LDS Church Leaders On Saving the Constitution

24 Jul 2010;04.40pm

Author: Paul

No matter what your political affiliation be, it is evident that we are coming into troubled waters. Conniving men and women are polluting the delicate infrastructure of freedom, and are slowly, and assuredly, destroying the sacred morals that have been a shinning light upon hill to all nations. However, it is clear by reading the below revelations that Evil will have its day in the sun, but Good will triumph. ~Paul


Joseph Smith Jr.

“We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: ‘Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” (Church Historian’s Office, Salt Lake City, July 19, 1840) (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 623 – 624).

Words of James Burgess: “In the month of May 1843, several miles east of Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion was on parade and review, at the close of which Joseph Smith made some remarks upon our condition as a people and upon our future prospects, contrasting our present condition with our past trials and persecutions by the hands of our enemies; also upon the Constitution and government of the United States, stating that the time would come when the Constitution and government would hang by a brittle thread and would be ready to fall into other hands, but this people, the Latter-day Saints, will step forth and save it. . . .I, James Burgess, was present and testify to the above” (The Words of Joseph Smith, 279).

Bruce R. McConkie

“It is our firm conviction as a people that the stars and stripes will be waving triumphantly in the breeze, as a symbol of the greatness and stability of the United States of America, when the Lord comes. This nation was established to be the Lord’s base of operations in this final gospel dispensation. From it the gospel is to go to every other nation and people. The greater its influence among the nations of the world, the more rapidly the gospel spreads. But the Lord has told us that all nations, the United States included, shall cease to be when he comes” (The Millennial Messiah, 491).

Ezra Taft Benson

“The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time ‘this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction’ (Journal of Discourses, 7:15). It is my conviction that the elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of constitutional government” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 618 – 619).

Harold B. Lee

Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail.

This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the New Jerusalem. . . . This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple.

We are living in a time of great crisis. The Country is torn with scandal and with criticism, with fault finding and condemnation. There are those who have downgraded the image of this nation as probably never before in the history of the country.

I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. . . . It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through.

We must be on the optimistic side. This is a great nation; this is a great country; this is the most favored of all lands. While it is true that there are dangers and difficulties that lie ahead of us, we must not assume that we are going to stand by and watch the country go to ruin. We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation. On the contrary, we should be providing optimistic support for the nation.

You must remember . . . that this church is one of the most powerful agencies for the progress of the world, and we should . . . all sound with one voice. We must tell the world how we feel about this land and this nation and should bear our testimonies about the great mission and destiny that it has.

If we do this, we will help turn the tide of this great country and lessen the influence of the pessimists. We must be careful that we do not say or do anything that will further weaken the country. It is the negative, pessimistic comments about the nation that do as much harm as anything to the country today. We who carry these sacred responsibilities must preach the gospel of peace, and peace can only come by overcoming the things of the world. Now, we must be the dynamic force that will help turn the tide of fear and pessimism.

(Excerpts from a talk given at Ricks College Devotional Assembly, “Have Faith in America,” October 26, 1973, and printed in two sources: Ye Are the Light of the World: Selected Sermons and Writings of Harold B. Lee, 340, 350-351, and The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams, 365-366.)

Ito Dapat Tayo!

Isa sa mga bulok na pag-uugali ng mga Pilipino ay ang hilig magturo at manghusga. Wala naman siguro ang may gusto na mapasama ang sarili at isa ito sa mga justification ng marami kaya sila gumagawa ng mga bagay na hindi nakabubuti sa sarili at kapwa. Sa subrang paghahangad na maging comfortable ang buhay nila natutung gumawa ng hindi maganda. Walang masama na mapaayos ang buhay natin pero I hope that we live and do things accordingly. Naniniwala ako na lahat tayo ay pinanganak na walang bahid dungis pero habang lumalaki at namumulat sa kapalaluan ng mundo ay nakakalimutan natin kung ano ba ang dahilan bakit tayo nabubuhay sa mundo. Hindi tayo pumunta dito para maging masama, hindi tayo pinanganak na magnakaw, pumatay, maging corrupt, mang-api sa kapwa at kung ano-ano pang masasamang gawain.

Dapat ito tayo:

1. Mapagmahal sa pamilya at gumagawa ng tama at nagtatrabaho for you to have the means to sustain the
needs of your family.

2. Ipagpatuloy na palaguin ang mga kaalaman, talents and skills to better yourself and your family.

3. If you are a Christian or Islam or whatever is your religion or beliefs be consistent sa
pananampalataya mo. Magsimba kasama ang pamilya every sunday para malaman ng mga anak mo ang
kahalagahan ng may takot sa Diyos.

4. May pagmamahal at respeto sa kawpa, isipin na lang ang nagyari itong nakaraang linggo, kung si
Mendoza ay natutuhan palaguin ang pagmamahal at respeto sa kapwa, di nya kayang gawin ang
karumaldumal na gawaing yun. Pagmamahal at respeto po mga mahal kong kababayan.

5. Sa dami ng mga pagsubok na dumating sa ating bansa, ang isa sa mga pinakamalupet ang Ondoy at
iba't-iba pang kalamidad, sana natuto na tayong pahalagahan ang ating kapaligaran at syempre
kasama na ang ating kapwa.

6. Masunurin at nagsusumikap na sundin ang mga batas kasama na yung mga akala natin ay maliliit lang
at madaling gawin pero ito ang nakakalimutan natin ipamuhay, ang simpleng pagsunod sa batas
trapiko ay malaking kaginhawaan ang dulot nito sa atin.

7. Mga mahal kong kababayan, alam kong nasa ating lahat ang ikagaganda ng ating bayan, si PNOY ay isa
lang sa mga mahahalagang haligi sa lipunan na ating binigyan ng pagtitiwala para pangunahan ang
pagbabago at pag-unlad ng mahal nating bayan.

Isulong natin ang matibay na lipunan na may takot sa Diyos o kahit ano man ang pinaniniwalaan natin dahil naniniwala ako na walang religion na nagtuturo ng di maganda. Ang Pilipino ay may iisang adhikain, ang mabuhay ng mapayapa at may dangal sa sarili. Mga kapwa ko Pilipino palakasin natin ito at tuluyan na nating pakawalan ang tunay na mayron tayo, katulad ng sinabi ng ating mahal na bayaning si Dr. Jose Rizal, nung sinabe nya ito noong panahun nya na "ang mga bata ang pag-asa ng bayan", tayo po yun na sinasabi nya noon, nandito na tayo sa panahon na kanyang nabanggit, gawin na natin ang mga tinuran nya.

Ako ay katulad nyo rin, naghahangad ng mapayapa, masaya at maunlad na pamumuhay.

GOD/ALLAH BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Are we losing our grip?

Attitude wise, people became so because of their own worldly passion had driven them to act outside the norm of what is good for all. Thinking about our basic responsibility and understanding toward society, differentiating what is black and what is white can be deceiving to those who are blinded by corrupt practices. Could it be justified? Technically, 101% a big, big NO! Many had suffered and were devastated. Families and friends for those whom had victimized by that brutal act had mourned and grieved for the loss of their loveones. They have felt empty for the ones they hope to be with for more long years.

Going through those series of many misfortunes of these people who had acted and turn their back from the standard pattern of correct behavior had caused their sanity deteriorated. Had lost their norm. How did these things go this far? Has he acted because circumstances had gone against him? or had he unable to bear what his misdeed had brought to him? He alone can tell the truth but regardless of any situations, his action and the suffering he caused will never justify his wrong deed!

I keep on thinking...after this distressing and shocking episode in our beloved country, in the midst of our current tribulations caused by the previous unintelligent and selfish acts of those whom the trust of the people had been given but they just wasted and trampled them. We are again, is going through another blow and we never learned. Is it unthinkable that someone will act selfishly and act without even a bit of consideration about what effect this could brought to his fellowmen? Have we or most of us are losing our grip toward living harmoniously? or it had been gone a long time ago? Maybe we are just reaping now what our forefathers and parents had sown because they too had acted selfishly and they never mind on other people's welfare because they thought my actions have nothing to do with yours, as the saying goes, "mind your own business". To me, this saying, is full of crap! (sa tagalog,TAE!) bogus! Why? If you don't get it, it's either you are naive or your brain is also full of crap! Sorry to say that my dear readers, I know it is provoking to say those words, but I hope you understand that we do not live alone in this world and whatever actions we do they have some domino effect to others. You may not see them now but they will come later or sooner than you think if no corrections have been made.

Do I condemn him? No, but I am definitely and badly disappointed! (Judge not but judge with love and sound intention). See, If I don't mind other people's business why should I felt bad about it? The heck to him and to those people who were involved and made this happened. But One way or another we have been affected and see what it causes to our country, our beloved country and especially to those families and individual who were directly the victim of that brutal incident? At this point you have already expressed your emotions toward this violent occurrences and I perfectly understood that. Here's what I want to share, again, whatever acts or thoughts you may have right now, like what I have said, they will have domino effect if not today maybe later! I urge you to be sober so that together we can act toward recovery and healing.

Let justice prevail and learn a great deal of lesson so that we will grow toward a better nation and a people that work after for the betterment for all.

My Life story - Part I

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It is probably not that so interesting for some to know or learn about my life story. There aren't that so exciting at all since I am not that so adventurous kind of person and i am not into some sports or so obsess to some particular things that people would love to know. It's quite boring life if you may say so.

Well, since there is no particular rules on blogging that says something about a boring life or that says, it is not allowed to express yourself if nothing much interesting to it, so, i would take this opportunity and write first and foremost about my life and things that made it not interesting!

I was born in Catarman, Northern Samar. Eastern part of the Philippines. If you study or discover to know our place, it is also somewhat describes my life story. The place is not that so popular and there are only few places that will interest you going and get mesmerize by its natural beauty, one is in Biri, a small island but has huge natural beauty.

Going back to my own story, in every person whether it be on physical or behavioral aspect, we can find flaws but somehow they are also being compensated through different positive behavioral traits which would make the person to be likable. That would also depict my own self. Like what i have said in the beginning, i might be somewhat uninteresting and not so handsome that girls would run after me but i do not disowned myself because whether i like it or not i am going to be me and will be me until i become extinct.

For the whole part of being me, i do love myself and i am grateful that i am what i am. Although, I had grown up with a family that don't have the luxury of life and there were times that we had to eat only once in a day. We sometime ate with just rice on our table and luckily we had salt to mix with it so that it would get some taste and we could get it through our mouth and swallowed them. Regardless of that situation in my younger days i am still grateful that i was born in my family and learned to love them with all my heart and soul. They are one of my greatest inspirations in my entire life. I love them and i will continue to love them throughout eternity.

Earlier part of my life, before i came to live with my real family, i was with my grandparents (sister of my real grandmother). They took me into their lives when i was only one year old then, it was when my parents moved to Mindanao (Gingoog City) where my father came from and was born there. After five years my mom came back and was trying to take me back but, i guess, i was so afraid to her that she kept me stayed with the people whom i had known to love and lived with for that early part of existence, until when i started going to school in elementary when my real family force me to lived with them. That was the beginning i had learned more about my siblings, my father and my mother, but there were times that i resorted going back to my grandparents. I found more feeling of security with them. I remembered one instance when my grandmother came to pay a visit to our home (anyway, it took more or less two hours trip to get to our home from my grandparents) and stayed there for couple of days and when she decided to go back home, I told my mom that I wanted to go with her but she refused, so i started to cry as in cry really hard and when my grandmother saw me crying she too cried but then my mom was firmed, I had to stay since I was already studying that time. (I guess, I was already in 2nd grade then) They couldn't stop me crying until I saw my grandmother left. Even when she was already gone I was still crying really hard, up to the extent that my mom resorted to use some force by betting me with a stick just to keep me stop from crying but I was so stubborn; I remembered, my only reason that I was in that situation was, because I wanted to be with my grandmother and no one could stop me from crying unless they would allow me to be with her but of no avail I had to stay, and when I realized that they will not going to give into my intention, I had accepted the fact that i couldn't convince them and so I stopped my tantrum but it took me the whole afternoon before I got over it.

Just one of those kid's like behaviors i had and it was very significant because that was also the beginning of learning something valuable lesson in life. I realized that, not all things that we desired to have or like will become ours.

I will post the continuation of this blog...later on.

My Life Story - Part II

Before anything else I'd like to introduce my parents first, my father ( Gener Gomez Guevarra, not his real name) was born in Gingoog City. In his early age of seven his parents were both passed away, and his only sibling also died early. He was taken cared by his grandmother until he was about 9 year old or a little older and when he was good enough to take chances about what life ahead, he decided to work as a helper in a logging company and from there he had learned what kind of life he was getting into. In the years ahead as he got older he was able to develop his honed skills as a driver mechanic in that same company where he started to work earlier of his childhood. As I thought of his situation, I felt so sad and so sorry for my father because he probably had not enjoyed his boyhood having had the time to be a real kid. A time where he would be with his peers and friends to experience what a child's life like. He said, once in a while when time permits would tell us when we were still younger, that at the age of twelve (12) he was already good at smoking and alcohol drinkers, which, I was pretty sure, he learned them because he was in a crowd which supposedly he was not with.

Circumstances had played an important role in his life, which he had no choice but to accept what it had offered him. Sometimes, as I thought of things and the life we have, whether we like it or not, we have to accept the fact that life can be so cruel and so unfair. But then again, as I think of it deeply those circumstances had happened because our ancestors had never done anything to make themselves better, they had never developed a kind of life that the following generations ahead of them would well benefit because they had worked hard and better themselves, so that those generations that followed them will benefit and never suffer and would not gone through so much hardship. What we sow today will be reaped by the generations ahead of us. These conditions we are experiencing right now somehow had been an effect of what our ancestors or parents had sowed. As the Roman poet, Juvenal said: "It's not easy for people to rise out of obscurity when they have to face straitened circumstances at home."

It is therefore, imperative that we have to do all that we can do to make our lives better today if we don't want our future generations will suffer or experience the same circumstances or conditions as what we have experiencing right now. But I'd like to impress your mind that I never regretted to go through with this kind of life I have right now but I know If given the chance again to revisit my past and change something, I would have done some changes to make. Like what I had said in my Part-I entry, I do love every moment I have spent with my loveones. They are one of those many inspirations I have in this life.

My father never had the chance to finish a formal education and I don't blame him or whatsoever because I perfectly understood his condition, instead I felt so sorry for him because he had no choice but to accept what had laid for him if he wanted to continue living. He did. When he was at his late 20s, the company had sent him to come along with the company's expansion for logging in Samar, where he met my mother and married her. He got married at at the age of thirty (30) and my mother was only twenty (20) then.

In the beginning of their marriage, my father didn't stayed long at logging company while it was in Samar. He decided to work for his own, as he was already confident with his skills. He became one of those sought after mechanics in our town. They resided in Catarman, Northern Samar. From there on he started to make his own family, just by his own, no relatives or anyone else to pull back on but by himself and my mother. Writing right now at this stage, I became a bit emotional and feeling proud of my father because, I realized, he was so brave. One way or another, he really stood up for what he had done and one of those were to rear up and care for his family. I believed in the beginning, if I can recalled it right, we were living modestly.He earned sufficiently enough for our needs, I could hardly remember that we were short for our necessities. We even had some relatives who lived with us. One of my many cousins who was older than us became like my parents favorite and treated her like their eldest daughter and they even sent her to school. My dad was at the prime of his career, so I knew my parents were doing good financially.   

For continuation....