Politically Incorrect

One of the first and fundamental principles of a free society is self-regulation. The absence of discipline inevitably results in a higher authority imposing regulations/restrictions on those who can't or otherwise won't self-regulate.  The natural consequence of which is the entire body is burdened and stifled by a restriction on their freedoms due to the unbridled actions of a few. 

Unfortunately this dilemma is now pervasive in all aspects of our society. The financial sector, manufacturing, healthcare, food and drug, agriculture, etc. (to name a few) are now so heavily regulated that many of us now look to and depend upon these rules and regulations to keep us safe and informed (and yet they continue to fall short).  This dependency enslaves us to our governing bodies to whom we look for protection and to ensure civilization remains civil.  Now contrast that dependency with the fact that many of those within our governing bodies have become increasingly depraved and undisciplined. Our unwillingness to self-regulate has produced a governing body to mirror our lack of self-regulation.  In the principle-vacuum of unrestrained passions, we have created a government permeated by individuals who recognize our dependency and use that knowledge to pit our passions against ourselves. Our divisiveness is their job security. They have invented a "religion" and associated vocabulary which successfully excites the passions (primarily fear) they require to subject us.  These tactics are not limited solely to the governing bodies. 

If left unchecked, these unfortunate circumstances have only one natural conclusion; the exponential erosion of liberty into the unfettered grip of tyranny.  Self-regulation is the key.  We must consciously, and purposefully purge the corruption in all it's forms and occupations. 

Some of the most critical issues facing our nation today have been shrouded in the protective "circle of political correctness". The victimhood established through political correctness ignores the root by simply accentuating any related sensitivities.  When anyone from outside of the "circle of political correctness" attempts to address an issue, the sensitivities flare and smother the attempt.  To address these issues we must dismiss the need for offense and embrace a grass-roots cultural awareness that shifts perspectives and opens dialog.  Political-correctness does not solve the issues. It only serves to insulate them from the necessary treatment required for permanent resolution.  

For example, a man is ill-equipped to address the issue of abortion as the sensitivities of women's rights, and the historical injustices, prevent them from even broaching the topic civilly with those of opposing views. The slogan, "right to choose", trumps the blatantly obvious moral implications of said choice and pretends to equate it to a woman's right to vote, or to lead her life freely in open society. The only way to address abortion and it's implications with any hope of a civilized debate is from within the self-regulating community of women. 

Likewise, radical Islamic terrorism will not be defeated by force of combat. No amount of bombs and bullets will root out the ideology and practice without the complete erosion of all civil liberties and/or the genocide of millions. The same goes for any radicalization of religion. Unfortunately this tactic has been used and continues to be used. The only way to truly conquer radical Islamic terrorism is to start from within the community of Islam. The peace-loving members of Islam must stand up and speak out against the brutality. They must self-identify and weed out the hostility from among their ranks. This is the only way to combat this issue for the radicalized hide amongst the peace-loving while enjoying the quiet protection of political correctness. 

Many more issues of similar or greater magnitude effect us and our communities. We must all collectively and individually self-identify and self-regulate. We will all rise, or we will all fall, together. These issues do not exist in a vacuum, independent of all others, though the theology of political correctness would have us think so. 

For evil to prevail, they only need to discourage those who would do the right thing. It is never to late to do the right thing and I pray to God Almighty that we will have the strength and humility to act and not simply be acted upon. 

I Believe ...

I lived before I was born and I will live again after I die.

All mankind are the direct spiritual offspring of Deity.  We lived with God prior to coming to earth.  We knew God, our Eternal Heavenly Father, and He knew us.  We learned our first lessons in the realm of spirits and sowed our first seeds of character there.  The choices we made, prepared us to become what we are today and qualified us to receive a body.  We chose to accept and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.  We knew of His foreordained mission and sacrifice.  We chose agency, accountability and the opportunity for eternal progression under the direction and sustaining, cleansing, enabling, infinite power of Christ and His atonement.  We rejected the alternative of coercion and subjugation.  I was there and I was not alone.

The plan of coercion and subjugation was presented by Lucifer, a son of the morning, and subsequently rejected by God and His majority.  Lucifer and his followers rebelled against God the Father and His chosen Christ electing rather to embrace darkness and bitterness in the face of perfection.  One third part of the host of heaven (stars of heaven) were thrust to the earth to wander in misery until the day of judgement.  Failing to keep their "first estate", these spirits lost their opportunity to receive physical bodies.  In consequence, their entire existence is dedicated to thwarting God's plan of happiness for His obedient children.

Jehovah (pre-mortal Jesus Christ; God of the Old Testament; God of the Jewish nation), acting under the direction of God the Father, created / organized the earth and all things in it.  The earth was created during 6 creative periods during which time the majesty of this world blossomed in natural order.  Adam and Eve were placed on the earth, within a garden known as Eden.  After their spirits were shrouded in flesh, they passed through a veil of forgetfulness establishing a level of perceived autonomy from God and their previous memories.  This state of innocence was fertile soil for personal character development and self-awareness that could be achieved in no other way.  They were given choices and associated temptations.  They were given charge over the earth and commanded to take care of it, and to multiply and replenish the earth (commands in force today).  They were also told to refrain from partaking of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Satan, formerly known as Lucifer, through all his powers of persuasion and sophistry, convinced Eve to partake of the "forbidden" fruit thinking to interfere in God's plan for His children.  Following Eve's transgression, Adam likewise partook of the fruit.  

Contrary to Satan's ill intentions, Adam and Eve's transgression was a blessing for mankind.  For without their transgression, they would not have had children, lived the purging experiences of mortality, or the joys of personal growth.  In short, they would have been "damned" from their goal of eternal progression.  Mortal experience is essential experience in God's plan of happiness for His children. 

After yielding to the tree of knowledge, Adam and Eve's perfect bodies mingled with corruption.  This corruption introduced mankind's susceptibility to sin and death.  To combat this corruption and in harmony with God's plan and foreknowledge, a Savior was prepared.  Christ and His mission were revealed to man and they were commanded to look forward to the time of His coming and exercise faith in Him as if He had already come.  The Law of Moses, as it was subsequently titled, pointed to the coming of a Savior.  The ordinances and rituals involved highlighted God's love and His power to save.

During what is known as the meridian of time (approximately 4,000 after Adam and Eve's expulsion from the garden), Israel was primed for the coming of their Messiah.  The forerunner was announced and the mother of Christ was introduced through angelic ministration.  Jesus of Nazareth was born to a mortal mother though He was sired by the Eternal Father.  Jesus was quite literally the Only Begotten Son of God.  The powers vested in Him by virtue of His Godly Parentage gave Him power over sin, death, element, and earth.  His maternal heritage introduced susceptibility to temptation, pain, thirst, fatigue and other aspects of mortal existence, including death.  As with other spirits shrouded in flesh, Jesus pasted through the veil of forgetfulness though due to His perfect nature, this veil thinned quickly until He eventually came to a perfect understanding of His purpose and mission.  This perspective reveals the truly spiteful intent of Satan's temptations, 'If thou be the Son of God ...".  

Jesus was born as a man, lived as a man, and submitted to the laws and ordinances of the gospel as a man, though His mission, the infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice, was performed as a God.  For only a God of perfect unimpeachable character with mortal susceptibilities could perform such an act.  Jesus Christ suffered for the sins of mankind.  Likewise, He also suffered for their pains and afflictions.  Because of His exalted lineage, Christ was able to suffer and atone in a manner beyond human comprehension.  In the short space of a few hours, our Savior stepped into eternity and lived each individual experience as though He were physically present.  

Following His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ was tried before wicked men and crucified.  While on the cross, His suffering continued until it culminated in the Father removing His spirit from His Son, finalizing His efforts in mortality.  Following this, the Savior announced the completion of His mortal mission and gave up the ghost.  No man took it from Him, He gave it up freely as an act of love. 

He truly showed us the way for He IS the way, the truth and the life.  No man cometh unto the Father but by Him.  He bore our sins and carried our griefs and with His stripes we are healed.  He suffered pains, and afflictions and temptations of every kind, that He may be filled with mercy so He may know how to care for us according to our infirmities.

Sunday morning, following the crucifixion, Jesus the Christ, the Savior and Messiah of mankind destroyed the bands of death and emerged triumphant from the tomb.  His spirit and His body were re-united in perfect form never to be separated again.  Because of this, I will live again.  All mankind will rise again in the resurrection.  By obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, we all have the opportunity to live with God and His Christ for eternity and through the sealing power of his priesthood, families can be bound together for Time and for Eternity. Jesus Christ is my God, my Savior, my Exemplar and my Friend.  He has shown me the way and through His atonement I am better than I could otherwise be.  He continually lifts, strengthens and perfects me proportional to my willing ness to accept Him and my obedience to His gospel and revelation.  Any errors in my life are the errors of a man.  All things good or commendable in my life are because He lifts me, He guides me, He empowers me, He enables me, and He covenants with me and everything good that I am is because of Him and done in His name, even Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I lived before I was born and I will live again after I die for I am a son of God.

Tolerance

Empathy yields to Apathy

as idle pleasures hypnotize

Twisted truth and controversy

narcissism justifies

culture lies

Apathy to Emnity

amid the humble cries

Their victory, a tragedy

united by dividing ties

compassion dies

Hypothetical Dialogue at Jesus Christ's Coming (scriptural compilation)

And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?  And he shall say: I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save.  And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat.  And so great shall be the glory of his presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the moon shall withhold its light, and the stars shall be hurled from their places.  

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee?  or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in?  or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

[For I have] go[ne] forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith [I] will take upon [myself] the pains and the sicknesses of [my] people.  And [I have] take[n] upon [myself] death, that [I] may loose the bands of death which bind [my] people; and [I have] take[n] upon [myself your] infirmities, [and my] bowels [are] filled with mercy, according to the flesh, [and I] know according to the flesh how to succor [you, my] people according to [your] infirmities.  Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless [I,] the Son of God [have suffered] according to the flesh that [I might] take upon [myself your] sins[], that [I] might blot out [your] transgressions according to the power of [my] deliverance.

[Then shall the children of Christ be heard saying] O how great the holiness of our God!  For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.  And he [came] into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffer[ed] the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.  And he suffer[ed] this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

[Christ shall answer saying:] I [have] command[ed all men] to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.  For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;  But if [you will] not repent [you] must suffer even as I;  Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

[I] came into the world [] to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through [me] all might be saved whom the Father ha[th] put into [my] power [];

And then[] the Jews [will] look upon [Him] and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet?  Then shall they know that [He is] the Lord; for [He] will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.  I am he who was lifted up.  I am Jesus that was crucified.  I am the Son of God.  And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

[]I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me;  And I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart.  And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.  In all their afflictions he was afflicted.  And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old;

D&C 133:46-53 [Who comes with dyed garments]

Matthew 25:35-40 [Fed me, clothed me, visited me, comforted me]

Alma 7:10-13 [Suffered to gain understanding]

2 Nephi 9:20-22 [Suffered the pains of all]

D&C 19:15-19 [Christ suffered all that we might not have to if we repent]

D&C 76:41-42 [Christ is the Savior and He saves all except those to whom the Father has not put into His power]

D&C 45:51-53 [Wounded in the house of my friend]

Mosiah 14:1-12 [Christ will be the Messiah, “He shall bear their iniquities”]

Take Up Your Cross

A compilation from the JST of the books of Matthew 16, Mark 8 and Luke 14. 

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, or husband, yea and his own life also; or in other words, is afraid to lay down his life for my sake, he cannot be my disciple. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. Wherefore, settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you. And now for a man to take up his cross, is to deny himself all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, and keep my commandments. Break not my commandments for whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; or whosoever will save his life, shall be willing to lay it down for my sake; and if he is not willing to lay it down for my sake, he shall lose it. And whosoever shall be willing to lose his life for my sake, and the gospel, shall find it in the world to come. Therefore, forsake the world, and save your souls; for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Therefore deny yourselves of these, and be not ashamed of me. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. And they shall not have part in that resurrection when he cometh. For verily I say unto you, That he shall come; and he that layeth down his life for my sake and the gospel’s, shall come with him, and shall be clothed with his glory in the cloud, on the right hand of the Son of man. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Moral Agency

Circumstance may establish many factors in one's life, for good or for ill.  At any given point in our lives we are faced with an infinite variety of environmental influences and personal compositional aspects that make up what most would consider our lives.  We may have financial stability (or we don't), we may have poor health, a supportive family, or live our lives free of (or steeped in) controversy.  We may live in a country that respects privacy, free expression, justice and ingenuity, or not.  

Other aspects can often have a more significant impact on our lives that cannot be readily discerned with the naked eye: our experience, religious beliefs, mental/emotional predispositions, or traditions.  One significant contributor is our fears.  Great or small, our fears often dictate much of what we do in this life, constantly at odds with our wants and desires.  Genetic influences can play a key role in many of these instances, particularly as it is associated to the brain and the brains response to certain stimuli (anger, fear, substance abuse, perception, etc.).  Much is learned and much is forgotten as we mold our character throughout our lives (or have it molded for us).

Some would argue that if you knew everything there was to know about a person (their circumstances, loves, fears, desires, experiences, resources, abilities, limitations, predispositions, personally perceived future prospects, connections, perception of self, beliefs, etc.) that you could anticipate their responses to any given situation.  The argument is extended to justify the omniscience of the Almighty in that He can "read the source code" and therefore can "anticipate the outcome.  

God broke the "source code" the moment He perfected it, when He created our moral agency.  In a nutshell, moral agency says that in spite of all or none of the aforementioned environmental factors, preconceived notions, predispositions, whatever; we have the opportunity, ability, and responsibility to choose for ourselves.  We can act or we can be acted upon.  

The gift of moral agency is one of the most precious endowments ever bestowed upon mankind.  This explains why the Lord opts not to "interfere" in may aspects of our lives.  God has not forsaken us, He is giving us the opportunity to grow.  He is ever mindful of us and our situation and loves us with a perfect love.  As such, He perceives the eternal consequences of action or inaction and directs His attentions towards that of greatest worth or faith.

When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, and were gifted with the ability to perceive the differences between good and evil, they entered a realm of physical existence previously only inhabited by God; for "man is become as one of us, to know good and evil" (Gen. 3:22).  This existence is and always has been built upon the exalting principle of moral agency.  Adam and Eve ought not to be vilified but honored for their entry into the unknown abyss of pain, loneliness, despair and death so that they (we) might enter and participate in the exalting lessons and experiences of mortal life.  This earth was created with the express purpose of giving mankind a place where they might dwell, learn, grow and establish themselves.  This is where we plant our roots of eternal character.  This is where, in our perceived independence and solitude, we determine, for ourselves, who we wish to become (outside of and often in spite of any or all external influences).  

We are not mean't to overcome this world, only One did that.  We are to endure the world.  We are to rise above the debasing influences of the world and claim a much greater prize.  We are not to be flawless.  Perfect character does not equate to perfect performance.  We are all very distinct individuals, perfectly known by a loving Father in Heaven.  He is mindful of us and of our circumstances.  

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Prov. 3:5). 

Judgement is a Choice

There is a great debate in the world today revolving around the individual's ability to make and act on deeply personal choices about morality.  This debate involves all aspects of the issues from what is right or wrong to whether or not we even have a right to make those distinctions.  Undoubtedly religion is thrown into this mix, predominantly because it is often considered a source of truth for all things moral to those who profess to adhere to the precepts of the faith.  

It is a very straightforward argument to defend the immoral, degrading, unjust, and uncivilized action of the thief, or the violent drunkard.  What may be less obvious are the implication of dishonesty, covetousness, lasciviousness, or self-aggrandizement.  In recent weeks, the Christian community (at large) has attacked and been attacked (verbally, etc.) regarding these very issues.  They have been very outspoken against certain lifestyles and personal choices.  Their opposition, in turn, retaliates by invoking certain principles of the professed faith that would render the aforementioned argument unjust; not in principle per se, but in implementation.

One side of the aisle states that we should not judge anyone.  That God loves (see other writings for discussion on the perspective of love) everyone regardless of the choices they make (and we should too), that we should love our neighbor with a good kindly love and that we should be accepting of others as we would want to be accepted (Luke 6:27-45).  

While the other side states emphatically that truth exists, is eternal and reigns supreme.  It is believed that righteousness exists and that those who continue to refuse to live in harmony with revealed truth are an offense to God who will, at His good pleasure, curse them in this life and cast them off forever in the life to come (Jude 1:10-13, Matt. 25:41 (41-46), Rom 13:1-2, etc.).

Each has a valid defense to a defenseless argument (paradox intended).  They circle around the truth yet never enter in.  Both sides are right and both sides are wrong as they dance around the doctrines, highlighting those that would establish their point and undermining those which would refute.  If we can truly come to terms with the implications of this debate and honestly, with sincere intent for justice, follow it's natural, implied course, we will elevate ourselves above what either originally sought.  Concessions must be had on either side though the exercise will make use stronger, more resilient, and infinitely more civilized.  If we are humble enough to see it.

It is given to us to judge.  We make judgements every day.  Our judgements guide us in many of our thoughts, our actions, beliefs, attitudes, etc..  These judgements are no more than personal interpretations of our various stimuli (verbal, visual, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, political, etc.) which we are consistently subjected to and bombarded with.  They are our choices.  Our decisions.  Without these judgements, these decisions or choices, we would lose, in part, the great individuality and character which is ours to claim.

We are not to pass judgement.  It is not for man, to condemn man.  All consignment, for good or for bad, comes from above.  Mankind has the ability to judge based on behaviors, observable acts, which judgements may give us brief, limited insights into the situational individual though give no indication as to the origin or destination.  People change, including you.

We have been gifted a moral agency, divinely endowed (D&C 101:78), which is strengthened, weakened, confused, or neglected each time we encounter decisions of moral significance (John 7:24, Moro. 7:14-19).  These decisions, collectively, are the most intimate, personal aspects of our existence.  They truly are the only facet of life for which we have complete control, and likewise, they are the only facet of our existence for which we hold complete individual accountability.  That being said, it is requisite with the justice of God that mankind have the opportunity to exercise their moral agency, in the definition of their individual character, without impeding upon social justice or the just expression of conscience.

Each side of the aisle should be allowed to live their lives with these abilities firmly safeguarded.  Each living with love and kindness in their hearts (or not; that's moral agency), all the while holding firmly (or weakly) to truths they believe to be self-evident.  People disagree.  Disagreement, or a desire not to participate is not, in and of itself, an injustice; it's life.

Living Below Our Potential - Blessings of the Atonement

God speaks to man.  He has been speaking to mankind since the dawn of time.  He has revealed many truths and inspired thoughts to prophets throughout all the ages.  God has revealed to mankind many miraculous truths that the mortal mind cannot comprehend without divine intervention.  Perspective of Deity seen through the manifestation of His Spirit.


These prophets saw the earth and all of the inhabitants thereof through the power of the Spirit for they discerned them through the Spirit.  How else could they perceive innumerable inhabitants of this earth, numbering greater than the sands of the sea.  Many saw us in our day.  They saw us through the Spirit.  Man, independent of God can only "focus" on one thing at a time.  Our mortal lives trap us in linear thought.  Through the Spirit, man can be ejected from the constraints of his mortal senses and see things as God sees them.  For all things are continually before His face.  He can perceive all things, all the time, for God lives "outside" of time.  He lives "in" eternity.  He is not subject to time for time is subject to God and His laws.  Through the Spirit, God can reveal things to mankind that, in mortality, he would not otherwise be able to comprehend for the human mind cannot comprehend the world around him in a sense of being "ever before his face".  He cannot internalize every aspect of the environment around him in the now let alone through all eternity.  Even if we could, we would still be constrained by the limits of our own senses and understanding.

God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are not as mortal men.  They are not subject to the same limitations that we have placed upon ourselves.  They are not subject to their physical bodies and senses.  Their bodies and senses are subject to Them.  They command them and they have been adapted to their truest form.  

One could be forgiven for thinking that the Lord and His atonement was so large and took place over such a short period of time, that it could not have possibly taken into account the personal sufferings, struggles, trials and sins of each individual.  They then consign themselves to be members of the masses and all but overlooked in the grand scheme of eternal truths and purposes.  This is untrue and a deplorable falsehood that is perpetuated by the adversary, the lover of lies.   The atonement of Jesus Christ was infinite and complete.  He suffered independently and individually for sins.  Not for Sin, but for sins; all of them.  Through the Spirit of God, Christ was able to place Himself in our presence, during our suffering and suffer with us and for us.  The atonement was performed while Christ was in the world but not of the world.  He was elevated to a higher realm.  This perspective assaulted Him, Jesus Christ, and led Him on a torturous path across the ages, simultaneously partaking of the experiences of imperfect, sinful, blasphemous lives.  All carried by Him who knew no sin.  Attempting to realize these occurrences for a single individual causes your mind ache and your soul to weep.  Multiply that times the sands upon the seashore, then realize that you are incapable of comprehending the depth and breadth of His suffering.

Jesus Christ's sacrifice did not equate to the worst pain ever felt by man plus paying the price for the worst sin to be committed by man and thus being effectual for all other lesser pains and lesser sins.  Jesus affirms this in the book of Matthew.  "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:35-40)

How is that possible?  Why is that possible?  Its possible in that you have removed suffering from the world of righteous men.  As the Lord and Savior of mankind moved through the ages in experiencing and "taking upon Himself" the pains and sufferings of His people, your acts of kindness alleviated, or removed, suffering from an individuals life thus eliminating it from the Saviors mission.  Likewise, when suffering is inflicted or allowed to endure in one of Christ's children, the suffering of the Savior is condoned and He is offered up on the alter of Gethsemane and Golgotha on behalf of those involved (one who suffers as victim, another who suffers through sin).

Many people focus on the suffering and justifying aspects of the atonement.  Though that is an important, vital principle of the atonement, it does not end there.  It is true, Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Golgotha, as previously mentioned though He did it for a purpose.  Christ atoned that He might draw all men unto Him.  That through Him, we may be perfected and exalted and return to live in glory with Him and Heavenly Father in eternity.  While there is great need to self identify and accept that we depend upon the Savior and His atonement to overcome our sins and transgressions, this is as milk to a child in the journey towards spiritual maturity.  Don't get me wrong, it is an exceptional victory to identify with the fact that we are of a fallen nature and need Christ's forgiveness and His atoning blood on our behalf in order to be "saved in the kingdom of God".  It is necessity and requires constant reminding (hence weekly sacraments) though this is only the tip of the iceberg.  God our Father offers us so much more than this.  I am living way below my potential.

Letter to the Editor / Senator

We live in the greatest nation on earth.  We are blessed with a unique heritage that set and modeled a standard for the world which has been accepted and followed by millions.  Since the founding of this great nation, men, women and families from all over the world have sacrificed all to partake in the freedoms secured within these borders.  Over the years we have taken great strides toward peace, equality and opportunity.  History and common sense teach us that these freedoms must be continually guarded for the wages of complacency are bondage.  

"A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Abraham Lincoln).  We are a house divided.  Not since the vehement words of the civil war have we been subject to such divisive rhetoric from those who mean to lead us.  True leadership stems from those who can see past their own paradigms, converge with diversity and emerge in greatness.  I do not speak of compromise, or bipartisan concessions.  I speak of truth.  Principle based legislation, not because it's popular, or good for some, but because it is right.  

The crisis descending on our nation today is the prophetic culmination of thousands of missed course corrections as guided by a failing moral compass.  We, as a people, have enabled our government to assume a power greater than the governed.  The checks and balances of our democratic system are established to maintain distinct, separate, interdependent, local, state, and federal branches each designed to act in it's Constitutionally designated sphere of influence.  

The most fundamental principle of a free people is that all forms of government strive to nurture, cultivate and instill integrity, self-worth, and self-reliance in the governed.  Higher forms of government must not assume any responsibility that can reasonably be addressed by that of a lower form of government.  The family is the lowest, simplest and most powerful form of government and must be given the opportunity and responsibility to act for the future prosperity of themselves and all civilization.  Until we empower the family to it's rightful place, we will continue to decline into chaos.

If we are to succeed as a nation, we must find our way past sensationalizing media giants, "special interest" groups, and "career politicians".  We must elect just, honest, humble, principled citizens to lead our nation; citizens eager to give power and responsibility back to the people and then hold them and their respective governments accountable for the discharge of their duties.  We are desperate for leaders who can unite the people in principle based dialogue, timeless discourse resilient to the political winds of partisan rhetoric.   

We must call on good people everywhere to take a stand against the destructive, unsustainable course upon which we have been set adrift.  We must get our house in order else we will not stand.  As iterated at our nation's birth, "[...] mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed" (Declaration of Independence).  These evils are no longer "sufferable".  Law, order, justice, peace, civility, integrity, thrift, truth, and freedom must once again take their rightful place at the head of our great nation.

God is Love

God is our Father and he loves us with a perfect love that exceeds all mortal understanding. This love goes far beyond any particular circumstance and spans through eternity.  All things are continually before the Lord.  The love of God is so profound and powerful that He can allow us the opportunity to suffer and grow through uncomfortable and often painful experiences as He knows that these experiences will shape our character.  Through our mortal experiences we are to be shaped into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.  His love transcends time and circumstance.  He allows us these opportunities, all the while, suffering with us, comforting us, and, I believe, even weeping with us (literally or figuratively, it matters not).  Jesus Christ took upon Himself all the pain, sickness, and afflictions of His people.