Hello, Big Brother!

In all this time, I've never welcomed the NSA as a regular reader of my blog.  However, now I can see that I just haven't been paying attention.  After all, as soon as I press the "Publish" button I have two hits.  This doesn't just happen occasionally, but each and every time.  If I had been half-way aware I would have known this would only happen if someone actually had a direct pipeline because who else would get my posts immediately?

So I say, "Welcome, Big Brother".  I hope you find something interesting in my writings.  Most of what I say is what I sense and condense from what I learn elsewhere.  It is also what I've deduced from public Government sources.  Here's a couple of things to think about:

1.  If this NSA domestic spying stuff is supposedly keeping us safe, why did it not let us know ahead of time about Benghazi?  And why did we not know about the Boston Marathon Bombing ahead of time?  And what about the Newtown, CT massacre?  I could name a few more.  Why is it that the only things the government can name is something that cannot be verified.  They could say anything and expect us to believe it.

2.  If this domestic spying stuff is so great, why did they not know about Mr. Snowden before he escaped to Hong Kong?

3.  If this NSA spying stuff is so wonderful, why is the civil war in Syria going the way it is.  And what about Egypt?

I believe they are doing what they are doing so that they can nail down political enemies by researching through their files, phone calls, etc.  Just as they did against Mr. Romney.  I have no doubt that the NSA, IRS, FBI, Secret Service and the rest of the Alphabet Soup were all used to play political tricks against Mr. Romney.

Mr. Obama, Wannabe DOTUS.  (that would be Despot of the United States).

The problem is that Mr. Obama's regime is correct.  It didn't start with him, but all his promises to end domestic spying went for not.  He figured out the power he could wield and power went to his head.  Unfortunately, the old saying marks Mr. Obama.  Power corrupts...absolute power corrupts absolutely.

A Little Personal News

Yesterday my Princess Bride and I attended the temple in St. George to take care of a little business for some of our dead ancestors.  We were to have met our son there, but he contacted us early in the morning to report that his wife was in labor and would soon give birth to our 18th blood descendant, and 23rd claimed descendant.

We have 7 natural children and 2 semi-adopted children and now 11 natural grandchildren and 3 semi-adopted grandchildren and hopefully our family will continue to grow. 

What a marvel this life has turned out to be.  I wonder if, in the pre-earth life, any of us had any idea how interesting our lives would be.  When I witnessed the birth of our first-born it brought tears to my eyes. It was such an emotional and spiritual event that I was overcome.  What joy this child brought (and still brings) into our lives.  Has she always made decisions that I approved of?  Nope, but we love her still and will continue to love her.  She is supportive of us in our aging process and is careful of our needs and desires.

As I watched each of our children being born I had similar experiences.  Each brought tears of emotion and joy.  Each brought a spiritual experience to me.  I noted that each brought a little different character into our lives.  Some of our children are exuberant, outgoing, and fun loving people.  Some of them are introverted, quiet and somber.  Some are moody, and some have an even "keel".  Each is an individual, and each enriches our lives.  Each one has unique talents, and each has their own sense of humor.  What a variety!  Each is an honorable member of society.  We have a stay-at-home mom (wow! what a job), a computer geek, a Home-care provider/late-entry University student, a warehouseman, a military man, and a food service manager/University student.  

We have found joy in each of our grandchildren as they have been born.  Again each one is an individual.  We love them all.  We think we have the full spectrum already, but I'll bet that we'll find that each new grandchild or great grandchild (if/when) will be unique also.  That is what makes our lives interesting.  We have to learn to interface with each one of them. 

On a side note:

A couple of years ago I wrote a piece regarding our grandson, Logan, who is autistic.  What great progress he has made!  His mother is a Princess (had to be...she's MY daughter, after all) among women.  She has instincts that are needed to figure out Logan.  And what a marvel he is.  He loves life and now is not intimidated by me any more.  He is nearing 5 years old now and is smart as can be.  It will be interesting to watch him grow into adulthood. 

I don't mean to say that she is better than any of my other children, just that her talents prepared her for the lot in life that has come her way. 

Our People Can Not Read and Comprehend!

The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the govedrnment for a redress of grievances."

"Congress" can be considered the "Board of Directors" of the United States of America and as such has authority given it by the people to govern.  The President has authority to carry out the provisions of law provided by Congress.  Thus "Congress" mentioned above is the same as "Government".

Nowhere does it say that one religion may be considered above another.  I wonder why Mr. Obama's administration is giving Islam preference over Christianity and Judiasm among others.

Nowhere does it say that government can prevent citizens from expressing their religion, even if it is at a public event on public property.  Nowhere does it say we have freedom of speech unless we speak of religion.  In fact, the First Amendment prohibits government from denying citizens the free exercize of religion.  It expressly does not say there is freedom from religion as the athiests would have us believe.

Congress holds the purse strings and can close the purse (if they ever get enough courage to do so). 
The recent scandals should be enough for the purse to slam shut until those perpetuating these outrageous events in the Department of State, Department of Treasury, Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and elsewhere.  I don't believe the Obama administration is alone in these types of events, but unfortunately they were the ones holding the ball when it came to light and they had done nothing to cure the problem, and in fact they may have exacerbated it.

What happened to statesmen?  We have professional politicians but very few statesmen.  We need good, honest, righteous and God fearing people in the offices of our nation instead of lying, cheating, dishonorable, God denying thieves.

Musings of an old fashioned, conservative nobody.

1.  In the middle of several investigations that have just begun, the USA's government takes a break.  Most of us had the good fortune to work today and will again get to work half a day on Monday.  Congress takes more time off than school teachers.  Perhaps they should make school teacher salary?

2.  Why is it that the more money you make the more time off you get?  It should be the other way around.

 3.  It used to be that governmental leaders encouraged families to save money and resources for "a rainy day", for disaster, or for "retirement".  Today government is working to keep us from saving, and if we did manage to save anything, they will tax and re-tax and re-re-tax it until there isn't anything left. 

4.  Isn't it interesting that in liberal New Orleans, when disaster struck, the people all looked for somebody to take care of them.  When God fearing conservative Oklahoma was struck with disaster, they began to clean up and fix up immediately using their own resources.  They didn't wait for the government.  As a matter of fact they resisted governmental interfering.  I wonder why that might be.  Could it be that conservatives are more willing to be take care of themselves than liberals?  I'll probably get some hate-mail for that one.

5.  I wonder why the perception of "illegal" immigrants is that they are just here for welfare.  I know a great many immigrants. I have no idea whether they are legal or "illegal", but I find them to be industrious, hard working, God fearing people.  Many are here to avoid a terrible situation in the gang infested regions of Mexico, or the repressions of Peru, or the hate in Brazil, or the regime of Nicaragua, and...and...and.  Some came here because of mortal peril.  They were threatened with death in their own country because of their religious belief. 

I believe in stronger border control, but I also believe in welcoming immigrants who are not criminals.  I don't care what education they have or what position in life they may have attained.  I don't even care about quotas.  I believe immigrants have a responsibility to learn the language, study our constitution and Declaration of Independence, and participate in our society openly.  I also believe they should speak their native language at home and in their family to preserve their culture, but when out in public they should communicate in the common language.

6.  I wonder why being a raging Islamist isn't wrong, but being a devout Christian or Jew is.  I wonder why all of the so-called Christians sects do not and will not respect each other.  I wonder why there is so much hate between religious sects.  Why is there discrimination against Christians and Children of Israel.  I wonder why Islam hates Israel when both descended from Abraham.  I know, but I'll bet they don't. know.

7.  I wonder when the USA will return itself to a nation of Christian Judeo traditions upon which it was founded.  I wonder when we will return to open worship of our God instead of restricting our ability to practice our religion.  I wonder when we will again have "freedom of religion" instead of "freedom from religion".  I wonder when we will honor our constitution instead of dishonor it.

8.  I wonder when we will again have an honest POTUS.  We certainly do not have one now.

Don't You Just Wonder?

So, Ms. Lerner pleaded the 5th amendment.  It isn't possible to plead the 5th amendment to cover someone else's sins, so she must be trying to keep off of the Obama regime's "hit" list by not testifying.    It isn't just the administration she is afraid of, but also senators and representatives that have been pressing IRS to repress conservative organizations and individuals. 

I've been hearing stories from across this nation, and from those who fled overseas to protect themselves from this quazi-nazi behavior that the Obama administration has been demonstrating.   Let's see...they have abrogated the 1st amendment; they are trying to abrogate the 2nd amendment; and they have abrogated the 4th amendment.  They have ignored the 9th amendment, the 10th amendment, and they have made the 13th amendment moot by enslaving the citizens of this nation through excessive taxation.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg.  I suspect if an honest evaluation was made of the United States Government it would cause genuine revolt.  Never in my memory has there been a more corrupt administration.  LBJ was  bad, Nixon was bad, "Slick Willy" Clinton was worse,"W" wasn't great, but Mr. Soetero-Obama is by far the worst of them all.  Mr. Obama would like us to believe that he is a "hands-off" president so he can honestly say, "I wasn't involved".  But, whether he is directly involved or not, he is the President and he MUST take responsibility for hiring such corrupt individuals.  Not only was he involved, but he promoted the worst offender in the IRS and gave her a bonus for her work!

I say, "Impeachment and conviction is warranted".

The USA sold arms to entities known to associate with our enemies on Mr. Obama's watch.  He knew.

The USA fostered the overthrow of foreign sovereigns, Mr. Obama knew

The administration violated the citizens' trust with the Benghazi cover-up, the IRS mess, the AP attack, persecution of conservative individuals leading up to the Election, among other items of interest.  Mr. Obama knew of each of these things.  No department would dare embark upon these serious infractions without getting approval from Mr. Obama. 

Mr. Obama and his minions must go.

I can't wait for Mr. Obama to tell us it was Bush's fault.  Maybe so, but he didn't stop it.  He has "guilty" written across his forehead.

Mr. Obama Is Not Responsible?

I wonder if any CEO in any enterprise in the world could say to his stockholders, "I wasn't involved, and I'm not responsible."

Let me see if I have this straight. 

Mr. Obama obviously doesn't hold meetings with his Cabinet.  I guess it would get in the way of his Golf games, parties, and numerous vacations.

However, if I remember correctly, each of the Federal Government's several departments report to the President of the United States.

Solyndra was an Energy Department mess (along with others).  The Energy Department is a department of the Federal Government and thus reports to Mr. Obama.

Benghazi was/is a Department of State debacle.  The Department of State is a department of the Federal Government and thus reports to Mr. Obama.

The current IRS scandle is a Treasury Department problem.  The Treasury is a department of the Federal Government and thus reports to Mr. Obama.

The AP scandle is a Department of Justice project.  The Department of Justice is a Federal Government that reports to Mr. Obama.

Fast and Furious was a project of the Department of Justice.  The Department of Justice is a department of the Federal Government that reports to....you guessed it...Mr. Obama.

But Mr. Obama learned of all these events by watching the news? 

Perhaps if he had meetings with his people and held them responsible for their departments there might be a difference.  However, not having ever managed anything more than a classroom, he still has no experience managing a large organization. 

Perhaps Mr. Obama simply selected corrupt minions to work in his behalf thinking they could work without supervision.  That's what has happened, but MR. OBAMA IS STILL RESPONSIBLE and MR. BIDEN is also culpable because he agrees, aloud, with everything Mr. Obama does or says. 

I think both Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden should resign.  I'm nervous what kind of president Mr. Boehner would be, though.  He is not exactly Mr. Conservative.

We have a corrupt, inept, disorganized, and disconnected government and we need to get it fixed ASAP.

Among The Things My Mother Taught Me....

 My mother taught me that honesty is the best policy.  She taught me that telling the truth, no matter the consequence, will advance my life much more than nearly every other trait I could foster.

She also taught me to stand up for what I believe even if it isn't popular.

I imagine most mothers teach their children similarly.

The mothers of those who serve in the White House must be shaking their heads, thinking "Shame, shame, shame" like most of us. 

Why lie when the truth will do?  The lie just exacerbates the problem because now they have two (or twelve) things to deal with.  It is hard to remember which lie was told to which person.  Why not tell the truth.  It is much easier to remember and it doesn't require a fictional memory.

Oh, oh.  I forgot.  It is much easier to say, "I don't remember", or "It depends on what the definition of 'is' is." 

We haven't seen much honesty in the White House in a very long time.  I've been voting for over 40 years now and I believe this president is cut from the same larcenist cloth as LBJ.  I didn't think I would ever see the day where we would have a president that was more crooked than LBJ, but I believe an even worse president has been elected.  I don't know if his mother taught him to lie, but I doubt it.  So where did he learn it?  From Bill Ayers?  From Jeremiah Wright?  From Hillary Clinton (she's a black belt liar)?

I wonder when/if we will ever have an honest president in my lifetime.  I'm betting against it because the public plain doesn't want to know the truth.  The public appears to want a president that presents a pretty picture, but doesn't want to know how bad our nation's condition has become.

I had high hopes in the last election, but it never happened.

The Benghazi Conspiracy

If I were a conspiracist I would suspect a few things that haven't been spoken and perhaps haven't even been thought through.  However, I think it interesting to consider the following:

1.  The so-called protest against a minimally known film exposing Islam for what it really is was planned to be blamed for this Benghazi event even before it happened.  How do we know?  Because it was the immediate response when the attack first happened.  There was no delay in fingering a cause.  This despite the fact that the Department of State was advised from the beginning that it was an act of terrorism.

2.  The embassy in Tripoli had been asking for more security for weeks.  Mrs. Clinton was tired of hearing from her people there.  There is some information being noised about that Mrs. Clinton was wanting to remove Mr. Stevens somehow because he was involved in Department of State programs arming terrorists and he was threatening to go public.

3.  There was 6 hours between the initial attack and the 2nd attack that killed our people there. 

4.  The Special Forces team was able to respond from Tripoli immediately, but were told to "stand down" even when the Libyan government expressed desire that they go help their compatriots.

After considering all of the above, my personal opinion is that Mrs Clinton wanted to get rid of Mr. Stevens.  The U.S. Department of State had been negotiating with terrorists for weeks ahead of this event and even helped them to topple the government of Libya.  Mrs. Clinton had and still has contacts within the terrorist groups and asked for their help in getting rid of Mr. Stevens.  Thus the denial of assistance, the denial of knowledge, the denial that anything was done incorrectly.  I believe Mrs. Clinton developed this plan with full knowledge of Mr. Obama because Mr. Stevens was becoming a problem to them both.  He was an insider with the negotiations going on with the terrorists and needed to be eliminated before he exposed them.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm betting that is the way it went down.

If I Were President....

If I were president I would:

1.  Close the department of Energy Prevention.

2.  Close the ETA (Environmental Terrorist Agency).

3.  Close the department of Education Prevention.

4.  Close the department of Transportation Prevention.

5.  Close the department of Commerce Prevention.

6.  Close the department of Health.

7.  Close the department of Homeland Security Prevention.

8.  Dramatically reduce the Department of State.
 
9.  Triple Military expenditure, with emphasis on military personnel and research.

10.  Stop supporting foreign nations that openly hate us.

11.  Double support for Israel.

12.  Stop the money drain to Universities and Colleges

13.  Close the Department of Agriculture.  Let farmers grow the crops they want to grow.

14.  Triple border controls, but permit immigration to qualified individuals.

15.  Commence import controls on foreign products such as Hardware/Tools, Textiles, Household goods, steel,  etc.  Let the American worker get back to work.  We've spent enough time and money propping up foreign work programs. 

16.  Reduce burden on business and families.

17.  Bring our military home.  Don't reduce our force, just bring them home.  If our so-called allies are not interested in paying for the military support we give them, bring them home.

18.  Throw open energy exploration and exploitation within USA's borders and stop all imports of foreign oil.

19.  Stop interfering with foreign wars.  Stop assisting our enemies in their quest to over-run their own nations.

I'd bet a rubber nickle our economy would explode.  I'd bet two rubber nickles it will never happen.  Too many weak kneed politicians.

40 Years of Marital Bliss, but Wait! I don't feel that old!

On Wednesday next week we will celebrate out 40th wedding anniversary.  We have enjoyed our lives, although we had some rough spots along the way.  I tell people that the first 30 years were the hardest.

When we were married we were both working part time.  She was working 20 hours per week and I was working 18 hours per week, but we knew we loved each other and we just couldn't wait to be married.  I've told my stories so many times, I'm not sure who I've told them to, so I'll try to contain myself tonight.

My Princess Bride is talented.  She is an extraordinary pianist/accompanist who can function in a storm of stress.  She can take a disaster and make it into a miracle.  An example is a granddaughter who needed a dress for a performance.  She wanted her Grandma to make it for her.  Grandma pulled an all-nighter and got it finished just as I was ready to begin my day.  She remembers every one of her grandchildren's special days.  I can barely keep up with their names, much less their special days.

Yesterday we welcomed our 12th grand baby into the world, and we'll welcome our 13 sometime in June.  My Princess Bride is pretty excited about these events and we hope to experience many more like these. 

Zelpha is my lover, my confident, my counselor, my help meet, my sweetheart, and my wife.  I love her, honor her, and I am grateful for her patience.  I have been a trying experience for her with my physical problems and my stubbornness.

Back to the rant next time...there is plenty to rant about.

I'm Bewildered, Confused, Distressed

I've been reading the news over the past few weeks.  I don't understand much of what is going on.  Let's see what is causing my confusion.

1.  We don't have enough money to do White House Tours, but we DO have enough money to give the terrorists of the Palestine Authority $250 Million.

2.  We don't have enough money to do border security, but we DO have enough money to give the terrorists of Egypt $250 Million.  Does anyone seriously think we can BUY friendship from these sons of camels?

3.  We don't have enough money, but we DO have enough money to waste on yet another vacation.  I don't know a CEO in the country that takes as many expensive "vacations" as do the Obama family.  I believe the rules should be rewritten so that vacations taken by elected government officials are taken at their own expense.

4.  We don't have enough money, but we DO have enough money to send Mr. Biden out at over $500,000/day for some time in the sun.  With all the amazing communications gear available I just don't understand why a $40 phone call could not have saved us a million dollars.  Perhaps only a liberal can understand economics this way.

Congress has the reign on money that the administration spends.  We need to demand that congress plug this drain on our resources and get the country's financial house in order.

 

Things That I Worry About

There are a few things that I worry about. Several of them are political, some are connected to my religious belief, and some are pretty personal.

1.  The Grand Ayatollah Barry Soetero (Obama) is beginning to look more and more like a Central American despot.  I wonder if he has been watching how Cypress is paying its bills and thinking, "I wonder why I didn't think of that".  Just steal billions of dollars from people's savings accounts and when that's gone...oh...wait....he won't be president any more so he doesn't have to worry about that.

2.  Mr. Soetero (Obama) is buying up all of the ammunition he can in the name of Homeland Security.  I wonder who he is planning to use 2 Billion rounds of ammunition on.  I'm betting it isn't any attempt to defend our national borders.  I'm betting it is so it can be used against law-abiding citizens.  I hope I'm wrong, but I'm betting I'm right.

3.  Today the Supreme Court heard arguments with regard to California's Proposition 8 that was passed by a great majority of voters.  The issue was raised through the justice system until it arrived at the US Supreme Court.  By all accounts the court will struggle with this.  I wonder if any of these people in black robes even know what the fall out will be if they negate that law.  I wonder if they will ponder what will be the next step.  Allowing Polygamy, Bestiality, Incest???

4.  Tomorrow the Supreme Court will hear arguments with regard to the Defense of Marriage Act that was processed through congress and was signed by President Clinton.  I worry about what they will do with that case too for the same reasons above.

5.  I am concerned that our national (and in some cases, state) legislators do not understand what the founding documents are and how they LIMIT government intrusion into private lives and businesses.  They obviously do not understand that our founding documents were inspired by a loving Heavenly Father who wants his children to live honest, righteous, loving lives.

6.  I am concerned that as I get older my physical condition deteriorates.   I am so susceptible to infections these days that I'm down as much as I'm up.  It worries me.

7.  I am concerned that all of my children are not aiming at the same goal as my princess bride and I.  I don't worry about today as much as I worry about life after this life.

8.  I guess I just worry.

The Plan of Eternal Happiness

Some time ago, before the world was created, there were two exalted beings.  Two persons who had already experienced an earthly existence and had overcome it and had received their eternal reward and had become celestial beings.  Thus began the cycle of eternal existence in which we have a part.  Our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother lived on a world much as the one we live on.  They had many of the same challenges we have.  They overcame temptation just as we must do.  They repented just as we must do.  And if we do as they did, we will become just what they are now.

Our Heavenly Parents began generating their glory.  Moses was told, “For behold, this is my work and my glory–to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Moses 1:39 They began to conceive and produce spirit children.  How many did they have?  I don’t know.  I do know they produced sufficient spirits to people this world with all the people who have lived here, who live here now, and who will live here until the end and more.  We lived with our Heavenly Parents and were taught by them.  We learned all of the things we needed to know before we came to this world.

While we lived as spirits in the pre-earth existence a grand conference was held.  All of Heavenly Father’s children were in attendance.  There were speakers who gave us instruction much as previous conferences we attended.  This was to be a special conference, though, because we were to be given information that would affect all of us.  Jehovah, the first spirit child born to our Heavenly Parents, spoke.  He told us of an eternal plan.  A plan that would offer us an opportunity to become celestial beings like our parents are.  This plan would have some danger.  We would have to prove ourselves worthy to receive celestial glory.  We would be given the right to chose right and wrong;  To set in motion our own path; to make our own destiny.  Then if we made bad decisions and recognized them, we would be given the opportunity to repent and ask forgiveness.  A Savior would be provided so that we could repent and change our destiny.  Jehovah told us that a council of heavenly leadership had been held and that He had volunteered to be the savior for all mankind. 

After Jehovah finished his presentation, Lucifer, one of the most chosen spirits, began to address us.  He reported that he had volunteered to be the savior of mankind also.  He had presented a plan to the leadership council that provided that all of Heavenly Father’s children could receive celestial blessings.  He would create an environment that would compel us to do right and would not permit us choices.  In return, he wanted Heavenly Father’s power and glory. 

We were given the opportunity to vote as to which plan we wanted to follow.  The results were that 2/3 of us wanted the plan presented by Jehovah.  We knew this plan  was the plan followed by our Heavenly Parents, and that it was a plan that had been in place for eternities.  1/3 of our brothers and sisters voted for Lucifer’s plan.  After the vote was concluded, Lucifer and the spirits that voted for his plan rebelled against Heavenly Father.  A great war broke out.  How it was fought I don’t know.  I do know that Michael, the Arch Angel, led the fight on the side of Heavenly Father’s plan.  Lucifer, who’s name was changed to Satan, led the fight on the other side.  Michael’s forces prevailed and at the command of Heavenly Father, cast Satan and his followers out of heaven.  They were exiled to this world.(Revelation 11:7-9) They would be the catalyst that would permit us to make decisions based on right and wrong.

Peace was again established in Heaven, and the plan could go forward.  Plans were laid to carry out the great plan of happiness.  A world had to be created for us so that we could go forward.  Our Heavenly Parents have physical bodies.  We, as yet, were  only bodies of spirit.  In order for us to become as our Heavenly Parents we needed a place to gain physical bodies. 

Heavenly Father directed Jehovah and Michael, among others, to go and create a world.  We can read about this creation in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham.  I don’t know how long it took to create this world.  I’m pretty sure it wasn’t in 6 days.  We are taught in the temple that there were 6 creative periods that Heavenly Father called days.  I suspect that the periods were not of equal length of time.  I’m not sure that time was even measured during the creative periods except that they called each period a day.

This earth was not created out of nothingness.  There were materials unorganized available.  These materials were used to make this earth.  How was it done?  I don’t know and I don’t think any of the greatest scientists have any idea either.  I have an idea that it was done using natural physical laws, many of which we have no knowledge.  We are told that it was done by God’s power delegated to Jehovah. 

At any rate the world was completed and a garden planted eastward in Eden.  It was a glorious garden.  It was a paradise.  Food grew spontaneously.  It would support life.  Heavenly Father and Jehovah saw that the creation was complete except there was no people yet on the earth. 

President Harold B. Lee taught that our Heavenly Parents produced two physical children for this world, Adam and Eve.  We know that the Arch Angel we knew as Michael in the pre-earth life, became known as Adam.  He was given the honor because of his station in the pre-earth life.  The spirit that became Eve was equal in spiritual stature to Adam and was given the honor of being the first daughter to inhabit a physical body.  Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden and were given commandments by God. 

1.    Take care of the Garden of Eden.
2.    Multiply and replenish the earth.
3.    Don’t partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
4.    Stay together.

In their current state, they were not yet mortal.  They had physical bodies, but they were not yet mortal.   So they could not have children.  They were in a quandary.  What should they do?  They were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth, but they couldn’t unless they partook of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The were taught what the consequences would be if they partook of the fruit.

What should they do?  Satan helped them with their decision.  Here’s a thought that each of us should consider.  Satan will use truths to aim us at his goal post. Satan taught them that if they wanted to continue with their celestial journey, they must partake of the fruit and become mortal.  He purposely didn’t mention that by so doing they would loose the spiritual connection with God that they had previously enjoyed.
Adam was resistant.  He was pretty happy to live in the Garden of Eden with his sweetheart.  Eve, however, could see beyond the moment.  She understood that in order for them to progress they would have to choose mortality.  Thus she partook of the fruit and encouraged Adam to do likewise.

The fall was understood. Adam and Eve understood the consequences.  But they also knew the benefits.  They were able to follow the higher law by transgressing the lesser law.  As a result, mankind was permitted to follow.  We came into this life because of the choice that Adam and Eve made.

We came to this world full of promise and thinking we could overcome anything thrown our direction.  I believe our family ties were established in the pre-earth life and that we may have even chosen some of our own circumstances.   I’m pretty sure we  were, in a way, pretty delusional about how well we would do.  I doubt we had any clue how hard it would be to always make right decisions.  I don’t think we knew how much work it would be to control this physical body and its appetites.  I suppose if we knew then what we know now, we’d have entered into this life with much more fear. 

When we see a little baby, new from the pre-earth life, we can tell of its divine nature.  Then when we understand that we are responsible to teach this little creature the difference of right and wrong, what consequences follow our decisions, and what we must do to earn eternal life, we find the responsibility very daunting.  Some of us never learn and thus never teach our children those things that will get them back to our Heavenly Father.  Some of us are afraid to teach our children for fear they won’t like us anymore.  It is hard to be firm to our children if we think we have to be their friend.  But let us think of the consequences of NOT teaching them correct principles.  If we only depend on the church, or the schools to teach our children, we fail them, we fail our Heavenly Father, and we fail ourselves. 

We must teach them of morality,  What clothing is inappropriate to wear in public,  What language is inappropriate,  What attitudes are inappropriate, What actions are inappropriate.     We must teach them of loyalty to our God, our Church, and our Country.  We must teach them to follow the teachings of the prophets and even our own Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.  We must teach them and ourselves to obey the commandments and guidance given to us by God through his prophets.

Then as we grow old and prepare ourselves to depart this life, we will find satisfaction in our lives.  My father was still giving us guidance up until just a few days before he passed away.  He was fulfilling his responsibilities as a father. 

When we have passed through this mortal life and have done all we think we can, when we  have repented of the bad decisions we have made, and when we have tried to mend whatever fences we’ve broken with those about us, we can rest easy.  But our lives are not over.  We just pass in to a different phase of our eternal existence. 

When we leave this life, we pass into a Post-earth existence as spirits.  If we have failed in this life we will go to a state of spirit prison.  I believe this to be a state of mind more than an exact prison.  We will be in darkness just as people who live in sin here live in darkness, not knowing the true light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If we have done well we can enter into a state of paradise.  While in the post-earth spirit existence we may be asked to work as missionaries to teach those who didn’t get a chance to enjoy the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We may be asked to serve in other capacities too.  When we die, our lives are not over and we don’t just stop doing.  We’ll still be concerned for our descendants.  We’ll be able to become acquainted with our ancestors.  We’ll be able to help those of our friends that we didn’t teach when we were living.  We’ll still have things to accomplish.

When the right time comes, we will be judged by our actions according to the knowledge we have attained.  We will be placed into an eternal existence that will most fit our circumstance.  The Apostle Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15:40-41:

40    There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 
41    There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.

I believe we will receive the kingdom that will be most comfortable for us. I believe that is the mercy of our Father in Heaven.  The hell will come when we remember our potential, but know our station.  That we could have been celestial, but fell short.

If we do as our Heavenly Parents did, we will be able to build our own glory just as they did and are doing.  We can begin to create worlds without number and to have children without number to people those worlds.  This is our ultimate goal.

I testify to you that the principles I have taught you today are true.  They have been similarly taught by prophets throughout the generations of this world.  They have been understood by the Saints in each dispensation from Adam to Joseph Smith.  They can be found in the writings of the prophets that we know as the Holy Scriptures. 

God loves us.  We are his children.  He wants us to succeed, but he won’t compel us to do so.  He only asks us to follow his commandments and teachings and in return he promises all he has to us. 

Democrats Defining GOP?

Why is the Democrat party trying to define republicanism?  Democrats have no idea what it is and are really not interested in finding out.  In my not-so-humble opinion a simile might be a blind person attempting to describe a pretty vista.  He has never seen it and thus can't describe it.

Democrats have never seen how a republic works and are uninterested in discovering how it might be helpful.  Democrats appear to be interested in only one thing.  Control of every part of every life in the country.   They cannot abide personal liberties.  The cannot permit decisions based on one's taste, talent, experience, and education.  They won't investigate illegitimate science.  They won't dig into disaster to find the root cause.

Republicans, on the other hand, (and I mean true republicans, not the politicans that call themselves Republicans), represent the people.  They work to enforce the people's desires not their own personal desire for control.     The people's interest is what they should be doing and they will hold the line against any effort to circumvent that interest. 

Unfortunately, I don't see anyone in congress brave enough to be a leader of a republican nation.  I hoped we'd see one in Paul Ryan, but I see he has walked back to the confines of a centrist.  Rand Paul talks like a conservative and he acts like he would actually back republicanism, but he has yet to show his true colors, in my opinion. 

What to do.  Should we sit back and let the socialists take us over?  I suspect there will be rebellion before too many years.  Americans will not tolerate their liberties being withdrawn.   I hope I don't live long enough to see the People's Republik of Amerika unfold. 

The Politicrats in Washington Still Don't Get It!

So our nation is broke.  We are in debt up to our eyebrows with no end in sight.  Our elected representatives cannot bring themselves to the point of eliminating costs in order to unravel the mess.  This is kind of like trying to untangle an extension cord.  In order to put it right you have to start at one end and work to the other.

In the case of our government, rather than start to unravel the tangle, we're making it worse by increasing costs.  My question is:  How does that help?  Obviously the people the Administration has hired have never met a budget.   Oh Yeah...they haven't had a budget to meet.  Congress doesn't want to publish one.  Why does the House of Representatives not perform its constitutional duties and create and pass a budget and then let the Senate and President explain to us why they won't endorse it.  Since a compromise does not seem to be in the cards, the House needs to just act unilaterally.  If Mr. Boehner is not man enough to take care of business we'll need a new Speaker with courage and forcefulness.

I'll restate my suggestions:

Close the Department of Energy Denial.  Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.

Close the Department of mis-Education.  Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.  Send the responsibility for education back to the local level where it belongs.

Sell ALL land now administered by the Bureau of Land Mis-Management, close the bureau and dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.

Sell ALL land now administered by the National Park Service to private entities who will run the parks and monuments at a profit.  By so doing, the parks and monuments will be better maintained and will be more attractive and less dangerous to the public.  Close the National Park Service and dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that service.

Close the Department of Transportation.  Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.  The federal government long ago gave responsibilities to the states and there is no reason for it to exist now.

Close the National Health Service.  Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that service.

Close the Food and Drug Administration.  Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that Administration.

Close the FAA.  Turn all responsibilities over to the American Airline Association who is funded by those who use the airways.  Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that administration.

Close the Department of Homeland inSecurity.  It is a intrusive department that is not needed or wanted by the public.  Move all law enforcement to the Department of Justice where it belongs.  Dismiss any other employees, regulators, managers, bureaucrats, and any other person now attached to that department.

Reduce the Department of Agriculture.  Obviously if the BLM, the Park Service, FDA, and other entities are reduced, the department won't need as many people.

Close the Environmental Protection Agency.  They've regulated us out of business.  They've strangled the free market.  Dismiss all employees, managers, enforcement officers and agents, and any other person attached to that agency.  

By attending to the above, the deficit is eliminated, taxes can remain low and there is plenty of money to take care of essential government programs.