Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane: Surgery Update

Freedom Quotes

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
John Adams

"The (individual) growth required by the gospel occurs only in a culture of individual effort and responsibility. It cannot occur in a culture of dependency. Whatever causes us to be dependent on someone else for decisions or resources we could provide for ourselves weakens us spiritually and retards our growth toward what the gospel plan intends us to be."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks

The Truth...

...About GOOD VS. EVIL: How do we tell the difference?

I started a study about a year ago. I was thinking of how we're told in these last days good will be called evil and evil called good. I was also thinking of how those who stand for good things are often portrayed as anything but, and those who secretly (or not so secretly) stand for bad/immoral, etc. things are either lifted up or they have such a way with words that they are able to trick even the best of us. History is replete with examples of both. So while history can often be skewed based on who wrote the history books, so to speak, I turned the ultimate authority of the scriptures for my study. My study was conducted in the Book of Mormon (although such a study could be conducted in any book of scripture with similar results) and over the past year while reading it, I pulled out and documented every instance of the following that I could find. Because I am not perfect, there may be more that I missed.

Instances of evil doers being popular/tricky
-King Noah and his priests use flattery and lead people to much wickedness: Mosiah 11:7
-Samuel the Lamanite points out contrasting examples (see other side below in next section); "flattery," no consequences for actions: Helaman 13:27-28
-inspired men testify boldly, and lawyers and chief judges, high priests are very angry because of; prophets are put to death secretly: 3 Nephi 6:20-23
-Secret combinations tribe leader Jacob flatters to gain dissenters: 3 Nephi 7:12
-Rebellious Alma the younger a "man of many words" and does "speak much flattery" causing people to commit iniquity: Mosiah 27:8, 26:6
-Sherem is "learned," has a "perfect knowledge of the language," uses "flattery and much power of speech" to "overthrow the doctrine of Christ": Jacob 7:4
-Zeezrom, the "most expert" of lawyers tries to catch Alma and Amulek with tricky words for money: Alma 10:31-32; all ch. 11
-Korihor leads away the hearts of many by teaching Anti-Christ doctrine: Alma 30:12-18
-Amalikiah leads away by flattering words and promises for power; seeks to be king and destroy foundations of liberty: Alma 46:1-10

Instances of prophets/good people being accused of bad things
-Abinadi called contentious/wanting to stir up anger: Mosiah 11:28
-Nephi, son of Helaman, called a liar and said to "condemn" and "revile" against the law: Helaman 8:1-6
-Samuel the Lamanite points out contrasting examples (see other side in above section); testifies of iniquity, is called "sinner," "devil," "false prophet": Helaman 13:26
-Samuel the Lamanite is said to have a devil: Helaman 16:6
-Lachoneus is called wicked by Giddianhi, leader of Gadianton robbers: 3 Nephi 3:10
-inspired men testify boldly, and lawyers and chief judges, high priests are very angry because of; prophets are put to death secretly: 3 Nephi 6:20-23
-Prophet Ether "esteemed as naught" and cast out: Ether 13:13
-Lehi is mocked and the wicked are angry with him because of his prophecies; other prophets treated similarly: 1 Nephi 1:19-20
-Lehi and Nephi are said by Laman and Lemuel and co. to be foolish, trying to gain power over and rule over others:
-Alma and Amulek thrown into prisons and have their lives threatened because of their preaching: Alma 8:31
-Korihor claims church leaders/priests seek to usurp power over the people: Alma 30:23-31

I wanted to share this with everyone because I want to stress that sometimes people are not what they seem and that we need to be careful to support and follow the right people, politically and otherwise. We as good people cannot afford to be tricked. This is especially important with elections coming up in November. Since we can obviously not always rely on someone's words, either their own representation or someone else's opinion of them, or popular culture/media's representation of a person, how do we decide who is "the real deal?" Who is really good? How can we avoid being tricked? I came up with a couple of good answers.

First, we can know someone's true character by their "fruits."
3 Nephi 14:17-18 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
So in terms of at least politicians, what are their voting records? What do they support with their actions, not words? Do they live an honest personal/family life? (Yes, I absolutely believe integrity in one's personal life has everything to do with public life as it is pure evidence of their true character.) Don't look at how one talks the talk, look at how they walk the walk.

Second, we've been given the power to judge for ourselves and with the Lord's help we can come to correct conclusions.
D&C 9:8 "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
This translates to me as "do your homework." I promise that "evil doers" have hidden their real intent and messages very well. You actually have to put in the work, study and research. Do more than passively hear one newscaster's assessment. Get the whole story. Spend the time. Then ask the Lord. It's a promise.

…About SECRET COMBINATIONS

The freedoms of the United States were divinely instituted by men raised up to that task. Today we are either distracted or have forgotten how fragile freedom is and cannot even fathom life without it. I would like to strongly suggest that there are evil forces at work bent on getting money and power at the expense of our freedom. And they have their people in our government, the media, and our corporations. Sure, you can call it a conspiracy theory if that makes you more comfortable, but to help illustrate my point and to show that I am not crazy, I am going to use the ultimate source, at least for LDS readers, The Book of Mormon. And while reading, remember the book was written specifically for us in our day. In fact, I have never been so terrified of what is happening today while reading Helaman through Ether as I was this last time around.

1. Yes they exisit: Secret Combinations/Gadianton Robbers will be among the Gentiles(us). Mormon 8; 2 Ne 26:20,22

2. These organizations will gain advantages because of people’s iniquities. 3 Ne 2:18

3. They hold positions of power and prominence: The organizations have their people fill government seats to usurp power and authority. Hel 7:4; 8:1, 27-28

4. Yes it is possible: Governments have been destroyed by secret combinations. 3 Ne 7:6,9

5. No nation is immune from the unthinkable: These combinations caused the complete destruction of both the Nephites and Jaredites. Hel 2:13; Ether 8:18,21

6. These were not organizations that destroyed from without, they destroyed from within; Nephites supported the combinations and united with them. Hel 6:38, 7:25

7. Fortunately, they can be rooted out: the Lamanites completely eradicated them from their society. Hel 6:37

8. A warning and hope for us: Unless the people repent they will not be delivered from the Gadianton Robbers. 3 Ne 3:15

9. Watch this video by President Benson

Don’t underestimate what is most likely happening. But don’t underestimate what you plus millions of good people just like you are capable of. Think about it. THEN ACT!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Surgery Update

I thought I had better give an update about how my surgery went. All in all, it went well. I wasn't nervous or anything and the last thing I remember thinking on the operating table before I "went off the Bahamas" (as my doctor called it) was how fortunate I was to live in a time where we had such great knowledge of medicine and great doctors around. Afterward wasn't the best as my first nurse was giving me morphine that eventually made me sick and then drugs to make me not sick but made me suuuper groggy! I'm surprised they didn't give me drugs to make me stay awake! Finally I told them I didn't want that groggy medicine anymore because Tyler would try and feed me crackers or pudding and I would need a nap between bites.

Well, because my second nurse was sweet and didn't want to let me go home until I could keep food and pills down, I ended up being the last patient in the recovery room. So finally at 11:30 she decided we would stay overnight because I was still throwing up my food and percicets. This was a surgicenter so they didn't have any overnight places so Tyler and I slept in the small pediatric recovery room with two nurses to watch over us. Tyler was, of course, so fantastic to have around. The nurse commented how we were both so calm and good to each other and we were like "Oh, we just did this two months ago."

We ended up going home at 4:30am since I was getting up and down to go to the bathroom by myself, keeping food and meds down, and we were anxious to get home to Cameron and my mom. Turns out I was fine when they finally stopped injecting all those nasty drugs in my IV and I got a little sleep! So I am doing great. I don't need any meds and most of the soreness is gone, it just really hurts to laugh, cough and sneeze.

My mom stayed with us for a whole week and took care of Cam so I could take care of myself. Good thing too since I wasn't supposed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk which, needless to say, left Cam out. So my mom did a great job and we had lots of fun too. Thanks mom!!! I was thinking, you know you're a mom when going under the knife means a more relaxing week than normal. :D

4 comments:

Holly or James said...: It's just like Mother's Day. I LOVE Mother's Day more than any other day, because I can be waited on hand and foot and be so lazy and not feel bad about it.

Glad to hear you're feeling okay. :); March 9, 2008 at 6:54 PM
FWIL Sentimental Blog Content said...: I'm so glad things went well! Let me know if you need anything.; March 10, 2008 at 9:54 AM
The Mom said...: Yea, that is funny when being a post surgical patient is easier than your regular life. We do like to keep busy, don't we?

I had a great time helping out and doing things with your cute little family. Mindy was so great to be with and was a good patient, except for the few times I had to remind her not to overdo.

That little Cam was sweet and cuddly and I really think he is a great little person! So wonderful!; March 10, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Melanie said...: The closest thing I have to surgery is having a baby. I kinda wish James was there more when I was recovering. I will expect it out of him this next time... even if he does have school!!!; March 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM

Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane

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Thursday, March 6, 2008

Surgery Update

4 comments:

Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane

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