Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane: Halloween Campaigning at the Zoo

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!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Halloween Campaigning at the Zoo

Last Saturday our little family attended the Hogle Zoo "Boo at the Zoo." It was all our first times to the Salt Lake zoo and it was so much fun (except for the parking ticket we ended up getting!) Of course we all dressed up, parents too. Can anyone guess what we are?

Cameron is Senator John McCain (complete with white hair), I am Governor Sarah Palin (my glasses are on my head because I couldn't get the lenses out and they made me sick), and Tyler is our campaign manager. I have to say I was a bit worried people would heckle us, but we actually got a lot of comments that we had the best costumes they had seen all day. Lots of good republican comments and people just thinking it was good and funny. (I have to say I forgot what it was like to know people are staring at you for what you are wearing--I haven't had that happen since my crazier high school days!)

The day of campaigning began at about 1pm. Senator McCain, accustomed to public appearances, was calm and collected. Anyway he had his running mate to push him in a stroller and campaign manager to occasionally carry him. (Thanks Heidi, for the bumper stickers!)

Once inside, we met up with cousins Caleb and Jack (along with parents) to share the day of animal viewing, candy, and campaigning.

Senator McCain's day was full of serious animal viewing...

...occasional snacks fed to him by Governor Palin (he doesn't have the whole "tip the bottle up to get milk" concept down yet)...

...baby meerkats...

...giraffes...

...and constant public appearances. (And here's Natalie who came with us as well!)

However, after a couple of hours of intense campaigning with children, parents, and animals alike, the senator began to get restless and wanted to jump out of his stroller.

Phew! What a day! Senator McCain was happy to spend the day at the zoo but was perfectly happy to sleep like a rock in his car afterward. Good work, Senator! We're all looking forward to the 4th!

P.S. He is only picking up leaves and putting them in his mouth--nothing like cigarette butts, food, or candy.

8 comments:

Hillary said...: wow - Cameron bears a striking resemblance to the senator . . . not Palin, the balding old one. You should consider getting him a spot on SNL next to Tina Fey.; October 28, 2008 at 5:19 AM
Jenae said...: Your costumes are so cute!! I think you get the award for best costumes this year. :); October 28, 2008 at 9:43 AM
The Mom said...: That is SOOOOOOO funny! I was looking at the first picture and thinking, "How cute Mindy/Sarah looks!" then I realized that CAMERON was John McCain and I laughed out loud for a LONG time. That was HILARIOUSS!!! It was so great to see my beautiful Natty, Cute big, Caleb and sweet Jacky and Pretty Holly and my two handsome sons in law. What a nice day it looks like too!; October 28, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Holly or James said...: vote McCain/Palin.
-james; October 29, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Tyler M. said...: Good times at the Zoo we had!! Thanks honey for the great costume ideas.; October 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Frazier Family said...: That's a great idea for a costume! I think here in California we would have more problems with that :P; October 30, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Holly or James said...: Real nice! AGain, great costumes you 3!!; November 5, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Heidi a.k.a. spaceghost said...: This is the best Halloween trio - ever! I love that you kept referring to Cameron as the Senator. And that Sarah Palin helping him out with feeding and keeping his campaigning on track! I LOVE it! You pulled this one off very well - and with such good timing too!; November 8, 2008 at 9:21 PM