleon Skousen,
“The Proper Role of Government” by Ezra Taft Benson, and
“This Nation Shall Endure”…also by Ezra Taft Benson.
I also recommend these Ensign articles which are available on the church website...just type the titles into the search engine on the magazines page:
“God’s Hand in the Founding of America” by L. Tom Perry
“Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints” by Ezra Taft Benson
“These Are Not Men to be Conquered” by Vaughn J. Featherstone
“The Divinely Inspired Constitution” by Dallin H. Oaks
The separation between church and state is a very misunderstood concept. What I think it means is as the first amendment says that government…or congress “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. What does that mean? What then is religion? Is it not the set of beliefs and standards on which a person bases his life and decisions of right and wrong? If a person believes that there is no god…atheism…is not that their religion? How is it then that this religion of “no God” is promoted and promulgated in our government in recent years? Because that is what I see happening…and it is being taught in our schools as well. The ironic thing is that those who do this…who would strip our nation of anything to do with God…are doing it using the very amendment which was designed to protect our religious freedoms. This amendment was put in place not so that we would be a God-LESS nation, but so that all could worship God as they chose and as their conscience dictates. It does not mean that there can be no reference to God in our public arenas…in fact, our founding documents and the words of our founding fathers are full of references to God and to Providence. It is the foundation on which our government rests. That is why our Declaration of Independence makes reference to “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” and also makes reference to the fact that all men are “created” equal and are endowed by their “Creator” with certain inalienable rights. Where do these inalienable rights come from? From “their Creator”. Any rights granted by any other means are subjective and could be withdrawn at any moment by the same governmental system that “granted” them…a king, a parliament or whatever. Any government that is not based on God’s law (or natural law) is nothing more than tyranny of one man over another. Here is how Cicero said it, "...Law is not a product of human thought, nor is it any enactment of peoples, but something eternal which rules the whole universe by its wisdom in command and prohibition...Law is the primal and ultimate mind of God, whose reason directs all things..." (Cicero, Laws II, 8). Our founding fathers were very familiar with Cicero’s writings and it shows in our founding documents.
We are doing ourselves and our posterity a great disservice by kowtowing or by buying into this notion that our belief in “a” God is trampling the rights of others to worship as they choose. Yes…we must be very careful that government does not dictate what a person believes…but that also means government cannot dictate what we are NOT to believe as well. And when we take God out of our government we cut it off at the knees…it is the very foundation upon which our constitution rests. Without God, where do we get right and wrong? With no right and wrong, how then can we impose any law at all. Who is to say what is right or wrong. The “law of the jungle” or “every man for himself” would then have just as much legitimacy as anything else. Lehi said it like this,
“And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.” (2 Nephi 2:13)
My point is that if God is not at the basis of our law, then law is nothing more than tyranny of man over man, and one man’s “law” is just as right as any other man’s “law”.
In D&C 101 the Lord says,
“And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.”
The Lord tells us right here that HE established this constitution through WISE MEN whom HE raised up to that very purpose. On what law then is the constitution of the United States based? On “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God” of course.
Should the church ever speak out on “governmental issues”? Here is what Ezra Taft Benson says about that...I like the way he put it...
"Speaking out against immoral or unjust actions of political leaders has been the burden of prophets and disciples of God from time immemorial. It was for this very reason that many of them were persecuted. Some of them were burned, many were imprisoned. Nevertheless, it was their God-given task, as watchmen on the towers, to speak up. It is certainly no different today." (An Enemy Hath Done This p.38)
Furthermore, he said,
"One of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed or organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road to avoid being "controversial" and get hit by traffic going both ways." (An Enemy Hath Done This p. 45)
We must not only know what is right, we must know why it is right…and then we must not be afraid to stand up and defend it. Here are some things I recommend for further study on the matter.
“The 5000 Year Leap” by Cleon Skousen,
“The Proper Role of Government” by Ezra Taft Benson, and
“This Nation Shall Endure”…also by Ezra Taft Benson.
I also recommend these Ensign articles which are available on the church website...just type the titles into the search engine on the magazines page:
“God’s Hand in the Founding of America” by L. Tom Perry
“Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints” by Ezra Taft Benson
“These Are Not Men to be Conquered” by Vaughn J. Featherstone
“The Divinely Inspired Constitution” by Dallin H. Oaks
An Enemy Hath Done This by Ezra Taft Benson (In Progress)
I have finally gotten my hands on a copy of this book. It is out of print and the copies that are available are expensive to obtain. Since this is not my own copy, I may not mark or underline in it...I feel like I am reading with my hands tied. I will annotate this one as I go rather than waiting to finish the book before I record the passages that really stood out to me. This book is a collection of addresses given by Ezra Taft Benson. To those of us who have not been taught as we should have been, it is educational...it is heart-stirring...it is truth. These are warnings from nearly 50 years ago. It doesn't appear that these warnings have been heeded very well. I believe that the freedom of our country as we know it (and as we should have known it) it at stake. Perhaps it is not too late...in this the eleventh hour and fifty-ninth minute...if we will educate ourselves upon sound principles and truths and then act. We are all too apathetic...it only takes a little effort. One of the foundations of a free nation is a widely educated populace. How educated are we in the foundational principles of freedom? Do we know and understand what they are and why they work? Are we willing to defend them for ourselves and for our posterity? I am still trying to learn what I believe I should have been taught as a child...come along with me...
Chapter One: Americans Are Destroying America
(from and address given on April 6, 1968 LDS General Conference and also entered into the Congressional Record on April 22, 1968)
"The Constitution of the United States was prepared and adopted by courageous men acting under inspiration from the Almighty. It is a solemn contract between the peoples of the states of this nation which all officers of government are under duty to obey. The eternal moral laws expressed therein must be adhered to or individual liberty will perish." p. 4
(quoting Edmund Burke...English statesman) "Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites. --in proportion as their love of justice is above their rapacity--in proportion as their soundness and sobriety and understanding is above their vanity and presumption--in proportion as they are more disposed to listen to the counsels of the wise and good, in preference to the flattery of knaves. Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." p.5
"If American freedom is lost--if America is destroyed--if our blood-bought freedom is surrendered--it will be because of Americans. What's more, it will probably not be only the work of subversive and criminal Americans. The Benedict Arnolds will not be the only ones to forfeit our freedom."p.6
"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected?" asked Abraham Lincoln, and answered, "If it ever reaches us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide." p.6
"If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers--normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free. Americans who have been lulled away into a false security." p. 6
"Great nations are never conquered from outside unless they are rotten inside." p.6
Theodore Roosevelt said: "The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life."
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it." p.6 (footnote)
"The facts are clear. Our problem centers in Washington, D.C. And this applies to the administration of both political parties. In the words of James Madison, "Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations." p.9
"If America is to withstand these influences and trends, there must be a renewal of the spirit of our forefathers, an appreciation of the American way of life, a strengthening of muscle and sinew and the character of the nation. America needs guts as well as guns. National character is the core of national defense." p. 10
(quoting Dean Alfange) "I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me--not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the state of calm utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say--'This, with God's help, I have done.' All this is what it means to be an American." p.11
"It has been said that it takes something spectacular to get folks excited, like a burning house. NOBODY NOTICES ONE THAT IS SIMPLY DECAYING." p.11
(quoting the poet John Greenleaf Whittier)
Where's the manly spirit
Of the true-hearted and the unshackled gone?
Sons of old freemen, do we but inherit their names alone?
Is the old Pilgrim spirit quench'd within us?
Stoops the proud manhood of our souls so low,
That Mammon's lure or Party's while can win us to silence new?
Now when our land to ruin's brink is verging,
In God's name let us speak while there is time;
Now, when the padlocks for our lips is forging,
Silence is a Crime. (The Freeman, July 1967, p.413)
"Our priceless heritage is threatened today as never before in our lifetime..." p. 12
It was Alexander Hamilton who warned that: "Nothing is more common that for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, but letting into the government, principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves." p. 12
(quoting Thomas Paine)
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain to cheap, we esteem too lightly; 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated." (The Political Works of Thomas Paine, p. 55)
(quoting General Douglas MacArther) "In this day of gathering storm, as the moral deterioration of political power spreads its growing infection, it is essential that every spiritual force be mobilized to defend and preserve the religious base upon which this nation was founded. For it is that base which has been the motivating impulse to our moral and national growth. History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has been either a spiritual reawakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster." (General Douglas MacArther, December 12, 1951; A Soldier Speaks, pp.285-286) p.13 (footnote)
(quoting Cicero) "...Law is not a product of human thought, nor is it any enactment of peoples, but something eternal which rules the whole universe by its wisdom in command and prohibition...Law is the primal and ultimate mind of God, whose reason directs all things..." (Cicero, Laws II, 8) p.13 (footnote)
Chapter Two: The Threat To Our Freedom
(from an address given on May 12, 1964 at a luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany.)
"A great German once said "Truth must be repeated again and again because error is constantly being preached round about us." (Goethe) p. 15
George Washington stated, "Truth will ultimately prevail, where there are pains taken to bring it to light." p. 15
"Past material advances have been the fruit of our freedom--our free enterprise capitalistic system, our American way of life, our God-given freedom of choice. Progress of the future must stem from this same basic freedom." p.17
"Yes, the founders of our country bequeathed to us a heritage of freedom and unity that is our most priceless political possession. But to be enjoyed, freedom must be won continually. The major responsibility of government is to guard the lives and safeguard the freedom of its citizens. Yet even in the operation of government--especially big government--there are real dangers to our freedom." p. 18
"We must be aware of the price we pay when we place more and more of our lives in the hands of centralized government. We must realize what this trend, what these changes toward centralized power in government are doing to our free institutions." p. 18
(quoting Glover of Oxford University) "It is better for the development of character and contentment to do certain things badly yourself than to have them done better for you by someone else." p. 19
"It is high time we awakened to the dangers of excessive government in business, in education, in agriculture, and other segments of our economy. It is time we realized the perils of too great a centralization of power, and too much dependence on public agencies." p. 19
"We must not forget that nations may--and usually do--sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity." p. 19
"We have seen in the past quarter century a tremendous shift from individual to governmental responsibility in many phases of economic and social life. We have seen a rapid shift of responsibility from the states to the federal government." p.21
"The indebtedness of our country exceeds the combined indebtedness of all other countries." p.21
"Fighting first a prolonged depression and then a devastating war was used as an excuse to shift undue responsibility to the federal government. The shrinking of time and distance and the growing interdependence of our economic lives have been used as a guise to centralize more authority at the national capital. This has in it real danger." p. 21
"...sooner or later, the accumulation of power in a central government leads to a loss of freedom. Once power is concentrated, even for helpful purposes, it is all there, in one package, where it can be grabbed by those who may not be helpful in its use. If power is diffused, this cannot happen. This is why the founders of our country carefully divided power between the state and federal levels." p. 21-22
"The framers of our Constitution knew that many forces work toward the concentration of power at the federal level...Raids on the treasury can be all too rapidly accomplished by and organized few over the feeble protests of an apathetic majority." p.22
"The history of all mankind shows very clearly that if we would be free--and if we would stay free--we must stand eternal watch against the accumulation of too much power in government." p. 22
"The drift toward centralization of power is not inevitable. It can be slowed down, halted, reversed. How? By state and local governments insisting that theirs is the responsibility for problems that are essentially local and state problems--insisting upon this, with the knowledge that responsibility and authority go hand in hand." p. 23
"The people come to look to the federal government as the provider, at no cost to them, of whatever is needful. The truth is that the federal government has no funds which it does not first, in some manner, take from the people." p.23
"George Washington said: 'Government is not reason, it is not eloquence--it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master:" "It is hardly lack of due process,"said the supreme court, "for the government to regulate what it subsidizes." We must ever remember that a planned and subsidized economy weakens initiative, discourages industry, destroys character, and demoralizes the people." p.24
"These abundant blessings have come to us through an economic system which rests largely on three pillars:
1. Free enterprise . . . the right to venture . . . the right to choose.
2. Private property . . . the right to own.
3. A market economy . . . the right to exchange. (p.24)
"Yet, these basic American beliefs, principles, and attitudes are threatened today as never before.
By whom are they threatened? These basic concepts are threatened by three groups:
1. They are threatened by well-meaning but uninformed people who see the shortcomings of our economic system and believe they can legislate them out of existence. They try to reach the promised land by passing laws. They do not understand our economic system and its limitations. They would load it down with burdens it was never intended to carry. As their schemes begin to break down, more and more controls must be supplied. Patch is placed upon patch, regulation is added to regulation and ultimately, by degree, freedom is lost--with or without our desiring to lose it and without our knowing why or how it was lost.
2. Our heritage of freedom is threatened by another group--self-seeking men who see in government ligislation a way to obtain special privileges for themselves or to restrain their competitors. They use demagoguery as a smokescreen to deceive. These people have no love for freedom or enterprise. The would bargain away their birthright for a mess of pottage. They would learn the value of freedom only after it was gone.
3. A third, still much smaller group is dedicated to the overthrow of the economic and social system that is our tradition. Their philosophy does not stem from Jefferson, but is foreign to our shores. It is a total philosophy of life, atheistic, and utterly opposed to all that we hold dear as a great Christian nation. These men understand our system thoroughly--and they hate it thoroughly. They enlist innocent but willing followers from the uninformed and the unprincipled. Through rabble-rousing and demagoguery they play upon the economic reverses and hardships of the unsuspecting. They promise the impossible, and call black white, an mislead with fallacies masqueraded as truth.
If we lose our freedom, it will be to this strange and unlike coalition of the well-intentioned, the slothful, and the subversives.
It will be because we did not care enough--because we were not alert enough--because we were too apathetic to take note while the precious waters of our God-given freedom slipped--drop by drop--down the drain." p. 25
"In this struggle it is not enough to be right--we must put strength and action back of that which is right." p.27
"It is my firm conviction that the Constitution of the U.S. was established by men whom the God of heaven raised up unto this very purpose. This is part of my religious faith." p. 28
Chapter Three: Stand Up For Freedom (from an address first given on Feb. 11, 1966 at the Utah Forum for the American Idea, in the assembly hall on Temple Square)
"Another recent development has been the call for national unity. I believe there needs to be a unity in our land. But it must not be a blind, senseless, irresponsible unity. It should not be unity just for the sake of unity. It needs to be a unity build on sound principles." p. 34
"In other words, there are some legitimate functions and services which the federal government can and should provide, but those who want the federal power to exceed the authority delegated to it by the Constitution will be resisted by both Democrats and Republicans." p. 35
"What country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance?" (Thomas Jefferson) (footnote p. 35)
"Why is it that men in high places in government, regardless of party, have been deceived? I am convinced that a major part of the cause can be justly laid at the door of the socialist-communist conspiracy which is led by masters of deceit who deceive the very elect." p.36
"I believe one of the most serious mistakes a President could make would be to weaken the Constitution." p. 37
"From the time I was a small boy I was taught that the American Constitution is an inspired document. I was also taught that the day will come when the Constitution will hang as it were by a single thread. I was taught that we should study the Constitution, preserve its principles, and defend it against any who would destroy it." p. 37
"I, of course, also believe that the institutions of church and state should be separated, but I also do not agree that spiritual leaders cannot comment on basic issues which involve the very foundation of American liberty." p. 37
"I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings." (footnote) p. 37
"Speaking out against immoral or unjust actions of political leaders has been the burden of prophets and disciples of God from time immemorial. It was for this very reason that many of them were persecuted. Some of them were burned, many were imprisoned. Nevertheless, it was their God-given task, as watchmen on the towers, to speak up. It is certainly no different today." p.38
"We hold that our loyalty is due solely to the American Republic, and to all our public servants exactly in
proportion as they efficiently serve the Republic. ...Every man who parrots the cry of 'stand by the President' without adding the proviso 'so far as he serves the Republic' takes an attitude as essentially unmanly as that of any Stuart royalist who championed the doctrine that the king could do no wrong. No self-respecting and intelligent freeman could take such an attitude." (Theordore Roosevelt) p. 30 footnote
"One of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed or organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road to avoid being "controversial" and get hit by traffic going both ways." p. 45
"To the patriots I say this: Take that long eternal look. Stand up for freedom, no matter what the cost. It may help to save your soul--and maybe your country." p. 45
"May God give us the wisdom to recognize the dangers of complacency, the threat to our freedom and the strength to meet this danger courageously. . . .
In this mighty struggle each of you has a part. Every person on the earth today chose the right side during the war in heaven. Be on the right side now. Stand up and be counted. If you get discouraged remember the words of Edward Everett Hale, when he said:
"I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." p. 45
Chapter Four: Strength For the Battle
(from and address given July 4, 1966 at the New England Rally for God, Family, and Country, Boston MA.)
"Those who fail to cherish the noble deeds of their forefathers will never do much, for good, to be remembered by their posterity." p. 46
"President David O. McKay, of the Mormon Church, has warned us time and time again that there is present in our own United States, "influences the avowed object of which is to sow discord and contention among men with a view of undermining, weakening, if not entirely destroying our Constitutional form of government. . . . It is the enemy from within," warns this great leader, "that is most menacing, especially when it threatens to disintegrate our established form of government." p.50
"It is our own ignorance--ignorance of our own history and our heritage of liberty that threatens us. . . . Our lack of faith in freedom and in ourselves, our lack of confidence in the greatness of America and all that she stands for morally and materially is what puts us in mortal danger." (quoting from Indianapolis Star) p. 51
"I have great faith in the American people. When fully informed they will make wise decisions. They will stand up and be counted for what is right." p. 52
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts." -Abraham Lincoln p. 52 footnote
"But today the Christian constitutionalist mourns for his country. He sees the spiritual and political faith of his fathers betrayed by wolves in sheep's clothing. He sees the forces of evil increasing in strength and momentum under the leadership of Satan, the archenemy of freedom. He sees the wicked honored and the valiant abused. He senses that his own generation faces Gethsemanes and Valley Forges that may yet rival or surpass the trials of the early apostles and the men of '76. And this gives him cause to reflect on the most basic of fundamentals--the reason for our existence. Once we understand that fundamental, the purpose of mortality, we may more easily chart a correct course in the perilous seas that are engulfing our nation." p. 53
"Because the fight for freedom is God's fight. For free agency is an eternal principle. It existed before the world was formed--it will exist forever. Some men succeed in denying some aspects of God-given freedom to their fellowmen, but their success is temporary. For freedom is a law of God, a permanent law. And, like any of God's laws, men cannot really break it with impunity. They can only break themselves upon it. So when a man stands for freedom he stands with God. And as long as he stands for freedom he stands with God. And were he to stand alone he would still stand with God--the best company and the greatest power in or out of this world. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; and because truth is eternal, any man will be eternally vindicated and rewarded for his stand for freedom." p.55
"Now being assured that freedom is a God-given principle that will triumph finally and eternally, there yet remains the crucial question: Can freedom triumph now? But the answer to that hangs on the answer to a yet more crucial question: What are we doing to keep freedom alive? For the answer to that first question--Can freedom triumph now?--you see, is speculative. But the answer to the second question--What are we doing to keep freedom alive?--has riding on it matters which will have eternal consequence to every soul, not matter what the temporary outcome; for the Lord has so endowed this matter of freedom with such everlasting repercussions that it sifted the spirits of men before this world in the Great War in heaven. And it seems today to be the central issue that is sifting those who are left in the world." p. 55
"Men receive blessings by obedience to God's law. And without obedience there is no blessing. Before the final triumphal return of the Lord, the question as to whether we may save our Constitutional Republic is simply based on two factors--the number of patriots and the extent of their obedience. That the Lord desires to save this nation which he raised up there is no doubt. But that he leaves it up to us, with his help, is the awful reality." p. 55
"Certainly spirituality is the foundation upon which any battle against tyranny must be waged." p.56
"The least any Christian can do is to daily study the word of the Lord and seek divine aid through daily prayer." p. 56
"Mothers, train up your children in righteousness. Do not attempt to save the world and let your own fireside fall apart." p. 56
"The home is the rock foundation--the cornerstone of civilization. This nation will never rise above its homes. The church, the school, and even the nation stand helpless before weakened and degraded homes." p. 56
"No one can delegate his duty to preserve his freedom, for the price of liberty is still eternal vigilance." p. 57
"An ounce of energy in the preservation of freedom is worth a ton of effort to get it back once it is lost." p. 57
"How a person should apportion his time among his several duties requires good judgment and is a matter over which each should invite divine assistance." p. 57
"Today you cannot effectively fight for freedom and not be attacked--and those who think they can are deceiving themselves. While I do not believe in stepping out of the path of duty to pick up a cross I don't need, a man is a coward who refuses to pick up a cross that clearly lies within his path." p.58
"A man must not only stand for the right principles, but he must fight for them." p. 58
"We must each of us do our homework. "My people are destroyed," said Hosea, "for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) We must be wise as serpents; for as the Apostle Paul said, "We wrestle against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) We are going through what J. Reuben Clark once termed the greatest propaganda campaign of all time. We cannot believe all we read, and what we can believe is not all of the same value. We must sift. We must learn by study and prayer." p.58
"Study the scriptures an study the mortals who have been most consistently accurate about the most important things. When your freedom is at stake, your information had best be accurate." p. 59
"Righteous concern about conditions is commendable when it leads to constructive action. But undue worry is debilitating. When we have done all we can, then let's leave the rest to God--including the worrying. Man needs beneficial recreation, a change of pace that refreshes him for heavy tasks ahead. Man also must take time to meditate, to sweep the cobwebs from his mind so that he might get a more firm grip on the truth and spend less time chasing phantoms and dallying in projects of lesser worth." p.59
"Finally, BE PREPARED. We have a duty to survive, not only spiritually but physically. Not survival at the cost of principles--for this is the surest way to defeat--but a survival that comes from intelligent preparation." p. 59
"Let us go about our business. For any Christian constitutionalist who retreats from this battle jeopardizes his life here and hereafter. Seldom has so much responsibility hung on so few, so heavily; but our numbers are increasing, and we who have been warned have a responsibility to warn our neighbor." p.60
"...time is on the side of truth and the wave of the future is freedom. There is no question of the eventual, final, and lasting triumph of righteousness. The major question for each of us is what part will we play in helping to bring it to pass." p. 60
"There are some people who hesitate to get into this fight for freedom because it is controversial, or they're not sure if we're going to win. Such people have two blind spots. First, they fail to realize that life's decisions should be based on principles--not on Gallup polls. ...After all, the basic purpose of life is to prove ourselves--not to be with the majority when it is wrong." " ...the second blind spot of those who hesitate to get into the fight. And that is their failure to realize that we will win in the long run, and for keeps, and that they pass up great blessings by not getting into the battle now when the odds are against us and the rewards are greatest." p. 61
Chapter Five: Trade and Treason
(first given on Feb. 17, 1967 at the Portland Forum for Americanism. Entered into the Congressional Record on Mar. 14, 1967)
This chapter is a speech in which Benson points out the betrayal of our political leaders during the Vietnam war as they built up and traded with Russia who then supplied Vietnam to arm against us. How often have our leaders done this! They still do so today. We continually build up and feed the monsters that become our enemies...even while we are fighting them. It is senseless...I can see why this chapter is labeled as it is.
"The economic significance of this aid to our enemies is overshadowed by its moral meaning. Our actions and policies towards communism reflect the extent of subversion within our own government, our incredible confusion, indecision, and even cowardice. We tremendously overrate the productivity of communism and lack faith in the values we defend. We are weak intellectually and morally. In our confusion we are betraying the intellectual and moral heritage of the West." (Italics added)
This paragraph really popped out at me. And perhaps because I am studying Isaiah right now and trying to understand, this verse came to mind from Isaiah 2:6 (or 2 Nephi 12:6) "Therefore, O Lord, thou hast forsaken thy people, the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and hearken unto soothsayers like the Philistines and they please themselves in the children of strangers." The footnote for "be replenished" in Isaiah 2:6 says "are filled, supplied with teachings, alien beliefs".
Perhaps Isaiah is referring (at least in part) to just this political circumstance.
"I challenge the fathers and husbands of this nation. Gentlemen, who is to restore honor, honesty, virtue, integrity, and loyalty to our way of life? We, as fathers and husbands, are the real leaders of our civilization--of our nation. We are responsible if the blight on its glory is not removed. Gentlemen, let our cry be: "I shall become and remain a man of principle. I shall lead my family, my friends, my community and my nation also in the way of principle and not of expediency. I will defend my freedom and the freedom of my fellow men. I will raise my head high and look every man in the eye unashamed of my defense of that which is good." p. 86
Chapter 6: It Can Happen Here
(given Feb. 28, 1966 at a meeting sponsored by the American Wake Up Committee in St. Louis Missori)
"The courts of the United States have stated the following acts to be treasonable: The use or attempted use of any force or violence against the Government of the United States, or its military or naval forces; the acquisition, use or disposal of any property with the knowledge that it is to be, or with intent that it shall be, of assistance to the enemy in their hostilities against the United States; the performance of any act or the publication of statements or information which will give or supply in any way, aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States; the direction, aiding, counseling, or countenancing of any of the foregoing acts; such acts are held to be treasonable whether committed within the United States or elsewhere; whether committed by a citizen of the Untied States, or by an alien domiciled, or residing, in the United States, inasmuch as resident aliens, as well as citizens, owe allegiance to the United States and its laws." (footnote) p. 81 (Proclamation issued on April 16, 1917 by President Woodrow Wilson)
"It seems almost unbelievable that an average of 52 million liberty-loving people could be brought under communist bondage each and every year since World War II. Why this shocking record? How could this happen? How can men, many of them in high places, who seem to be so strong for Christian principles and basic American concepts be so effectively used to serve the communist conspiracy? How can our own people be lulled away into a false security crying, "All is well"?
I believe the answer is found in the fact that these godless communist conspirators and their gullible fellow travelers are masters of deceit--who deceive the very elect. Then, too, it has never happened here. We have always enjoyed freedom. Our liberty has never been seriously endangered in our lifetime. It can't happen here, we say. I say to you, it can happen here. It is happening here. In our comfortable complacency it is really happening here--now." p.88
(quoting J. Edgar Hoover) "I confess to a real apprehension so long as communists are able to secure ministers of the gospel to promote their evil work and espouse a cause that is alien to the religion of Christ and Judaism. I do fear so long as school boards and parents tolerate conditions whereby communists and fellow travelers under the guise of academic freedom can teach our youth a way of life that eventually will destroy the sanctity of the home, that undermines faith in God, that causes them to scorn respect for constituted authority and sabotage our revered Constitution." p.90
"Our complacency as a nation is shocking--yes, almost unbelievable!
We are a prosperous nation. Our people have high-paying jobs. Our incomes are high. Our standard of living is at an unprecedented level. we do not like to be disturbed as we enjoy our comfortable complacency. We live in the soft present and feel the future is secure. We do not worry about history. We seem oblivious to the causes of the rise and fall of nations. We are blind to the hard fact that nations usually sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.
I say to you with all the fervor of my soul: We are sowing the seeds of our own destruction in America and much of the free world today. It is my sober warning to you today that if the trends of the past thirty years--and especially the past five years--continue, we will lose that which is as priceless as life itself--our freedom--our liberty--our right to act as free men. It can happen here. It is happening here.
Our greatest need in America today is to be alerted and informed." p.90
"The sad shocking story of what has happened in America in recent years must be told. Our people must have the facts. There is safety in an informed public. There is real danger in a complacent, uninformed citizenry. This is our real danger today. Yes, the truth must be told even at the risk of destroying, in large measure, the influence of men who are widely respected and loved by the American people. The stakes are high. Freedom and survival is the issue." p. 91
Lenin died in 1924. But before he died, he had laid down for his followers the strategy for conquest. It was, we should readily admit, brilliant, far-seeing, realistic, and majestically simple. It has been paraphrased and summarized as follows:
First, we will take Eastern Europe,
Then the masses of Asia,
Then we will encircle the United States, which will be the last bastion of capitalism.
We will not have to attack. It will fall like an overripe fruit into our hands." p. 92-93
The next two pages briefly show how the first two objectives have been systematically achieved...and with American aid! Chilling to me! Are we an overripe complacent fruit??
"Sovereignty for a nation is hard to come by and even more difficult to retain. It cannot be shared for then sovereignty becomes something else, and for want of a better word, when sovereignty is lessened the end-product is internationalism. Sovereignty is neither more nor less than self-government. And American self-government is blue-printed in the Constitution--a document which with the Declaration of Independence and the several state constitutions, is anything but pragmatic in letter and spirit. Such a government with its recognition of human rights--ordained by God--cannot help but be contaminated by an association with pragmatic governmental leaders, no matter what their country." p. 99-100
"As, and if, we move toward that condition [communism/socialism] there will be gradual loss of our freedom, an increase of the inducements for the acceptance of communism, and a corresponding increase of the pressures to destroy or remove all opponents and all opposition to the communist advance.
There would be a further huge expansion of government and of its control over our economy, education, medical services (italics added) , and every detail of our family and individual lives." p. 106
What does America look like now?
"There are three possible methods by which the communists might take us over. One would be through a sufficient amount of infiltration and propaganda, to disguise communism as just another political party.
The second method would be by fomenting internal civil war in this country and aiding the communists' side in that war with all necessary military might.
The third method would be a slow insidious infiltration resulting in a take-over without the American people realizing it." p. 108-109
Looks like number three to me...with possibly some of number one thrown in...in both political parties.
"The tyrant overthrows the whole...constitution, not by seizing any new powers, but by his misuse of the powers he already possesses." (Cicero) footnote p. 110
"We can no more save our Republic from communism, merely by saying we are against communism, than parents can save their children from polio by fervently being against polio. To conquer any disease requires intelligent study to isolate the germ and discover the vaccine. As the number one killer in the world today, communism is a disease which merits our urgent study." p. 111 footnote
"The only thing which can possibly stop the communists is for the American people to learn the truth in time--to become alerted and informed, to join with neighbors in effective programs of exposure and opposition. The one effective weapon is truth. It is the truth they fear. It is the truth that can defeat this godless conspiracy." p.111
"As has been well said, this is a world-wide battle, the first of its kind in history, between light and darkness; between freedom and slavery; between the spirit of Christianity and the spirit of anti-Christ for the souls and bodies of men. Let's win the battle by alertness, by determination, by courage, by an energizing realization of the danger, if we can; but let's win it even with our lives, if the time comes that we must." p.112
Chapter Seven: The Erosion of America
(May 13, 1968 at the Annual Boy Scouts Banquet in Commerce, Texas)
Chapter One: Americans Are Destroying America
(from and address given on April 6, 1968 LDS General Conference and also entered into the Congressional Record on April 22, 1968)
"The Constitution of the United States was prepared and adopted by courageous men acting under inspiration from the Almighty. It is a solemn contract between the peoples of the states of this nation which all officers of government are under duty to obey. The eternal moral laws expressed therein must be adhered to or individual liberty will perish." p. 4
(quoting Edmund Burke...English statesman) "Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites. --in proportion as their love of justice is above their rapacity--in proportion as their soundness and sobriety and understanding is above their vanity and presumption--in proportion as they are more disposed to listen to the counsels of the wise and good, in preference to the flattery of knaves. Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." p.5
"If American freedom is lost--if America is destroyed--if our blood-bought freedom is surrendered--it will be because of Americans. What's more, it will probably not be only the work of subversive and criminal Americans. The Benedict Arnolds will not be the only ones to forfeit our freedom."p.6
"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected?" asked Abraham Lincoln, and answered, "If it ever reaches us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide." p.6
"If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers--normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free. Americans who have been lulled away into a false security." p. 6
"Great nations are never conquered from outside unless they are rotten inside." p.6
Theodore Roosevelt said: "The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life."
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it." p.6 (footnote)
"The facts are clear. Our problem centers in Washington, D.C. And this applies to the administration of both political parties. In the words of James Madison, "Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations." p.9
"If America is to withstand these influences and trends, there must be a renewal of the spirit of our forefathers, an appreciation of the American way of life, a strengthening of muscle and sinew and the character of the nation. America needs guts as well as guns. National character is the core of national defense." p. 10
(quoting Dean Alfange) "I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me--not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the state of calm utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say--'This, with God's help, I have done.' All this is what it means to be an American." p.11
"It has been said that it takes something spectacular to get folks excited, like a burning house. NOBODY NOTICES ONE THAT IS SIMPLY DECAYING." p.11
(quoting the poet John Greenleaf Whittier)
Where's the manly spirit
Of the true-hearted and the unshackled gone?
Sons of old freemen, do we but inherit their names alone?
Is the old Pilgrim spirit quench'd within us?
Stoops the proud manhood of our souls so low,
That Mammon's lure or Party's while can win us to silence new?
Now when our land to ruin's brink is verging,
In God's name let us speak while there is time;
Now, when the padlocks for our lips is forging,
Silence is a Crime. (The Freeman, July 1967, p.413)
"Our priceless heritage is threatened today as never before in our lifetime..." p. 12
It was Alexander Hamilton who warned that: "Nothing is more common that for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, but letting into the government, principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves." p. 12
(quoting Thomas Paine)
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain to cheap, we esteem too lightly; 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated." (The Political Works of Thomas Paine, p. 55)
(quoting General Douglas MacArther) "In this day of gathering storm, as the moral deterioration of political power spreads its growing infection, it is essential that every spiritual force be mobilized to defend and preserve the religious base upon which this nation was founded. For it is that base which has been the motivating impulse to our moral and national growth. History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has been either a spiritual reawakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster." (General Douglas MacArther, December 12, 1951; A Soldier Speaks, pp.285-286) p.13 (footnote)
(quoting Cicero) "...Law is not a product of human thought, nor is it any enactment of peoples, but something eternal which rules the whole universe by its wisdom in command and prohibition...Law is the primal and ultimate mind of God, whose reason directs all things..." (Cicero, Laws II, 8) p.13 (footnote)
Chapter Two: The Threat To Our Freedom
(from an address given on May 12, 1964 at a luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany.)
"A great German once said "Truth must be repeated again and again because error is constantly being preached round about us." (Goethe) p. 15
George Washington stated, "Truth will ultimately prevail, where there are pains taken to bring it to light." p. 15
"Past material advances have been the fruit of our freedom--our free enterprise capitalistic system, our American way of life, our God-given freedom of choice. Progress of the future must stem from this same basic freedom." p.17
"Yes, the founders of our country bequeathed to us a heritage of freedom and unity that is our most priceless political possession. But to be enjoyed, freedom must be won continually. The major responsibility of government is to guard the lives and safeguard the freedom of its citizens. Yet even in the operation of government--especially big government--there are real dangers to our freedom." p. 18
"We must be aware of the price we pay when we place more and more of our lives in the hands of centralized government. We must realize what this trend, what these changes toward centralized power in government are doing to our free institutions." p. 18
(quoting Glover of Oxford University) "It is better for the development of character and contentment to do certain things badly yourself than to have them done better for you by someone else." p. 19
"It is high time we awakened to the dangers of excessive government in business, in education, in agriculture, and other segments of our economy. It is time we realized the perils of too great a centralization of power, and too much dependence on public agencies." p. 19
"We must not forget that nations may--and usually do--sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity." p. 19
"We have seen in the past quarter century a tremendous shift from individual to governmental responsibility in many phases of economic and social life. We have seen a rapid shift of responsibility from the states to the federal government." p.21
"The indebtedness of our country exceeds the combined indebtedness of all other countries." p.21
"Fighting first a prolonged depression and then a devastating war was used as an excuse to shift undue responsibility to the federal government. The shrinking of time and distance and the growing interdependence of our economic lives have been used as a guise to centralize more authority at the national capital. This has in it real danger." p. 21
"...sooner or later, the accumulation of power in a central government leads to a loss of freedom. Once power is concentrated, even for helpful purposes, it is all there, in one package, where it can be grabbed by those who may not be helpful in its use. If power is diffused, this cannot happen. This is why the founders of our country carefully divided power between the state and federal levels." p. 21-22
"The framers of our Constitution knew that many forces work toward the concentration of power at the federal level...Raids on the treasury can be all too rapidly accomplished by and organized few over the feeble protests of an apathetic majority." p.22
"The history of all mankind shows very clearly that if we would be free--and if we would stay free--we must stand eternal watch against the accumulation of too much power in government." p. 22
"The drift toward centralization of power is not inevitable. It can be slowed down, halted, reversed. How? By state and local governments insisting that theirs is the responsibility for problems that are essentially local and state problems--insisting upon this, with the knowledge that responsibility and authority go hand in hand." p. 23
"The people come to look to the federal government as the provider, at no cost to them, of whatever is needful. The truth is that the federal government has no funds which it does not first, in some manner, take from the people." p.23
"George Washington said: 'Government is not reason, it is not eloquence--it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master:" "It is hardly lack of due process,"said the supreme court, "for the government to regulate what it subsidizes." We must ever remember that a planned and subsidized economy weakens initiative, discourages industry, destroys character, and demoralizes the people." p.24
"These abundant blessings have come to us through an economic system which rests largely on three pillars:
1. Free enterprise . . . the right to venture . . . the right to choose.
2. Private property . . . the right to own.
3. A market economy . . . the right to exchange. (p.24)
"Yet, these basic American beliefs, principles, and attitudes are threatened today as never before.
By whom are they threatened? These basic concepts are threatened by three groups:
1. They are threatened by well-meaning but uninformed people who see the shortcomings of our economic system and believe they can legislate them out of existence. They try to reach the promised land by passing laws. They do not understand our economic system and its limitations. They would load it down with burdens it was never intended to carry. As their schemes begin to break down, more and more controls must be supplied. Patch is placed upon patch, regulation is added to regulation and ultimately, by degree, freedom is lost--with or without our desiring to lose it and without our knowing why or how it was lost.
2. Our heritage of freedom is threatened by another group--self-seeking men who see in government ligislation a way to obtain special privileges for themselves or to restrain their competitors. They use demagoguery as a smokescreen to deceive. These people have no love for freedom or enterprise. The would bargain away their birthright for a mess of pottage. They would learn the value of freedom only after it was gone.
3. A third, still much smaller group is dedicated to the overthrow of the economic and social system that is our tradition. Their philosophy does not stem from Jefferson, but is foreign to our shores. It is a total philosophy of life, atheistic, and utterly opposed to all that we hold dear as a great Christian nation. These men understand our system thoroughly--and they hate it thoroughly. They enlist innocent but willing followers from the uninformed and the unprincipled. Through rabble-rousing and demagoguery they play upon the economic reverses and hardships of the unsuspecting. They promise the impossible, and call black white, an mislead with fallacies masqueraded as truth.
If we lose our freedom, it will be to this strange and unlike coalition of the well-intentioned, the slothful, and the subversives.
It will be because we did not care enough--because we were not alert enough--because we were too apathetic to take note while the precious waters of our God-given freedom slipped--drop by drop--down the drain." p. 25
"In this struggle it is not enough to be right--we must put strength and action back of that which is right." p.27
"It is my firm conviction that the Constitution of the U.S. was established by men whom the God of heaven raised up unto this very purpose. This is part of my religious faith." p. 28
Chapter Three: Stand Up For Freedom (from an address first given on Feb. 11, 1966 at the Utah Forum for the American Idea, in the assembly hall on Temple Square)
"Another recent development has been the call for national unity. I believe there needs to be a unity in our land. But it must not be a blind, senseless, irresponsible unity. It should not be unity just for the sake of unity. It needs to be a unity build on sound principles." p. 34
"In other words, there are some legitimate functions and services which the federal government can and should provide, but those who want the federal power to exceed the authority delegated to it by the Constitution will be resisted by both Democrats and Republicans." p. 35
"What country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance?" (Thomas Jefferson) (footnote p. 35)
"Why is it that men in high places in government, regardless of party, have been deceived? I am convinced that a major part of the cause can be justly laid at the door of the socialist-communist conspiracy which is led by masters of deceit who deceive the very elect." p.36
"I believe one of the most serious mistakes a President could make would be to weaken the Constitution." p. 37
"From the time I was a small boy I was taught that the American Constitution is an inspired document. I was also taught that the day will come when the Constitution will hang as it were by a single thread. I was taught that we should study the Constitution, preserve its principles, and defend it against any who would destroy it." p. 37
"I, of course, also believe that the institutions of church and state should be separated, but I also do not agree that spiritual leaders cannot comment on basic issues which involve the very foundation of American liberty." p. 37
"I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings." (footnote) p. 37
"Speaking out against immoral or unjust actions of political leaders has been the burden of prophets and disciples of God from time immemorial. It was for this very reason that many of them were persecuted. Some of them were burned, many were imprisoned. Nevertheless, it was their God-given task, as watchmen on the towers, to speak up. It is certainly no different today." p.38
"We hold that our loyalty is due solely to the American Republic, and to all our public servants exactly in
proportion as they efficiently serve the Republic. ...Every man who parrots the cry of 'stand by the President' without adding the proviso 'so far as he serves the Republic' takes an attitude as essentially unmanly as that of any Stuart royalist who championed the doctrine that the king could do no wrong. No self-respecting and intelligent freeman could take such an attitude." (Theordore Roosevelt) p. 30 footnote
"One of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed or organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road to avoid being "controversial" and get hit by traffic going both ways." p. 45
"To the patriots I say this: Take that long eternal look. Stand up for freedom, no matter what the cost. It may help to save your soul--and maybe your country." p. 45
"May God give us the wisdom to recognize the dangers of complacency, the threat to our freedom and the strength to meet this danger courageously. . . .
In this mighty struggle each of you has a part. Every person on the earth today chose the right side during the war in heaven. Be on the right side now. Stand up and be counted. If you get discouraged remember the words of Edward Everett Hale, when he said:
"I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." p. 45
Chapter Four: Strength For the Battle
(from and address given July 4, 1966 at the New England Rally for God, Family, and Country, Boston MA.)
"Those who fail to cherish the noble deeds of their forefathers will never do much, for good, to be remembered by their posterity." p. 46
"President David O. McKay, of the Mormon Church, has warned us time and time again that there is present in our own United States, "influences the avowed object of which is to sow discord and contention among men with a view of undermining, weakening, if not entirely destroying our Constitutional form of government. . . . It is the enemy from within," warns this great leader, "that is most menacing, especially when it threatens to disintegrate our established form of government." p.50
"It is our own ignorance--ignorance of our own history and our heritage of liberty that threatens us. . . . Our lack of faith in freedom and in ourselves, our lack of confidence in the greatness of America and all that she stands for morally and materially is what puts us in mortal danger." (quoting from Indianapolis Star) p. 51
"I have great faith in the American people. When fully informed they will make wise decisions. They will stand up and be counted for what is right." p. 52
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts." -Abraham Lincoln p. 52 footnote
"But today the Christian constitutionalist mourns for his country. He sees the spiritual and political faith of his fathers betrayed by wolves in sheep's clothing. He sees the forces of evil increasing in strength and momentum under the leadership of Satan, the archenemy of freedom. He sees the wicked honored and the valiant abused. He senses that his own generation faces Gethsemanes and Valley Forges that may yet rival or surpass the trials of the early apostles and the men of '76. And this gives him cause to reflect on the most basic of fundamentals--the reason for our existence. Once we understand that fundamental, the purpose of mortality, we may more easily chart a correct course in the perilous seas that are engulfing our nation." p. 53
"Because the fight for freedom is God's fight. For free agency is an eternal principle. It existed before the world was formed--it will exist forever. Some men succeed in denying some aspects of God-given freedom to their fellowmen, but their success is temporary. For freedom is a law of God, a permanent law. And, like any of God's laws, men cannot really break it with impunity. They can only break themselves upon it. So when a man stands for freedom he stands with God. And as long as he stands for freedom he stands with God. And were he to stand alone he would still stand with God--the best company and the greatest power in or out of this world. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; and because truth is eternal, any man will be eternally vindicated and rewarded for his stand for freedom." p.55
"Now being assured that freedom is a God-given principle that will triumph finally and eternally, there yet remains the crucial question: Can freedom triumph now? But the answer to that hangs on the answer to a yet more crucial question: What are we doing to keep freedom alive? For the answer to that first question--Can freedom triumph now?--you see, is speculative. But the answer to the second question--What are we doing to keep freedom alive?--has riding on it matters which will have eternal consequence to every soul, not matter what the temporary outcome; for the Lord has so endowed this matter of freedom with such everlasting repercussions that it sifted the spirits of men before this world in the Great War in heaven. And it seems today to be the central issue that is sifting those who are left in the world." p. 55
"Men receive blessings by obedience to God's law. And without obedience there is no blessing. Before the final triumphal return of the Lord, the question as to whether we may save our Constitutional Republic is simply based on two factors--the number of patriots and the extent of their obedience. That the Lord desires to save this nation which he raised up there is no doubt. But that he leaves it up to us, with his help, is the awful reality." p. 55
"Certainly spirituality is the foundation upon which any battle against tyranny must be waged." p.56
"The least any Christian can do is to daily study the word of the Lord and seek divine aid through daily prayer." p. 56
"Mothers, train up your children in righteousness. Do not attempt to save the world and let your own fireside fall apart." p. 56
"The home is the rock foundation--the cornerstone of civilization. This nation will never rise above its homes. The church, the school, and even the nation stand helpless before weakened and degraded homes." p. 56
"No one can delegate his duty to preserve his freedom, for the price of liberty is still eternal vigilance." p. 57
"An ounce of energy in the preservation of freedom is worth a ton of effort to get it back once it is lost." p. 57
"How a person should apportion his time among his several duties requires good judgment and is a matter over which each should invite divine assistance." p. 57
"Today you cannot effectively fight for freedom and not be attacked--and those who think they can are deceiving themselves. While I do not believe in stepping out of the path of duty to pick up a cross I don't need, a man is a coward who refuses to pick up a cross that clearly lies within his path." p.58
"A man must not only stand for the right principles, but he must fight for them." p. 58
"We must each of us do our homework. "My people are destroyed," said Hosea, "for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) We must be wise as serpents; for as the Apostle Paul said, "We wrestle against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) We are going through what J. Reuben Clark once termed the greatest propaganda campaign of all time. We cannot believe all we read, and what we can believe is not all of the same value. We must sift. We must learn by study and prayer." p.58
"Study the scriptures an study the mortals who have been most consistently accurate about the most important things. When your freedom is at stake, your information had best be accurate." p. 59
"Righteous concern about conditions is commendable when it leads to constructive action. But undue worry is debilitating. When we have done all we can, then let's leave the rest to God--including the worrying. Man needs beneficial recreation, a change of pace that refreshes him for heavy tasks ahead. Man also must take time to meditate, to sweep the cobwebs from his mind so that he might get a more firm grip on the truth and spend less time chasing phantoms and dallying in projects of lesser worth." p.59
"Finally, BE PREPARED. We have a duty to survive, not only spiritually but physically. Not survival at the cost of principles--for this is the surest way to defeat--but a survival that comes from intelligent preparation." p. 59
"Let us go about our business. For any Christian constitutionalist who retreats from this battle jeopardizes his life here and hereafter. Seldom has so much responsibility hung on so few, so heavily; but our numbers are increasing, and we who have been warned have a responsibility to warn our neighbor." p.60
"...time is on the side of truth and the wave of the future is freedom. There is no question of the eventual, final, and lasting triumph of righteousness. The major question for each of us is what part will we play in helping to bring it to pass." p. 60
"There are some people who hesitate to get into this fight for freedom because it is controversial, or they're not sure if we're going to win. Such people have two blind spots. First, they fail to realize that life's decisions should be based on principles--not on Gallup polls. ...After all, the basic purpose of life is to prove ourselves--not to be with the majority when it is wrong." " ...the second blind spot of those who hesitate to get into the fight. And that is their failure to realize that we will win in the long run, and for keeps, and that they pass up great blessings by not getting into the battle now when the odds are against us and the rewards are greatest." p. 61
Chapter Five: Trade and Treason
(first given on Feb. 17, 1967 at the Portland Forum for Americanism. Entered into the Congressional Record on Mar. 14, 1967)
This chapter is a speech in which Benson points out the betrayal of our political leaders during the Vietnam war as they built up and traded with Russia who then supplied Vietnam to arm against us. How often have our leaders done this! They still do so today. We continually build up and feed the monsters that become our enemies...even while we are fighting them. It is senseless...I can see why this chapter is labeled as it is.
"The economic significance of this aid to our enemies is overshadowed by its moral meaning. Our actions and policies towards communism reflect the extent of subversion within our own government, our incredible confusion, indecision, and even cowardice. We tremendously overrate the productivity of communism and lack faith in the values we defend. We are weak intellectually and morally. In our confusion we are betraying the intellectual and moral heritage of the West." (Italics added)
This paragraph really popped out at me. And perhaps because I am studying Isaiah right now and trying to understand, this verse came to mind from Isaiah 2:6 (or 2 Nephi 12:6) "Therefore, O Lord, thou hast forsaken thy people, the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and hearken unto soothsayers like the Philistines and they please themselves in the children of strangers." The footnote for "be replenished" in Isaiah 2:6 says "are filled, supplied with teachings, alien beliefs".
Perhaps Isaiah is referring (at least in part) to just this political circumstance.
"I challenge the fathers and husbands of this nation. Gentlemen, who is to restore honor, honesty, virtue, integrity, and loyalty to our way of life? We, as fathers and husbands, are the real leaders of our civilization--of our nation. We are responsible if the blight on its glory is not removed. Gentlemen, let our cry be: "I shall become and remain a man of principle. I shall lead my family, my friends, my community and my nation also in the way of principle and not of expediency. I will defend my freedom and the freedom of my fellow men. I will raise my head high and look every man in the eye unashamed of my defense of that which is good." p. 86
Chapter 6: It Can Happen Here
(given Feb. 28, 1966 at a meeting sponsored by the American Wake Up Committee in St. Louis Missori)
"The courts of the United States have stated the following acts to be treasonable: The use or attempted use of any force or violence against the Government of the United States, or its military or naval forces; the acquisition, use or disposal of any property with the knowledge that it is to be, or with intent that it shall be, of assistance to the enemy in their hostilities against the United States; the performance of any act or the publication of statements or information which will give or supply in any way, aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States; the direction, aiding, counseling, or countenancing of any of the foregoing acts; such acts are held to be treasonable whether committed within the United States or elsewhere; whether committed by a citizen of the Untied States, or by an alien domiciled, or residing, in the United States, inasmuch as resident aliens, as well as citizens, owe allegiance to the United States and its laws." (footnote) p. 81 (Proclamation issued on April 16, 1917 by President Woodrow Wilson)
"It seems almost unbelievable that an average of 52 million liberty-loving people could be brought under communist bondage each and every year since World War II. Why this shocking record? How could this happen? How can men, many of them in high places, who seem to be so strong for Christian principles and basic American concepts be so effectively used to serve the communist conspiracy? How can our own people be lulled away into a false security crying, "All is well"?
I believe the answer is found in the fact that these godless communist conspirators and their gullible fellow travelers are masters of deceit--who deceive the very elect. Then, too, it has never happened here. We have always enjoyed freedom. Our liberty has never been seriously endangered in our lifetime. It can't happen here, we say. I say to you, it can happen here. It is happening here. In our comfortable complacency it is really happening here--now." p.88
(quoting J. Edgar Hoover) "I confess to a real apprehension so long as communists are able to secure ministers of the gospel to promote their evil work and espouse a cause that is alien to the religion of Christ and Judaism. I do fear so long as school boards and parents tolerate conditions whereby communists and fellow travelers under the guise of academic freedom can teach our youth a way of life that eventually will destroy the sanctity of the home, that undermines faith in God, that causes them to scorn respect for constituted authority and sabotage our revered Constitution." p.90
"Our complacency as a nation is shocking--yes, almost unbelievable!
We are a prosperous nation. Our people have high-paying jobs. Our incomes are high. Our standard of living is at an unprecedented level. we do not like to be disturbed as we enjoy our comfortable complacency. We live in the soft present and feel the future is secure. We do not worry about history. We seem oblivious to the causes of the rise and fall of nations. We are blind to the hard fact that nations usually sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.
I say to you with all the fervor of my soul: We are sowing the seeds of our own destruction in America and much of the free world today. It is my sober warning to you today that if the trends of the past thirty years--and especially the past five years--continue, we will lose that which is as priceless as life itself--our freedom--our liberty--our right to act as free men. It can happen here. It is happening here.
Our greatest need in America today is to be alerted and informed." p.90
"The sad shocking story of what has happened in America in recent years must be told. Our people must have the facts. There is safety in an informed public. There is real danger in a complacent, uninformed citizenry. This is our real danger today. Yes, the truth must be told even at the risk of destroying, in large measure, the influence of men who are widely respected and loved by the American people. The stakes are high. Freedom and survival is the issue." p. 91
Lenin died in 1924. But before he died, he had laid down for his followers the strategy for conquest. It was, we should readily admit, brilliant, far-seeing, realistic, and majestically simple. It has been paraphrased and summarized as follows:
First, we will take Eastern Europe,
Then the masses of Asia,
Then we will encircle the United States, which will be the last bastion of capitalism.
We will not have to attack. It will fall like an overripe fruit into our hands." p. 92-93
The next two pages briefly show how the first two objectives have been systematically achieved...and with American aid! Chilling to me! Are we an overripe complacent fruit??
"Sovereignty for a nation is hard to come by and even more difficult to retain. It cannot be shared for then sovereignty becomes something else, and for want of a better word, when sovereignty is lessened the end-product is internationalism. Sovereignty is neither more nor less than self-government. And American self-government is blue-printed in the Constitution--a document which with the Declaration of Independence and the several state constitutions, is anything but pragmatic in letter and spirit. Such a government with its recognition of human rights--ordained by God--cannot help but be contaminated by an association with pragmatic governmental leaders, no matter what their country." p. 99-100
"As, and if, we move toward that condition [communism/socialism] there will be gradual loss of our freedom, an increase of the inducements for the acceptance of communism, and a corresponding increase of the pressures to destroy or remove all opponents and all opposition to the communist advance.
There would be a further huge expansion of government and of its control over our economy, education, medical services (italics added) , and every detail of our family and individual lives." p. 106
What does America look like now?
"There are three possible methods by which the communists might take us over. One would be through a sufficient amount of infiltration and propaganda, to disguise communism as just another political party.
The second method would be by fomenting internal civil war in this country and aiding the communists' side in that war with all necessary military might.
The third method would be a slow insidious infiltration resulting in a take-over without the American people realizing it." p. 108-109
Looks like number three to me...with possibly some of number one thrown in...in both political parties.
"The tyrant overthrows the whole...constitution, not by seizing any new powers, but by his misuse of the powers he already possesses." (Cicero) footnote p. 110
"We can no more save our Republic from communism, merely by saying we are against communism, than parents can save their children from polio by fervently being against polio. To conquer any disease requires intelligent study to isolate the germ and discover the vaccine. As the number one killer in the world today, communism is a disease which merits our urgent study." p. 111 footnote
"The only thing which can possibly stop the communists is for the American people to learn the truth in time--to become alerted and informed, to join with neighbors in effective programs of exposure and opposition. The one effective weapon is truth. It is the truth they fear. It is the truth that can defeat this godless conspiracy." p.111
"As has been well said, this is a world-wide battle, the first of its kind in history, between light and darkness; between freedom and slavery; between the spirit of Christianity and the spirit of anti-Christ for the souls and bodies of men. Let's win the battle by alertness, by determination, by courage, by an energizing realization of the danger, if we can; but let's win it even with our lives, if the time comes that we must." p.112
Chapter Seven: The Erosion of America
(May 13, 1968 at the Annual Boy Scouts Banquet in Commerce, Texas)
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
I spent a lovely day at Friday Harbor with my husband for our 26th Anniversary. While there, we found a wonderful used book store...amazing variety and number of books! I could have spent the whole day there! I picked up this book that I had heard about and read it while we waited for ferry. It's a short read (obviously), but has some great insights! The basic premise of the author is that we are what we think, and that what we bring into our lives is the result of not only that which we think about, but that which we are. Lots of truth here. I don't take this to quite the extreme that he does. He seems to think that we cause all of our own suffering. While I think it is true that we cause a great deal...even most...of our own suffering, I still believe that there is opposition and suffering (natural events, choices of others) that we do not control...though we do have total control over how we choose to think about and deal with these things in our lives. This book is a gem! Full of words of truth and wisdom! Here are a few of my favorite quotes from his book...
"Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself." p. 24
"Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are." p. 25
"A man does not get what he wishes and prays for, but what he justly earns. His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions." p. 25
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound." p. 26
"Suffering is always the effect of wrong thought in some direction. It is an indication that the individual is out of harmony with himself, with the law of his being." p. 30
This is the passage that I didn't totally agree with. He seems to be saying that we always cause our own suffering...that we always bring it upon ourselves. This philosophy, however, leaves no room for that suffering which is brought on by others' wrong choices or by natural circumstances (like natural disasters). These things bring suffering that I don't think we control, though we have all power to control our thoughts and actions as to how we choose to look at and deal with such things. That suffering is always the effect of wrong thought in some direction is true I think...but that may sometimes stem from wrong thought and actions outside of ourselves.
"A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life. And as he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others of being the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts. He ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and possibilities within himself." p. 31
This brought to mind the scripture in the New Testament where Jesus appears to Saul and says to him..."Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:5 and Acts 26:6) When we understand the laws of nature, we can work with them...we cease to work against them. Likewise, when we understand the laws of nature's God, it is the same...we can then order our lives in such a way that we...being in harmony with God's laws...bring good things to ourselves instead of bad. I love the compassion of Jesus toward Saul in these verses. I think he says in effect, "poor Saul, when will you figure it out and stop doing the things that bring you unhappiness?" We do that to ourselves too. The better we understand and follow God's laws, the happier we are...his laws are designed to show us the way to happiness!
"...man has but to right himself to find that the universe is right. And during the process of putting himself right, he will find that as he alters his thoughts toward things, and other people, things and other people will alter toward him." p. 32
"Men imagine that thought can be kept secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance..." p. 32
"It is part of the cure, to wish to be cured. -Seneca" (chapter heading) p. 35
"A sour face does not come by chance; it is made by sour thoughts." p. 37
"To live continually in thoughts of ill will, cynicism, suspicion, and envy, is to be confined in a self-made prison cell. But to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, to patiently learn to find good in all--such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven." p.37
"Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment." p.40
"They who have no central purpose in their life fall easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self pityings, all of which are indications of weakness. All of which lead, just as surely as deliberately planned sins (though by a different route) to failure, unhappiness, and loss..." p. 40
"A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it...he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him." p. 40
"Those who are not prepared for the apprehension of a great purpose, should fix their thoughts upon the faultless performance of their duty, no matter how insignificant the task may appear. Only in this way can their thoughts be gathered and focused, and resolution and energy be developed. Being focused and developed, there is nothing which they may not accomplish." p. 41
"The weakest soul, knowing its own weakness, and believing the truth--that strength can only be developed by effort and practice--will, thus believing, at once begin to exert itself." p. 41
"As the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the weak thinking man can make himself strong by exercising himself in right thinking." p. 41
"...think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully." p. 42
"Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplish anything, and never can. They always lead to failure. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in." p. 42
"The will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do." p. 42
"He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure." p. 42
"A man's weakness and strength, purity and impurity, are his own, and not another man's. They are brought about by himself, and not by another. They can only be altered by himself, never by another." p.46
"A strong man cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong himself." p. 46
"It has been usual for men to think and to say, 'Many men are slaves because one is an oppressor; let us hate the oppressor.' Now, however, there is an increasing tendency to reverse this judgment, and to say, 'One man is an oppressor because many are slaves; let us despise the slaves.' The truth is that oppressor and slave are cooperators in ignorance, and, while seeming to afflict each other, are in reality afflicting themselves. A perfect knowledge perceives the weakness of the oppressed and the misapplied power of the oppressor." p. 46
This passage gave me a lot to ponder on! It made me think about the story of the man in a concentration camp (the name of the book will come to me later...I hope...) who said that even in such circumstances he was free and saw freedom in how men then chose to act toward each other...such as giving away their last morsel of bread to another. The quote also came to mind from one of our founding fathers that "men are about as free as they deserve to be". When we cease to be slaves, no man can be master over us. This is a passage full of pondering possibilities!
"He who has conquered weakness, and has put away all selfish thoughts, belongs neither to oppressor nor oppressed. He is free." p. 47
"Not having commenced manfully to control his thoughts, he is not in a position to control affairs and to adopt serious responsibilities." p. 47
"There can be no progress, no achievement, without sacrifice." p. 47
"Spiritual achievements are the consummation of holy aspirations. He who lives constantly in the conception of noble and lofty thoughts, who dwells upon all that is pure and unselfish, will, as surely as the sun reaches its zenith and the moon is full, become wise and noble in character, and rise into a position of influence and blessedness." p. 48
"He who would accomplish little need sacrifice little, but he who would achieve must sacrifice much." p. 49
"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." -Francis Bacon (chapter heading) p. 51
"He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it." p. 52
"Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts. Out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment." p. 52
"The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams." p. 53
"You cannot travel within and stand still without." p. 53
"And you, too, will realize the vision (not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of the two, for you will always gravitate toward that which you most love." p. 54
This truth is stated in scripture in this way; "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:16)
"You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration." p. 55
"...the strength of the effort is the measure of the result." p. 57
Second law of Thermodynamics...energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only change its form. (Thanks hubby for helping me with that one!)
"The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart--this you will build your life by, this you will become."
This made me think of a time that a neighbor came by my home. She had been living next door for a time and her son used to play with my sons. We invited them to come and dye Easter eggs with us. She hadn't been in my home a lot, and she seemed to really like and pay attention to the pictures I have on my walls of Jesus and of things that are uplifting to me. As we chatted, she was commenting on our lifestyle and home and made a comment about "the life you have built for yourself". It was the first time I had looked at my life that way...that it is something I build. This idea has grown in my heart over the years...and thus my little quote about the Salt Lake temple taking 40 years to build and its comparison to the life I am trying to build.
"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. -Ralph Waldo Emerson (chapter heading) p. 59
"Calmness of mind one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control." p. 59
"...as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, and serene." p. 59
He ceases to "kick against the pricks"!
"The happy man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they in turn, revere his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good." p. 60
"How insignificant money-seeking looks in comparison with a happy life--a life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the eternal calm!" p. 60
"Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself." p. 24
"Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are." p. 25
"A man does not get what he wishes and prays for, but what he justly earns. His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions." p. 25
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound." p. 26
"Suffering is always the effect of wrong thought in some direction. It is an indication that the individual is out of harmony with himself, with the law of his being." p. 30
This is the passage that I didn't totally agree with. He seems to be saying that we always cause our own suffering...that we always bring it upon ourselves. This philosophy, however, leaves no room for that suffering which is brought on by others' wrong choices or by natural circumstances (like natural disasters). These things bring suffering that I don't think we control, though we have all power to control our thoughts and actions as to how we choose to look at and deal with such things. That suffering is always the effect of wrong thought in some direction is true I think...but that may sometimes stem from wrong thought and actions outside of ourselves.
"A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life. And as he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others of being the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts. He ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and possibilities within himself." p. 31
This brought to mind the scripture in the New Testament where Jesus appears to Saul and says to him..."Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:5 and Acts 26:6) When we understand the laws of nature, we can work with them...we cease to work against them. Likewise, when we understand the laws of nature's God, it is the same...we can then order our lives in such a way that we...being in harmony with God's laws...bring good things to ourselves instead of bad. I love the compassion of Jesus toward Saul in these verses. I think he says in effect, "poor Saul, when will you figure it out and stop doing the things that bring you unhappiness?" We do that to ourselves too. The better we understand and follow God's laws, the happier we are...his laws are designed to show us the way to happiness!
"...man has but to right himself to find that the universe is right. And during the process of putting himself right, he will find that as he alters his thoughts toward things, and other people, things and other people will alter toward him." p. 32
"Men imagine that thought can be kept secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance..." p. 32
"It is part of the cure, to wish to be cured. -Seneca" (chapter heading) p. 35
"A sour face does not come by chance; it is made by sour thoughts." p. 37
"To live continually in thoughts of ill will, cynicism, suspicion, and envy, is to be confined in a self-made prison cell. But to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, to patiently learn to find good in all--such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven." p.37
"Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment." p.40
"They who have no central purpose in their life fall easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self pityings, all of which are indications of weakness. All of which lead, just as surely as deliberately planned sins (though by a different route) to failure, unhappiness, and loss..." p. 40
"A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it...he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him." p. 40
"Those who are not prepared for the apprehension of a great purpose, should fix their thoughts upon the faultless performance of their duty, no matter how insignificant the task may appear. Only in this way can their thoughts be gathered and focused, and resolution and energy be developed. Being focused and developed, there is nothing which they may not accomplish." p. 41
"The weakest soul, knowing its own weakness, and believing the truth--that strength can only be developed by effort and practice--will, thus believing, at once begin to exert itself." p. 41
"As the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the weak thinking man can make himself strong by exercising himself in right thinking." p. 41
"...think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully." p. 42
"Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplish anything, and never can. They always lead to failure. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in." p. 42
"The will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do." p. 42
"He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure." p. 42
"A man's weakness and strength, purity and impurity, are his own, and not another man's. They are brought about by himself, and not by another. They can only be altered by himself, never by another." p.46
"A strong man cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong himself." p. 46
"It has been usual for men to think and to say, 'Many men are slaves because one is an oppressor; let us hate the oppressor.' Now, however, there is an increasing tendency to reverse this judgment, and to say, 'One man is an oppressor because many are slaves; let us despise the slaves.' The truth is that oppressor and slave are cooperators in ignorance, and, while seeming to afflict each other, are in reality afflicting themselves. A perfect knowledge perceives the weakness of the oppressed and the misapplied power of the oppressor." p. 46
This passage gave me a lot to ponder on! It made me think about the story of the man in a concentration camp (the name of the book will come to me later...I hope...) who said that even in such circumstances he was free and saw freedom in how men then chose to act toward each other...such as giving away their last morsel of bread to another. The quote also came to mind from one of our founding fathers that "men are about as free as they deserve to be". When we cease to be slaves, no man can be master over us. This is a passage full of pondering possibilities!
"He who has conquered weakness, and has put away all selfish thoughts, belongs neither to oppressor nor oppressed. He is free." p. 47
"Not having commenced manfully to control his thoughts, he is not in a position to control affairs and to adopt serious responsibilities." p. 47
"There can be no progress, no achievement, without sacrifice." p. 47
"Spiritual achievements are the consummation of holy aspirations. He who lives constantly in the conception of noble and lofty thoughts, who dwells upon all that is pure and unselfish, will, as surely as the sun reaches its zenith and the moon is full, become wise and noble in character, and rise into a position of influence and blessedness." p. 48
"He who would accomplish little need sacrifice little, but he who would achieve must sacrifice much." p. 49
"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." -Francis Bacon (chapter heading) p. 51
"He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it." p. 52
"Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts. Out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment." p. 52
"The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams." p. 53
"You cannot travel within and stand still without." p. 53
"And you, too, will realize the vision (not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of the two, for you will always gravitate toward that which you most love." p. 54
This truth is stated in scripture in this way; "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:16)
"You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration." p. 55
"...the strength of the effort is the measure of the result." p. 57
Second law of Thermodynamics...energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only change its form. (Thanks hubby for helping me with that one!)
"The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart--this you will build your life by, this you will become."
This made me think of a time that a neighbor came by my home. She had been living next door for a time and her son used to play with my sons. We invited them to come and dye Easter eggs with us. She hadn't been in my home a lot, and she seemed to really like and pay attention to the pictures I have on my walls of Jesus and of things that are uplifting to me. As we chatted, she was commenting on our lifestyle and home and made a comment about "the life you have built for yourself". It was the first time I had looked at my life that way...that it is something I build. This idea has grown in my heart over the years...and thus my little quote about the Salt Lake temple taking 40 years to build and its comparison to the life I am trying to build.
"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. -Ralph Waldo Emerson (chapter heading) p. 59
"Calmness of mind one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control." p. 59
"...as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, and serene." p. 59
He ceases to "kick against the pricks"!
"The happy man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they in turn, revere his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good." p. 60
"How insignificant money-seeking looks in comparison with a happy life--a life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the eternal calm!" p. 60
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
In my opinion, this should be required reading for every American...not only because it was one of the works of the time that laid the foundation for the framing of our government, but also because so much of it is still amazingly applicable today! It's not long or difficult to read, and can be found online. I encourage all to read this amazing work.
(spelling and punctuation are Paine's original)
"...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason." p. 5
"The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind." p. 5
"Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher." p. 6
"...when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer." p. 6-7
"...the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered." p. 9
One of my favorite principles...by small and simple things, are great things brought to pass. Look for the small and simple way.
"The nearer any government approaches to a republic the less business there is for a king." p. 19
"...when republican virtue fails, slavery ensues." p. 20
"Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived." p. 20
"It hath been reported of the late Mr. Pelham (who tho' an able minister was not without his faults) that on his being attacked in the house of commons, on the score, that his measures were only of a temporary kind, replied "they will last my time." Should a thought so fatal and unmanly possess the colonies in the present contest, the name of ancestors will be remembered by future generations with detestation." p. 21
"'Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now. Now is the seed time of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pen on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound will enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters." p. 21
"The reformation was preceded by the discovery of America, as if the Almightly graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety." p. 23
"As parents, we can have no joy, knowing that this government is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity: And by a plain method of argument, as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwise we use them meanly and pitifully. In order to discover the line of our duty rightly, we should take our children in our hand, and fix our station a few years farther into life; that eminence will present a prospect, which a few present fears and prejudices conceal from our sight." p. 25
Each time I think about this issue, I think of the bumper stickers that are sometimes seen which say, "I'm spending my children's inheritance"...indeed generations for a number of years now have been spending not only their children's inheritance, but their children's and grandchildren's...and great-grandchildren's salaries and incomes! The share of debt for each American child born is incomprehensible...truly...incomprehensible! Compare this to attitudes in our fore fathers who thought it a travesty to saddle their children with their own debt...and even further, tried to leave some inheritance to them. Aged parents and children alike are farmed out to day cares and welfare states. We no longer "take care of our own" in America...let alone provide for those yet unborn.
"Interested men, who are not to be trusted; weak men, who cannot see; prejudiced men, who will not see; and a certain set of moderate men, who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this continent, than all the other three." p. 25-26
Thomas Paine was speaking of those who espoused reconciliation with England. A good description of men and motives not to be trusted today.
"It is not in the power of Britain or of Europe to conquer America, if she do not conquer herself by delay and timidity." p. 27
As always...if America is to be conquered, it will be from within...not without. De Tocqueville said that "when America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great." If America ceases to be great, it will be only as she rots from the inside out.
"...a government that cannot preserve the peace, is no government at all..." p. 31
"The science...of the politician consists in fixing the true point of happiness and freedom. Those men would deserve the gratitude of ages, who should discover a mode of government that contained the greatest sum of individual happiness, with the least national expense." p.34
"...where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above..." p.34
"...it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance." p. 34
"It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies..." p. 36
"Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue, is of all others, the most improper to defend us." p. 41
"...the patience of a coward. The more men have to lose, the less willing they are to venture." p. 42
"Youth is the seed time of good habits, as well in nations as in individuals." p. 42
"As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensible duty of government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith." p. 43
"Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society. For myself, I fully and conscientiously believe, that it is the will of the Almighty, that there should be diversity of religious opinions among us: It affords a larger field for our Christian kindness. Were we all of one way of thinking, our religious dispositions would want matter for probation; and on this liberal principle, I look on the various denominations among us, to be like children of the same family, differing only, in what is called, their Christian names." p. 43
"...ought to warn the people at large, how they trust power out of their own hands." p. 44
"Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which if continued would grow into oppressions." p. 44
"When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember, that virtue is not hereditary." p. 44
"...no nation in a state of foreign dependance, limited in its commerce, and cramped and fettered in its legislative powers, can ever arrive at any material eminence. America doth not yet know what opulence is; and although the progress which she hath made stands unparalleled in the history of other nations, it is but childhood, compared with what she would be capable of arriving at, had she, as she ought to have, the legislative powers in her own hands." p. 48
"...the longer it is delayed the harder it will be to accomplish." p. 49
"Let the name of Whig and Tory be extinct; and let none other be heard among us, than those of a good citizen, an open and resolute friend, and a virtuous supporter of the RIGHTS of MANKIND and of the FREE AND INDEPENDANT STATES OF AMERICA." p.54
"When men have departed from the right way, it is no wonder that they stumble and fall." p. 55
"...for the sake of introducing an endless and uninterupted peace, do we bear the evils and burthens of the present day." p. 55
"We fight neither for revenge nor conquest; neither from pride nor passion; we are not insulting the world with our fleets and armies, not ravaging the globe for plunder. Beneath the shade of our own vines we are attacked; in our own houses, and on our own lands, is the violence committed. against us." p. 55
(compare Alma 44 and 46 in the Book of Mormon)
"Kings are not taken away by miracles, neither are changes in governments brought about by any other means than such as are common and human..." p. 58
"...the Almighty who hath created and placed this new world, at the greatest distance it could possibly stand, east and west, from every part of the old..." p. 58
"And here without anger or resentment I bid you farewell. Sincerely wishing, that as men and christians, ye may always fully and uninterruptedly enjoy every civil and religious right; and be, in your turn, the means of securing it to others..." p. 59
A fitting ending...will we each do our part?
(spelling and punctuation are Paine's original)
"...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason." p. 5
"The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind." p. 5
"Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher." p. 6
"...when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer." p. 6-7
"...the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered." p. 9
One of my favorite principles...by small and simple things, are great things brought to pass. Look for the small and simple way.
"The nearer any government approaches to a republic the less business there is for a king." p. 19
"...when republican virtue fails, slavery ensues." p. 20
"Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived." p. 20
"It hath been reported of the late Mr. Pelham (who tho' an able minister was not without his faults) that on his being attacked in the house of commons, on the score, that his measures were only of a temporary kind, replied "they will last my time." Should a thought so fatal and unmanly possess the colonies in the present contest, the name of ancestors will be remembered by future generations with detestation." p. 21
"'Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now. Now is the seed time of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pen on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound will enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters." p. 21
"The reformation was preceded by the discovery of America, as if the Almightly graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety." p. 23
"As parents, we can have no joy, knowing that this government is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity: And by a plain method of argument, as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwise we use them meanly and pitifully. In order to discover the line of our duty rightly, we should take our children in our hand, and fix our station a few years farther into life; that eminence will present a prospect, which a few present fears and prejudices conceal from our sight." p. 25
Each time I think about this issue, I think of the bumper stickers that are sometimes seen which say, "I'm spending my children's inheritance"...indeed generations for a number of years now have been spending not only their children's inheritance, but their children's and grandchildren's...and great-grandchildren's salaries and incomes! The share of debt for each American child born is incomprehensible...truly...incomprehensible! Compare this to attitudes in our fore fathers who thought it a travesty to saddle their children with their own debt...and even further, tried to leave some inheritance to them. Aged parents and children alike are farmed out to day cares and welfare states. We no longer "take care of our own" in America...let alone provide for those yet unborn.
"Interested men, who are not to be trusted; weak men, who cannot see; prejudiced men, who will not see; and a certain set of moderate men, who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this continent, than all the other three." p. 25-26
Thomas Paine was speaking of those who espoused reconciliation with England. A good description of men and motives not to be trusted today.
"It is not in the power of Britain or of Europe to conquer America, if she do not conquer herself by delay and timidity." p. 27
As always...if America is to be conquered, it will be from within...not without. De Tocqueville said that "when America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great." If America ceases to be great, it will be only as she rots from the inside out.
"...a government that cannot preserve the peace, is no government at all..." p. 31
"The science...of the politician consists in fixing the true point of happiness and freedom. Those men would deserve the gratitude of ages, who should discover a mode of government that contained the greatest sum of individual happiness, with the least national expense." p.34
"...where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above..." p.34
"...it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance." p. 34
"It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies..." p. 36
"Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue, is of all others, the most improper to defend us." p. 41
"...the patience of a coward. The more men have to lose, the less willing they are to venture." p. 42
"Youth is the seed time of good habits, as well in nations as in individuals." p. 42
"As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensible duty of government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith." p. 43
"Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society. For myself, I fully and conscientiously believe, that it is the will of the Almighty, that there should be diversity of religious opinions among us: It affords a larger field for our Christian kindness. Were we all of one way of thinking, our religious dispositions would want matter for probation; and on this liberal principle, I look on the various denominations among us, to be like children of the same family, differing only, in what is called, their Christian names." p. 43
"...ought to warn the people at large, how they trust power out of their own hands." p. 44
"Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which if continued would grow into oppressions." p. 44
"When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember, that virtue is not hereditary." p. 44
"...no nation in a state of foreign dependance, limited in its commerce, and cramped and fettered in its legislative powers, can ever arrive at any material eminence. America doth not yet know what opulence is; and although the progress which she hath made stands unparalleled in the history of other nations, it is but childhood, compared with what she would be capable of arriving at, had she, as she ought to have, the legislative powers in her own hands." p. 48
"...the longer it is delayed the harder it will be to accomplish." p. 49
"Let the name of Whig and Tory be extinct; and let none other be heard among us, than those of a good citizen, an open and resolute friend, and a virtuous supporter of the RIGHTS of MANKIND and of the FREE AND INDEPENDANT STATES OF AMERICA." p.54
"When men have departed from the right way, it is no wonder that they stumble and fall." p. 55
"...for the sake of introducing an endless and uninterupted peace, do we bear the evils and burthens of the present day." p. 55
"We fight neither for revenge nor conquest; neither from pride nor passion; we are not insulting the world with our fleets and armies, not ravaging the globe for plunder. Beneath the shade of our own vines we are attacked; in our own houses, and on our own lands, is the violence committed. against us." p. 55
(compare Alma 44 and 46 in the Book of Mormon)
"Kings are not taken away by miracles, neither are changes in governments brought about by any other means than such as are common and human..." p. 58
"...the Almighty who hath created and placed this new world, at the greatest distance it could possibly stand, east and west, from every part of the old..." p. 58
"And here without anger or resentment I bid you farewell. Sincerely wishing, that as men and christians, ye may always fully and uninterruptedly enjoy every civil and religious right; and be, in your turn, the means of securing it to others..." p. 59
A fitting ending...will we each do our part?
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