What do I Stand For?

This question invokes many different opinions from individuals in the world
We all have different beliefs or ideas often shaped by our personal experiences and knowledge.
Anytime an individual endeavors to voice an opinion that may be contrary to another, especially if they are a loud voice* is often met with much criticism, immediate judgement, and often even hate.

I am but a small voice, and will likely not be heard. Still I want to share my stand on those things that are important to me. What I stand for stems from those things that I am grateful for and do not want to take for granted.

Liberty
Freedom
Virtue
Family

In the United States we have been blessed with liberty and freedom.
When this country came into existence it was stated in The Constitution:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Establish Justice - Accountability
Insure domestic tranquility - creating an environment in our country where peace may thrive, not forced by the government, but by the principles we live by as a people and were established in the constitution for our society.
Provide for the common defense - to create a place of protection
Promote the general welfare - work as a community to care for one another, not create dependency of individuals.
Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity -create an environment where liberty can abound.

Let us remember Liberty is a blessing, something that has been fought for since before this world was. As children of God we all have been granted liberty through Christ. We all fought for this very liberty before we ever came to this earth and as a result were blessed with the privilege of receiving a body. God is the author of our liberty, let us not take it for granted. Let us choose liberty! Let us stand with our forefathers in Liberty and continue to secure the blessings for ourselves and our posterity.

A wise man that lived long ago understood Liberty and fought for it. He was prepared both temporally and spiritually in faith. Alma 48

 Alma 46:12



Let us not be lulled into a false sense of security and think that we do not need to be prepared. We have the ability to act for ourselves, not to be acted upon. Each individual should always be prepared both spiritually and temporally in faith. We are blessed to live in a time of relative peace. We have not had to really witness the devastation of war in our own backyard for years, we have not had to fight for our liberty like those of the past. We have had small battles throughout the years, and these small battles have left an effect on those who have witnessed them. But our land has not been taken away, our religious rights have not been taken, for the most part we live in peace. Let us not live in a bubble and think that we are safe and allow for little things to occur that will lead to our loss of liberty because we said, All is well and neglected to prepare ourselves. Let us consistently fight for our rights and stand up for what we believe in!

* a thought the world hears most often through a form of media

 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

–― Eleanor Roosevelt

Hope

"When you have hope,

you work through trials and difficulties with

the confidence and assurance that all things

will work together for your good."

Preach My Gospel Chapter 6 pg. 117

Remember

When life kicks your butt, like mine seems to be doing this week:

 

“Don’t give up. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead... You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Inspiring

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

 

~ Milton Berle

The Lord Keeps His Promises

 

"Some of you may feel lonely and unappreciated and cannot see how it will be possible for you to have the blessings of marriage and children or your own family. All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises, and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy. I pray that it will be on this side of the veil.

 "I share an eternal principle that will assure you of a rich, purposeful life whether you are single or married. I have found that the best way to live life is to seek to know the will of the Lord as guided by the Holy Spirit. He knows what is best for you. As you are obedient and exercise faith in Him, He will help you realize His will for you in your life." ~ Elder Richard G. Scott

Full Talk Here

Good Things to Come

By small and simple things great things come to pass. That is what I feel the lesson of 2012 is. By my faithful small and simple actions great things will come.

With the end of a year and a beginning of a new one, I have felt full of hope for the future. In trying to decide what my new years theme would be I felt impressed that "Good Things to Come" echoed the feelings of my heart and described what I felt would be an important focus for me in this coming year.

 

"Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever." ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith,“A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”
[Rabbi Ben Ezra (1864), stanza 1]