10-Year Anniversary 9/11/01

I can't believe that it's been ten years since that dreadful day! I remember it like it was yesterday. I was awaiting for class to begin at BYU-Idaho when my teacher comes in and begins to unfold the events of the morning. I was in shock and disbelief - AMERICA WAS UNDER ATTACK!? -

I immediately tried to log on to CNN.com and other news websites to get more information and to see pictures, but they were all bogged down with too much traffic and their servers crashed. Not long after, school was cancelled for the rest of the day, and I immediately went to my apartment and was glued to the tv for the rest of the day!

One of the best renditions I've heard...
I browsed the tv a lot today trying to find programs with tributes and footage of that day. Found programs, but the actual footage was scarce...why is that? I've heard that it almost takes an act of God to get permission to air the actual footage - so I went to YouTube.com and found some of the best/scary footage I've seen...


Speaking of God, I think that this was a wake up call for our country. We, as a people of the most blessed country on this Earth was forgetting God. We were pushing Him out of our lives, schools, government, etc. The reason our country was founded was because of God and people under persecution seeking religious freedom.

Ten years ago, the Prophet/President of my church addressed what happened on this day and what we must do as a people...




Wise words from a wise man. I am so thankful for all the people that help to make our nation safe and secure from policeman, fire fighters, all branches of the military, border patrol, coastguard, etc. - may God bless you in your efforts and may God bless us as we turn to Him and serve him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength.

Freedom

A quote from Spencer W. Kimball...

"The only way we can keep our freedom is to work at it. Not some of us. All of us. Not some of the time, but all of the time.

"So if you value your citizenship and you want to keep it for yourself and your children and their children, give it your faith, your belief, and give it your active support in civic affairs."

From the Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 405; from an address given at the Rotary Club, Salt Lake City, UT, June 8, 1976.

Obama to SEIU: Your Agenda Has Been My Agenda

If you haven't read my last post, Economic Terrorism, please do so now. It talks about Steven Learner - who is "considered one of the smartest organizers, if not the smartest organizer, working in the labor movement"[S] and supposed former SEIU member/leader. While employed with SEIU he spent millions of SEIU's dollars to bring about the plan as described in my previous post.

Now watch the clip below where Obama passionately tells SEIU members that "your agenda has been my agenda..."



Is it too far of a stretch to think that the White House knows about Steven Learner and his plans? He, Learner, has visited the White House at least four times. It is little stuff like this that connects the dots for me that make me believe that Obama is like the Sempronii Brothers who - as civil leaders - helped destroy the Roman Republic [and now America's Republic?] while allegedly attempting to better the country.

By the way, SEIU spent over $60 million dollars to help get Barack Obama elected as President of the United States. Don't you think they are expecting a return on their investment? Read about that here.

Are Prophets of God on the Earth Today?

As I read the Bible and other sacred scriptures I cannot help but think about the role of prophets throughout all of history. From the time of Adam and Eve, God has called special witnesses of His son, Jesus Christ, to proclaim his gospel plan and His will to us. In the book of Amos, chapter 3, verse 7 it reads:

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

Prophets is plural for a reason...meaning more than one. When God declares His word and will it doesn't just come from one person. In the second book of Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 1 it reads:

"...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

If there was only one person declaring the will of God it would be easy to not hear it, but when multiple people are declaring it it's not so easy.

Think about it for a minute...throughout all of history God has called prophets like Noah and Moses...do you really think that God would leave us stranded today without somebody called of God to declare his will to the inhabitants of men? It doesn't seem likely. No loving God would leave his children without guidance.

I believe and know that our Heavenly Father continues to call special witnesses to testify of Him, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The prophets and apostles are alive and living today. As such, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a proclamation called "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles" in which they do as they were called and testify that He lives!

In 1995, the First Presidency of the LDS Church released "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" where they "solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has recently come under fire from gay rights activist groups within the past week for his talk/speech he gave during the Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There have been protests and petitions for Elder Packer to rescind his "hateful" and "anti-gay" remarks. Please read his remarks before reading more.

All done? Let me just say this, marriage between one man and one woman is one of the core doctrines and beliefs of the LDS church, and there is absolutely no way that will ever be rescinded in any shape or form. Does that make the Church and its members hateful and full of bigots. No. They are expressing what they believe to be right just as others can do the same. Love the person, hate the sin. Active members of the Church make a covenant to keep the Law of Chastity where the sacred procreative powers should only be used in the bonds of matrimony between a man and a woman. Anything outside of this is considered immoral and unatural and considered a sin against the commandments of God.

The LDS church is led by a prophet and a quorum of apostles. In answer to the title of this blog, Yes. I know for myself through the Holy Ghost that they are called of God and their words are the word and will of God.

Let me end with some remarks my brother left throughout a lengthy discussion to one of his Facebook friends who is actively gay and was raised a Mormon:

" For those in the gay and lesbian community: You owe your life to a man and a woman who chose to come together and create a child--you! If you desire to have a family, you have to adopt a child who was a result of a man and woman coming together to procreate.

A man and man together cannot create a child. Nieither can women. Legislation would create a token relationship between the couple, but you would never have the ability to create a family, which is what marriage is all about.

The ultimate harm and threat of homosexuality is the total disegration of the family unit which is the building block of any society. When the family unit is gone, so will be the society you live in.

Even though our beliefs differ on this subject, I have not been offended. I still consider you a friend and I have appreciated the opportunity to voice my personal opinion. I have said my peace, now I will be done."

Cass Sunstein and the Devil

Cass Sunstein, co-author of the book Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness, whom also was appointed by President Barack Obama as "Regulatory Czar."

First let me talk about the book Nudge. Amazon.com asked the authors what they mean by the title and why do people need nudged?

"By a nudge we mean anything that influences our choices. A school cafeteria might try to nudge kids toward good diets by putting the healthiest foods at front. We think that it's time for institutions, including government, to become much more user-friendly by enlisting the science of choice to make life easier for people and by gentling nudging them in directions that will make their lives better."

To make a lengthy discussion short, the major premise of the book is that people should be nudged to make a decision that will make them better off. On the outside it seems like good intentions and many people applaude and praise Cass Sunstein for his insight. Recent audio/video has been uncovered of Mr. Sunstein expressing how he feels about people.

"Once we know people are human and have some Homer Simpson in them, then there's a lot that can be done to manipulate them."

To break it down, we are too stupid to make our own decisions and need to be nudged into making better decisions. [SOURCE]

I was raised to believe that the agency of man (i.e. free will, choice) is a gift from God. We came to Earth to learn good from evil and to experience mortal life to experience opposites for ourselves. How can we know pain if we don't know pleasure? How can we love if we don't know hate? The point is, it is our choice. I don't need anyone nudging me into making a decision that they think is best. I will make a decision that I think is best, and if it doesn't turn out that it is the best decision, I will learn and grow from it and become a stronger and better person for it. If someone is making the decision for me that doesn't happen.

Now let me introduce you to Satan, the Devil, Lucifer. There are bits and pieces in the Bible where we learn how Satan became Satan. I personally believe that we lived with God before coming to Earth and there was a grand council in Heaven where God presented the Plan of Salvation...the pathway to be "saved"...and we "sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7). At the heart of this Plan of Salvation was the way to get back, and God asked for a volunteer on who should he send to redeem mankind. The firstborn of God, known as Jehovah, was the first to volunteer saying I do it and return the glory to thee. Lucifer also volunteered saying I will redeem all mankind that not one soul will be lost and give me thy glory. Lucifer wanted to destroy the agency of man to not give them a choice and would save every soul regardless. This is referred to as the War in Heaven as discussed in Revelations 12:7.

As we know God chose the first, in of which Lucifer then rebelled against God and took with him a third of the hosts of heaven and became Satan, the father of all lies to deceive and blind men and to lead them captive to his will.

What's the point of all of this? Well, isn't it obvious? Cass Sunstein is the Devil! Metaphorically speaking of course. Cass wants to "save" the Homer Simpsons of the world and direct/nudge them into making correct decisions that he thinks is best and not what Homer thinks is best. As "Regulatory Czar" Cass Sunstein is in a perfect position of power to regulate/nudge us into making decisions we may normally would not. For example, we go to a fast food restaurant wanting to get a burger and fries, but through regulation the restaurant industry is now requried to offer a fresh veggie or fruit on the menu instead of fries. Oh, it's happening...just read the story on The Blaze on your guide to a government regulated diet.

Because of his position of power, and the fact that he doesn't report to anyone but the President, is why Glenn Beck often refers to Cass Sunstein as the most dangerous person in America.

What to Say?

Everyday there is so much in the news that it is difficult to keep up let alone blog about it. I find it overwhelming at times with all the craziness going on in the nation! The mainstream media continue to be biassed and ingnore the facts or even dig into credible stories that would have major impact on the minds of the American people. I just wanted to give my little tidbit on a few headlines over the past few days.

Defense/Amnesty: Not: two words you would normally couple in the same sentence let along a spending bill going through the Senate, but that hasn't stopped Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tacking on an amnesty "ammendment" to a defense spending bill in hopes to lure in Republicans. I am so sick and tired of congress tacking on items to bills that have nothing to do with the actual bill just to get it passed because it wouldn't stand on it's own two feet and never pass by itself. We need some new rules, regulation, or ammendment to the Constitution (if that what it takes) that any bill that goes through the House or Senate only applies to the actual bill and anything unrelated is either ommitted or automatically vetoed or something! The insanity has to stop!

Our Creator: For two years of my life I served as a proselytizing missionary for my church and when I visited with people to teach and discuss about God we started on basics and how everyone believed in a Supreme Being, a Creator, even though we may call them by different names. Our President claims to believe in God and His son Jesus Christ, but he can't even bring himself to refer to the Creator as he recites a portion of the Declaration of Independence...



You can tell he is reading from his trusty teleprompter and he noticeably pauses and blinks several times debating in his mind if he should just read what is displayed or omit a certain phrase..."endowed by their Creator"...in the end he chose to omit the phrase leaving Diety out of the equation. This doesn't really surprise me because afterall, we are talking about a guy who believes in "collective salvation." Which basically means he doesn't get saved unless everyone else gets saves...



Like the Pope and Glenn Beck said that this so called doctrine of collective salvation is "demonic" and a "perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ." It totally undermines the Plan of Salvation, which teaches that Christ died for our sins and we can be forgiven of them and be saved in and only through Him! Not dependent on others. I'll probably dedicate an entire post on this subject in the near future.

There is a lot more I would like to discuss, but just don't have the time right now. Come back soon for more updates!

Obama's Approval by Religious Groups

I found this poll by Gallup very interesting on President Obama's job approval rating among the different religious groups. From January 2009 through July 2010 Muslim Americans continue to give President Barack Obama the highest job approval rating of any major religious group in the U.S., while Mormons give the president the lowest ratings.

I find this interesting because I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormon). If you know anything about my faith and religion this poll and why Mormon's rate the President so low is self-evident. The majority of Mormons very conservative and Obama is the extremem opposite and is doing almost everything against what we believe. Out of control spending, big government, socialized medicine, you name it. Interesting. Not surprising. Interesting.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/142700/Muslims-Give-Obama-Highest-Job-Approval-Mormons-Lowest.aspx

8 Years Ago Today...

I seriously cannot believe that it has been eight full years since our nation was attacked by ruthless terrorists slamming our own airplanes into the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon. Like me, you will never forget exactly where you were and what you were doing when it seems like our world was falling apart.

Earlier this year President Obama signed into law to make September 11th a "National Day of Service." I whole heatedly believe in serving others and doing what we can to help others, but I think it would better and make sense that today be a "National Day of Remembrance." It almost seems like the people in power want us to forget what happened eight years ago.

Let's go back in time to September 11, 2001. The entire nation was in shock! I remember thinking that it felt like I was watching a movie and in disbelief that someone would attack us. Almost 3,000 people died this day...not only the people working in the towers, but the people who were on the planes and the selfless heroes who risked their lives to save others. Shouldn't we be remembering that and have the day of service on September 12th?

On the 12th America came together. It didn't matter who you were. It didn't matter if you were male or female, straight or gay, black or white, or Democrat or Republican. We came together as a nation that I had never seen before in my then 24 years of life and haven't seen anything like it since. I was working at a book and crafts store at the time and we were sold out of American flags for months as well as every other store in the city, state, and nation! Patriotism was at it's highest and we were willing to do anything to help those in need. Volunteers, giving blood, etc. were at it's highest and continued for months if not years. Never forget.

As we look back on this day eight years ago let's remember those victims and heroes and not desecrate their memory. Tomorrow, do your part to serve someone else and continue to help this nation be the greatest it can be!

What Can I Do? (Part 2)

Here are some more personal steps that you can take to speak out and stand up to an out of control government. We the people must be heard...

"First, consult with trusted spiritual advisors for guidance. That could be a member of the clergy or a trusted, spiritual friend. Also, to me, and to most of our Founding Fathers by the way, this includes seeking the guidance of the Lord in prayer. I know, this is something that invites the ridicule of the mindless, godless spawns of hell (I say that with love, of course). Again, I couldn’t care less. If there was ever a time when we needed guidance from a Higher Power, it’s now. To you, that higher power may come in the form of a spoon…whatever, go with it. Unless the spoon is telling you to kill, cook and eat your neighbors, or in any way bring harm to others, then, obviously, that’s not a “higher power”, that’s A spoon. But we must have inspiration on our side for this struggle.

"Second, now that you’re (hopefully) freshly armed with inspiration, read the news and study issues from multiple sources, with “better eyes.” You’ll see things clearer and be far less likely to be deceived.

"Third, question everything. Yes, even from me. Mom used to tell me that I had a head on my shoulders for a reason…USE IT. And with so much information available today from SO MANY sources, there is a ton of bogus nonsense circulating. My credibility means everything to me right now, so before we put anything on the radio show, or Fox News, we check, double check, triple check and more, at times…and even WE, sometimes don’t get it right. But one thing we NEVER start with is mass email. Some of them are written so cleverly, and even cite news organization sources or mention that they’ve “checked” the information for accuracy. MOST of those stories aren’t true. There is so much truth to use in defense of our great nation right now, it seriously damages our cause when we fall prey to these Internet hoaxes. In other words, whether it’s a story on Fox News or something from your best friend, trust, but verify.

"And the fourth thing I’d like to get across today is, remember your traditions and heritage. One of the most shocking things said during the course of the presidential campaign last year came from Michelle Obama. During a campaign stop, she said, “and Barack knows that we are going to have to make sacrifices, we’re going to have to change our conversation, we’re going to have to change our traditions, our history, we’re going to have to move into a different place.” First of all, one can’t change one’s history. Oh, you can re-write it, certainly, to make it a lie, but that doesn’t change it. Secondly, I don’t want to change our traditions and history! It is our traditions and history that make us who we are…we are AMERICANS! And we will fight to stay AMERICANS!"

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/28577/