The Nation of Deseret

[gabelpa]

Couple of questions, seeing as you're heading up this effort, from what I can tell

Ok, this Nation of Deseret, is it a Sovereign Nation?

On the site, a section found at Nation of Deseret: Online Government Interface makes the suggestion that if you are unhappy with the choicesmade by the majority of Americans, AND the Electoral College, then you should become a citizen of the nation of Deseret. If you are not a Sovereign Nation, how is this possible?

I did a quick lookup, just tools I'm used to using in my work. Your website (Domain Name) was registered on 15 October 2008, throug a cut-rate domain name registrar, (Nothing wrong with that, but you don't actually own your domain name), you take donations via paypal,and are using cafepress to do your screen printing/embroidery work. All these hint at someone with limited financial resources, or not putting in a lot of investment. I do not believe you have the inclination, financial capacity, manpower, or even the support of Heavenly Father required to pull this off. I fear for those who would follow, that they will find themselves in a situation not dissimilar to the Branch Davidians in Texas, rather than those in the Georgian regions of Russia.

[deseretgov]

Originally Posted by gabelpa

Couple of questions, seeing as you're heading up this effort, from what I can tell

Well I'm not the leader of this effort. But I'm the only one involved in this effort on this website.

Ok, this Nation of Deseret, is it a Sovereign Nation?

That is the goal. But due to current levels of recognition any citizen would still have regular interation with the American Government.

On the site, a section found at Nation of Deseret: Online Government Interface makes the suggestion that if you are unhappy with the choicesmade by the majority of Americans, AND the Electoral College, then you should become a citizen of the nation of Deseret. If you are not a Sovereign Nation, how is this possible?

We should be more accuratly looked at as a government in exile. It is our goal that through recognition and citizenship efforts we can become recognized officially by other nations and the local population as the official government of our territory.

Our website suggest that if you are unhappy with the way things are currently going in the government, then the Nation of Deseret may be a good alternative for you.

I did a quick lookup, just tools I'm used to using in my work. Your website (Domain Name) was registered on 15 October 2008, throug a cut-rate domain name registrar, (Nothing wrong with that, but you don't actually own your domain name), you take donations via paypal,and are using cafepress to do your screen printing/embroidery work. All these hint at someone with limited financial resources, or not putting in a lot of investment.

You are correct. As with the beginings of any other movement we have very limited financial resources at this time.

I do not believe you have the inclination, financial capacity, manpower,

That is why we are offering citizenship and accepting donations. The success of this Nation does not depend on how much of an internet presence we have. It depends on the actual people who wish to be involved. It's up to the people to accept us. Without their acceptance this nation will never be successful, unless...

or even the support of Heavenly Father required to pull this off.

...we have the support of Heavenly father. With Heavenly Father all things are possible. But this is something each person must judge for themselves. They must seek out Heavenly Father to know his will.

I fear for those who would follow, that they will find themselves in a situation not dissimilar to the Branch Davidians in Texas, rather than those in the Georgian regions of Russia.

I am well aware of the history of the Branch Davidians. I'm sure our leaders are aware of it as well. As far as my knowledge is correct they are seeking Heavenly Father's guidance to avoid that path.

[justamere10]

Originally Posted by deseretgov

I was recruited by the Council of Fifty to build the website. I hope you like it, if not the content then at least the design.

Please tell us more about this "Council of Fifty" and how you were "recruited". Are there actually 50 people on that council right now? If so, how many are active LDS? Why did they pick you to build their public website? Are you too one of the fifty?

[justamere10]

deseretgov: I think this thread is a good opportunity for you to promote your group and its mission. Responding to my questions would help you build credibility. If you don't open up, in my opinion you are going to remain in the murky shadows with no hope of ever building your group among people who are accustomed to transparency and working in the light.

Tell us about your "Council of Fifty", or is that just something that is still in the planning stages? If what you are trying to do is still just something in your own mind and you've only begun exploring it by taking it public with your website, tell us. There's nothing wrong with starting something new as long as the founder/s doesn't/don't attempt to deceive others into thinking it's already a viable going concern. Telling us you were "recruited" by fifty mysterious people in my opinion is something that begs an explanation, unless it's the substance of fiction, in which case it should be identified as such.

I look forward to learning more about your venture, my guess is that it's a topic of interest to many members of this board.

[deseretgov]

Originally Posted by justamere10

deseretgov: I think this thread is a good opportunity for you to promote your group and its mission. Responding to my questions would help you build credibility. If you don't open up, in my opinion you are going to remain in the murky shadows with no hope of ever building your group among people who are accustomed to transparency and working in the light.

Sorry for the delayed response. I'm still here and happy to anser questions.

Tell us about your "Council of Fifty", or is that just something that is still in the planning stages?

It's just a few months out of the planning stages.

If what you are trying to do is still just something in your own mind and you've only begun exploring it by taking it public with your website, tell us. There's nothing wrong with starting something new as long as the founder/s doesn't/don't attempt to deceive others into thinking it's already a viable going concern.

I hope I haven't mislead anyone into thinking that the Nation of Deseret is already a huge movement. It's not. It only exists among a few people at the moment.

Telling us you were "recruited" by fifty mysterious people in my opinion is something that begs an explanation, unless it's the substance of fiction, in which case it should be identified as such.

I look forward to learning more about your venture, my guess is that it's a topic of interest to many members of this board.

Hopefully my answers to the questions below will illuminate the discussion.

Please tell us more about this "Council of Fifty" and how you were "recruited". Are there actually 50 people on that council right now?

No there are not. There are only three. One of the things I am doing referring those I think may be good members of the Council. There are a few members on this board I have identified that may make good members of the Council. I have yet to contact them or refer them to the Council.

If so, how many are active LDS?

Two of the three are active LDS.

Why did they pick you to build their public website?

I am friends with the Standing Chairman. And I know a little about making websites.

Are you too one of the fifty?

No, I am not one of the Council.

Hopefully that helped explain some things. I'm excited with the interest some people have shown in the movement. I think discussion is the most important thing at this stage.

[justamere10]

Thanks, that helps, it's a brand new venture led by two or three people then.

If you can arrange it, it might be helpful to get your founders on this board to respond to questions and to provide information directly and openly. Can you make that happen?

[deseretgov]

I'll suggest it to them. I'll see if the Standing Chairman can come. He's the one I know the best.

[Bethie]

I'm just new to the Church, but I think this is an idea worth looking at. I know I would love to live in the "State of Deseret", as Utah and much of the West used to be called.

Your website is inviting and looks professionally done, but you do need a proof-reader. On this page, "Recognition Movement", I found a couple errors in the text, Nation of Deseret: Online Government Interface

For example, you cannot say "not many people no of it", and be taken seriously.

Probably this is just a typing error, so you really do need a proof-reader. If I become a "citizen", I will volunteer!

Are the current members mostly in Utah? I live in Cottonwood Hgts.

Hope to learn more about this "Nation of Deseret" through this forum!

[deseretgov]

Originally Posted by Bethie

I'm just new to the Church, but I think this is an idea worth looking at. I know I would love to live in the "State of Deseret", as Utah and much of the West used to be called.

Your website is inviting and looks professionally done, but you do need a proof-reader. On this page, "Recognition Movement", I found a couple errors in the text, Nation of Deseret: Online Government Interface

For example, you cannot say "not many people no of it", and be taken seriously.

Probably this is just a typing error, so you really do need a proof-reader.

Thank you from bringing that to my attention. I will correct them in my next update. There's always a few little spelling buggers the get past.

If I become a "citizen", I will volunteer!

You are more than welcome.

Are the current members mostly in Utah? I live in Cottonwood Hgts.

Most members live in Idaho. Our focus area is Idaho, Utah, Northern Arizona, and Eastern Nevada. But anyone from anywhere is welcome.

Hope to learn more about this "Nation of Deseret" through this forum!

I'll invite our Standing Chairman, hopefully we can have a good productive discussion.

[the_last_gunslinger]

Greetings, Deseretgov. I just have a couple questions dealing with this "Nation" here.

First, the Council of Fifty...is that reference to the council started by Joseph Smith in 1844, the one that is supposed to come in and maintain political stability after the world governments fail? If so, that leads me to the next question...

What exactly does the "founder" whoever he is, have in the way of qualifications? Why does he think he can do this, in other words, why does he think it is his job to act separately from the church to take on this "duty?"

Forgive me if I sound doubtful, but this whole thing seems odd to me.