Make the Sabbath a Delight

            Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when we keep the Sabbath Day holy. Wise parents and grandparents can help the rising generation to understand and even look forward to the Sabbath each week. We can help them find and enjoy meaningful activities that will help the Sabbath a day of delight for them. Isaiah explained the importance of the Sabbath.

If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:13-14)

            Lani Hilton suggests that parents analyze, ponder, and plan some ways to help children better honor the Sabbath. She offers an extensive list to help parents think of ways to make the Sabbath a delight for their children. 

            Hilton’s first suggestion is to turn toys and games into Sabbath-appropriate activities.

. Use toy blocks to build structures spoken of in the scriptures (King Benjamin’s tower in Mosiah 2, the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah 4-6, or the lion’s den in Daniel 6.) and read the related scriptural accounts while encouraging children to build the structures.

. Use dress-up clothing to dress up as the people in the scriptures.

. Use dolls to play house to “remind our children of the essential role of mothers and fathers, teach them how important love is in a family, and thank them for all they do to help the family be happy.”

. Use puppets to act “out scenarios like sharing, obeying, helping with chores, forgiving, being kind, including others, practicing good manners, and respecting family members.”

. Turn “the game `20 questions’ into a gospel game by using a character, place, or object in the scriptures.”

. Draw pictures about “a scripture story, person, place, or thing.” Each person has a minute to draw their picture and each has a turn to hold up their picture for others to guess what it is and briefly share the story.

            Hilton’s second suggestion is to go on field trips to the cemetery to visit the gravesite of a relative, to visit a family with a newborn baby, to beautiful gardens to “ponder the Creation and the Atonement,” to the grounds of a temple, or to visit grandparents or other relatives.

            Hilton’s third suggestion is to help the children become involved in family history work. 

.Children can interview family members who live close by or contact others by phone or internet.

. Read journals out loud. They can be missionary journals, the journal of ancestors, or the events from personal journals from an earlier time.

. Create a quiz. Take the questions from an interview or reading a book about an ancestor. Questions can also come from “journal entries, letters, and scrapbooks.”

. Play “memory games using pictures of ancestors.”

            Hilton closes her list of suggestions by encouraging parents to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to their children. She gives this reminder.

Gospel instruction can happen any day of the week, but there is a power that accompanies gospel learning on the Sabbath….

Creative ideas of things we can do to help our children focus on the Savior

and His gospel are limitless. We can encourage them to draw gospel art,

listen to or create music that is centered on the Savior, or visit those who are sick or lonely. Additionally, we can direct children to spiritually strengthening activities found online at friend.lds.org and youth.lds.org and watch with them uplifting videos from Mormon Message or The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos.

Creating a routine has helped our family set consistent habits and made the ideal situation more likely to happen. Having a routine has simplified planning and ensured that we have a variety of quality activities. For example, you might take a field trip on the first Sunday of the month, focus on gospel games on the second Sunday, concentrate on videos and Church websites on the third Sunday, and make family history a priority on the fourth Sunday.

            Hilton gives many interesting and appropriate suggestions for helping our children and grandchildren find delight in keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I know that we can bring blessings into our families, communities, and nation by keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

America Needs You!

            The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns the right and the responsibility to serve both God and country. This week Americans celebrated the 241^st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, 56 brave men signed the declaration that eventually brought about the creation of the United States of America.

            In the Book of Mormon – Another Testimony of Jesus Christ ancient American prophets state over and over again that the Americas are favored country. A prophet by the name of Ether watched his nation destroy itself and then left a record of his people. He writes, “Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12; italics added).

            Other ancient prophets made similar statements about this land being protected and kept from the knowledge of men until the Lord saw fit to lead people to it. Think of this promise: America can stay free from bondage and captivity by worshipping Jesus Christ. It is no wonder that Satan and those who follow him are trying so hard to marginalize Christians!

            President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shares his thoughts on this topic in a book titled Be Your Best Self, an excerpt of which can be found here. He asks, “Are we today serving the God of the Land, even the Lord Jesus Christ? Do our lives conform to His teachings? Are we entitled to His divine blessings?” He includes some headlines from today’s newspapers that show an increase in crime and then gives the following quote from Abraham Lincoln calling for a national day of fast.

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown; but we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. (Proclamation for a National Fast Day, March 30, 1863.)

            We know from the date of this proclamation that the United States was in the midst of a great Civil War at the time. Will it take such a terrible experience to persuade Americans today to turn to Jesus Christ? President Monson says that there is a way out of the “frightful condition” that currently envelopes us. He says that we can do it by following the counsel that Jesus Christ gave to a lawyer when he asked:

`Master, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said unto him, `Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matthew22:36-39.

            President Monson suggests that each American first “love the Lord, our God, and with our families serve Him in righteousness. He says that the way back is not nearly as steep or difficult as people might think and that God will help all “those who humbly seek it.”

By seeking God in personal and family prayer, we and our loved ones will develop the fulfillment of what the great English statesman, William H. Gladstone, described as the world’s greatest need: “A living faith in a personal God.” Who can evaluate the real worth of such a blessing? Such a faith will light the pathway for any honest seeker of divine truth. Wives will draw closer to their husbands, husbands will then more appreciate their wives, and children will be happy children, as children are meant to be. Children in homes blessed by prayer will … be taught integrity, which is primarily a matter of early training. To teach the young to love the truth above personal convenience is the basis of it. They will be taught true courage, which becomes a living and attractive virtue when it is regarded not as a willingness to die manfully, but as the determination to live decently. They will be taught honesty by habit and as a matter of course. Our children will grow physically from childhood to adulthood, and mentally from ignorance to knowledge, emotionally from insecurity to stability, and spiritually, to an abiding faith in God. Such is the power gained from loving the Lord, our God, and serving Him in righteousness.

            President Monson suggests a second action we can take, another one taken from the counsel of Jesus Christ. He suggests that “each American love his neighbor as himself.”

Before we can really love our neighbor, we must get the proper perspective of him. One man said, “I looked at my brother with the microscope of criticism, and I said, `How coarse my brother is.’ I looked at my brother with the telescope of scorn, and I said, `How small my brother is.’ Then I looked into the mirror of truth, and I said, `How like me my brother is.’” …

If we are not careful, our thoughts and plans to aid others in making this a better world in which to live will remain just that – thoughts and plans. As humans we cannot really see very far ahead; we need, therefore, to take each step with all the wisdom we can muster. While sensing what lies dimly ahead, we must do confidently what lies clearly at hand. Decision is of little account unless it is followed by action….

The rich satisfactions that come from loving our neighbor as ourselves are not ushered in at any age to the sound of drums and trumpets, but rather the satisfactions grow upon us year by year, little by little, until at last we realize that we have reached our goal….

            President Monson reminds his readers of the famous poster from World War II with “Uncle Sam pointing his long finger and directing his piercing eyes at the viewer.

The words read “America Needs You.” America truly does need you and me to lead out in a mighty crusade of righteousness. We can help when we love the Lord and with our families serve Him, and when we love our neighbors as ourselves.

            America needs righteous individuals now. We can, as individuals and families, come to the aid of America by following the commandment of Jesus Christ and the counsel of the living Prophet of God. We can bring many blessings into our lives and into America by loving and serving God and by loving and serving our fellowmen.

Trump's Travel Ban

            President Donald Trump signed two Executive Orders in an attempt to stop terrorists from entering the United States. Both orders affected countries that are mostly Muslim and considered to have higher risks of terrorism. The nations affected are Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, and Syria. Both travel bans were supposed to have 90-day limits, and both were stopped by lower court decisions. The matter was taken to the U.S. Supreme Court, which accepted the case. 

            The Court decided to hear arguments in the travel ban case in October. In doing so, it generally overturned the decisions of the lower courts that prevented the travel ban from taking effect. President Trump said that the ban would go into effect within 72 hours of clearance by the Court. There is only one category of foreigners protected by the Court: those who have “a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity” in the United States.

            Apparently, the Supreme Court made the decision unanimous in taking the case because there were no dissents on hearing the arguments. There was, however, a dissenting opinion was written on the question of allowing people with “a credible claim” of a relationship with a person in the U.S. into the country. This dissent was written by Justice Clarence Thomas and joined by Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch. These three justices think the ban should have been entirely reinstated in all six countries.

            A new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll shows that the majority of voters support the travel ban on visitors from the six mostly Muslim nations. “Asked whether they support or oppose the State Department’s `new guidelines which say visa applicants from six predominately Muslim countries must prove a close family relationship with U.S. resident in order to enter the country,’ 60 percent of respondents said they support the guidelines and only 28 percent oppose them.”

            Since the ban was for only 90 days, the case may be mute before the Supreme Court hears the arguments. However, it appears that the majority of Americans understands the reason for the ban and supports it. As my regular readers well know, I said all along that the President has the power and authority to ban whoever he wants to ban from entering the United States and for as long as he wants to ban them. The judges of the lower courts were not “fair and unbiased” in their decisions.

The Price of Freedom

            The Declaration of Independence was signed 241 years ago today, and Americans have celebrated independence since that day. Most Americans understand that freedom and independence come with a huge price tag attached, and thousands of Americans have died to protect these liberties. Yet, many people living in the United States do not truly appreciate the freedoms given to us.

            An article posted at glenmbeck.com contains ten quotes about freedom given by famous Americans “who understood and valued freedom.” These quotes declare the requirements for maintaining freedom and liberty.

            The first requirement is virtue. The people of the United States must be virtuous. Benjamin Franklin stated: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” Benjamin Rush said: “Without virtue there can be no liberty.”

            The second requirement is knowledge. The people of the United States must educate themselves about numerous subjects - particularly the Constitution, history, and the government – and stay informed about current events. Thomas Jefferson stated, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.”

            The third requirement is honesty. The people of the United States must be honest in their dealings with their fellowmen and demand honestly from public officials. Frederick Douglass said, “The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.”

            The fourth requirement is to support and defend freedom. Thomas Paine stated: “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”

            The fifth requirement is to remember that freedom is a basic right that comes from God, one that must be fought for and protected. President Ronald Reagan said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Benjamin Franklin said: “Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.”

            President John F. Kennedy summed up all the above requirements when he said: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence

                Most Americans know that Independence Day is commemorated and celebrated on the Fourth of July every year. Far too many Americans consider the day to be just another holiday - a day to go camping or fishing or an excuse to get drunk. Lest forgetfulness sets in on the subject, I want to remind my readers of the sacrifices made by the men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

                Michael Sabo posted an interesting article on this topic in July 2016.  I believe that all Americans should review this information at least annually.

                Most Americans remember the statement about “unalienable rights” – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Sabo reminds us of the easiness of focusing on the second paragraph without paying little attention to the concluding paragraphs and signatures. He declares that the opening paragraphs enunciate important principles that we should remember and live, but principles alone do not bring security.

Principles need to be enforced by individuals who have the habits of character necessary to fight for them, and perhaps even die for them, if need be. In a time where talk of rights dominates our political discourse, a focus on duties is indispensable in order to each citizen the responsibilities they owe toward each other and their posterity.

The signers’ mutual pledge to themselves to sacrifice their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the cause of independence shows that these men took seriously their duties to the people of the new nation….

Of the 56 men who signed the declaration, 12 fought in battles as members of state militias, five were captured and imprisoned during the Revolutionary War, 17 lost property as a result of British raids, and five lost their fortunes in helping fund the Continental Army and state militias battle the redcoats.

                Sabo continues his article with more details about some of the sacrifices made by these men who were willing to give “their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” for independence. The details tell of men serving in the armies, homes being destroyed, and fortunes being spent for the cause of liberty.

                Rush H. Limbaugh, Jr. also penned an article about the 56 signers.  He writes that the signers took “three days of wrangling” before adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

There were no trumpets blown. No one stood on his chair and cheered. The afternoon was waning and Congress had no thought of delaying the full calendar of routine business on its hands. For several hours they worked on many other problems before adjourning for the day.

What kind of men were the 56 signers who adopted the Declaration of Independence and who, by their signing, committed an act of treason against the crown? To each of you the names Franklin, Adams, Hancock, and Jefferson are almost as familiar as household words. Most of us, however, know nothing of the other signers. Who were they? What happened to them?

I imagine that many of you are somewhat surprised at the names not there: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry. All were elsewhere.

Ben Franklin was the only really old man. Eighteen were under 40; three were in their 20s. Of the 56 almost half – 24 – were judges and lawyers. Eleven were merchants, 9 were landowners and farmers, and the remaining 12 were doctors, ministers, and politicians.

With only a few exceptions, such as Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, these were men of substantial property. All but two had families. The vast majority were men of education and standing in their communities. They had economic security as few men had in the 18^th century.

Each had more to lose from revolution than he had to gain by it. John Hancock, one of the richest men in America, already had a price of 500 pounds on his head. He signed in enormous letters so “that his Majesty could now read his name without glasses and could now double the reward.” Ben Franklin wryly noted: “Indeed we must all hang together, otherwise we shall most assuredly hang separately.” …

These men knew what they risked. The penalty for treason was death by hanging. And remember: a great British fleet was already at anchor in New York Harbor.

They were sober men. There were no dreamy-eyed intellectuals or draft card burners here. They were far from hot-eyed fanatics, yammering for an explosion. They simply asked for the status quo. It was change they resisted. It was equality with the mother country they desired. It was taxation with representation they sought. They were all conservatives, yet they rebelled.

It was principle, not property, that had brought these men to Philadelphia….

                Limbaugh used the same word that Sabo used to describe why the men met in Philadelphia. They were taking a stand for principles – conservative principles. They each understood that independence would not come simply by principle, and they pledged “their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to win it. The Signers paid dearly for signing the declaration, but they considered independence to be worth their sacrifices.

                Do Americans today realize the value of independence? There are large numbers of people living in America who do not want independence but would rather live under different laws – such as socialism, communism, and Sharia law. However, there are vast numbers of Americans who desire independence and who are willing to do something to keep Americans free and independent. These numbers are shown by the rise of the TEA Party after the presidential election of Barack Obama and the election of Donald Trump. In spite of all the negative news reports about Trump and his administration, the people who put him in office are still standing with him. The majority of Americans still desire independence and liberty and are willing to sacrifice their own lives and fortunes to fight for it as their honor is dragged through the mud by the lame stream media.

Informed Citizens

            The topic of discussion for this Freedom Friday is the importance of being informed citizens. In order for any nation to be strong, the citizens must know the history and laws of said nation. This knowledge is so important to a strong nation that the U.S. requires all applicants for citizenship to pass a citizenship exam.

            An officer from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asks an applicant up to ten civics and government questions out of a possible one hundred questions. The applicant must correctly answer at least 60 percent of the questions asked. This site has the 100 questions with answers. 

            Jesse Watters, Fox News host of “Watters’ World,” recently aired a video about citizenship. He went to Arizona State University and asked some students a few of the questions on the citizenship exam. The students did not do well.

            The fact that the students did not do well does not me. High school students are no longer required to take a civics class in order to obtain a diploma, and some universities no longer require the class. In other words, the rising generation is no longer being taught about the Constitution and laws of the United States.

            If students are not required to gain civics knowledge in school or university, most of them will not study it. This means that U.S. citizens are being “dumbed down” in regards to knowledge about the Constitution and government. Yet, they can still run for office and exercise their right to vote. This is why we have so many uninformed members of Congress: the uninformed voter elects an uninformed representative. If we want more and better informed representatives, then we must become better informed citizens.

Lesson on Forgiveness

            This is a short lesson on forgiveness, and it simple enough for children to understand. We can gain happiness by obedience to the commandments of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and He loves us so much that He forgives us whenever we repent. When the Savior forgives us, He erases the black marks against us and cancels any required punishment for a sin that we have committed if we repent. He helps us to live more righteously. When we forgive other people, we love them and do not harbor ill feelings towards them.

            We read in Isaiah of this promise given by God, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). Red represents the deepest of sins, and white is the color of purity, and the Savior has the power to purify the most evil of people if they repent.

            In the latter-days the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:9). When other people hurt us or treat us unkindly, the nature reaction is to become angry and seek revenge – to say an unkind word, to retaliate in a physical manner, and to seek revenge.

            The Savior would have us act instead of react. He wants us to love and forgive each other. We can do this by taking three basic steps. The first step is to rid ourselves of feeling of anger and the desire for revenge. The second step is to forget the unkindness. The third step is to treat the person with kindness and love.

            When we really forgive others, we are willing to forget the hurt that they caused and replace our angry feelings with kind and loving ones. The principle of forgiveness is basically for the person who does the forgiving. When we forgive someone who hurt us, we free ourselves from the burdens of sadness, anger, and revenge and let happiness and open our hearts to receive happiness and joy.