Marriage is sacred, ordained of God from before the foundation of the world. After creating Adam and Eve, the Lord God pronounced them husband and wife, of which Adam said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Jesus Christ cited Adam’s declaration when he affirmed the divine origins of the marriage covenant: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.”
In 1995, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declared the following unchanging truths regarding marriage:
"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children . . . The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."
The Proclamation also teaches, “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” The account in Genesis of Adam and Eve being created and placed on earth emphasizes the creation of two distinct genders: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Marriage between a man and a woman is central to the plan of salvation. The sacred nature of marriage is closely linked to the power of procreation. Only a man and a woman together have the natural biological capacity to conceive children. This power of procreation – to create life and bring God’s spirit children into the world – is sacred and precious. Misuse of this power undermines the institution of the family and thereby weakens the social fabric. Strong families serve as the fundamental institution for transmitting to future generations the moral strengths, traditions, and values that sustain civilization. As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms, “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society.”
Marriage is not primarily a contract between individuals to ratify their affections and provide for mutual obligations. Rather, marriage and family are vital instruments for rearing children and teaching them to become responsible adults. While governments did not invent marriage, throughout the ages governments of all types have recognized and affirmed marriage as an essential institution in preserving social stability and perpetuating life itself. Hence, regardless of whether marriages were performed as a religious rite or a civil ceremony, married couples in almost every culture have been granted special privileges aimed primarily at sustaining their relationship and promoting the environment in which children are reared. A husband and a wife do not receive these privileges to elevate them above any other two people who may share a residence or social tie, but rather in order to preserve, protect, and defend the all-important institutions of marriage and family.
It is true that some couples who marry will not have children, either by choice or because of infertility, but the special status of marriage is nonetheless closely linked to the inherent powers and responsibilities of procreation, and to the inherent differences between the genders. Co-habitation under any guise or title is not a sufficient reason for defining new forms of marriage.
High rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births have resulted in an exceptionally large number of single parents in American society. Many of these single parents have raised exemplary children; nevertheless, extensive studies have shown that in general a husband and wife united in a loving, committed marriage provide the optimal environment for children to be protected, nurtured, and raised. This is not only because of the substantial personal resources that two parents can bring to bear on raising a child, but because of the differing strengths that a father and a mother, by virtue of their gender, bring to the task. As the prominent sociologist David Popenoe has said:
"The burden of social science evidence supports the idea that gender differentiated parenting is important for human development and that the contribution of fathers to childrearing is unique and irreplaceable.
. . . The complementarity of male and female parenting styles is striking and of enormous importance to a child’s overall development. It is sometimes said that fathers express more concern for the child’s longer-term development, while mothers focus on the child’s immediate well-being (which, of course, in its own way has everything to do with a child’s long-term well-being). What is clear is that children have dual needs that must be met: one for independence and the other for relatedness, one for challenge and the other for support."
Social historian David Blankenhorn makes a similar argument in his book Fatherless America.
"In an ideal society, every child would be raised by both a father and a mother."
The article goes on and I think it worthy of reading the entire thing. But I stand with the Church on this: Marriage is between a man and woman and same-gender marriages I will not approve or support. As the Church clearly states in the article, I do not condone hostile or hateful actions toward anyone, be their heterosexual or homosexual. But I will stand strong with my values and no amount of peer pressure will I succumb to.
Several weeks ago I received an email from an American soldier serving in Iraq. Jeffrey Denning's time was winding down and he'd been searching Blogland for other LDS blogs. He found mine and I'm glad he did. I dropped by his blog, did some reading and was very impressed so I contacted him back.
The bio on his blog reads the following:
I write for the Aviation Security Community for a major newspaper on line. (See the link on the left hand side.) I've worked as a private security specialist for the U.S.-led 'Roadmap to Mideast Peace' in Israel and Palestine, I serve on the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) Just War Theory Project, and I've worked as a SWAT team leader and a post-9/11 Federal Air Marshal. My master's degree is in Military Studies and terrorism, with a concentration in special operations, counterinsurgency and irregular warfare. I've lectured on topics from school shootings to identifying suicidal terrorists, and I just returned from a deployment to Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserves. I've been Scuba diving in the Red Sea and have eaten Belgium waffles in Brussels. I've trained with members of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, and have led horseback riding trips in Colorado. I'm a professionally-trained driver, and I've gone free-fall skydiving for fun. Fun facts: I'm a FBI-trained crisis negotiator, I know American Sign Language, and my wife and I have nearly enough kids to start a basketball team!
He was interested in networking with other authors and we began a dialog which has emerged into the beginnings of a friendship. He's a public speaker, an author and a former Air Marshal, which is the center of the firestorm he now finds himself in.
CNN, the Washington Times and local newspapers, all have contacted and interviewed Denning. Why, you might ask, is this humble soldier suddenly in the spotlight? He received an email, in Iraq, from a former colleague at the Air Marshals Service. He forwarded it on to former and current Marshals and left it at that.
Upon returning home the TSA interrogated him and his family to find out where the email came from. (You can read the email here.) In CNN's interview, Denning was quoted as saying:
Nothing in the e-mail contained sensitive security information, Denning said, nor did it encourage anyone to disclose information that could endanger the public. Don't Miss
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Ex-marshal: Air marshal training 'a national disgrace'
CNN Special Investigations Unit
"I was petrified," Denning said of Neiderer's phone call, explaining how he contacted CNN full of dismay that the TSA was harassing him and his family to find out which of his former colleagues had talked to the media.
"In Iraq, there were a lot of dangerous things, but never have I been so scared [as] when the federal government called me on my home phone and said I want to know about your personal e-mail account and what you have been sending."
TSA's Hawley refused repeated requests to be interviewed by CNN. Neiderer did not return repeated calls or e-mails. ("TSA Launches Leak Investigation" by Drew Griffin and Kathleen Johnston, CNN Special Investigation Unit, 14 July 2008)
So, what does this boil down to? The federal government was tracking all of Jeff's email correspondence. I guess they read mine too, but they can't have found much because our communiques revolved around writing.
Anyway, Jeff agreed to be interviewed about this whole mess, so settle in and let's hear it from the man himself:
Jeff, I ran across your blog after you emailed me from Iraq. You mentioned you were searching Blogland for clean and LDS blogs, can you tell me why you were searching for these blogs?
Years ago I began committing quotes to memory. I’ve memorized things from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Dr. Seuss. I especially have enjoyed studying the words of modern-day prophets and apostles. While preparing to give a talk to LDS service members in Iraq, I wanted to get a reference to a quote I recalled by a late Church leader. While Google-ing the quote to find the exact reference, I came across several LDS blogs and I began to search through them. Your blog really caught my attention.
It’s wonderful that we can share the gospel using the Internet, as Elder M. Russell Ballard encouraged us to do recently. Millions can be blessed as a result. I know I have been blessed by learning of your testimony as well as the testimony of many others. I started my blog while in Iraq. I’ve had many friends of mine of many other faiths who’ve learned something about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by reading my blog, and I’m happy I can share with others what is most important to me.
Furthermore, some of the attention I’ve received recently from the CNN interview or from the Aviation Security blog I co-write for The Washington Times has prompted many more to read my personal blog.
Will you please tell us a little bit about your history before you headed to Iraq as an officer in the US Army Reserves, clearing bombs from the roadways?
After serving a full-time mission, I had a deep desire to work as a protection specialist – a bodyguard – for members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. My great-great-great grandfather, Elder Parley P. Pratt, was murdered while serving in the Holy Apostleship, as was – of course – Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and others. While the threat against Church leaders today isn’t the same as it was back then, there still are many people who’d harm them if given the chance.
When I visited the office of Church security shortly after my mission, I was turned away and lovingly encouraged to get some experience and education. Soon, I enlisted into the US Army Military Police Corps where I supervised a full-time SWAT team. On September 11th, 2001, I was working as a Dallas police officer. When I watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center tower, I knew it was Middle Eastern terrorism. Feeling a need to do more to counter terrorism and terrorists, something of which I had a unique interest in long before 9/11, I applied to the Federal Air Marshal Service. While waiting to hear back I took a position protecting U.S. diplomats in Israel and Palestine with the U.S.-led ‘Roadmap to Mideast Peace.’ Living in Jerusalem and working as a security specialist I couldn’t help but think of the prophecies of the future. According to Revelation chapter 11, in the last days two prophets shall be slain in Jerusalem. I must admit, I’ve pondered that more than most.
Fortunately, I’ve been able to help Church security officials a couple times provide close protection security for both President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson. Of course, while all these life experiences are neat and wonderful, the most important is my family.
Before going to Iraq, you spent some years in the Federal Air Marshal Service, can you tell us why decided to take this job?
When the Department of Homeland Security finally contacted me and offered me a job as a Federal Air Marshal (FAM), I was living and working in Jerusalem. That particular experience was something I had dreamed about doing for many years.
Initially I turned down the job offer as an air marshal, but I had a deep impression afterwards that I needed to call them back and accept the position. One of the ways we can know it’s the Holy Ghost whispering to our hearts and minds to do something and not our own will is if the answer to our prayer is contrary to our personal desires. That was what I experienced in taking the job as a FAM. I’m convinced the Lord wanted me to take the position. And I didn’t ask why, I just did it. I received personal revelation and I acted on it. Without exception, every time I’ve followed that pattern, my life has been blessed as a result.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper covered a story about problems with the Federal Air Marshal Service. To my surprise, you were at the center of it but not for the reason people might think. Would you please tell us a little more about that?
First let me say it’s rather shocking to be the lead story of CNN.com all day long, and then be on Anderson Cooper 360. I never thought what I experienced would get so much attention, but then again, what happened to me was pretty outrageous.
While in Iraq I received an email from a colleague asking for any current or former FAMs willing to speak to CNN. After several years of agency mismanagement and senior managers unwilling to listen to the air marshals’ very real security concerns, whistleblowers decided to go public. Though I was very concerned, I didn’t ever go public nor did I ever ‘leak’ anything.
Subsequently I forwarded the email message I received from my personal email account. The week I arrived home from Iraq, an investigator from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) called me at home and asked about my personal email account and what I had been sending – and from whom. As you can probably imagine, when a special agent from the federal government calls your home asking about your private emails, it’s more than unnerving. Of course, at this point I hadn’t been a FAM in over a year, having left the nascent agency on good terms.
This email you received and forwarded, from Iraq, stirred up quite a fuss in many arenas. Why did you decide to go public with the contents of that email?
Silently, I stood by in disgust at the incredible corruption and mismanagement I had witnessed in the FAM Service, hoping things would change. They never did.
We were charged with stopping terrorists. As armed, undercover federal law enforcement officers on board airplanes, we knew more than anyone that the policies and protocols we were forced to abide by totally disabled us while enabling any would-be terrorists. We couldn’t do our job and the flying public was not safe. Inevitably, our national security was in jeopardy.
I often felt like Captain Moroni who wrote a scathing letter to the government leader, Pahoran, as recorded in The Book of Mormon. The military leader needed support and provisions, he wrote, or he and his men would rebel and fight against the government leaders. Fortunately, Pahoran listened and humbly replied.
When the government and the director of the FAM Service at the time wouldn’t change things, I felt I should go public and write about the failures in aviation security. I hoped that doing so would change things for the better. We’re still not where we should be. We’re not prepared to stop terrorists and flying is just a hassle. It shouldn’t be.
It’s impossible to describe the challenge of someone in my shoes to go public. I’ve been involved in a lot of specialized work and unique professional circles. Often those who go public get shunned, ostracized or blacklisted by those who were once their colleagues and brothers-in-arms. After many months of prayer and pondering, I decided to fast and pray about my decision to go public – this was before leaving the Federal Air Marshal Service in 2007. After consulting with a trusted friend and telling the Lord I would do His will, I attended the temple in a prayerful attitude. My answer was clear. I knew I must go public and not ask again.
So, when the opportunity presented itself to speak with CNN after this extraordinary incident, I didn’t hesitate. CNN was willing to expose the corruption and failures of aviation security that the federal government was charged to protect. And not only that, but they were willing to expose the great lengths that the TSA would go to in order to stop whistleblowers.
What has this done to your personal life, your family?
Well, I now have a few people who never want to speak with me again. Some have sent me hate mail. Some talk ill of me on line. But for the most part, people are supportive, including many air marshals or former air marshals who know what I know.
Recently I’ve thought of Columbus, the Wright Brothers, Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and others. Anyone who speaks up will have opposition. As Lehi taught, there will be opposition in all things. When we speak up – in my case, literally – there will be voices who oppose us. But I’m grateful for the experience. I feel more refined and strengthened as a man. I am more determined than ever to protect others and help keep innocent people safe from terrorism and all kinds of crime and trouble.
Of course, the kids thought it was neat to be on CNN. And my wife is simply wonderful. The government investigator initially contacted her while I was in Iraq. Of course, the whole ordeal made her uncomfortable and she continues to be reminded of it by a documentary film interview, the CNN interview, and so forth, but she’s been supportive of me during all of this. Prayer has been a blessing during our whole married life and this period is no different. As President Monson once said, “Prayer is the passport to peace.” (Thomas S. Monson, “In Harm’s Way,” Ensign, May 1998, 46.)
What is the key lesson you’d like everyone to learn from this?
A message especially to the youth: be strong, be courageous. Don’t do something just because it’s popular or faddish. On the corollary, if you should do something you know you should, dare to do it. Stand up for what is right. Do what’s right and you’ll have no need to fear. Be an example and a leader in all you do, because inevitably someone will be watching you – no pun at the government’s expense intended.
There are some major Constitutional rights being violated in this scenario, will you tell us a little about this?
I’m not going to attempt an interpretation of that here. I think a more important question is what are we – you and I – going to do to contribute to our communities and our beloved nation? One of the many things I love about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is our devotion to the U.S. Constitution. Joseph Smith taught that we should befriend it; that the Lord caused it to be established. He also prayed that the honorable and noble principles of the Constitution should be maintained forever. (See D&C 98:5-6; 101:77, 80; 109:54.)
The attack on our cherished values, particularly the attack on families, and other moral principles are growing. There is a bold movement to destroy religion and goodness. To that we should recall what John Adams, the second President of the United States and signer of the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights stated. Said he, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Those are words to live by.
To borrow the words of another, there is great strength in a nation on its knees. That’s something we all felt and witnessed in the days following the 9/11 tragedy. We could all be a little better, a little kinder.
Will you please share with us some of your experiences as a Federal Air Marshal, flying the “friendly” skies in order to keep American safe?
Once Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve, and his wife, walked on the plane I was covering. There I was sitting with a concealed pistol and I had just lied to the person sitting next to me about my job. The 9/11 hijackers looked like normal, everyday passengers prior to their deadly deed. Working undercover sometimes I had to lie. If I told the wrong person, or if a would-be terrorist overheard me, I would be attacked first. And, trust me, there are bad guys still probing the airlines and looking for weak links to attack.
Nevertheless, I was thrilled to see Elder Oaks. There he was – one of my heroes. Not only was he someone I respected as a person and a professional in jurisprudence, but I sustained him as a prophet, seer and revelator. I thought of the many years of preparation I had had since first going to Church security and asking to help protect these good men. I thought about the dichotomy of lying and how I justified it. Among the simplest of answers was that given by my dear friend and home teaching companion in Jerusalem, the first Patriarch to serve in the Holy Land since the Restoration of the gospel who was later called as the Alberta, Canada temple president, Brother Robert S. Patterson. He reassured that the Spirit would let me know when to divulge the clandestine nature of my job.
Further, as I curiously watched Elder Oaks, I wondered what he’d think of me if I had to violently counter-attack a person trying to take over the plane. I knew what he’d think from a legal perspective as a former attorney and judge. I knew the law well.
I knew what he’d think from an ecclesiastical standpoint. In fact, I recalled that he had at that point recently stated that, “[W]e believe the commandment [‘thou shalt not kill’] is not violated by killing pursuant to a lawful order in an armed conflict.” (“The Dedication of a Lifetime,” CES Fireside for Young Adults, Oakland CA, May 1, 2005.) But what would he think as a man and a Church leader if I had to do those things that I had been trained to do?
It’s that psychological and spiritual aspect to being a modern-day warrior that has taken so many years to learn. That’s one of the reasons I’m eager to write a book for LDS service members and those in law enforcement or private security – or for those who are considering an occupation in such a field.
What last thoughts would you like to share with the readers of my blog, who happen to be amongst the best in the world?
I’ve had many special experiences over my lifetime. I’ve been supported and guided by Divine intervention. I’ve been protected from physical and spiritual harm. I’ve prayed for help to perform well in my work and I’ve been blessed as a result. Interesting, isn’t it? Yes, I feel the Lord wants me to be good at my profession even though it involves what has been described in The Book of Mormon as “the work of death.” But thankfully, I haven’t had to do that.
Finally, as a former Federal Air Marshal and a concerned private citizen, I am still eager to help keep our nation’s skies safe. That’s the reason I began writing an Aviation Security blog for The Washington Times community, found here.
And there ends the interview with Jeffrey Denning. Can I tell those reading my blog, this man is tremendous and I feel honored to know him. It takes great courage and strength to take a stance against such a powerful institution. Yes, there are those who have turned from him, but they are people of no consequence or character. For one does not abandon a patriot standing for truth, and that is what Jeffrey Denning is . . . it will be my great honor to assist him in getting his book published. For I have no doubt it will be a book which strikes at the heart of those trying to destroy this nation. If he has a 1/5 of the writing skill his ancestor, Parley P. Pratt, had, then we are in for a great treat.
Jeff, thank you for being as the Captain Moroni of our day. I, as an American, thank you for your service to our country and your stance in fighting for the continued freedom of the children of God.
I received this from a friend and decided I wanted to do more than forwarded it in an email, I wanted to post it on my blog:
ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT....
This is the scariest election we as Christians have faced in a while and from the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees.
Do you believe we can take God at His word? Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold. This scripture gives us, as Christians, ownership of this land and the ability to call upon God to heal it. I challenge you to do so. We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land.
"If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
During World War II, there was an adviser to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, it's people, and peace. This had an amazing effect as Axis bombing stopped. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in the United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever!!!
If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the up-coming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow, not dwindle, in the U.S.
Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.
Please join us in this very righteous and worthy endeavor. Not only is it Biblical, but it is something that each one of can do in a time where we feel so helpless about the direction our nation is headed. I invite each of my fellow bloggers to copy and paste this on their own blogs and spread the word as far as we can across America. Shoot, let's reach out to the world. A world at peace where the freedoms of her citizens are honored, wow, how would that be?
As the 24th of July approaches, which is known as Pioneer Day to Latter-day Saints across the world, my mind drifts back to my own ancestors. It is the day we celebrate the arrival of the pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley after a long and arduous journey west, fleeing Illinois from certain persecution and death.
Prior to his marriage, my great-great-great grandfather, Moses Harris, had a conversation with his future father-in-law, Thomas Dodd Smith. Let me paraphrase as I have not read the account in quite some time although the message itself is burned into my brain.
Moses and Thomas were out chopping wood or working in the field, I cannot remember which, when Thomas stopped and looked his daughter's fiancé straight in the eye and said:
"Moses, the true church of God is nowhere to be found on the earth. It will not come in my lifetime but it will come in yours. Promise me this now, you will not forget Mother and me. When you find it, remember us."
"I will, Thomas. I will." Moses vowed.
Twice more before Moses and Fanny married, Thomas took Moses aside and elicited the same promise from him, and each time Moses gave him his word. Moses and Fanny were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1833. It wasn't long after the possibility of performing that ordinance as proxy for the our ancestors became available that Moses and Fanny entered the waters of baptism, which happened to be a cold river, and were baptized for her parents. A promise solicited, a promise kept.
Moses and Fanny, along with their children followed the prophet, Joseph Smith, to Ohio and onward to Missouri. They settled near Crooked River and Moses built a homestead and farmed his 3,000 acres of claimed land. The climate for Mormons in Missouri became difficult, and on October 24, 1838 the Battle of Crooked River commenced. There is no doubt in my mind that Moses defended his family along with the others in the area. There is very little in the family record about this battle, but it is noted they did not leave Crooked River until late winter of 1838 or early 1839. My G3 grandparents eventually lost three children due to exposure to the brutal winter as they were driven from Missouri. Fanny was seven months pregnant.
Eventually the Harris' would settle in Montrose, Iowa, just across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo, Illinois. Moses served as a sometime bodyguard for Joseph Smith and in his free hours farmed his land in Montrose. June 27, 1844, at 5:45 in the evening, everything changed for every Mormon in the 19th Century. Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother Hyrum were assassinated by cold-blooded, cowardly mobbers who had painted their faces black so as to remain undetected after completing their foul deed. Thereafter, Moses patrolled the streets of Nauvoo, with other brave man, to prepare for the eventuality of an attack.
Two years later, the Saints began to roll out of Nauvoo headed to a land westward Joseph had only dreamed of, Utah. Moses was in the wagon train with Brigham Young, but was struck terribly ill. When his son, Silas, was called to serve in the Mormon Batallion, Moses was too weak to take the family the rest of the way. They waited right there for Silas' return, then and only then, did they continue westward.
They did not arrive in the Salt Lake Valley until October 19th, but Moses and his family became a very integral part of Utah history helping to settle San Bernardino, Harrisburg and eventually ending in Leeds, where he died. When Brigham Young called, Moses obeyed. Always and unfailing, Moses was faithful to the Lord's prophet and his requests.
The ending paragraph of his obituary in the local Leeds, Utah newspaper reads:
He leaves a posterity now living of five children, [55] grandchildren. Father Harris' long and eventful life, after gathering with the Saints in Missouri, was mostly spent in opening up new settlements. He was very unassuming, and was honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow man, always quietly performing all duties required of him. He was very temperate in his habits. He never faltered nor murmured under all the trying scenes he was called to pass through, and was ever ready to bear a strong testimony to the truth of this Latter-day work. It can truly be said of him, "He has fought the good flight, he has kept the faith," and will come forth in the morning of the first resurrection and inherit all the blessings sealed upon his head in the Temple of the Lord, wherein he passed through all the ordinances given in those sacred places. ~ Warren Foote, reporter
Moses and his family instilled in their descendants a great sense of patriotism, love of God and a serious work ethic. My mother, his G2 granddaughter, instilled in me the pride of knowing where we come from and that deep responsibility that we live up to the sacrifices our ancestors made that we might have the very Gospel of Jesus Christ denied Fanny's parents.
So when we celebrate Pioneer Day, for me it is so much more than parades, concerts, speakers and dances . . . it is remembering my ancestors who sweat blood and tears who lived up to their covenants and stayed true to their God. It is remembering that I was born and raised in the glorious West because they walked and rode on a wagon across the prairies and mountains of the American Midwest and West. It is remembering I am free to pursue my dreams, goals and overcome my challenges because they made sure their descendants would have that opportunity. It's remembering that I am free to drive to my ward building and attend church every Sunday. It's knowing I can drive to Salt Lake at any time and stand at the base of the Church Administration Building and know that the prophet and apostles of God are hard at work inside and around the world administering to His kingdom. It is knowing I can share my thoughts, testimony and beliefs in person and on the internet without attack, relatively speaking.
So I give my thanks to each and every pioneer, those of our faith and those who were not, who carved America out of this harsh, unforgiving land. To those who buried loved ones across the American plains and mountains I thank you for your sacrifice and your sorrow. To those who buried the foundation of your beloved work for the Lord, I give you untold gratitude. And to those who came before me, thank you for the Utah I live in now.
I had an interesting conversation with one of our missionary sons the other day. Alvaro is from Mexico City, but legally attending college in Arizona. He is up visiting us and we've had several interesting conversations about the state of America today. The conversation began like this:
"Sister Salima, what is going on with America today? We always looked at America as a country of promise and of hope. A place where nothing goes wrong. Everything seemed to be so amazing here. America never had trouble, everything was good. What happened?"
Now I'm paraphrasing that but it helped me to stop and think about how the world views America. I know, as I've been told by friends from other nations, how much the world hates us. Alvaro and I talked about that and then he said,
"What's really interesting is that America has had to step into every war, clean it up and end it. And never, ever, did they start it."
And that is true, America didn't start World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf 1 or the war we find ourselves in now. Yes, I know that there are factions within our nation who want to blame every American for all the problems in the world today. I don't agree. I've taken a good long look at America and our history.
I've studied the Founding Fathers and what brought them to the point where they declared our independence from Britain, the writing of the greatest Constitution in the world, the Declaration of Independence and our Bill of Rights. Were they perfect? Heavens no, are you?
I've studied the growth of our nation through our most difficult times and through the greatest of times. Yes, we definitely face perilous times, but something Glenn Beck said a week or so ago really hit me hard:
"As long as we look at ourselves and ask the question 'Who are we?' . . . Are we the country that is somehow or another mired in a war that cannot be won or are we the country of free men, that free man's mind, and that have freed millions of people in the last hundred years alone? Are we losers or are we people who change the world?" (Glenn Beck, The Daily Herald, 30 Jun 2008)
So looking at the views of people outside the United States of America and looking at the views of those within, I've come to an inescapable conclusion. Freedom has bearing. Safety has bearing. Control of one's future has bearing. And these things shine through Americans and is often mistaken for arrogance. Believing that we have God-given rights is perceived as arrogant by those around the world because they have either abrogated those rights or had them ripped away. There is a physical bearing which comes from the knowledge that you are free and an American and it is nothing to be ashamed of . . . ever.
Oh, do not mistake me, there are certainly arrogant Americans, as there are arrogant Frenchmen, Englishmen, Middle Easterners, Polynesians . . . from every country in the world, and we have our section of "self-entitled" people who think the world owes them a living. They are of value to no one. Where the value lies is in the internalization of freedom. Freedom is not free. Freedom is not easy. But, freedom is essential.
At that same venue, Glenn Beck also said,
"People are dying in the desert to have just a small piece of what we take for granted every day," he said. "How can it not be worth fighting for? . . . We just have to recognize it and remember who we are. ... We are the ones who will take us to new places beyond our wildest imaginations. It will be hard and rough, but oh, we'll have this tale to tell," Beck said. "All is well. All is well." (Ibid)
So bringing this back around to the original point, the view that suddenly America is having problems where we've never had them before. My friends around the world, America is a living, breathing nation with more problems than we can count. It has always been so. What protects us, what keeps our government strong, is the Constitution of the United States of America. With this divinely inspired document, Americans were given a chance to make democracy work through a vehicle called a republic.
Yes, our nation was torn apart with civil war in the late 1800's.
Yes, we have suffered a debilitating depression in the early 1900s.
Yes, we have crime running rampant in our nation and thus has it ever been. For there have always been those who wish to take that which is not theirs.
Yes, we have those within the borders of our nation, a portion of our very citizens, who wish to destroy America, ultimately and completely.
Yes, we have our poor and destitute.
Yes, we struggle to pay our bills.
Yes, we have our communists, socialists and fascists and ever struggle to keep them from destroying what has been built within the borders of America.
My friends, America is not perfect, but she is great. America is not a free and easy ride, but a privilege which requires your blood, sweat and tears to keep her safe and strong. America is a land of hope, a land of dreams. But only if you are willing to work for them.
The Statue of Liberty is our symbol of freedom, as our American Flag is the symbol of our patriotism. At her base it reads:
Give me your tired, your poor Your huddled masses yearning to be free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp by the golden door.
We are a people who have changed the world, contributed to the world and fed the world and we will continue to be so. But forgive us if we continue to show pride in this great nation which has been as Ronald Reagan's "shining city on a hill." We are a land which promotes freedom of religion, freedom of speech, civil rights, the rule of law and so much more. We are that land of promise, but we are a land which requires you to pour your heart and soul into the achieving of your dreams. America, the land of the free, the home of the brave.
Today was a tremendously spiritual and fun day for us. Our sweet nephew, whom we love so much, was baptized today. Sete was joined by hundreds of people at his baptismal service. We held it in the chapel, rather than the Relief Society room and opened both overflows of the stake center, if that gives you any idea how many people showed up. As I looked down from the stand I was stunned, and deeply touched, by the number of people who love, support and respect him. His family, friends, ward members, teammates and coaches all showed up.
For Alvin and me, it was intensely emotional. From the time Sete first began going to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there was something about it he liked. He wasn't quick to join, but rather took his time in studying the words and teachings of the prophets and apostles. He attended church, family home evening, ward prayer . . . slowly immersing himself in the Gospel, even becoming a home teacher several months prior to today. President Hinckley's last General Conference was a powerful experience for him and it was at that time he decided he had move forward with his decision to be baptized.
May I share the tremendous impact he has made on us? From the moment we met him he has been a true example of Jesus Christ, long before this day where he entered the waters of baptism. Often he would give me a sweet reminder, simply through a question, what I needed to be doing. The covenants of baptism are simple and sweet. Indeed, Sete has had the image of Christ stamped on his countenance for quite some time. There is a presence about him which dictates greatness for his future.
Alvin and I have felt so privileged to have him our home and today I literally choked up, my eyes swimming with tears as I conveyed my deep love and respect for this nephew of ours. We wish to thank Elders Aria and Mendenhall for stepping forward and finishing the discussions, a series of lessons about the Gospel, for Sete. We also wish to thank his former roommates, all return missionaries, who loved him as a brother and good examples and emissaries of Jesus Christ. Most importantly, we wish to thank Sete's parents for the wonderful young man they have raised.
One of Alvin's dear friends, Nela Otuafi, wrote a beautiful song about what kind of man Sete should want to be. This song quikly became one of Sete's favorites and Nela was kind enough to come to the baptsmal service and sing his song.
A week ago I was privileged to go hear entertainer, Merrill Osmond, speak at a fireside. His main topic was the Refiner's Fire and the power it holds in the lives of the children of God. Truly, this man, next to my husband, is one of the sweetest, most righteous men I have ever come across. I was so grateful that he let me know he was speaking that night. One particular thing he said really struck home with me: "Where there is ego, you will never find the Lord."
He said these words and the room stilled for me. Indeed, the hallmark of the Lord's cry for each of us is humility. So where does confidence become arrogance and humility become pride? The Merriam Webster dictionary defines confidence as:
1 a: a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances b: faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way
2: the quality or state of being certain : certitude
3 a: a relation of trust or intimacy b: reliance on another's discretion c: support especially in a legislative body
4: a communication made in confidence : secret
The definition itself clearly delineates between confidence, which is alright with the Lord, and arrogance which is not. The lesson the Lord has tried to teach us over and over to not rely on the arm of the flesh (see D&C 1:19), but turn to Him and trust that He will never let us down.
The definition of the good kind of confidence is: faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way
This is the kind of confidence the Lord needs us to have. Ego is when we believe we can do everything without help from anyone, even God. This is one of Satan's greatest deceptions and, to my great sorrow, one of my greatest failings.
I work hard to hone my skills and talents, but I'm afraid there comes a point where I say, "Yeah, I can do this. No sweat." Really, there's a sweat. I promise. But I think it behooves all of us to remember all of our gifts and talents come from our Father in Heaven. We were given what we needed in order to accomplish the things He sent us here to do.
And so it brings us back to, where there is ego you will never find the Lord. So my ego is going straight out the window. Every day, morning and night at a minimum, I shall remember to thank my Father in Heaven for the countless blessings showered upon us. For the gifts and talents He granted me I will express my gratitude and ask for continual guidance. I will remember that I am here in this life at the behest and blessings of a loving and eternal God. I have one overriding job . . . to bring as many of the sons and daughters of God back with me as I possibly can.
To this end I stand as a witness of Jesus Christ in all things, in all places and in all times. When asked, if it is within my power, I speak at all firesides, youth conferences, womens conferences and more, sharing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation which He came to fulfill. For where I am, I am determined to find the Lord.
I'm a member of Goodreads, which is a social networking site for authors and readers who adore books, much like Shelfari. One of my Goodreads friends had the following quote on his page:
"…all too often kindness is seen as a weakness. I like kind people. I like hanging out with kind, generous, awesome people. That’s not a weakness to me, it’s a strength." ~ Nathan Fillion
It gave me pause for thought.
One of the gentlest, kindest men I know is often considered weak, as Nathan Fillion indicates others might suppose. But when people look at these attributes and consider them weaknesses they are sorely mistaken. For there is no doubt our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was the kindest and gentlest man ever to have lived on the earth. He gathered the children, the sick and afflicted and the repentant unto Him. And with godly love He bestowed blessings, healings and forgiveness to all who sought Him. He hoarded not His priesthood but exercised it with a generous spirit. He loved all whose paths He crossed, and all those He did not.
And yet strength was called for:
When He cleansed the temple;
When He suffered the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane;
When He defended Himself with dignity and grace to the Kangaroo Court of Pharisees and Saducees; even,
When He hung on the cross until every last purpose of His mortal mission was fulfilled.
Then and only then, did the God of heaven and earth give up the ghost. You see, Jesus Christ knew when to fight and when to succumb. We will never be asked to sacrifice ourselves in such a way. But our Savior is our Exemplar in every possible way and for every possible reason.
Kindness is not equated with weakness but is, instead, a tremendous strength to see a child of God in the eyes of every human being on the face of the earth. Gentleness is the ability to exude a godly attribute in the face of overwhelming obstacles. Kindness heals where anger destroys. Gentleness soothes where abuse obliterates.
Understanding this makes me realize that I have much work to do in this direction. I need to be a much kinder, gentler person. I simply must emulate my Savior and my kinder, gentler friends.
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