Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane: Hermanas and Halloween

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!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Hermanas and Halloween

What does it look (and sound) like when Neal girls get together? Read on. No one can say we don't have a blast together!

Heidi flew here to see us Utah dwellers. Nat and I (and Cam too) whisked up to Holly's house for two days full of laughing, talking, dancing, and lots and lots of music. Basically a non stop party (well, almost non stop). While I didn't get all the best photos of the times we had, suffice it to say these videos are pretty representational.

The highlight of the weekend was Holly's grown ups only costume party on Saturday night. Awesome! We had lots of food, guests, music, and activities. It was so fun! Grown ups scarcely ever have anything cool to do on Halloween and Holly wanted to change that. She's going to make it an annual tradition.

Catwoman and Mother Nature. (Holly and James were a Roman Goddess and Caesar but I didn't get a good picture of them together. You can see the back of them above. They were my favorite couple ensemble.)

By the way, Tyler couldn't have planned his costume better. Cameron wouldn't go near him and I was the one that had to keep taking him back upstairs and comforting him during the party.

Ambiance. Holly and I worked on the party for a whole month and it definitely paid off. The ambiance was amazing and everyone loved it!

There were four blacklights in the ceiling cans and we decided last minute to put these spooky pictures over their family photos. The blacklights were an awesome touch!

After everyone left, we relaxed a bit but kept the Halloween playlist playin' on.

The men: pooped out from partying. They basically sat and chatted the whole time we continued partying. James and Tyler have become very good buds and both now know how to keep themselves happy while their wives are busy being crazy with sisters.

We decided to be "scientists" and used the rest of the dry ice to play with and do our favorite thing: take pictures.

(Notice the really cool flickering lightbulbs in the chandelier behind us.)

Ah, it's so nice to have good quality girl time. And I seriously don't know anyone more fun that my sisters. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sisters!

10 comments:

Tyler M. said...: Note to self- be a zombie every halloween.

Good times, good times!!; October 27, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Holly or James said...: Note to self, do what Tyler does for Halloween every year.
-james; October 27, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Ashley said...: looks like an awesome party! Hey I'm having a baby shower in Dec and wanted to send you an invite, if you could email me your address that would be great ashleymuir14@gmail.com hope everything is going well!; October 27, 2009 at 3:53 PM
The Mom said...: What a GREAT party weekend you guys had! Great blog depiction of it too! The party looked great and all the costumes were so much fun! It was cute to see Caleb jammin' out to the tunes with the ladies! So fun! You all look like you had a memorable weekend. You gotta' make an effort to be together, don't you? If you don't you just miss out on good moments of life.That is neat that even tho you are hours apart you still figure out a way to get together.; October 28, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Holly or James said...: yes!! and thank you mom for having so many girls!! (:

WE LOVE SCIENCE!!! and we LOVE halloween too! (:

And we love sisters!!

Thanks again for coming and for helping me get the house looking "spooktacular" for the party! The party wouldn't have been nearly as fun if you guys weren't there. I keep having friends and family who were at the party tell me how much they enjoyed getting to know you guys and talking with you. Today James' cousin Anthony (who had the baby) told me that he can only imagine how crazy our house must have been growing up. (:; October 28, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Amie Orton said...: you guys always crack me up. I loved that party idea, Devin and i were just dreamin of one day having an adult Halloween ball and calling it the "eye ball." You know someday, when we have the space and such. But i'm sure it won't be near as hoppin as the Neal girls halloween! Loved your post about round-up too! I might ACTUALLY get to go next year, which will be the first time in um..10 years. Good timin eh? Being the 100th anniversary an all.

amie; October 28, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Melanie said...: YEAH! I love it! I love all your costumes, and the decor was Magnif!

OK, I had to keep laughing at those last pix with the dry ice. Heidi is SO into that bottle with the dry ice. She's making love to it. HA!

Sad I missed out on the dancing! Promise there will be alot at Christmas!

There is supposed to be dancing at this party I'm going to on Friday... we'll see how it goes.; October 28, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Heidi a.k.a. spaceghost said...: I'm gonna kill all you guys who are accusing me of being "porn" or making love to a bottle! You all need to get your minds out of the porn gutter. All I was trying to do was pour that dry ice smoke down my throat like I was going to die and you all like to think about the porn you watched the night before! FINE! Don't put your porn-ieness on me!
Great posting Mindy! I have to save a bunch of these photos. This trip was definitely the ticket!! I LOVE SISTERS! Yes, the only other people I know that are as much fun as you girls are gay men. No wonder I like their company so much. Everyone is so bor-ing.; November 5, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Holly or James said...: Heidi looks all hussy with those bottles because her eyes are closed all passionately. . . that's what it is!!! The rest of the girls are just like, "we like science" and Heidi is like "I LOOOOVEEE science!" (:; November 5, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Heidi a.k.a. spaceghost said...: THAT IS IT!!!!!!!!!; November 6, 2009 at 9:56 AM