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My children belong to the Hero Generation... we are striving to raise them to fulfill their personal missions. We strive to make our home a haven from the turmoils of today's society. Come visit us as we share some of our story.
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My Heroes
Redbeard - 39
Me (Texasblu)- 38
Athena - 15
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Iris - 8
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Catch the Wave - Surf's Up Baby!
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Thoughts from Mother Teresa this morning.
My thoughts at 12:11 PM, September 15, 2009
Quotes
"The child is God's gift to the family. Each child is created in the special image and likeness of God for greater things; to love and to be loved." ~ Mother Teresa
I love this woman's comments on abortion. She gave so much to the world... I want to share these two quotes with you as well:
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." and "Please don’t kill the child. I want the child. Give the child to me."
I am a huge advocate of adoption. We have several friends who would not have children if it weren't for the adoption process. They are happy. Their children are happy. I've seen open and closed adoptions. My mother and sister knew some that went south when the child grew older because the adoption was kept from them. But I know many who parents were lovingly open about it and it all turned out good.
Adoption, not abortion. That's my belief. |
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Letting pain get in the way
My thoughts at 07:54 AM, May 5, 2009
Quotes
Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. - Lance Armstrong
Don't you love this? A friend of mine shared it with us on Twitter, and I could feel my breath suck in. Lovely thought.
I didn't get my Commonwealth pics and video posted over here because I was having issues, so they're on my Making My Own Colors blog. Patience is a virtue I've always struggled with.... *grin* |
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Porter Rockwell
My thoughts at 02:14 PM, March 28, 2009
Quotes
“Porter Rockwell was yesterday afternoon ushered into heaven clothed with immortality and eternal life, and crowned with all the glory which belongs to a departed Saint. He had his little faults but Porter’s life on earth, taken altogether, was one worthy of example, and reflected honor upon the church. Through all his trials he had never once forgotten his obligations to his brethren and his God.”
~ Joseph F. Smith June 1878
It always bothers me how there is so much controversy surrounding this man in the church. We once performed a piece I wrote concerning him and his first wife's courtship. It was a little rowdy (as one can expect), but at the end my husband read something about how he never lost his love for Joseph Smith or the church, and his voice broke. I remember feeling a witness that this was true, and that he was a magnificent man. We are all so imperfect - I think it's harder for those whose lives have been well aired. Sometimes I wonder what kind of fiend I would be made out to be if my life were under a microscope. |
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Truth
My thoughts at 08:50 PM, February 16, 2009
Quotes
All truth passes through three stages:
First, it is ridiculed;
Second, it is violently opposed; and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident,
-- Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) |
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Never Despair
My thoughts at 03:14 PM, January 15, 2009
Quotes
"We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the exigency of the times." ~ George Washington
I wrote a piece on my main blog that was pretty heavy - wish I had found this quote for that post. Oh well.
This blog is going to be revived soon. Getting my ducks in a row - got spread a little thin with everything that happened this fall. Still we march on. Whoever you are that are still checking in - thank you for being patient with me. :)
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Beautiful Words in Washington and LDS Voting Guide
My thoughts at 11:52 AM, October 30, 2008
Quotes
My mom sent me an email about the Washington Monument. I checked it out on snopes, because I had a feeling some of it was true, but wanted to be sure. Sure enough, they had changed the wording of Washington's "prayer", which was really an admonition, and was written by another man. There was no need to do that!! Washington was an eminent man - I wish people would stop altering truth to fit their agenda - either way of the tracks. It only serves to make people untrusting. I love history - unedited. But you have to do your own footwork to get it.
The Washington Monument has the words LAOS DEO on the top, meaning, Praise God. It is on the EAST SIDE. All the other contents of the letter aside, this alone gave me great pause. I wonder if this was something that happened happenstance or if it was purposeful. Regardless, there it is, in all it's beautiful glory, atop a government building...
Alright. So the election is coming up. I've heard all kinds of stuff down the pike. All the speculation aside, let's get down to basics. First of all, if you are LDS, you believe in a living prophet. If you are a practicing LDS person, you seek to follow the prophet's counsel. I find it interesting that while our prophet today quotes prophet's past like Joseph Smith, Brigham young, David O. McKay, Spencer W. Kimball, etc., I have heard some say that it was the council for the day, but not for today. God does not change. Principles do not change. God has never taken back a principle - he has added to them. We have many of the same spiritual laws as the ancients. We still uphold the ten commandments, do we not?
I know - I'm on a soap box. I apologize - I'm probably preaching to the choir. I share this with you only because my parents gave me and my siblings some of the most beautiful gifts LDS children could ask for from their parents. A love of God, a love of Christ, a love of their mouthpieces (the prophets) and a love of Country. I hope you come back and read over these guidelines - they are powerful. I am sharing these with the permission and blessing of the compiler - nothing has been altered from her text. For further study there is a book online compiler by Jerreld L. Newquist called Prophets, Principles, and National Survival - you can read it for free at: http://newquist.org/PPNS/ppns.html. It is a book complied about all the issues! While it may be a bit much for this election, it is there for you to study for the future.
Guidelines for Voting
In August, 1972, the First Presidency of the LDS Church issued an official statement regarding the upcoming primary and general elections. Two weeks later, President Harold B. Lee spoke to a large youth-fireside in the Salt Lake Tabernacle and discussed their responsibility for voting and the guidelines that they should follow. Said he:
"Never before was it more imperative that the tens of thousands, like you young folks, rise up and support those who can most likely be depended upon to uphold righteous principles. At this time of year, we frequently hear people say, 'can you tell me how to vote?' I will tell you how to vote."
President Lee then gave the following four steps as a guide:
1. "You read the Doctrine and Covenants 134: 2-3"
2. "...then read the 29th chapter of Mosiah..."
3. "...listen to what the prophets have told us to do."
4. "Then get down on your knees and ask the Lord to guide you, and you will know who to vote for."
Finally, the Prophet concluded with this charge:
"You now have the voting franchise, but prepare yourselves to do what the Lord has now placed upon you, this great responsibility." (Church News, Deseret New, 8/19/72, pg.3)
Each of us can follow steps 1, 2, &4 in the privacy of our own home. However, many of us do not have ready access to the past counsel of the prophet (step #3) regarding how to vote. Therefore, the following list of guidelines has been prepared from statements of the prophets. These represent merely a few of the many statements issued by brethren and should motivate us to search more deeply into their counsel.
Their statements easily divide into six general guidelines:
Guideline#1 It is important to register and to vote.
Guideline #2 We have the obligation to support men of principle, men of integrity, honest and wise men.
Guideline #3 It is a sin to vote for a wicked man and we should do all in our power to oppose such.
Guideline #4 We should not vote for a man simply because of party allegiance.
Guideline #5 The Constitution, as revealed to the Founding Fathers, and the God-given right of free agency should be the criteria we use to judge candidates and issues.
Guideline #6 It is vitally important that we seek the will of the Lord in our political decisions.
Guideline #1 It is important to register and to vote.
"The people of the United States are now entering a major election campaign involving candidates and issues on national, state, and local levels.
We urge all church members who are citizens to study carefully the choices before them. We earnestly encourage all to become actively involved on behalf of those candidates and issues which they sincerely think will best 'secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,' bearing in mind the revealed word of the Lord:'...When the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold.' None should be spectators in the democratic process in this nation whose divinely inspired Constitution must 'be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.'
We urge all citizens to vote in both the primary and general elections. In the exercise of this precious franchise, we hope that all will be guided by principles which they believe embrace honor and integrity and contribute to the moral sinew of this great nation." (The First Presidency, Church News, Deseret News, 8/5/72, pg. 2)
"The First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and other officers who constitute the General Authorities of the Church, preside over members of both political parties...We are united in admonishing the members of the Church to register...We advocate the necessity of all members of the Church showing appreciation of your franchise, your citizenship, by voting, exercising your right to say who shall be your leaders." (David O. McKay, CR 10/52:129-30)
"If we keep the commandments we'll be good citizens. We'll exercise our right to vote. We'll follow the counsel which the Lord has given in the revelations regarding our obligation to seek out 'honest men and wise men'..." (Ezra Taft Benson, CR 10/50:148)
"Never before was it more imperative that the tens of thousands like you young folks, rise up and support those who can most likely be depended upon to uphold righteous principles... You now have the voting franchise, but prepare yourselves to do what the Lord has now placed upon you, this great responsibility." (Harold B. Lee, Church News, Deseret News, 8/19/72, pg. 3)
Guideline #2 We have the obligation to support men of principle, men of integrity, honest and wise men.
"Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold..." (Doctrine and Covenants 98:10)
"If we keep the commandments we'll be good citizens. We'll exercise our right to vote. We'll follow the counsel which the Lord has given in the revelations regarding our obligation to seek out 'honest men and wise men' who will stand for principle, men who will put principle ahead of political expediency. We will seek men of faith who believe the Constitution was inspired and that this nation has a spiritual foundation." (Ezra Taft Benson, CR 10/50:148)
"From my point of view the right to vote imposes on everyone who has this right the obligation to make a full, fair, and unprejudiced study of the issues involved in an election, and then support candidates who stand for the principles and measures that the voter sincerely and honestly believes will be for the best good of all the people and therefore for the best interests of the country as a whole." (Joseph F. Merrill, CR 10/49:36)
"No political party is justified to continue in existence unless it clearly states the principles which it advocates, the platform upon which its candidates stand, and then with integrity, when and if elected, carry out those principles and live up to that platform. Except that be the case, we as Latter-day Saints should not align ourselves to any party..." (Henry D. Moyle, CR 4/52:36)
"I would subject every representative of the American people, from the small community level, to state, national and international position, to the scrutiny and test of virtuous, moral standards...if I had to make a choice, which I ought not to have to make, between talent and integrity, I would choose integrity and virtue, for without them we are lost." (Stephen L. Richards, CR 10/53:101)
SEE ALSO:
Doctrine and Covenants 134:3
Joseph Smith, 1843, DHC 5:286
Brigham Young, 1854, JD 7:12-13
George Albert Smith, CR 4/14:11
Joseph F. Merrill, CR 10/44:30-31
Ezra Taft Benson, BYU, 12/10/63
Guideline #3 It is a sin to vote for a wicked man and we should do all in our power to oppose such
"We engage in the election the same as in any other principle; you are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this it is a sin; to vote for wicked men, it would be sin..." (Hyrum Smith, 1844, DHC 6:323)
"I do not lift my voice against the great and glorious Government guaranteed to every citizen by our Constitution, but against those corrupt administrators who trample the Constitution and just laws under their feet." (Brigham Young, 1857, JD 5:232)
"...when men try to gain influence for evil, to lead their fellow creatures in the way to death, exercise all the power you possess to abridge such influence; destroy it if you can." (Brigham Young, 1867, JD 12:18)
"Oh let us oppose any subversive influence that would deprive us of our individual freedom or make this government a dictator instead of a servant of the people." (David O. McKay, CR 10/51:161)
"Let us not ally ourselves with bodies of men who would tear down and break in pieces this government, that was founded under the inspiration of God the Eternal Father. We cannot belong to any political party that is opposed to this free government and be consistent Latter-day Saints." (George Albert Smith, CR 4/14:11)
"Teachings and ideologies subversive to the fundamental principles of this great Republic, which are contrary to the Constitution of the United States, or which are detrimental to the progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be condemned, whether advocated by Republicans or Democrats." (David O. McKay, CR 10/52:129-30)
SEE ALSO:
Doctrine and Covenants 98:6-10
Joseph Smith, 1843, DHC 5:286
Albert E. Bowen, CR 10/38:68
Joseph F. Merrill, CR 10/44:30-31
David O. McKay, CN 12/12/53
Guideline #4 We should not vote for a man simply because of Party allegiance.
"Are we a political people? Yes, very political indeed. But what party do you belong to or would you vote for? I will tell you whom we will vote for: we will vote for the man who will sustain the principles of civil and religious liberty...and we do not care a farthing whether he is a whig, a democrat, a barnburner, a republican, a new light or anything else." (Brigham Young, 1869, JD 13:149)
"Every man and woman who has arrived at the years of political accountability and has the right to vote should never sell himself or herself or pledge himself or herself to vote for men regardless of who they may be, provided they are nominated by their party. Unless I am misinformed, men all over this state are pledging themselves in groups to vote for the nominations at their party convention, without knowing who is to be nominated, thus selling their God-given right to stand up for honorable, true, virtuous men, men worthy of the franchise of the citizens of the United States of America... And any man or woman who signs an agreement to vote for whoever may be nominated, regardless of who the individual may be, is relinquishing his God-given right of the free exercise of conscience." (Herber J Grant, 1928, E 31:510-511)
"Now, I am not caring today, for myself, anything at all about a political party tag. So far as I am concerned, I want to know what the man stands for... When I find out these things, then I know who it is who should receive my support, and I care not what his party tag is...Today, our duty transcends party allegiance; our duty today is allegiance to the Constitution as it was given to us by the Lord." (J. Ruben Clark, CR 10/42:59)
"However, above all else, strive to support good and conscientious candidates, of either party, who are aware of the great dangers inherent in Communism, and who are truly dedicated to the Constitution in the tradition of our Founding Fathers." (David O. McKay, CR 10/62:8)
SEE ALSO:
J. Reuben Clark, 1940, E 43:444
Ezra Taft Benson, BYU, 12/10/63
Guideline #5 The Constitution, as revealed to the Founding Fathers, and the God-given right of free agency should be the criteria we use to judge candidates and issues.
"God provided that in this land of liberty, our political allegiance shall run not to individuals, that is, to government officials, no matter how great or how small they may be. Under His plan our allegiance and the only allegiance we owe as citizens or denizen of the United States, runs to our inspired Constitution which God Himself set up...This principle of allegiance to the Constitution is basic to our freedom." (J. Ruben Clark, 1940, E 43:444)
"Today, our duty transcends party allegiance; our duty today is allegiance to the Constitution as it was given to us by the Lord." (J. Ruben Clark, CR 10/42:59)
"I for myself have long since determined that a safe criterion by which movements political, social or religious can be judged meritoriously is by their impact upon our Godly attribute of free agency." (Henry D. Moyle, 1957, RS 44:576)
"However, above all else, strive to support good and conscientious candidates, of either party, who are truly dedicated to the Constitution in the tradition of our Founding Fathers." (David O. McKay, CR 10/62:8)
"In this time of deadly peril we must choose men and women to represent us in our government who have attained an inner atunement of mind, heart and soul with God...we should place in public office men and women who place the love of God first in their lives and who, as a consequence, can serve their fellow men with true wisdom...In this time of great stress and danger we must place only those dedicated to the preservation of our Constitution, our American Republic, and responsible freedom under God." (Ezra Taft Benson, BYU, 12/10/63)
"The Lord Almighty requires this people to observe the laws of the land...but He will hold them responsible if they will pass unconstitutional measures and frame unjust and proscriptive laws...if law-makers have a mind to violate their oath, break their covenants and their faith with the people, and depart from the provisions of the Constitution, where is the law, human or divine, which binds me, as an individual, to outwardly and openly proclaim my acceptance of their acts?" (Joseph F. Smith, 1882, JD 23:70-71)
"The Lord Almighty requires this people to observe the laws of the land...but He will hold them responsible if they will pass unconstitutional measures and frame unjust and proscriptive laws...If law-makers have a mind to violate their oath, break their covenants and their faith with the people, and depart from the provisions of the Constitution, where is the law, human or divine, which binds me, as an individual, to outwardly and openly proclaim my acceptance of their acts?" (Joseph F. Smith, 1882, JD 23:70-71)
SEE ALSO:
Brigham Young, 1854, JD 12-13
Ezra Taft Benson CR 10/50:148
Stephen L. Richards, CR 10/53:101
Guideline #6 It is vitally important that we seek the will of the Lord in our political decisions.
"If members of all these various organizations (speaking of the various political parties) were to obey the Gospel and gather together, the religion of heaven would clear their hearts of all political rubbish and make them one in voting for principles and measures, instead of men." (Brigham Young, 871, JD 14:159)
"I will tell you how to vote. You read the Doctrine and Covenants 134:2-3 and then read the 29th chapter of Mosiah and listen to what the prophets have told us to do. Then get down on your knees and ask the Lord to guide you, and you will know who to vote for." (Harold B. Lee, Church News, Deseret News, 8/9/72, pg 3)
"When they would ask me who to vote for in the coming election, I would tell them to read Mosiah 29 and Section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants, pray about that, and any Latter-day Saint could know who to vote for in any given election." (Harold B. Lee, BYU, 4/19/61)
LEGEND OF ABBREVIATIONS USED:
CR - Conference Report
DHC - Documentary History of the Church
JD - Journal of Discourses
BYU - Talk given at Brigham Young University
CN - Church News section of the Deseret News
E - The Improvement Era
RS - The Relief Society Magazine
Okay - back to Texasblu here. I have heard many say, "There just isn't anyone to vote for. I don't know who to vote for - is there really a difference?" There is always a difference, and Heavenly Father cares VERY MUCH who you vote for, or if you vote at all. Did you see the promise of the last quote? Here it is again, emphasis added:
"When they would ask me who to vote for in the coming election, I would tell them to read Mosiah 29 and Section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants, pray about that, and any Latter-day Saint could know who to vote for in any given election." (Harold B. Lee, BYU, 4/19/61)
Folks, start studying if you haven't already done so - educate others. We're not talking in depth study - you have a whole weekend to look things over, read the scriptures and pray. There are TEN candidates this election for President! A wasted vote is only those not cast, or cast unintelligently (by party or by no research). When we study as the prophet asks us to, and go to the Lord in prayer, we will know who to vote for. For those of you who have voted for the lesser of the two evils - I did too. I didn't have this information - where much is given much is required. I will be held accountable for my vote - I am voting on principles and the Constitution - on ALL levels of government. I pray you do the same. I am told I am foolish. Well, we will see. I will be praying and fasting on Sunday for my country. Will you join me? |
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Killing Oppression
My thoughts at 05:23 PM, August 2, 2008
Quotes
"Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
-- Robert Francis Kennedy |
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A Great Quote
My thoughts at 02:12 PM, July 28, 2008
Quotes
From a Jewish proverb. I saw it in an Ensign yesterday and had to save it:
"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers"
Isn;t that just a lovely thought? |
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Quote from Patrick Henry
My thoughts at 11:29 AM, June 25, 2008
Quotes
“It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth—and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts.” ~ Patrick Henry
An interesting thought from Mr. Henry. I have much pondering to do over this one. Does it stir any thoughts in your head? I'd love to hear them! |
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Ronald Regan Quotes
My thoughts at 07:10 AM, June 18, 2008
Quotes
My MIL sent these to me - I adored Pres. Regan when I was little. I was in 4th grade when he was elected to office. It upsets me when the media slanders him. We have books on his polices and those things that he did - I think he was the last of the greats... until we wake up and elect another patroit anyway. Here they are, Ronald Regan quotes:
'Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they loose.'
'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'
'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're! ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.'
'Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.'
'I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.'
'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'
'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.'
'The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.'
'It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.'
'Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.'
'Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.'
'No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'
'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.'
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