Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane: When Plans Change from Day to Day

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!

Miami Shores FL, Whittier CA, Redmond WA: No, nope, sorry. "We did some reorganizing," "We chose someone who interned in California," "We hired a guy who had been doing this line of work for 34 years." That's what it's like job hunting nowadays with a saturated job market market. So Tyler and I are still job-less. I guess you can say we're now part of the quoted statistic of unemployed/underemployed Americans. And because Christmas is getting so close we figure a job won't come until at least after the holidays. So our plans? We've petitioned our complex to stay at least another month or two (rules are such that once you are graduated, they kick you out, but we petitioned to be exceptions) and Tyler will keep his current job which he can work full time for at most 6 more months. So thankfully money is not an issue. Funny story: the physically disabled full time MTC missionaries Tyler works with told him, "We keep praying that you'll stay here with us!" Oh! No wonder we aren't leaving! Quit that praying you guys! ;) And believe it or not, since we made this current buy-more-time plan, which is better than having NO plan, the stress has gone down tremendously. Now we can enjoy the holidays.

We have great faith we'll eventually find the door and path that is meant for us. In the mean time we'll just keep looking and knocking. Newest prospects on the horizon: Maryland, Washington DC, North Carolina. The job hunt continues! *sigh*

12 comments:

Holly said...: Good luck...!; December 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Mark W. said...: We're really sorry you guys are having such a hard time finding a job. But we're really happy that you'll be staying in Utah a little while longer. (Keep praying, missionaries!:) Kidding.); December 10, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Mama said...: Oh the faith of missionaries!!!! Something better will turn up.; December 10, 2009 at 4:01 PM
rachel said...: oh man! we were hoping the miami job would work out for you guys. i hope the housing office lets you stay here for another month or so.; December 10, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Melanie said...: I was talking with all the girls I'm friends with here and asking them if they were scared about what was going to happen when their husbands graduated and they all said, "We're terrified!"

I'm so sorry. Things will work out. We're in the same (kinda) boat now. :); December 10, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Melanie said...: PS: I like Cleon Skousen's quote you have posted. :); December 10, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Tyler M. said...: Mindy forgot to mention that the culprits for the tough job economy is simple: global warming and republicans.; December 10, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Jeanette said...: Funny Tyler. Sorry guys, this is super tough, and we know just how you feel. Our only advice is keep paying your tithing and something will work out--even if it's nothing like what you had in mind!; December 11, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Curt Alan Smith said...: I wish I was busy enough to offer Tyler a job, but as you have found out not many people can afford to expand right now. Tell the service missionarys to pray for me to get lots of work, then Tyler can come work with me, it would be so much fun!; December 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM
The Mom said...: Aaahhh. That is a disappointment to be sure. But the Lord has something in the making for you!
I hope you can have a nice holiday!!
Can't wait to see you!; December 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Holly or James said...: oh something will come along. i'll talk to all my buddies up at Utah State!!
-gym; December 11, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Holly or James said...: SO SAD!!! I'm so sad for you guys! I hope that you find something soon. Does that mean that you'll come up to Logan earlier??? (:; December 12, 2009 at 11:54 AM