Don’t Be on That Side

Advice for the New Year

Here’s a key to understanding what’s happening in the world: the side that is about controlling others is the wrong side. Be on the other side, the one about freedom and responsibility.

A secondary clue is, the side that is obscuring the truth, stifling speech, or outright lying is the wrong side. Be on the other side, the one about truth and transparency.

A third clue is, the side that is inciting fear and helplessness is the wrong side. Be on the side of courage and resourcefulness.

A really big clue is when you see incitement of fear, combined with lying and censorship, in order to assert control over others, that's the wrong side. Be on the good side.

What can you do to be on the good side?

Speak truth. Strengthen family. Pay attention and think clearly. Treat others fairly. Have courage. Trust God.

 

Stories I’m Looking at as We Begin the New Year

Bill Gates Shows Which Side He’s On

In an interview on Al Jazeera (clip shown in this Viva Frei video), Bill Gates is commenting on preparing for the next pandemic. He says, 

Governments are there to protect us. And so, you know, they have us practice for earthquakes. They have a fire department with lots of full-time people to stop fires. They have armies that are there to deal with wars. But the pandemic is a disaster that they didn’t prepare for. The actual resources required, they have a global surveillance team to make better diagnostic technologies, to do quick detection. It’s actually not going to be that expensive once the world gets organized and makes it a priority.

Governments are instituted to protect our lives, liberty, and property from those who would take those things from us. Pandemic response is quite different from a fire department. A fire department is a local-run entity to deal with fires and similar emergencies, which are relatively rare in each person’s life, but a threat to property, and possibly also life, when they happen.

A pandemic is a worldwide health problem. But it is dealt with by each individual. Nations less developed—and therefore with less access to the globalist solution, faired better than developed nations.

Gates talks about this vague “they.” “They” have “us” practice for earthquakes. “They” have a fire department. “They have armies that are to deal with wars.

What does that mean exactly? Who is practicing for earthquakes? Who is the vague “they” that requests a vague “us” to do that?

As for armies, they are to protect sovereign borders of a nation. There should be no wars to deal with unless those borders are threatened. There are many ways to threaten a nation now, because of the global market and the online world. But wars aren’t something armies “deal with”; wars are fought, presumably because the nation and its people are being attacked.

And who is the vague “they” that supposedly didn’t prepare for the pandemic? That seems disingenuous at best. There was a lot of preparation for what "they" did. They war gamed this particular pandemic just a month or so before it happened. By this time they had banned, limited, disparaged the medications it was quickly known could have easily and cheaply prevented hospitalization and death in all but the most ill from other factors, mainly age. 

And their war gaming used quarantine of the entire population—of well people—as the prescribed strategy, controlling vast swaths of people who were not at risk from the illness. Meanwhile, they put at risk people in greater risk. It was coordinated.

Then there was the experimental vaccine—pressed on people, using coercive tactics on top of fearmongering. Gates just happens to be a person who believes the human race should be radically reduced in numbers. And he suggests vaccination as a way to accomplish that end. Hmm.

 

Prayer Is Acceptable on the Field

Good news today is that football player Damar Hamlin was released from the hospital. The 24-year-old had been in critical condition following a heart attack during a game between the   and the Cincinatti Bengals a week ago. The game ended, with players from both teams kneeling together to pray for him.

Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals players pray on the field
following the cardiac arrest of Bills player Damar Hamlin
image found here

Sports commentator Dan Orlovsky later prayed for Hamlin on the air, during a broadcast.

Dan Orlovsky prays on air for Demar Hamlin
screenshot from here

This past weekend players from the Titans and Jaguars got together on the field and prayed for Hamlin.

Players from the Titans and Jaguars pray on the field
image found on Wallbuilders Facebook re-post

Hamlin himself is openly Christian and involved in charities. I do not know what caused a cardiac arrest in a fit young athlete. But the young man’s ongoing recovery, which seems miraculous, and the unashamed willingness to pray for him, also miraculous, are worth prayers of thanks.

This is just months after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of high school football coach Joe Kennedy, who had been fired for praying on the field after games, where he could be seen by people who hate seeing signs of religion. 

May this be a new acceptance of prayer and religion in public once again!

 

We Have a Speaker

We knew in the end it would be Kevin McCarthy, as Speaker of the House, following the November election, which turned over the speakership to Republicans. No one else wanted the job badly enough to take him on.

But there were 20 members of the House Freedom Caucus who were willing to use the opportunity to push for reforms that were badly needed to break free of the Pelosi-controlled way of doing business. It took 15 votes over several days. The Freedom Caucus—and the American people—won a number of concessions, assuming Speaker McCarthy follows through. Here’s a pretty good list, told to Roger L. Simon by Rep. Andrew Ogles, for The Epoch Times (with a bit of added commentary from me):

1.      As has been reported, it will only take a single congressperson, acting in what is known as a Jeffersonian Motion, to move to remove the speaker if he or she goes back on their word or policy agenda. [This means they have to vote on it, once one person has made the motion. Pelosi had required 50% to support the motion for it to get a vote.]

2.      A “Church”-style committee will be convened to look into the weaponization of the FBI and other government organizations (presumably the CIA, the subject of the original Church Committee) against the American people.

3.      Term limits will be put up for a vote. [The only way this could be binding would be if they vote to amend the Constitution, it passes also in the Senate, and then the required number of states ratify it. But this does put the representatives’ votes on record on this issue. It's a platform issue going forward.]

4.      Bills presented to Congress will be single subject, not omnibus with all the attendant earmarks, and there will be a 72-hour minimum period to read them. [Two hurrahs for this. It can’t be representative government if it’s decided in back rooms and our representatives are pressed to vote for legislation they cannot even look at ahead of time.]

5.      The Texas Border Plan will be put before Congress. From The Hill: “The four-pronged plan aims to ‘Complete Physical Border Infrastructure,’ ‘Fix Border Enforcement Policies,’ ‘Enforce our Laws in the Interior’ and ‘Target Cartels & Criminal Organizations.’” [We’re simply asking the federal government to do what it is expressly required to do. What a concept!]

6.      COVID mandates will be ended, as will all funding for them, including so-called emergency funding. [And no such powers should ever be within the grasp of these power mongers ever again.]

7.      Budget bills would stop the endless increases in the debt ceiling and hold the Senate accountable for the same. [Has it been since Pelosi first got in in 2006 that we last had a budget? I should check whether there was one in 2017 or 2018. (There’s this story showing charts up until 2018.) Again, the budget is the one thing Congress is required by law to do, and they’ve failed to do it year after year.]

I have very little trust and faith in the federal government. But if there is to be any hope for regaining our constitutional republic, we must see it kick into gear immediately with this Republican-led House. I’m glad they did what they did. I hope it leads to meaningful immediate changes. Better freedom means better lives for all Americans.

 

 

 

Worldwide Unity

It’s Easter Season. For Jews, that’s Passover week. For Christians, the whole week leads up to the resurrection of Christ, Easter Sunday.

Meanwhile, the world is plagued.

We don’t like being plagued. But we try to find the good in it. And there are some good things. A friend celebrating Passover suggested that, if God wanted all the families of the earth to be at home together for Passover, well, this is a way. For Easter, because we’re empty nesters, we will miss gathering with our children and grandchildren. I don’t think we’ve had that happen before. But for families with children, this Easter is likely to be more memorable, more focused, than any other in their growing up years.

A lot less candy. A lot more family togetherness. A lot more prayer.

found on Worldwide Fast April 10 Facebook page

This past weekend was our worldwide General Conference, which we could tune into online, fortunately. For those of us far away from Utah, that’s how we always do it. The odd thing was that, even in Utah everyone had to do it by tuning in. The Tabernacle Choir still provided music—but all was from previous recordings, since they can’t get together right now. The speakers for each session (there are 5 sessions over two days) met in a room, spaced from one another, instead of in the Conference Center with 25,000 of their closest friends and neighbors.

During that conference, our President, Russell M. Nelson, asked us to join together in a worldwide fast, this Friday, Good Friday, April 10. He asked us to pray for relief from the virus, protection for the caregivers, relief for the economy, and a return to our normal lives. He asked us to share this so it will be not just a fast for Latter-day Saints, but for everyone.

That has been happening. Someone started a public Facebook group, Worldwide Fast April 10, to share, and to encourage.

Worldwide Fast April 10 Facebook group header

They put together a map of where participants are from. It is truly worldwide.

Map set up to identify locations of members of Worldwide Fast April 10

People of different faiths have asked if they’re welcome, and they receive a resounding yes.

collection from Worldwide Fast April 10, found here

Early on there was a meme comparing this to the Fellowship of the Ring, with everyone offering their part.

Found on Worldwide Fast April 10 Facebook page

Earlier today I saw this one, also humorously using fictional comparisons.

found on Worldwide Fast April 10 Facebook page

May people have shared their stories. So many have shared their concerns that, because they haven’t been faithful for a long time, they might not be worthy to join. They’re welcomed. What if they’re gay? They’re welcome. What if they haven’t prayed in years? Join us in prayer. What if they’ve never fasted before? Good time to give it a try.

So, a word about the pattern of fasting and prayer.

Walter Rane painting "Master, I Have Brought
My Son Unto Thee"
recounted in Mark 9

There’s a moment in Christ’s life, recounted in Mark 9, when he had been healing people. His disciples came to him privately afterward, asking why they had been unsuccessful in healing the young man Jesus had just healed. He answered, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Sometimes a simple prayer is not enough for a more serious problem. Sometimes you need to add fasting to prayer.

In our Church, we have a monthly fast day. The traditional pattern is to eat dinner one evening, and then don’t eat or drink again until dinner the following day, so 24 hours later. The money for the two missed meals is given as an offering to the poor. (This fast offering is over and above tithing.)

We usually do this on a Sunday, during which we go about our regular Sunday practices. We don’t appear to fast—although grumbling stomachs can be heard. And we often use this day to share our testimonies, our experiences with Christ in our lives. We pray throughout, preferably with a particular purpose that we pray for. We end the fast with a prayer. Then we eat.

That is the standard. But there can be variations. It can go longer. Or shorter, depending on your abilities and strength. Small children don’t typically fast. Older children might start by missing just one meal. People who need to take medicine can drink water and do that. People who need to take medicine with food might need to eat.

The going without food does something to help us recognize our physical limitations and dependency on God. But people with health issues—nursing mothers, diabetics, etc.—can work toward that focus in their prayers another way. If they cannot, or should not, go without food and drink for a full 24 hours, they can sacrifice something else, or simply consecrate the day and their prayers, and ask the Lord to accept their offering.

In other words, it’s about a lot more than getting really hungry.

When we look at times in scriptures when there were plagues, such as famines or pestilence, relief would come once the people turned back to God.

found on Worldwide Fast April 10
Facebook page

I don’t think this means God inflicts his people with these things. I think we live in a fallen world where these things are part of what we face. But we can face and overcome the world when we are connected to God. When we don’t connect to Him, He doesn’t reach out His protective hand indefinitely.

What can we expect from this special day of fasting and prayer? We can expect a turning of our hearts to God, which is always a good thing. And if we are sincere and united, I believe He will hear our prayers and grant us relief.

I don’t know what that will look like. I do believe it will mean something miraculous—something that those of us who join together in this fast will recognize as miraculous. Those who do not pray with us might be able to call it just science or nature, but those of us who prayed will know more.

I don’t know timing. I don’t know what things will look like. But I do believe if we pray for those four things, we will look back at this day in the not too distant future and see—this was when things began to change. This was the turning point.

And possibly we will remember the way we felt, united together in our turning to God. We will feel love toward one another. And that will be a very good thing as we face whatever the next challenge to the world might be. We might even feel closer together in this time of isolation than we have felt for a very long time.

Come and join us in this Worldwide Fast, April 10, 2020. 

And then enjoy a beautiful Easter morning, celebrating The One who overcame death, and overcame this fallen world.

lyrics to the hymn "In Fasting We Approach Thee"
graphic found on Worldwide Fast April 10 Facebook page

Mother Joy

I’m at the stage of life that I no longer require the annual (or more frequent) reminder that motherhood is worth doing. And maybe even better, I’m past the guilt of wondering whether I’m a good enough mother. So today’s blog, ahead of Mother’s Day, is meant to help younger mothers get greater joy out of their mothering, which is what I think God intends for them.

Being Grandma is the dessert of motherhood.

Point one: Just being a mother, in an age that has skewed what it values, is honorable. You’re doing it; your kids are alive. Yay! Here are some words of wisdom in support of the wonderful thing you’re doing for civilization: 

“The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times... Other institutions in society may falter and even fail but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife.”—Spencer W. Kimball 

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one

purpose only—and that is to support the ultimate career.”—C. S. Lewis 

 

“Women who make a house a home make a far greater contribution to society than those who command large armies or stand at the head of impressive corporations.”—Gordon B. Hinckley 

“For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given

me my petition which I asked of him.”

—Hannah, mother of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:27 (KJV)

 

Point two: You’re not in this alone. Not only is there a daddy working alongside you (I hope), these children in your care belonged to God first. He is especially fond of them. He wants them back home with Him, after this growing, earth life adventure. You don’t have to be perfect at the job. God entrusted you; trust His judgment. You don’t have to meet some unreasonable level of super-mom-hood before you qualify to ask for help. “Ask, and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7, KJV).  It may be true that parenting is harder today than when we were children. It might seem perilous. This is no reason for despair; it is reason to “pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good” (from a Mormon scripture, Doctrine & Covenants 90:24). 

“Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly

frustrating to Him, but He deals with it.”—Jeffrey R. Holland 

“Parents today wonder if there is a safe place to raise children. There is. It’s called a gospel centered home.”—Boyd K. Packer

 

Earnestly Striving + Christ’s Atonement = Enough

—Linda Nuttall 

That last one is mine. I’m sure others have had the same  idea, but it came to me as something I needed to remind myself. So I wrote it on the little message board on my refrigerator, and made a post for it on Pinterest.

 

Point three: Live with joy. There was a time this was particularly difficult. My children were small, and I was just discovering some chronic illnesses that were making things more challenging than I had expected. Like having constant infections, and never getting back up to better. Meanwhile, kids had their illnesses, including ear infections. But I knew in my heart it shouldn’t feel like a miserable burden to take care of my own children that I loved.

So in my prayers I literally asked for the ability to take delight in my children.

The physical challenges didn’t really go away—still working on that. But when I look back on the child-raising years, I know I truly did delight in my children. What wonderful, bright, funny, delightful children I got to raise!

Let me add just a note about the homeschooling decade we spent. You know how in the early years, you get so excited when your child learns a new thing? First step, saying “Mama.” We think it sort of goes away after those first few years—but it doesn’t. When you’re the homeschool teacher, you get to be there for those other discoveries: how to do the quadratic equation, the ability to read music, loving a book you always wanted to share with them. A child gets something new—and you’re there to see it!

If that’s not what you feel called to do, fine, don’t stress over it. But just know that, even though it’s exhausting, it’s a joyful way to live. Note: there were bad hours many days, and sometimes just bad days. But there was also a huge accumulation of really worthwhile living I am so grateful I had. 

"I think you will find, my young friend, that in life most of the work in the world is done by people who aren't feeling very well."—Russell LeBaron Briggs, Dean of Harvard Law School, 1995 

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”—Doctrine & Covenants 64:33 

Point four: Endure well. Endure is one of those words heavily weighted with suffering. But it doesn’t have to be. It can be just staying on the path, correcting slight straying, and just doing what it takes to make the journey. So advice on this point is, again, not meant for guilt, but for increasing joy.

Love yourself. Love your husband. Love your children. Accept yourself the way you are, encouraging yourself to be the best you who is still you. Accept your husband the way he is, encouraging the good, and never shaming whatever might not be perfect/more-like-you or less-like-you. Accept your children the way they are, encouraging growth, encouraging their natural goodness, and never shaming whatever might not be perfect/more-like-you or less-like-you.

If any of these things seem overwhelmingly hard, ask for help. Ask God first. If you need more help, He will lead you to it. He plans for you to succeed, and He’s very good at accomplishing His plans. You’re his daughter, and you’re a mother—know that He loves you. 

“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.”—Peggy O’Mara 

“If you have a bad thought about yourself, tell it to go to hell because that

is exactly where it came from.”—Brigham Young 

“Ordinary people who faithfully, diligently, and consistently do simple things that are right before God will bring forth extraordinary results.”—David A. Bednar 

“As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think of your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey.”―Marjorie Pay Hinckley, wife of Gordon B. Hinckley