This is a departure from the subject I have written about in the past, but it's on my mind. I want it to be known that I am an American, and grateful for it. I am proud to have a government so well structured. I want to express gratitude and admiration for those who are willing to spend their lives in the service of this country.
I also want it to be known that, while I want to support my government, I am shocked and dismayed at many of the decisions that have been made in the last 9 or 10 months. I don't understand all of the implications, nor all of the circumstances that led to the decisions that have been made, but the decisions I speak of are decisions that will lead America on a course it should not go. Not if it wants to continue to be America, and not if we hope that our nation's colors will stir the next generation like they stir us. I am aware that lately the media has been very quick to approve of everything that is being decided in Washington, and they even dare to say we're moving forward. Well, mine is a voice crying that what is going on in Washington is a travesty, almost to the point that I am not proud to be called an American, because that relates me to what happens there. And I hope that my voice can be joined with others who are appalled at the direction our country is headed, and with the politicians who are willfully driving us there. I am appalled.
But, I am still proud to be an American, because great men founded this country on true principles. I am proud that these principles have not been utterly extinguished. I am proud to see people working hard to make a better life for themselves and their families. I am proud of what America is supposed to be. Here's hoping our hard-earned principles won't change. That's what I believe in.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tax Day
This evening I went out to dinner with my wife (who is a tax accountant) to celebrate the end of the tax busy season. While we were there, a friend of mine called for advice about his taxes (I'm also an accountant). We filed our return months ago, so it's somewhat humorous to me how many people are just finishing up. Kind of the post office to stay open late. I just hope none of the postal workers forgot to file their returns, because, man, if they did, they're stuck.
Also, while I was at dinner, I witnessed one of the many "tea parties" to protest legislation coming from the nations capital. I support the cause, but I'm afraid it is somewhat misled. First, as far as I understand, the president doesn't make any legislation. He signs it into law, but he doesn't create it. At least that's how it should be. Second, anyone who thinks the IRS should be eliminated is a fool. Although our government spends way too much money, at least they spend it on us and our well-being. At least we drive on paved roads and we have underground sewage systems. At least we have a military that can defend us. If we eliminate the IRS, I wonder, how will the government collect revenues. If the government doesn't have any revenues, who is going to maintain the roads, the hospitals, the sewers, etc. I agree with all of my soul that the government should spend less, and should spend with more prudence when it must spend, but to eliminate the IRS is totally absurd, even idiotic. Unless there is some alternative means of transferring money from citizen to government that I am missing. The publicans (private tax collectors) of Jesus' time weren't too popular either, so I don't think that would work.
So, that my voice may be heard, I plead with the government: Tax me. Take all that is fair to take from me, and I will do my best to keep all that is fair for me to keep.
And I plead with my fellow citizens, displeased with taxes: Keep the protests coming, but aim well. Foolish protests are counterproductive.
Also, while I was at dinner, I witnessed one of the many "tea parties" to protest legislation coming from the nations capital. I support the cause, but I'm afraid it is somewhat misled. First, as far as I understand, the president doesn't make any legislation. He signs it into law, but he doesn't create it. At least that's how it should be. Second, anyone who thinks the IRS should be eliminated is a fool. Although our government spends way too much money, at least they spend it on us and our well-being. At least we drive on paved roads and we have underground sewage systems. At least we have a military that can defend us. If we eliminate the IRS, I wonder, how will the government collect revenues. If the government doesn't have any revenues, who is going to maintain the roads, the hospitals, the sewers, etc. I agree with all of my soul that the government should spend less, and should spend with more prudence when it must spend, but to eliminate the IRS is totally absurd, even idiotic. Unless there is some alternative means of transferring money from citizen to government that I am missing. The publicans (private tax collectors) of Jesus' time weren't too popular either, so I don't think that would work.
So, that my voice may be heard, I plead with the government: Tax me. Take all that is fair to take from me, and I will do my best to keep all that is fair for me to keep.
And I plead with my fellow citizens, displeased with taxes: Keep the protests coming, but aim well. Foolish protests are counterproductive.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tribute
This one goes out to all of my followers. All of the people who have made this blog possible. Thank you. I'm thinking about turning the blog over to a more efficient writer. If we meet again...
Monday, April 13, 2009
Obedience
As this semester comes to an end, this assignment comes to an end, and perhaps this Blog comes to an end. I don't really like Blogs, and I realized why yesterday. Some blogs are useful in allowing people to keep up with each others' lives. I appreciate this aspect of blogs, but I still do not utilize them for this purpose. The reason that I don't like blogs was articulated by a friend of mine in the opening post of his blog. By writing, we assert on all of our readers that we have something to say. And not just something to say, but something worth writing. And not just something worth writing, but something worth reading. The amount of valuable content already available on the Internet is astounding. Sometimes mind-boggling. The amount of worthless content online is sickening. So, why should what I write be worthwhile to anyone? I don't even proof-read. I don't think any blogger does, though.
Why have I posted every week, aside from it being a requirement of my religion class? I hope that I have done it in obedience, in a sense. An servant of God asked that faithful followers of Christ be prepared to give a reason for their faith. In more recent times, another servant of God suggested that the Internet was a useful way to do that. I don't know if these words will benefit anyone other than myself, but I'm glad I've done it, because I have been asked to do it. I am almost certain that I will not post as frequently in the future. At least not about religious matters. But I will try to be active in the global online community, in the discussion of religion. Signing off, Steven Foote
Why have I posted every week, aside from it being a requirement of my religion class? I hope that I have done it in obedience, in a sense. An servant of God asked that faithful followers of Christ be prepared to give a reason for their faith. In more recent times, another servant of God suggested that the Internet was a useful way to do that. I don't know if these words will benefit anyone other than myself, but I'm glad I've done it, because I have been asked to do it. I am almost certain that I will not post as frequently in the future. At least not about religious matters. But I will try to be active in the global online community, in the discussion of religion. Signing off, Steven Foote
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Hope
As I finished reading the Book of Mormon this time around, something struck me more than usual. I like to read books as though I were the author, and try to figure out why they wrote certain things in certain ways, and what they meant by certain things they wrote. As I read the end of Moroni, I found the 7th chapter to be especially interesting, considering the position that Moroni was in when he wrote it. After all of his family and friends had died, as he wondered alone in the wilderness fearing death at the hands of the Lamanites, he wrote a chapter about hope and charity. The words are not his, but are a direct quote from his father. I think it no coincidence that Moroni includes, multiple times, the kind words of his father directly to him; I think doing so was a source of comfort to him, and I think he wanted to show the world what a good father looks like.
The words of Mormon, written by Moroni in Chapter 7 of the Book of Moroni are especially poignant when viewed from the eyes of the lone Moroni. I assume these words were very special to Moroni; that he treasured them. I assume he read them often in his difficult situation. I am grateful he felt to share them with the rest of us, that we may have them as a source of comfort as well.
To have hope is such a gift. We need not be abounding in wealth to have hope. Nor do we need to be in the depths of poverty to benefit from it. I do not believe a human can live without hope of some sort. The hope Mormon refers to is the hope of Christ. Hope in a better life. With this hope, nothing is ultimately sad, because life is just part of the process to get us a better life. Death and sickness and suffering, while not to be underplayed, are not as hard to endure when we have hope in Christ, and hope for a better life. I have this hope. I know He lives.
The words of Mormon, written by Moroni in Chapter 7 of the Book of Moroni are especially poignant when viewed from the eyes of the lone Moroni. I assume these words were very special to Moroni; that he treasured them. I assume he read them often in his difficult situation. I am grateful he felt to share them with the rest of us, that we may have them as a source of comfort as well.
To have hope is such a gift. We need not be abounding in wealth to have hope. Nor do we need to be in the depths of poverty to benefit from it. I do not believe a human can live without hope of some sort. The hope Mormon refers to is the hope of Christ. Hope in a better life. With this hope, nothing is ultimately sad, because life is just part of the process to get us a better life. Death and sickness and suffering, while not to be underplayed, are not as hard to endure when we have hope in Christ, and hope for a better life. I have this hope. I know He lives.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A Consistent Theme
As I have read the Book of Mormon this semester, I have come to realize that there is a common theme in almost all of the stories: the wicked will be destroyed. A slightly less noticeable theme, which goes hand in hand with the first is that the wicked generally don't believe themselves to be wicked. At least not at first. By the wicked realize they are wicked, it is generally too late. The Jaredites killed each other off so quickly, there was barely time to think. By the time Coriantumr was ready to repent, his people were already destroyed, and it was too late to save anyone. Perhaps this is another reason that men should not procrastinate the day of their repentance. The Nephites would not admit they were wicked until nearly the end. When they admitted they were wicked, they were so hardened that they were proud of their wickedness. The wicked rarely see the warning signs as warning signs. They see them as coincidence.
What about now? I don't believe that every natural disaster and every recession and every war and every bad thing that happens is a sign to us from God that we are wicked and that we need to repent. But, I also don't believe that none of them are. Mormon tells us that the wicked bring their curse upon themselves. I can't help but think that, at least in part, our world's current economic situation is a sign for us, especially considering the way it was brought on. I don't pretend to understand all of the factors that contributed, but I do understand enough to know that much of the crisis was brought on by greed and a desire to live beyond our means. I believe that the problems are much deeper than our banks' balance sheets. We may come out of this recession soon, but we will fall right back if we don't change; our economy simply cannot depend on artificial wealth created by inflated credit. The nations cannot prosper if the citizens of nations do not change. Our times may not be a sign from God that we are growing wicked as a people, but just in case it is, I'm going to take a look at how I live.
What about now? I don't believe that every natural disaster and every recession and every war and every bad thing that happens is a sign to us from God that we are wicked and that we need to repent. But, I also don't believe that none of them are. Mormon tells us that the wicked bring their curse upon themselves. I can't help but think that, at least in part, our world's current economic situation is a sign for us, especially considering the way it was brought on. I don't pretend to understand all of the factors that contributed, but I do understand enough to know that much of the crisis was brought on by greed and a desire to live beyond our means. I believe that the problems are much deeper than our banks' balance sheets. We may come out of this recession soon, but we will fall right back if we don't change; our economy simply cannot depend on artificial wealth created by inflated credit. The nations cannot prosper if the citizens of nations do not change. Our times may not be a sign from God that we are growing wicked as a people, but just in case it is, I'm going to take a look at how I live.
Monday, March 16, 2009
An Ether Allegory
As I read the Book of Ether a few years ago, I happened upon a few interesting parallels. As with any metaphor, if taken too far, this allegory is of no use.
In the second chapter of Ether, the brother of Jared ascends a mountain to speak with the Lord. He is commanded to cross the ocean, and is instructed to build barges in order to do so. The brother of Jared returns to the Lord after building the barges with two major problems: no air and no light. The Lord immediately solves the firs problem (air), then lets the brother of Jared think of his own solution for the second(light). The brother of Jared works out a solution, prepares stones, and brings them before the Lord. He believes that if the Lord touches the stones, they will give light.
The journey across the ocean can be compared to our journey through life to the Celestial Kingdom. We are faced in our mortal lives with two great problems, or two great deaths: physical death and spiritual death. If these problems are not solved, we will not reach our desired destination, however, we are powerless to solve either of the problems on our own. The problem of physical death is similar to the Jaredites' lack of air. The Lord solves this problem for all of us through His resurrection; it is a free gift to all, and we need not do anything to receive it. Spiritual death is similar to the Jaredites' lack of light, as is its solution. We do not have to invent a solution, but we do have to seek it out. None of us is born knowing the way to Salvation, We must find it on our own. And when we've found the solution, we have to work at it, as the brother of Jared had to work and prepare the stones that would give the light. But, even after all the work we have done in finding and preparing, the problem of spiritual death is no more solved than it was before we started; we need the Lord's touch. Through His power, our work is sanctified -- we are sanctified and can reach our desired destination. Without His touch, our work gives no more light than sixteen ordinary stones.
In the second chapter of Ether, the brother of Jared ascends a mountain to speak with the Lord. He is commanded to cross the ocean, and is instructed to build barges in order to do so. The brother of Jared returns to the Lord after building the barges with two major problems: no air and no light. The Lord immediately solves the firs problem (air), then lets the brother of Jared think of his own solution for the second(light). The brother of Jared works out a solution, prepares stones, and brings them before the Lord. He believes that if the Lord touches the stones, they will give light.
The journey across the ocean can be compared to our journey through life to the Celestial Kingdom. We are faced in our mortal lives with two great problems, or two great deaths: physical death and spiritual death. If these problems are not solved, we will not reach our desired destination, however, we are powerless to solve either of the problems on our own. The problem of physical death is similar to the Jaredites' lack of air. The Lord solves this problem for all of us through His resurrection; it is a free gift to all, and we need not do anything to receive it. Spiritual death is similar to the Jaredites' lack of light, as is its solution. We do not have to invent a solution, but we do have to seek it out. None of us is born knowing the way to Salvation, We must find it on our own. And when we've found the solution, we have to work at it, as the brother of Jared had to work and prepare the stones that would give the light. But, even after all the work we have done in finding and preparing, the problem of spiritual death is no more solved than it was before we started; we need the Lord's touch. Through His power, our work is sanctified -- we are sanctified and can reach our desired destination. Without His touch, our work gives no more light than sixteen ordinary stones.
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