A PERSPECTIVE

President Barack Hussein Obama gave his last speech to the United Nations.  During his speech he,

·         warned Americans against ultra-nationalism.

·         stated, “we can choose to press forward with a better model…”

·         or “we can retreat into a world sharply divided… along age-old lines of nation and tribe and race and religion.”  http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/20/politics/barack-obama-un-diplomacy/index.html.

73 B.C.

The people in America had become complacent in their wealth, and would not listen to their leaders.  So, Moroni took a pole, and placed his rent coat upon it calling the Title of Liberty.  He then prayed to his God for the blessings of liberty… as long as… Christians remained on the Land.

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/search?lang=eng&query=TITLE+OF+LIBERTY&x=0&y=0

Summer.  1776

Thomas Jefferson began to pen the Declaration of Independence.  Within its prose, he spoke of God, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  And that governments are instituted by men to guarantee these rights given by God.

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

Oct. 12, 1816

John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America stated, “Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/jay-the-correspondence-and-public-papers-of-john-jay-4-vols

During the 27 years of the Bush’s, Clinton, and Obama in the White House, religion in America has been in a great decline.  It started earlier in the 60’s, and then began to decline rapidly in the 90’s.  http://religionnews.com/2014/01/27/great-decline-religion-united-states-one-graph/

This loss of religion is coupled with a loss in economic freedom.  There is a parallel.

https://www.mapi.net/blog/2015/09/america%E2%80%99s-disturbing-loss-economic-freedom

THURS. Oct 11, 1798

John Adams, the first Vice-President, and second President of the United States of America stated in a letter to the Massachusetts Militia, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”  https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/99-02-02-3102

About 600 B.C.

Jared, his brother, and his people travel to America, and as decreed by God, it is a choice land, but those who possess it must serve God, or be swept off. 

http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Jaredites  https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/2.14

American Presidential election 2016.

The lead up, and aftermath of this has shown that corruption is rampant in both political parties, and is nearly complete.  Only a handful remain who understand the Constitution, and are faithful to it.

This is also true for the major media outlets who have abandoned investigative journalism for political persuasion, lies, and obfuscation.  This is evil, whatever your political persuasion may be.

About 92 B.C.

Alma the younger had a religious conversion, and no longer went about trying to destroy the Church.  He then became a great defender of it.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alma_the_Younger

Tue. Nov. 8, 2016

As election night of 2016 ended, Donald Trump had won 39 States to Hilary Clinton’s 11.  He also won over 2500 counties across our Country compared to her 500.  Something had awakened in America!

Friday, Jan. 20, 2017

Donald J. Trump, a man who has not showed much Christian faith previously, became the 45^th President of the United States of America.  In his inaugural address, he stated:

·         We are now joined in a great effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people.

·         We are transferring power from Washington, D.C. back to the people.

·         For too long, a small group in our nation’s Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.

·         A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our sights, and heal our divisions.

·         The Bible tells us, “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

·         And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator.

·         God Bless America.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/inaugural-address

Since then he has,

·         Called on God to bless the world after launching military strikes in Syria.

·         Asked God to bless the new Supreme Court Justice.

·         Invoked the Lord’s help in the war on opioids.

·         Pushed socially conservative positions.

·         Felt an increased faith in God, and an increased need to pray since becoming President.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/has-trump-found-religion-in-the-oval-office-237239

Trump is not a Republican.  Trump is not a Democrat.  Trump is not a politician.

Why would a rich Billionaire give up his lifestyle to be vilified and maliciously attacked by the media and existing power structure in Washington?  There is no money trail to follow.  There is no power trail to follow.  Is it all an act to achieve some unknown end? 

Or has he raised the Title of Liberty to save our Country?

2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AFTERMATH

I have never seen the kind of hostility toward a new president as I have seen against Donald Trump.  In fact, the only time more Democrats decided to pout and refused to attend an inauguration was when Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as President!

Many of my friends and acquaintances have, and probably still hate Trump with a passion.  Honestly, I don’t understand it, so let me share a few observations.  You see, I believe the media has falsely accused him to a tremendous degree.

 Most Trump haters do not like him as he seems to have had a somewhat sordid past.  OK.  Point taken.  Ten years ago, he was less than stellar morally and maybe we saw some lingering traces of that in the first debates.  Obama was a druggie in college.  So what?  Who are these men today?

First, I am more interested in who Trump is today than his past.  And it is quite appalling to me how so many self-righteous sanctimonious so-called Christians are so quick to condemn him to Hell by forcing him to live in his past.  Isn’t the primary belief of Christianity forgiveness and Christ-like love?  Didn’t Christ die so we may be forgiven of our sins?  The only thing we should be concerned about is the man today.  He won the election fair and square.

During his first inauguration, there were 6 Christian prayers offered, more than any other inauguration in history.  And in Trump’s speech he said, “We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE PROTECTED BY GOD.”

This appears to be Donald Trump today, a God-fearing man.  Is he sincere?  I don’t know.  Is this all just a farce to get elected?  I don’t know.  What I do know is he seemed to invite God back into America. 

Who among you is ready to cast the first stone?  Which of you is ready to turn away from Christ’s teachings and refuse to forgive him for any past deeds?  I am not, and will never be that person.  I have committed too many sins of my own to worry about others.  Also, in a spiritual sense, one the hardest things people trying to follow Christ must deal with is false Christians who won’t let them repent.

Secondly, the media has put forth the “fact” that Trump hates Mexicans.  I do not believe this.  Why?  I have never heard him say this.  Only the fake news media has said this.  I HAVE heard Trump say he was against illegal immigration.  There is a big difference between the two. 

In 1775 Patrick Henry warned the people against indifference, complacency, and apathy.  Are we today heeding the Constitution?  One of the President’s first duties is in the Oath of Office states, “defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.”  What does this mean!  Congress is given the task to make laws, and the President’s duty is to uphold them.  The President cannot make laws.  It is the right and privilege however of our President to enforce laws enacted by Congress that deal with national security.  If someone enters our Country illegally, measures must be taken or we will end up with nothing to call our own.  This is fulfilling the Oath of Office, not racism.

Thirdly, I do not believe Trump is a misogynist.  Again, this is something the mainstream media has raised as a banner to try and destroy him.  Oh how we love to wave about big words.  I am still waiting for some proof of this, and I haven’t seen any yet.  The only things I have heard about occurred many years ago.

Fourth, I do not believe Trump hates Muslims.  Trump has NEVER said this.  However, he has raised some legitimate concerns.  Most Muslims are peaceful people as most Americans are.  However, studies show that 10% to 15% of them are radicalized, or very dangerous.  All I have ever heard Trump say is we need to vet those wanting to enter our Country.  We need to find a way to filter them, and no one knows how to do this yet.  If there was a 10% chance your new neighbor wanted to rape and kill your daughter, would 10% be a risk level you would be comfortable with?  All he wants to do is fulfill the Oath of Office, to protect us from enemies, both foreign and domestic.  This is NOT racism.

And lastly, I would like to quote some lines from Trump’s inaugural address on January 20^th, 2016:

… today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another – but we are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you, the American people.  THIS IS VERY CONSTITUTIONAL.

… for too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have born the cost.  Washington flourished—but the people did not share in its wealth.  DOES ANYONE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS STATEMENT?

 … what truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.  THIS IS VERY CONSTITUTIONAL.

…an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge.  ANY ISSUES?

…for many decades we’ve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry;… we’ve defended other nation’s borders while refusing to defend our own… and spent trillions of dollars overseas while America’s infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay…  ANY ISSUES?

I could go on.   Would those of you that don’t support him, at least give him a chance?  He has the potential to fill the history books as one of the greatest presidents ever.  Will he?  I don’t know, but his inviting God back into our Country is a good place to start.

SUNDAY BEFORE THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

A SUNDAY THOUGHT

This Sabbath day a lot of people across our Country are fasting and praying for the outcome of Tuesday’s Presidential election.  This event is not specific to a single faith, and many are involved.  I personally have signed up with a group that includes well over 85,000 people from all walks of life across our entire Country.

I think we have all seen these past few months how corrupt our government has become, and the depth of it is staggering.  The corruption seems to be complete, and includes the Executive branch, Congress, the State department, and the Justice department.

Our Country is truly a shining city on a hill and so blessed by God, but our Constitution is in peril, along with our way of life and the freedoms we enjoy.  If our light fades, where will the oppressed turn for help?  And where will free people call home?

 A lot of us have prayed earnestly for guidance in making our personal decisions.  So, with this spirit in mind, I offer the following suggestion;

If you are fasting and/or praying this day, please set aside the candidate you are voting for.  You see, there are good and honorable people voting for all candidates, and their reasons are many and varied.

I suggest we pray not for a specific person, but for the preservation of our Constitution and the freedoms granted therein.  And I suggest we pray for the candidate who will best preserve them.

The father of us all, our Heavenly Father, or God if you prefer, knows the hearts and intents of His children, and He alone knows who is most capable of restoring our nation.

2016 ELECTION FINAL THOUGHTS

Final thoughts on the 2016 Presidential election from a conservative standpoint.

I believe Donald Trump is the best choice for President this year as Hillary Clinton cannot be allowed anywhere near the oval office, or have her hand in anything that has to do with the Supreme Court.  It is universally agreed by conservatives that Hillary Clinton is one of the most corrupt, dishonest, and dangerous politicians our Country has ever seen.  The fact that she could even be the Democrats nominee shows how far the morals and ethics in our Country have fallen.

 Donald Trump, while not a poster child of virtue himself, has stated he will appoint conservative justices in the mold of Antonin Scalia who truly understand our Heavenly inspired Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees.  He has also adopted a very conservative platform.

There are many reasons to not like Mr. Trump.  However, I would submit to you that most (not all) of his sins are in the past, and from a Christian perspective this must take this into consideration.

Due to Mr. Trumps faults, many individuals are looking for an alternative vote which is easily understandable.  Sadly however, the statistical probabilities of anything coming from this are non-existent.  It has been tried before by Perot, Anderson, and earlier in the form of the Bull Moose party.  I personally wish we had a viable third party to choose from, however my wishes do not drive the realities of our elections.

The reason for this tome is not to banter about the qualities (or lack thereof) of each candidate, but to show how important the Supreme Court is.  And as stated and alluded to above, with Hillary or a third party there is zero chance the Supreme Court will remain Constitutional in its thinking and judgements.

This is important because it is generational.  If the Court goes liberal in 2017, it will most likely stay that way for the next 24 years or longer given the age and disposition of the judges.  In other words, if one decides to elect a candidate that cannot positively affect the Court, this decision will affect our children’s future.  Following are some examples of what I mean:

 

·         In 1962 Engal v. Vitale, prayer in public school became unconstitutional. What happened?  It had been OK for 200+ years prior to this dating back to before our Country founded.

·         In 1963 Abington School District v. Schempp, Bible reading in school was determined to be unconstitutional.  What happened?

·         In 1980 Stone v. Graham, the 10 Commandment could no longer be posted in school.  Again, what happened?

·         In 1970 State Board of Educ. v. Board of Educ. of Netcong voluntary prayer and bible reading was no longer allowed.  What happened?  Over 200 years of stare decisis, or the legal doctrine of precedent was abandoned.

·         In 1984 Wallace v. Jaffree, a minute of silence in lieu of prayer was no longer acceptable.  What happened?

 

I could go on and on, but these are enough.  Our Constitution is slowly being stripped from the original intent and wording of our founding fathers.  As a nation, we are slowly turning away from the God inspired precepts our Country was founded on.

On Thursday June 28, 1787, Benjamin Franklin stood, and addressed prayer at the Constitutional Convention.  In his aged voice he proclaimed, “I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men.”

This kind of thinking by Statesmen such as Benjamin Franklin gave rise to our Country, and departing from it will be our downfall.

So in conclusion, all of the candidates have positive ideas to add to the discussion.  Conversely, all have negatives.  But in the long run, and for this election cycle, saving the Supreme Court, and by extension, the Constitution seems to me the paramount issue.  And only one candidate has a chance of doing this.  Donald Trump.