True Conservative Leadership

I encourage all who agree that we need true conservative leadership to sign a petition to this effect. You can find it here. (http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/we-demand-true-conservative-leadership.html)

The text of the petition follows here:

Description/History

WE DECLARE that Republican leadership the past eight years has failed.

WE DECLARE that Republican politicians have compromised Conservative values in favor of "reaching across the aisle" in the name of "bipartisanship" to "get things done in Washington." In doing so, these very politicians have damaged this nation, weakened the Constitution, and done harm to individual freedoms.

WE ASSERT that the Republican National Committee has failed to advance and articulate Conservatism. We claim that by so doing, the RNC has done harm to the Conservative movement and thus to the party itself.

Petition

THEREFORE:

WE AS REAGAN CONSERVATIVES DEMAND that the Republican National Committee and the Republicans in both the House and the Senate begin acting as true Conservatives according to the principles listed below.

WE DEMAND that the elected officials stop compromising Conservatism. For by doing so they have failed to fulfill their oath of office to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States." We assert that getting less done in Washington is better than compromising our freedom and economic prosperity.

WE CALL FOR Republican politicians to effectively articulate and constantly teach Conservatism.

WE DEMAND that the House Republicans select a new minority leader who will lead the minority party in holding to Conservative values and who can find innovative Conservative solutions and effectively articulate them on the floor of the House and to the media.

WE CALL FOR an RNC chairman who is (1) a true Reagan Conservative (2) who can effectively and forthrightly articulate Conservative solutions.


-----REAGAN CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES-----

--American Exceptionalism--
The United States is an exceptional nation. No other country in the history of the world has done more to secure liberty and honor God-given rights of individuals. Our government is uniquely of, by, and for the people, not the other way around.

--Secure Borders--
Legal immigrants have enriched this country. Illegal immigration undermines American sovereignty and weakens national security. The U.S. has a right and obligation to secure it's borders.

--Strong Military--
A strong military is a deterrent. The U.S. must maintain military superiority to ensure our security. The American military is made up of dedicated and patriotic individuals who deserve this nation's full support.

--Energy Independence--
For national security and economic reasons it is time that we as a nation become energy independent by exploiting all our natural resources responsibly while at the same time encouraging energy innovation.

--Individual Rights--
The subjugation of individual rights in favor of groups rights is unconstitutional and has always lead to the trampling of individual freedom.

--Individual Responsibility--
Individuals are responsible for their actions and the consequences. It is not government's place to save individuals from their mistakes. This kind of government intervention only encourages irresponsible behavior and impinges on others' rights.

--Limited Government--
Thoreau was correct when he wrote: "That government is best which governs least." Government should be limited to the powers delegated it by the Constitution. Beyond these powers, as government grows, individual freedom shrinks and the economy suffers.

--Low Taxes and Fiscal Constraint--
Government redistribution of income through taxation is not Constitutional. Individuals have a right to their income and are far better managers of their money than is the government. Free market solutions improve the economy while upholding individual freedoms.

--Supreme Court--
The purpose of the Supreme Court is to determine whether laws are in keeping with the Constitutionally limited powers delegated the government. The Supreme Court is not to rule based on any other standard than that of a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution.

--Religious Freedom--
Americans should be free to practice religion how they please. Christianity has been a positive force in our society. Government should not overreach its powers to discriminate against any religious group. Government has no right to suppress prayers nor expressions of faith in public schools.

--Respect for Life--
Life is sacred and is to be defended. This includes the most vulnerable among us, the unborn. Ronald Reagan was correct when he wrote: "Make no mistake, abortion-on-demand is not a right granted by the Constitution. We cannot diminish the value of one category of human life -- the unborn -- without diminishing the value of all human life."

--Right to Bear Arms--
The right to own a gun is recognized specifically in the Constitution, yet it is constantly under attack legislatively and legally. The right to own firearms is important to the safety and security of individuals and a nation.

Obama’s Fight Against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act

My sister originally published this post on her own blog (Proud Reagan Conservative) after conducting extensive research. With the election just two days away, I'm reposting it here.

David

__________________________

TIMELINE

1999
Nurse Jill Stanek was a registered nurse in the Labor & Delivery Department at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, when she discovered that babies were being aborted alive and shelved to die in the soiled utility room.

2000
Illinois State Attorney General and the Illinois Department of Public Health found no law was being broken by Christ Hospital.

2001
Illinois State Senate Bill 1095, Born Alive Infant Protection Act
(This bill did not become law)
Obama voted NO in committee.
Obama voted PRESENT on the IL Senate floor.

2002
Illinois State Senate Bill 1662, Born Alive Infant Protection Act
(This bill did not become law)
Obama voted NO in committee.
Obama voted NO on the IL Senate floor.

2003
Illinois State Senate Bill 1082, Born Alive Infant Protection Act
(This bill did not become law)
Obama voted in committee to add additional language specifically protecting abortion. It was successfully added to the bill.
Obama then voted NO in committee to the updated bill.

Barack Obama has put forth several lies about his repeated votes against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA).

OBAMA’S LIE #1

OBAMA’S CLAIM: There was no need for the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA) because there were already laws on the books to protect these infants.

FACT: The Illinois State Attorney General and the Illinois Department of Public Health investigated and found that Christ Hospital violated no current law when they left born-alive aborted babies to die in closets. It was for this reason that law makers wrote the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.

EVIDENCE: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3827/is_200104/ai_n8933816
At the request of Jill Stanek and Karen Hayes (the Illinois state director for Concerned Women of America) the office of Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan conducted an investigation of the practices at Christ Hospital. In a July 17, 2000 letter to Hayes, Chief Deputy Attorney General Carole Doris wrote, "We have concluded that there is no basis for legal action by this office against the hospital or its employees, agents or staff at this time."

http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=1437&department=CWA&categoryid=life
The office of Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan sent a letter to Mrs. Hayes in July 2000, responding to her request for investigation of Christ Hospital. Since the issue addressed medical practice, the attorney general referred it to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The IDPH sent investigators to the hospital in late September 1999, soon after Mrs. Hayes’ original correspondence (attorney general letter, 7/17/00).

On December 6, IDPH gave its report to the attorney general office. IDPH indicated that it found no “violation of the Hospital Licensing Act or the Vital Records Act.” Further, “no other allegations or medical evidence to support any statutory violation (including the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act about which [Mrs. Hayes] inquired) were referred to our office by the Department for prosecution” (attorney general letter, 7/17/00).

FACT: Obama (1) heard Nurse Jill Stanek’s testimony that babies were being left to die at Christ Hospital; (2) He was presented the investigation results showing other abortion providers in the state were leaving born-alive aborted babies to die; and (3) Obama was given the Attorney General’s findings showing these hospitals were doing nothing wrong legally under current law.

FACT: Obama refused to concede this was happening, despite the testimony presented to him of infants being left to die after failed abortions. Instead, he said this on the floor of the Senate (pages 32-34 of the April 4, 2002 session transcript): http://www.ilga.gov/senate/transcripts/strans92/ST040402.pdf

[T]he only plausible rationale, to my mind, for this legislation would be if you had a suspicion that a doctor, the attending physician, who has made the assessment that this is a nonviable fetus and that, let’s say for the purposes of the mother’s health, is being — that — that labor is being induced, that that physician (a) is going to make the wrong assessment and (b) if the physician discovered, after the labor had been induced, that, in fact, he made an error, and in fact this was not a nonviable fetus but, in fact, a live child, that the physician, of his own accord or her own accord, would not try to exercise the sort of medical procedures and practices that would be involved in saving that child.

Now, if — if you think that there are possibilities that doctors would not do that, then maybe this bill makes sense, but I — I suspect and my impression is, is that the Medical Society suspects that doctors feel that they would already be under that obligation, that they would already be making these determinations, and that essentially adding a — an additional doctor who the has to be called in an emergency situation to come in and make these assessments is really designed simply to burden the original decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an abortion.

Now, if that’s the case –and — and I know some of us feel very strongly one way or the other on that issue — that’s fine, but I think it’s important to understand that this issue ultimately is about abortion and not live births. Because if these children are being born alive, I, at least, have confidence that a doctor who is in that room is going to make sure they’re looked after.

During the third presidential debate, Barack Obama again told the lie that there was no need for this law so he voted against it. He’s blatantly lying.

OBAMA’S LIE #2

OBAMA’S CLAIM: Obama has claimed many times that he voted against this bill because it did not contain the kind of protections to abortion that an earlier national bill contained.

FACT: There was specific language in the bill which limited the scope of the bill to born-alive infants. In fact, for the 2003 bill, Obama in committee voted to include additional language which specifically protected abortion, but once the new language was in there, he then voted against the entire bill anyway. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28189

This is the specific language that Obama voted to include in the 2003 bill, but
which apparently still wasn’t enough for him:

"Nothing in this section shall be construed to affirm, deny, expand, or contract any legal status or legal right applicable to any member of the species homo sapiens at any point prior to being born alive as defined in this section."

THE CHILLING TRUTH

Barack Obama is so intent on protecting abortion, he doesn’t want infants born alive during botched abortions to be protected under the law.

On March 30, 2001, Obama spoke against the Born Alive Infant legislation:
http://www.ilga.gov/senate/transcripts/strans92/ST033001.pdf (page 86)

“Number one, whenever we define a previable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or the other elements in the Constitution, what we’re really saying is, in fact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a – a child, a nine-month-old – child that was delivered to term. That determination then, essentially, if it was accepted by a court, would forbid abortions to take place. I mean, it – it would essentially bar abortions, because the equal protection clause does not allow somebody to kill a child, and if this is a child, then this would be an antiabortion statute.”

Here is April 2002 audio of Obama defending his position against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/mp3/2007-04/29383467.MP3

Text:

“I suspect that doctors feel that they would be under that obligation, that they would already be making these determinations, and that essentially adding an additional doctor, who then has to be called in an emergency situation to come
in and make these assessments, is really designed simply to burden the original
decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an
abortion.”

Obama didn’t want the original decision by the mother to abort her baby second-guessed to the point where if the baby were born alive, he wanted the original decision to have the baby terminated honored.

This man, Barack Obama, is so extreme in his pro-abortion activism, that even when an aborted baby is born living outside the mother, he does not want this new life to get equal protection under the law, but he does want the original decision to terminate the life respected and carried out.

I pray we are not the kind of country that would elect this kind of man as our leader.

____________________________________

For the best overview on this issue, see:
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28189
http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/02/links_to_barack.html
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obama_and_infanticide.html

Must-See Video:
September 29 2000 O'Reilly Factor interview with Nurse Jill Stanek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9duXeLahkV4

A Prophetic Warning, Confirmed By Experts

On many occasions, President Gordon B. Hinckley warned the Saints to live within their means. He did not foretell a specific calamity but counseled that people should not go into unnecessary debt. Looking back, it is interesting to note that he did not speak in a vacuum. His prophetic warning was surrounded by evidence of the possible consequences of ignoring the Lord's voice on earth.

In the October 1998 General Conference, President Hinckley said the following:

"I recognize that it may be necessary to borrow to get a home, of course. But let us buy a home that we can afford and thus ease the payments which will constantly hang over our heads without mercy or respite for as long as 30 years."

Later, he continued:

"We are carrying a message of self-reliance throughout the Church. Self-reliance cannot obtain when there is serious debt hanging over a household. One has neither independence nor freedom from bondage when he is obligated to others."

It's interesting to note that less than one year later, financial experts were warning of possible economic problems that could result from people purchasing homes beyond their means. An article in September 30, 1999 edition of The New York Times said the following:

"In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending [to subprime borrowers who could not qualify for conventional loans], Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's."

I'm grateful the Lord has sent a prophet to shine light on paths of safety in a dark and troubled world. If we will follow his counsel, we will find peace and freedom from fear.

Was Jesus Born on April 6?

Was Jesus Christ born on April 6th? What do LDS Church leaders say about this topic? Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 appears to indicate that the Savior was born on April 6th, 1,830 years to the day before the Church was organized, but is this verse to be read literally?

The following quotes from Church leaders, official Church publications, and other Church members in official magazines discuss this subject.

Quotes from Latter-day Church Leaders

President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“In a few days comes the promise that spring will come again and summer will return, as it has through all the millennia that men have been upon the earth. It is no wonder that in ancient times Christmas, commemorating the birth of the Christ child, was celebrated at this solstice season. Men had no knowledge of the time of His birth, and so they came to bond the celebration of Christmas with the celebration of the return of the sun. While we now know through revelation the time of the Savior’s birth [April 6], we observe the 25th of December with the rest of the Christian world.”
(“Christmas Devotional with First Presidency,” Ensign, Feb. 1998, 74–75)

President Harold B. Lee:
"This is the annual conference of the Church. April 6, 1973, is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith wrote this, preceding a revelation given at that same date:

“The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April.” (D&C 20:1.) (Harold B. Lee, “Strengthen the Stakes of Zion,” Ensign, Jul 1973, 2; Address delivered Friday morning, April 6, 1973)

President Spencer W. Kimball:
"My brothers and sisters, today we not only celebrate the Sesquicentennial of the organization of the Church, but also the greatest event in human history since the birth of Christ on this day 1,980 years ago. Today is Easter Sunday."
(Spencer W. Kimball, “Remarks and Dedication of the Fayette, New York, Buildings,” Ensign, May 1980, 54)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
"On the false assumption that Christianity had its beginning with our Lord's mortal ministry, his birth was chosen to mark the beginning of the so-called Christian Era. Though there is considerable controversy and uncertainty among scholars of the world as to the actual year of Christ's birth, the revelation given on the day the Church was organized in this dispensation apparently intends to convey the thought that he was born April 6, B.C. 1. (D&C 20:1)."
(Mormon Doctrine, p.131)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
“Apparently Christ was born on the day corresponding to April 6 (D&C 20:1), but the saints nevertheless join in the wholesome portions of the Christmas celebration. Christmas becomes to them an ideal opportunity to renew their search for the true spirit of Christ and to center their attentions again on the true doctrine of his birth as the Son of an Immortal Father.”
(Mormon Doctrine, pp.132-33)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
"We do not believe it is possible with the present state of our knowledge—including that which is known both in and out of the Church—to state with finality when the natal day of the Lord Jesus actually occurred."
(Mortal Messiah, Vol. 1, p. 349, n. 2)

Elder N. Eldon Tanner:
"April is truly a historic month in which we commemorate two of the most important events in the history of mankind: the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the reestablishment of his church and kingdom here upon the earth in these, the latter days. Members of the Church also believe that Christ was born on April 6 in the year 1 b.c. (See D&C 20:1.)"
(N. Eldon Tanner, “Resurrection and Restoration,” Ensign, Apr 1971, 2)


Quotes from Other Church Publications

Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Manual:
"Doctrine and Covenants 20:1—Why the Sixth of April? The Lord gave 6 April 1830 as the day to formerly organize His Church. President Harold B. Lee spoke of the significance of this date: “April 6, 1973 is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in this dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 4; or Ensign, July 1973, 2).
(Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Seminary Student Study Guide, Page 32)


Quotes from Other Church members

Richard O. Cowan, Professor of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University:
"First let us review how we know the Savior was born in April. As directed by revelation, the Church was organized on April 6, 1830 (a Tuesday), which was “eighteen hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh.” (D&C 20:1.) Thus we schedule general conference sessions on April 6 each year; we are not only marking the anniversary of the Church’s organization, but we are commemorating the Lord’s birth as well."
(Richard O. Cowan, “Q&A: Questions and Answers,” New Era, Dec. 1974, 10–11)

John P. Pratt, (see entire article; here's an excerpt):

"The Savior’s Birth Date

"Since the organization of the Church on 6 April 1830, many members have believed that Jesus was born on 6 April 1 b.c. This belief is based on a revelation stating that the Church was organized “one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April.” (D&C 20:1.)

"The wording used does not make it clear whether this verse was intended to mean that the day 6 April 1830 was precisely 1,830 years since the birth of Jesus, or whether it was simply a formal way of stating that the year was called 1830. Some Church leaders have argued for the literal interpretation that Jesus was born on 6 April 1 b.c. 37 They often note that the Lord pointed out “the precise day … to organize His Church.” (D&C 20, section heading.) Other Church leaders have not felt bound to accept Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 as accurate to the very day because “the Church has made no official declaration on the matter.” 38 (D&C 20:1)

"Recently, two Presidents of the Church affirmed their belief that this verse does imply that April 6 (on our calendar) is the anniversary of the Lord’s birth. On 6 April 1973, President Harold B. Lee noted that that day was “the anniversary of the birth of the Savior” and then quoted Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 as a reference. (Ensign, July 1973, p. 2.) Then on 6 April 1980, President Spencer W. Kimball stated that Jesus was born on “this day 1,980 years ago.” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 54.)

"While these statements may not have been intended as declarations of doctrine, they do add to the impression that the literal interpretation of Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 is generally accepted in the Church, favoring the acceptance of 6 April 1 b.c. as the Savior’s birthdate, consistent with Option C above.
(John P. Pratt, “The Restoration of Priesthood Keys on Easter 1836, Part 1: Dating the First Easter,” Ensign, Jun 1985, 59)

America is Great Because...

I searched the Internet for the phrase "American is great because" and found the following...

• "America is great because she is good." (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville though it doesn't appear in his writings)
• "America is great because America is free."
• "America is great because of the American people and their determination to fight for their rights and freedom."
• "America is great because it was built on foundation of Bible principles."
• "America is great because its people aspire for independence, not dependence."
• "America is great because it is accepting."
• "America is great because it has as much diversity in geographies as it does in peoples."
• "America is great not just because we have wonderful rivers and streams and great geography or that we have natural resources. America is not great because we have the best government. America is not great because we have the best corporations. Without a question America is great because we have great people. It is the people of America that make it the strongest and most powerful nation on the planet. And America's people are great because we have great parents who made us great."
• "America is great because of the compassion and generosity of its people."
• "America is great because free people have had the chance and the incentive and the opportunity to dream, strive and work toward their goals."
• "America is great because of the dynamic of free people working together in a system based on economic liberty and the rule of law, and not because of government."
• "America is great because of its spirit, we believe it is the spirit of God."

Stephen Ambrose, an American historian, studied and wrote about the American military. In his book, The VICTORS: Eisenhower and His Boys: The Men of World War II, he tried to answer the question how simple citizen soldiers could have faced such great evil and conquered. He wrote this:

"At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn't want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and we all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful."

Then he talked about what the war meant to the men who fought it. One man, he said, summed it up in a way he could never forget. I personally believe this is why America is great. That man said:

"Imagine this. In the spring of 1945, around the world, the sight of a twelve-man squad of teenage boys, armed and in uniform, brought terror to people's hearts. Whether it was a Red Army squad in Berlin, Leipzig, or Warsaw, or a German squad in Holland, or a Japanese squad in Manila or Seoul or China, that squad meant rape, pillage, looting, wanton destruction, senseless killing. But there was an exception: a squad of GIs, a sight that brought the biggest smile you ever saw to people's lips, and joy to their hearts."

"Around the world this was true, even in Germany, even - after September 1945 - in Japan. This was because GIs meant candy, cigarettes, C-rations, and freedom. America had sent the best of her young men around the world, not to conquer but to liberate, not to terrorize but to help. This was a great moment in our history."

Yes, we're not a perfect nation, but our blemishes are the exceptions, not the rule. I love this great country.

Cougar Stadium From Above

If you're a huge Cougar football fan like I am but live too far away to visit the stadium regularly, you can still see it through the web. While it's not live, you can still get up close and personal through the miracle of satellite imagery.

It's interesting to compare the images of Cougar Stadium available from the major mapping websites: Mapquest, Google Maps, and Yahoo Maps. Take a look:

Yahoo Maps

MapQuest

Google Maps (Note that Google Maps also has a Street View feature; see a screenshot below)

If you have any ideas what years these images were taken, please let me know. Note that in two of the three, the Cougar Club tent is up to the northeast of the stadium, but it's a different type of tent in the two.

Enjoy!

Michael, Heber, and Hyrum

Faithful Servants to the End

Hyrum Smith never left Joseph. Heber C. Kimball always stood by Brigham Young. When many of Joseph's and Brigham's closest associates and leaders of the Church turned against them during some of the darkest hours in early Church history, Hyrum and Heber never wavered in their support of these two great prophets.

I believe they are type. Where Joseph had Hyrum and Brigham had Heber, I believe that Jesus had Michael. More importantly, I believe they are an example we can follow.

Few of us are called like Joseph and Brigham to lead. All of us, however, have the opportunity to support and sustain our leaders. Hyrum and Heber are shining examples of faithful support. Elder M. Russell Ballard described Hyrum Smith as “one of the firm pillars of the Restoration.” He spoke of this aspect of Hyrum's character:

After his older brother Alvin’s death in 1823, Hyrum bore significant responsibility in the Smith family. At the same time, he assisted and served his brother, Joseph the Prophet, throughout the long and arduous process of the Restoration. Ultimately, he joined Joseph and other martyrs of past gospel dispensations. His blood was shed as his final testimony to the world.

Through it all, Hyrum stood firm. He knew the course his life would take, and he consciously chose to follow it. To Joseph, Hyrum became companion, protector, provider, confidant, and eventually joined him as a martyr. Unjust persecution engulfed them throughout their lives. Although he was older, Hyrum recognized his brother’s divine mantle. While he gave Joseph strong counsel on occasion, Hyrum always deferred to his younger brother. (M. Russell Ballard, “Hyrum Smith: ‘Firm As the Pillars of Heaven’,” Ensign, Nov 1995, 6)

Heber was no less faithful in his support to Brigham. Following Heber's death, Elder George A. Smith said the following:

As we follow him to his last resting place, we must recollect that those men who stood side by side Joseph Smith the Prophet, who bore with him his burdens, and shared his troubles; who stood shoulder to shoulder with President Young while he faced the storm of apostacy, mob power and organized priestcraft, are rapidly passing away. Brother Kimball was foremost among them. (Journal of Discourses, Volume 12, The Death of President Heber C. Kimball)

Also speaking of Heber after the death, Elder George Q. Cannon said this:

It is now twenty-four years lacking three days, since Joseph and Hyrum were taken away from us. Twenty-four years so fruitful in labor, so abundant in toil, so rich in experience! During that period bro. Heber has never wavered, never trembled. It may be said of him with as much truthfulness to-day, as was said by bro. Brigham on one occasion in Nauvoo, "his knees never trembled, his hands never shook." He has been faithful to God; he has been true to his brethren; he has kept his covenants. (Journal of Discourses, Volume 12, The Death of President Heber C. Kimball)

While thinking of these great men and their faithful service to their leaders, it came to mind that Michael, or Adam, had also been an example of eternal support to the Great Leader, Jesus Christ. It was Michael who lead the forces of good against Lucifer in the war in Heaven:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” (Revelation 12:7-8)

Michael may have also been the angel who came to support our Savior during his suffering in Gethsemane. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “We know that an angel came from the courts of glory to strengthen him in his ordeal, and we suppose it was mighty Michael, who foremost fell that mortal man might be” (Bruce R. McConkie, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” Ensign, May 1985, 9).

Elder Mark E. Peterson spoke further of Michael's role and position relative to Jesus Christ: “The Prophet Joseph Smith clearly identifies both Adam and Michael as one and the same person, an angel, the chief angel, or archangel, of heaven, the special servant of God and Christ” (Mark E. Petersen, “Adam, the Archangel,” Ensign, Nov 1980, 16).

May we follow the example of these great and just men—Michael, Heber, and Hyrum—in faithfully serving our sustained leaders to the end.

Photos of President Hinckley's Final Public Appearance

What was probably President Gordon B. Hinckley's final public appearance took place on January 20, 2008 when he presided over the rededication of the Garden Park Ward in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photos of President Hinckley at this meeting have been racing around the Internet. Deseret Book posted them on their website: http://deseretbook.com/temple/hinckley.

In honor of our beloved prophet, I created a video with these photos and set it to the beautiful hymn, God Be With You Till We Meet Again.

Ronald Reagan on Religious Bigotry

Ronald Reagan made it very clear during his presidency that religious intolerance and bigotry was unacceptable in America. Sadly, decades after America appeared to overcome religious intolerance by electing a Catholic president, it appears vestiges of this bigotry still exist. John Geer, a political scientist at Vanderbilt, designed a survey to assess religious bias against Mitt Romney. The poll found that “bias against Mitt Romney’s religion is one of the reasons that the tag 'flip-flopper' sticks with the former Massachusetts governor but not his Republican opponents.”

The following are quotes from Ronald Reagan on intolerance and bigotry. My hope, like his, is that we, as a nation, will overcome this evil and vote for the best candidate based on qualifications and values, not religious affiliation.

_________________________

“Now, there's another major wrong done to traditional American values that needs to be corrected. Our forefathers were religious people, and they were also enlightened enough to realize the follies of religious intolerance.”

Remarks at the Annual Convention of the American Legion in
Salt Lake City, Utah, September 4, 1984

“So, please use your pulpits to denounce racism, anti-Semitism, and all ethnic or religious intolerance as evils, and let us make it clear that our values must not restrict, but liberate the human spirit in thought and in deed.”

Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals
in Columbus, Ohio, March 6, 1984

“[W]e must teach tolerance and denounce racism, anti-Semitism, and all ethnic or religious bigotry, wherever they exist, as unacceptable evils.”

Remarks at the Young Leadership Conference of the United Jewish Appeal
March 13, 1984

“The ideals of our country leave no room whatsoever for intolerance, for anti-Semitism, or for bigotry of any kind -- none. ”

Remarks to Members of the Congregation of Temple Hillel and
Jewish Community Leaders in Valley Stream, New York
October 26, 1984

“We must never remain silent in the face of bigotry. We must condemn those who seek to divide us. In all quarters and at all times, we must teach tolerance and denounce racism, anti-Semitism, and all ethnic or religious bigotry wherever they exist as unacceptable evils. We have no place for haters in America -- none, whatsoever.”

Remarks to Members of the Congregation of Temple Hillel and
Jewish Community Leaders in Valley Stream, New York
October 26, 1984

“The Founders realized that we must guard freedom of religion with eternal vigilance against tyranny and bigotry.”

Proclamation 5866 -- Religious Freedom Week, 1988
September 27, 1988

“Today bigotry has been beaten down, but not yet totally destroyed. It falls now to you to carry on the battle. So, fight racism; fight anti-Semitism; fight in all its variations the bigotry and intolerance that we Americans have worked so hard to root out. I make much of all we've done to combat discrimination in our country because it seems to me of central importance to our essay on peace. Here in this green and gentle land people of all nations, people of all races and faiths, have learned to live in harmony to build one nation.”

Remarks at the High School Commencement Exercises in
Glassboro, New Jersey, June 19, 1986

“And let me add, in the party of Lincoln, there is no room for intolerance and not even a small corner for anti-Semitism or bigotry of any kind. Many people are welcome in our house, but not the bigots.”

Remarks Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the
Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas
August 23, 1984

“No one group in this country is better than another. No one race or religion or sex or color is better than another. And no region is better or worse than another. It's time we erased the last vestiges of intolerance, bigotry, and unkindness from our hearts. Decency demands this and so does our history.”

Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session at the
"Choosing a Future" Conference in Chicago, Illinois
September 5, 1984

“I was raised to believe that there's no sin greater than prejudice or bigotry.”

Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session at the
"Choosing a Future" Conference in Chicago, Illinois
September 5, 1984

“And let me say there is no place in the Republican Party for those who would exhibit prejudice against anyone. There's no place in our party for the kind of bigotry and ugly rhetoric that we've been hearing outside our party recently. We have no room for hate here, and we have no place for the haters.”

Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With
Elected Republican Women Officials, June 29, 1984

“[R]acial discrimination and religious bigotry have no place in a free society.”

Remarks at the Annual Convention of the
National Religious Broadcasters, February 9, 1982

“And let me add that we will continue to fight against discrimination wherever there are any vestiges of it remaining, until we've removed such bigotry from our entire land.”

Remarks at a Meeting With Asian and
Pacific-American Leaders, February 23, 1984

“I firmly believe that there is no room for partisanship on this question. Democrats and Republicans alike must be resolute in disassociating ourselves from any group or individual whose political philosophy consists only of racial or religious intolerance....”

Letter to the Chairman of the Commission on Civil Rights
Concerning the President's Views on the Ku Klux Klan
April 30, 1984

“We will continue to fight against discrimination, wherever there are any vestiges of it remaining, until we've removed such bigotry from our entire land.”

Written Responses to Questions Submitted by Pacific Magazine on
United States Policy in the Pacific Island Region
May 4, 1984

“I was raised in a household in which the only intolerance I was taught was intolerance of bigotry.”

The President's News Conference, June 30, 1982