Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane: Being a Stay at Home Mom

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, November 13, 2008

Being a Stay at Home Mom

I have been thinking a lot lately how much I love staying home with Cameron. While it could seem awful to be between the same four walls 90% of my life, it's not bad when this is where my work and life is. I love being a stay at home mother because:

-I get to sleep in a bit later (usually about 8 or 8:30, 9 on good days)
-I get to read lots of books
-I get to enjoy my decor and my house that I spend lots of time caring for, every day.
-I have time (although not a lot still) for hobbies and crafts again
-I have time to spend nurturing my relationships with others, not just with Cam and Tyler, but with all my family and friends.
-There is a great support system of other SAHMs and kids
-My house is in order; I have time to make sure this is so, everything from budgeting, food storage, a clean house, to being sure we are always getting the best possible deal on things we need.
-My life feels in balance.
-My family is happy: Tyler is happy to have a happy wife and happy child, all more easily done since I am at home.
-Having a child with you all the time allows you to re-enter the joy and innocence of childhood again yourself.
-I find myself smiling and being happy a lot.
-Little things are big things again.
-I have a friend around all the time. I went shopping yesterday without Tyler or Cameron (I wanted a break) and I actually didn't have much fun being without my little buddy; I really enjoy taking him with me places.
-Cameron makes me treat every day special since I know he is growing so fast and I won't ever get this time with him back again.
-How could you not love spending your days with someone you love so much you think your heart will burst???

11 comments:

Clark and Rebecca said...: That's the cutest video!; November 14, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Hillary said...: How cute - that's all I can say! No other words are adequate. Even "cute" doesn't cut it.; November 15, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Tyler M. said...: I love that boy!; November 15, 2008 at 10:30 PM
JaY said...: That's too cute. What a funny little guy!; November 16, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Natalie said...: this is a sweet post. that's truly valuable you find joy in the life you have. so many are not content with their lives regardless of how easy or fun they are.
cameron sure is sweet!; November 16, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Holly said...: I love this post, and I feel the same way! Cute video!; November 17, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Melanie said...: OK, so I totally just left a comment and it didn't register. AGH!

Love the points you made. I feel like they are thoughts I've had myself more than just once. Very sweet.

Paige and I loved the video. I cooed the whole time and Paige just stared. Until the end, then she would say, "I wanna watch again." So we watched several times because we both wanted to!; November 17, 2008 at 6:00 PM
The Mom said...: SO darling! He sure does walk well. And fast too! What a sweet blog entry, and I totally know how you feel. I loved being a stay at home mom too. I have FANTASTIC children!; November 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM
The Mom said...: SO darling! He sure does walk well. And fast too! What a sweet blog entry, and I totally know how you feel. I loved being a stay at home mom too. I have FANTASTIC children!; November 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Holly or James said...: What a great post! I love all those reasons of staying home too! I'm so glad you reminded me of them all. It's been a while since my first was only a year old. (:

What a cute video too. I love that cam cam! Can't wait to see him at Thanksgiving. (:; November 19, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Amie Orton said...: Amen sista. i love this post. you are such an organized, put together and happy little mommy. What a lucky boy tyler is. yes i agree with holly, thank you for reminding me of all those reasons i love staying home.

AMie; November 25, 2008 at 7:18 PM