Sunken Mayan City Found

After the death of Jesus Christ, great destruction occurred in the new world. Many people and cities were destroyed because of their wickedness. Many were buried under the earth. Others were burned. Some, "like the great city Moroni [were] caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea" (3 Nephi 9:4).

Later, the righteous who remained began to rebuild their cities. However, "there were many cities which had been sunk, and waters came up in the stead thereof; therefore these cities could not be renewed" (4 Nephi 1:9).

In the past year, archeologists started studying sunken Mayan ruins first found in 1996 at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. They have discovered ceremonial monuments and altars indicating it may have been of religious significance. Unfortunately for the original inhabitants, researchers believe the area, which now lies 50 feet underwater, suffered "a catastrophic event, like a volcanic eruption or landslide." Evidence indicates that residents had to leave in a hurry.

The researchers believe the ruins date to 250 A.D., so it is unlikely this area was one of those destroyed after the death of Jesus Christ. However, it shows that such cataclysmic events were possible and have occurred in the area and is interesting in the context of the destruction that occurred two centuries earlier.

Archaeology and Ether's Hiding Place

In Ether 13, we learn that Ether "hid himself in the cavity of a rock" while witnessing the destruction of the Jaredite people (verses 13, 14, 18, and 22). Interestingly, recent archaeological research has found evidence of this practice among ancient Indians.

"Excavations ... help prove that the natural rock overhangs that dot Ohio's landscape provided shelter for hunters dating back more than 12,000 years." Nigel Brush, a geology professor at Ashland University in Ohio, has lead excavations at 30 rock shelters over the past 27 years. During that time, he discovered that these shelters "were used over and over again the same way for thousands of years."

In fact, some were used as base camps, possibly for months at a time. This fits the experience of Ether who spent a year or more hiding from the people in "the cavity of a rock," perhaps a shelter like those studied by Brush (Ether 13:18).

While this offers no proof of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, it adds circumstantial evidence that the Book of Mormon history is consistent with archaeological findings.

For more info, see "Gimme shelter: Archaeological digs show ancient Indians took refuge beneath rock overhangs," THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, September 20, 2009.

Marijuana and Alcohol: The Wrong Message

Two recent studies compared the effects of alcohol and marijuana on individuals and society and found marijuana was more dangerous. Sadly, rather than calling for greater restrictions on alcohol, some are using this as evidence for making marijuana more easily available.

One study published in Clinical EEG and Neuroscience Journal found that alcohol had a stronger effect on teen brain development than marijuana. Another study published in The Lancet showed the results of a poll of psychologists and scientifically or medically trained police who were asked to rank substances according to the level of harm they are believed to cause. Of twenty substances, they listed alcohol as the fifth most harmful and marijuana as the eleventh.

The article in Physorg.com reporting the results of these findings came to the conclusion that those who support "fewer restrictions on marijuana will undoubtedly point to scientific studies that show we already legalize less dangerous substances." I believe this is a sign of the last days fitting the prophecy in Isaiah 5:20 that reads, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness...." Marijuana ("darkness") should not be more acceptable ("light") because it is less harmful than alcohol. Rather, this should be a call for greater regulation of alcohol.

For more information on alcohol, see Alcohol, the National Hypocrisy.

Government Bailouts and Self-Reliance

In this period of economic uncertainty and job loss, the principle of self-reliance is more important than ever. Satan is working hard to bring people into bondage, and one way is through financial reliance on the government.

In a talk given in 1982 entitled "The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance," President Marion G. Romney counsels that "we should strive to become self-reliant and not depend on others for our existence." He explains that the Lord emphasizes this principle because "it is tied very closely to freedom itself." He further explains, "Man cannot be an agent unto himself if he is not self-reliant. Herein we see that independence and self-reliance are critical keys to our spiritual growth." Prophetically, this talk was reprinted in the March 2009 edition of the Ensign along with other articles that discuss this principle including "Becoming Self-Reliant Spiritually and Physically" and "Family Home Storage: A New Message."

President Romney warned of the risks that government dependence brings: "We cannot afford to become wards of the government, even if we have a legal right to do so. It requires too great a sacrifice of self-respect and political, temporal, and spiritual independence."

While speaking to the Saints in 1982, President Romney's counsel seems to have been given for the circumstances we find ourselves in today with government bailouts and promises of debt relief by politicians: "Elections often turn on what the candidates promise to do for voters from government funds. This practice, if universally accepted and implemented in any society, will make slaves of its citizens."

Jesus Christ promises "liberty and eternal life" whereas Satan seeks "captivity and death ... that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). One key way to avoid captivity in these trying times is to avoid reliance on the government, the Church, and others. President Romney said, "A dole is a dole whatever its source. All of our Church and family actions should be directed toward making our children and members self-reliant. We can’t always control government programs, but we can control our own homes and congregations. If we will teach these principles and live them, we can do much to counter the negative effects which may exist in government programs in any country."

Today in Stake Conference, our Area Seventy, Elder Gary Crittenden, spoke on this principle. He said that we should not look to government to solve our personal problems. "It's not reliance on this government" or the things of the world or what we accumulate that will bring eternal life. Rather, it's reliance on God, following the prophets, and keeping our covenants.

Be wary of government aid and easy fixes to the financial problems that we find ourselves in. They always carry hidden strings that run the risk of binding us.

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.