Sunday citation

I'm almost done with the book of Deuteronomy, and I've really enjoyed it so far. Genesis used to be my favorite book in the Old Testament, but this time reading through the Old Testament I think that Deuteronomy is. At least it is so far. Here is a comment on chapter 20 from Rousas John Rushdoony in his book The Institutes of Biblical Law:

"Another general principle appears from this law ... that it is not enough for the cause to be holy; not only the cause, but the people of the cause, must be holy, both spiritually and physically."

I just thought that was a very profound statement, and it shows that the most important war should be against evil in ourselves. The best and most effective restraint is self-restraint. This also reminds me of a quote that read a while ago in Susan Wise Bauer's book, The Story of the World vol. 4. She was discussing the pattern of the last couple hundred years where, in different place all over the world, one group overthrows a tyrant only to become a tyrant itself.

"Revolution shatters the structures; but the men who build the next set of structures haven't conquered the evil that lives in their own hearts. The history of the twentieth century is, again and again, the story of men who fight against tyrants, win the battle, and then are overwhelmed by the unconquered tyranny in their own souls."

If the people of the cause are trying to be holy and honest with God and man, this probably wouldn't ever happen.

Double standard in environmentalism?

Wind power and ethanol ... the wave of the future, the salvation of mankind. Right? Wrong! I have always been taught to take care of the earth. My parents taught me to take care of our animals, to not waste water, to avoid eroding the soil and to not throw garbage anywhere but in the garbage. And for being anti-environmentalist, my parents are actually remarkable recyclers. They believe in taking care of nature. But they don't believe in the power struggle and corruption that describes the current environmentalist movement.

Here are a couple of articles that my husband found that represent, to me at least, the double standard that is in our current brand of environmentalism.

The secret environmental cost of ethanol

Wind farms can kill eagles without penalty

Learning the lessons of the past

Lately I've developed an obsession with ancient history. So when I read the article "The World Needs Pioneers Today" by President Thomas S. Monson, this part really stood out to me:

"We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph ended—how a slackness and softness finally overcame them to their ruin. In the end, more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security and a comfortable life; and they lost all—comfort and security and freedom.

"Do not yield to Satan’s enticements; rather, stand firm for truth. The unsatisfied yearnings of the soul will not be met by a never-ending quest for joy amidst the thrills of sensation and vice. Vice never leads to virtue. Hate never promotes love. Cowardice never gives courage. Doubt never inspires faith.

Some find it difficult to withstand the mockings and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But the world has ever belittled adherence to principle. When Noah was instructed to build an ark, the foolish populace looked at the cloudless sky and then scoffed and jeered—until the rain came.

"Must we learn such costly lessons over and over again? Times change, but truth persists. When we fail to profit from the experiences of the past, we are doomed to repeat them with all their heartache, suffering, and anguish. Haven’t we the wisdom to obey Him who knows the beginning from the end—our Lord, who designed the plan of salvation—rather than that serpent, who despised its beauty?"

I don't know anyone who could have said it better. If only people would listen to wisdom like this ...

To read the entire article, click here:

The World Needs Pioneers Today 

Don't give away our sovereignty

Here is a speech by Senator Orrin Hatch about the CRPD treaty. He says that the only reason to join the treaty might be to endorse it so that other nations will join. However, do we really want to encourage other nations to hand power over to an international body, even if it does force them to make improvements?

Dr. Carson speaks on education, poverty

Missionaries and my violin pledge

I don't know if anyone reading this remembers my violin pledge, but if you do, you might be wondering what happened with it. A couple of things happened, actually.

The first thing that happened is what I'd call life. It just gets in the way sometimes. I'm sure if I was more diligent that wouldn't be such a problem. But when you're pregnant and sick a lot, you just don't feel so driven.

But the other thing that happened was a probably a better excuse. My brother (number four in our family of seven) was called on a mission and left September 12th. Several years ago he helped my parents buy that violin, paying a substantial portion of it--at least half. They did it mostly so I could have a good violin to play, although it has remained a family possession. And now that my brother is on his mission for our church, he needs funds so that he can continue his mission.

Because serving a mission is so important to us, we have all agreed to sell the violin. Any sacrifice is worth it. Why, you might ask? It goes way back ...

After Christ's apostles died, the original church apostatized. The priesthood was lost. Groups of educated men met together to put together creeds, and ordinances and doctrines were changed. Later, other churches recognized that pieces of the truth were missing and formed new churches. However, they still lacked divine authority and continuing revelation.

In 1830 the Lord restored his ancient church to the earth through Joseph Smith. Along with the restored gospel was revealed the saving ordinances and covenants, organization of Christ's church, the plan of salvation, and other wonderful things that had been lost.

Knowing what we know of Christ's gospel plan, we know why we are here on earth and what God hopes for all his children. We know that Christ lives today and wants all men to come to Him. We know that his children can't receive the blessings that God wants for us unless we come to Christ and live as he would have us live. Through his restored gospel, we know what God would have us do to come to Christ.

Knowing all this, is it any wonder that we want to bring this message to the whole world?

California tax on rural residents

Reading Jeff Fowle's most recent blog post was an eye opener. I didn't know that the state of California had levied a fire tax on California's rural residents. Jeff makes some great points. I would also suggest reading the comments. Having taken a range ecology class, I can see how our suppression of fire, and then building homes with all that extra tinder around, was a dumb idea. Also, if these are public lands, it shouldn't just be the rural residents that pay for the fires. If everyone in the state can go enjoy those public lands, then everyone in the state should take part in helping with it.

Women's rights--still an issue in a different way

A family member had this article on her blog. I started reading it and was amazed by the power of this writer's thought process. I think it is a great read. It brings out some points that no one ever thinks about. It would be especially meaningful to LDS readers in light of the recent gay rights controversy.

Plato's son; Augustine's heir

Altruism vs. narcissism and politics

My dad wrote this letter to the editor of the Idaho State Journal, and my mom sent it to all of us in an e-mail. I really liked what he said, so I decided to post it here for others to read and consider. 

Dear Editor,

     As I view the political theatrics of this presidential year and see the deception used by both sides to either gain or maintain power, I wonder if we realize it is each individual who will determine whether we succeed or fail as a nation. This isn’t a political battle between Republicans and Democrats, or any other group. It is a battle that has always existed within us. It is altruism vs. narcissism.

 

     Since the majority who read this paper will claim to be Christian, and those who are not will likely have tenets which are comparable to the Ten Commandments within their religion; I would like to point out these principles if followed, promote a civil, respectful, and free society. I also recognize that the basis of a free society is the ability of the individual to earn, own, and control property or wealth; with a government that protects this right. As I consider this, a few questions come to mind about the direction of our nation. 

 

     Do we, as individuals, so covet our neighbor’s property that we will elect those who would use the power of government to steal property from one to give to another? In the midst of this process, those we elect glut themselves with power and our wealth. Does this love our neighbor as ourselves?

 

     How did the people of this nation exist prior to the new deal, the great society, and the government programs that have come into being? The answer lies in self-reliance, making do with what you have, and individuals helping individuals with the only motive being love. This nation is great because those who built it had these attitudes. Are we destroying what they lived, suffered, and died for?

 

As a Christian, I have been taught to follow my Lord and be willing to suffer or die for my fellowman. We will either do this to preserve and protect freedom and our God-given rights or we will suffer or even die for the poor choices of our fellowmen. We as individuals need to follow the principles of love and raise our nation to greater heights for our posterity.

Over-reaching government

I read this post by Jeff Fowle, and I couldn't agree more.

What do you think about the mayor of New York City putting limits on the sizes of soda sold? Please feel free to leave your comments.