Title of Liberty

Last Monday for Family Home Evening we talked about Captain Moroni and the "title of liberty." (Alma 46:13) We even went to the extent to creat our own title of liberty. It was an old shirt that we "rent", "wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children", and "fastened it upon the end of a pole." (Alma 46:12) That was one of the best family home evenings that we have had. After the activity, I was talking with my wife about it and discovered something about myself that I never realized before—As I become more involved in what is going on it world, the better I understand the scriptures. I also realized how passionate I am about this country, the freedoms that we enjoy here, and that I am willing to do whatever it takes to defend those freedoms.

As I think more about defending those freedoms, I also think about defending the kingdom of God. With the passage of Proposition 8 in California, we, the Saints of God, have entered a new phase in the war between good and evil. Satan is unleashing everything he can think of to destory the kingdom of God. The fight against same-sex marriage is just the first of many that the members of the church are going to find themselves in and we have to know now what side we are going to be on, the Lord's side or another side. Any other side but the Lord's side, though they may have good intentions or even may seem like the right thing to do. The way we can know is we can pray to the Lord and he will let us know through the Holy Ghost and we can listen to the messages given to us by the Prophet. The Lord will never lead us astray. He will tell us what we should. It may be very difficult and we may be persecuted for doing so. What we need to remember is that it is more important to please God than it is to please man.

I leave you with the words from the Hymn "Who's on the Lord's Side?" Think about the message of this song and think about the way you can apply them into your life. It is important that we fight for freedom and that we stand up for the kingdom of God! The Lord will bless us for it!

Who's on the Lord's Side?
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?
Now is the time to show.
We ask it fearlessly:
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?
We wage no common war,
Cope with no common foe.
The enemy's awake;
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?

We serve the living God,
And want his foes to know
That, if but few, we're great;
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?
We're going on to win;
No fear must blanch the brow.
The Lord of Hosts is ours;
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?

The stone cut without hands
To fill the earth must grow.
Who'll help to roll it on?
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?
Our ensign to the world
Is floating proudly now.
No coward bears our flag;
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?

The pow'rs of earth and hell
In rage direct the blow
That's aimed to crush the work;
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?
Truth, life, and liberty,
Freedom from death and woe,
Are stakes we're fighting for;
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?

Chorus:
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?
Now is the time to show.
We ask it fearlessly:
Who's on the Lord's side? Who?
("Who's on the Lord's Side", Hymas #260, LDS Hymn Book)

Weak Economy May Drive More to Debt-Free Living

Check this out...

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/personal-finance/weak-economy-drive-debt-free-living/

Does that sound familiar to anyone else?

"I urge you as members of this Church to get free of debt where possible and to have a little laid aside against a rainy day." President Gordon B. Hinckley 

"'Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.'  My brothers and sisters, many have heeded this prophetic counsel. They work diligently to reduce the debt they owe to others and strive to become debt free." Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin 

“I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order … self-reliance cannot obtain when there is serious debt hanging over a household. One has neither independence nor freedom from bondage when he is obligated to others.” President Gordon B. Hinckley 

"Seek to be independent [by] being free of personal debt and of the interest and carrying charges required by debt the world over."  President James E. Faust 

"With the exception of buying a home, paying for education, or making other vital investments, avoid debt and the resulting finance charges. The use of multiple credit cards significantly adds to the risk of excess debt." Elder Marvin J. Ashton 

"One of the better ways to simplify our lives is to follow the counsel we have so often received to live within our income, stay out of debt, and save for a rainy day." Elder L. Tom Perry 

"If we make choices that put us deeply in debt,we will lose our agency to meet our wants and needs or to save for that inevitable rainy day."  Elder Robert D. Hales 

"President Gordon B. Hinckley continues to stress the avoidance of unnecessary debt, the fallacy of living beyond one’s means, and the temptation to let our wants become our necessities."  President Thomas S. Monson 

"Avoid going into debt for these purposes. We need to work constantly toward keeping ourselves free of financial difficulties." Elder Marvin J. Ashton  

Prop 8 Passed!

I just want to shout out and say thank you to all the people in California that volunteered and voted Yes on Prop 8. Our children and grandchildren will thank us (as long as the courts don't overturn it again). My family and I donated a small sum of money to help out the effort but I wish I could have done more.

The California saints were awesome! They stood for truth and virtue even in the face of persecution. It was really disappointing to see the reaction from the those who opposed Prop 8, especially towards the Church. The Church came out with a statement that I completely and wholeheartedly agree with. It states:

It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.

Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.

While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.

Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information. (Source: Church Issues Statement on Proposition 8 Protest)

It is difficult to stand up for something of this nature but that is what we should do as members of the church. It is our responsiblity to stand for truth, virtue, and issues that may have moral implications. As Joseph Smith stated, “To get salvation we must not only do some things, but everything which God has commanded. Men may preach and practice everything except those things which God commands us to do, and will be damned at last. We may tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and still not obey the commandments of God [see Luke 11:42]. The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what He tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular, I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it.” (Source: Obedience: “When the Lord Commands, Do It”)