Open and Honest Discussion Needed

                Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when youths and adults talk openly and honestly about pornography and its dangers.  Exposure to porn is more and more difficult in our sex obsessed society.  Statistics show that nearly 100% of our youth are exposed to pornography in some degree before they are 18 years old.  Children, youth, and adults are strengthened when they know how to avoid it and/or get help when needed.

                Total elimination of pornography would bless society but is nearly impossible to achieve at this point.  Our task now is to limit the damage done by the evil influence of pornography.  Even though exposure to porn does not lead to addiction to everyone, all of us need to be educated about sexual addiction.  Everyone who is educated about addiction to porn will be better equipped to rear their children and help other people avoid and/or deal with its influence.  One way to gain this education is to learn from those who are now dealing with the problem.

                Michelle Linford introduced a weekly series of articles written by wives of sex addicts.  These wives desire to share their knowledge and experience in the hope of helping others avoid the problems they have faced or are facing in their marriages.  Their posts will answer questions such as (1) When do the seeds of compulsive pornography use usually form?  (2) What does lust addiction look like?  (3) How do compulsive/addictive behaviors impact the brain?  (4) How does compulsive or addictive behavior impact marriage and family relationships and dynamics?  (5) What resources are available for loved ones of those with addiction?  (6) Why do they need resources at all if they aren’t the ones with the addiction?

                Another way to learn about the dangers of pornography is to be open and honest about pornography and its dangers.  I believe Utah is on the right track to exposing the dangers.  The Utah House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution calling pornography “a public health hazard leading to a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms.”  The House resolution follows one passed earlier by the Utah Senate.  The resolution does not seek to ban pornography but to keep children from being exposed to it.

                The resolution in Utah was “drafted” and supported by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), a Washington-based organization dedicated to “addressing the public health crisis of pornography and exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation.”

                According to Dawn Hawkins, executive director of NCOSE, “Pornography is a serious public health crisis facing our nation…. As pornography shapes the sexual templates of rising generations, violence and abuse of women and children becomes normalized.  The government must recognize the science that confirms the harms of pornography, similarly to how it recognized the damage to public health caused by tobacco.”

                I believe that knowledge is power.  If we are to protect our families and communities, we must learn about the dangers of pornography and join the war against it.  I know that families, communities, and nations can be strengthened by bringing the evil influence of pornography out into the open and having open and honest discussions about it.

Operation Magic Carpet

                The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns the dramatic exodus of 49,000 Jews from Yemen in May 1949 and the role played by Alaska Airlines.  I did not know of this story until this week, and I found it very interesting.  I hope my readers also find it interesting.

                Yemen became an independent nation following World War I.  The Muslim country made life difficult for its Jews by reviving anti-Semitic laws and treating Jews differently that Muslims.  Some of the Jews escaped, but the majority remained in Yemen in poor conditions.  Their plight, along with that of Jews in all Arab countries, became worse after the State of Israel was established on May 14, 1948.  In May 1949 the “Imam of Yemen unexpectedly agreed to permit all Jews to leave his country.”  The Jews wanted to go to Zion but did not have the means.

                The State of Israel was “devastated and virtually bankrupt” after fighting their War of Independence; however, Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion “ordered the immediate and rapid `Ingathering of the Exiles.’”  Israel did not have the money so Ben-Gurion said to get the money from “the Jews in the Diaspora.”

                Meanwhile “Egypt had closed the Suez Canal to the Jews of Yemen; they would have to be transported by air to Israel.  The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the international Jewish humanitarian aid organization, agreed to fund the Yemenite exodus and organize the airlift, but they needed aircraft.”

                That is where Alaska Airlines entered the picture.  The airline was founded in 1932 with the purchase of a “used three passenger Stinson and started an air charter business in Alaska.  By 1948 the airline was “the world’s largest charter airline.”

                “The JDC approached [James Wooten, president of Alaska Airlines] and asked if Alaska Airlines would agree to accept the Yemen airlift.”  President Wooten wanted to “take on the mission of mercy” but the Chairman of the Board Ray Marshall was cool on the idea.  “Marshall felt the deal was a waste of the Airline’s time and money.  It would take at $50,000 to set up the charter, cash that the Airline did not have.”  He told Wooten that he would have to find the funds elsewhere.  Wooten borrowed the $50,000 and signed the contract; Operation on Wings of Eagles commenced.  The rescue mission was “more popularly known by its nickname, Operation Magic Carpet….”

                There were several problems to overcome, and some dangers to face.  Yemen “would not permit the Jewish refugees to be flown out of their country.”  Arrangements were made with Britain to establish a “transit camp” in Aden.  “Alaska Airlines set up its base in Asmara, Eritrea, with their ground crew, pilots and aircraft – DC-4s and

C-46s.  The arrangement was to fly from their base in Asmara to Aden each morning, pick up their passengers in Aden and refuel.  Thence fly up the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba to the airport in Tel Aviv, unload the refugees, fly to the safety of Cyprus for the night and return to their base in Asmara at dawn, before starting all over again.  The round trip would take about 20 hours.”

                The aircraft were reconfigured in order to carry more passengers and fuel.  Fees were paid to various Yemeni tribal chiefs to “permit the Jewish refugees to pass through their territory.”  Israeli doctors and social workers were brought in to assist the refugees.

                “As news of the evacuation reached the Jews of Yemen, they left their few possessions behind (except their prayer books and Torahs) and like the biblical exodus began to walk out of slavery into freedom.  They traveled in family groups, some hundreds of miles, through wind and sandstorm, vulnerable to robbers and a hostile local population, until half-starved and destitute they reached the border with Aden where Israeli aid workers met them and transported them to the transit camp.  There they encountered electricity, medicines, running water, toilets and personal hygiene for the first time.  During the entire operation, the Jews of Yemen arrived at Camp Geula in a steady stream, newer ones arriving as an earlier group was airlifted out.”

                There were many more problems to overcome as well as several instances of danger.  More details of this exodus to freedom can be found at this site.  

                “By the time Operation Magic Carpet ended in September 1950, 28 Alaska Airlines pilots had made some 380 flights and airlifted 48,818 refugees, almost Yemen’s entire Jewish population, to Israel.  Miraculously not one death or injury occurred.”

Financial Book Report

                I promised my readers that I would share my financial book report on which I received full credit.  I highly recommend the book that I read because it offered many insights into why my husband and I handle finances as we do and how we can improve our situation.  I feel that our finances are in good condition; I simply understand things better now.

                I chose to read The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom – Practical & Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying by Suze Orman.  The five principles from the book that I chose to study are: (1) Be open to receive all that you are meant to have, (2) Be aware that your past holds the key to your financial future, (3) Be honest with yourself about your income and expenses, (4) Be responsible to those you love, and (5) Be respectful to your money and yourself.

                Principle 1:  Be open to receive all that you are meant to have.  The author states that “when you feel you’re in control of your money and have enough to be generous with it, money will naturally flow your way….”¹ 

                I believe that this principle correlates with the Lord’s law of tithes and offerings.  Malachi wrote:  “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”²

                I was taught the law of tithing as a child, and I have lived it for my entire life.  I know it is a true principle given for our benefit.  I have never gone to bed hungry because there was no food in the house, and I have never wondered how I would pay the bills. 

                Principle 2:  Be aware that your past holds the key to your financial future.  “The road to financial freedom begins … in your head… with your thoughts….”³ 

                I think that this principle supports the teachings of the Church about the importance of our thoughts.  As I read about it, my mind went immediately to “as a man thinketh….”   President David O. McKay said, “No principle of life was more constantly emphasized by the Great Teacher than the necessity of right thinking.  To Him, the man was not what he appeared to be outwardly, nor what he professed to be by his words:  what the man thought determined in all cases what the man was.  No teacher emphasized more strongly than He the truth that `as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’ [see Proverbs 23:7]…”⁴  

                I know that my thoughts greatly affect everything I do in life.  I believe that how I think about money will affect how I deal with it.  I think there is an enormous difference between “I do not have any money” and “I am temporarily out of cash.”  I prefer the second type of thinking because it is positive; I feel that the first type of thinking could cause me to give up while the second could influence me to find better ways to handle my money. 

                Principle 3:  Be honest with yourself about your income and expenses.  “This third step toward financial freedom, then, is about getting back in touch with your money and understanding that you have the power to decide how to use it.  And it’s about being honest with yourself.  ….  With this step you begin to take control of your financial life in a concrete way.” ⁵

                This principle supports the teachings of the Church on budgeting.  President Spencer W. Kimball said, “Every family should have a budget.  …We have to know approximately what we may receive, and we certainly must know what we are going to spend….”⁶

                I know the importance of this principle because I live it.  I remember when my husband invested a chunk of our monthly income for our retirement years.  We struggled with a tight budget for numerous years but are now reaping the benefits of my husband’s wisdom.  We continue to use a budget to track our spending but not such a strict one.      

  

                Principle 4:  Be responsible to those you love.  “The emotional foundation of your life is no less important than the financial structure you create.  That is why, in building your financial structure, you must begin with the people you care about.”⁷ 

                I believe this principle supports the teachings of the Church:  “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.” ⁸  It also supports the teachings in “One for the Money” about the need for wise investments, various types of insurance, and being prepared for emergencies.⁹    One way we can care for our loved ones is to make sure they will have what they need whether or not we are around.   

                My husband and I have enough money for our needs as well as health insurance and long-term care insurance; however, we need to look closely at our affairs to be sure that our estate passes to our children as easily as possible.  I believe that I will sleep better at night when we have everything in order for our children to inherit all that we have.

                Principle 5:  Be respectful of yourself and your money.  “Money is a living entity, and it responds to energy exactly the same way you do.  It is drawn to those who welcome it, those who respect it….”¹⁰  

                I think this principle supports the gospel truth that money itself is neither good nor evil.    Jacob taught the Nephites, “But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

                “And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good – to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.”¹¹ 

                I have known this teaching from my childhood.  I knew as a child that my parents did not have much money, but I do not remember it being a big problem in my life.  I have always believed that money was a tool to be used in doing good.  It is nice to have enough to meet my needs and some of my desires, but it is still only a tool for me to use wisely.  I will continue to be wise in living within my means and showing proper respect for money and for myself.

                I enjoyed studying this book very much.  There were times when I felt as though I were reading financial counsel from Church leaders.  I believe that every principle taught by the author has a spiritual foundation to it, and I made many new connections with gospel teachings.  I highly recommend the book!

References

¹ The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, p. 262

² Malachi 3:10

³ The 9 Steps…, p. 7

⁴ “‘As a Man Thinketh… ,’” Instructor, September 1958, 257–58). 

⁵ The 9 Steps…, p. 30

⁶ “One for the Money,” iii 

⁷ The 9 Steps…, p. 45

⁸ “The Family – A Proclamation to the World” 

^{9 “}One for the Money,” pp. 9-10

¹⁰ The 9 Steps…, p. 117

¹¹ Jacob 2:18-19

Algebra Tales

                My math class finally came to an end!  I came through it with an A, but I had to work hard for my grade.  The grade was based on exams (50% of the grade), quizzes (20% of the grade), and a portfolio (30% of the grade).  There were also citizenship points that would add or subtract from the grade.

                The course was actually an introduction to algebra and finance and consisted of a broad, basic foundation for higher mathematics. I learned information and skills that I can add to my previously ones, including how to figure interest savings accounts and loans.  I think that my children learned this information in middle school and my grandchildren are learning it in the later years in elementary school.  I did not need the knowledge to graduate from high school as my one math class fulfilled the math requirement. 

                As part of the portfolio, I read a financial advice book, wrote a book report on it, and then presented an oral book review to my class.   I chose to read The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom-Practical & Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying by Suze Orman.  I will post my book report to my blog tomorrow to give you an idea of some of those nine steps to financial freedom.  I gained understanding into how my childhood experiences with money can affect my current attitudes and behaviors with money.  I gained numerous ideas that I can use in my life and would definitely recommend the book to my readers.

                 I invested almost as time learning how to do Excel spreadsheets as I did learning algebra.  I had no previous experience in making Excel spreadsheets and had to learn basic skills in using it.  Now that I know how to use Excel spreadsheet, I can keep better records of my income and expenditures.  The spreadsheets were part of my portfolio, which accounted for a third of the final grade. 

                My financial affairs were in good condition before I took the course, but I gained knowledge that I can use in my life.  The most important thing I learned in this course is that I can learn difficult math concepts by investing the time and effort needed.  I also learned that I can rely on the Lord to help me complete the learning after I do all that I can do for myself.  There were numerous times during the semester that I panicked and wanted to quit.  I was able to continue and succeed because I knew the Lord would help me learn it if I did my part.  My confidence and faith in Jesus Christ grew a great deal during this course.

                My brother included the following information in our family letter.  I think it is cute and might bring a smile to your face so I am sharing it with you.  It is written as a newspaper article but hopefully not true.

            “TEACHER ARRESTED AT JFK:  A public school teacher was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport this morning as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule, and a calculator.  At a press conference just before noon today, Attorney General Eric Holder said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al Gebra movement.  Although he did not identify the man, he confirmed that the man has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.

                “`Al Gebra is a problem for us,” the Attorney General said.  `They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values.  They use secret code names like “X” and “Y” and refer to themselves as “unknowns,” but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country.  As the Greek philosopher Isosceles used to say, “There are 3 sides to every triangle.”’  The Attorney General went on to say, `Teaching our children sentient thought and equipping them to solve problems is dangerous and puts our government at risk.’”

Good Cops

                For my VIP for this week I decided to honor police officers.  There are too many horrible things being said and done against police officers of every kind.  I want to share a few stories of the many good things that police officers do.

                Ten-year-old Toxey invited 21 kids to his birthday party, but none of them showed up.  Toxey and his mother were “heartbroken and helpless,” and his mother shared some of her feelings on her Facebook page.  A couple of days later, Toxey opened his front door and found four Arkansas State Troopers standing there with cake and gifts.  The four cops – Cpl. David Forthman and Troopers Terry Sawyer, Kyle Sheldon, Brandon Cook, and Tim Callison – heard of Toxey after his mother’s post on Facebook and decided to give Toxey a birthday party.  They spent the day with Toxey.  As far as Toxey can remember, they were the only guests that ever came to any birthday party.  This is part of the statement Toxey’s mother sent to the department and later posted on the Arkansas State Police’s Facebook page:  “They ate his cake with him and played basketball with him.  All out of the goodness of their hearts.  They made my sweet baby’s day, and his year!!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I will never be able to repay the kindness you showed my family today!”

                Roby, an officer with the London Police Department in Kentucky, answered a call about shoplifting but did not arrest anyone.  The shoplifter was a man who needed some formula for his six-month-old baby.  He had no money and had taken only one thing – baby formula.  The store did not press charges, and Officer Roby did not pursue the matter.  The officer purchased several cans of formula for the “speechless” father.   Details of this story, plus numerous others, can be found here.

                A nine-year-old girl in Ohio wanted an IPad to use for schoolwork and to play games.  She knew her family was struggling financially so she decided to set up a lemonade stand to earn the money.  Sheriff’s Deputy Zak Ropos stopped to buy a cup of lemonade and learned the purpose of the lemonade stand.  He spoke with the girl’s mother and offered an old IPad of his own; however, he discovered that it did not work and purchased a new IPad for the girl.  The details of this story and other good-cop stories can be found at thissite.  

Our Lost Constitution

                The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday is the Constitution.  Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has written a book titled Our Lost Constitution.  Senator Lee sat down for an interview with Ben Weingarten to discuss his new book and how to restore our Constitution.  Senator Lee was also appeared on Mark Levin’s LevinTV to discuss Conservatism and the Constitution. 

                Senator Lee also spoke at The Heritage Foundation about his book. In his book, published on April 9, 2015, the Senator “tells the dramatic, little-known stories behind six of the Constitution’s most indispensable provisions.  He shows their rise.  He shows their fall.  And he makes vividly clear how nearly every abuse of federal power today is rooted in neglect of this Lost Constitution.  Examined are the Origination Clause, the Legislative Powers Clause, the Establishment Clause, the Balance of Powers and the Second and Fourth Amendments.  Each has been used at some time in our Nation’s history by shortsighted opportunists to defy the Constitution’s safeguards to liberty.”

                I encourage you to watch the videos and listen to Senator Lee discuss the Constitution and why we need to restore it as our Supreme Law.  I also encourage you to read Our Lost Constitution.  I ordered my copy today.

Adversity - Part of the Plan

                I was called to teach a class of five-year-old children in Primary; therefore, I am no longer able to attend Sunday School and Relief Society.  I enjoy little children, but I miss the adult discussions.  I decided that I would study the Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Howard W. Hunter on my own.  Since I am in school and do not have much time for extra study, I study the manual a section at a time.

                This week I finished studying Chapter 3 “Adversity – Part of God’s Plan for Our Eternal Progress.”  I was impressed by President Hunter’s upbeat attitude concerning adversity – particularly because he suffered much from it.  After teaching that adversity is part of life and each of us faces some kind of adversity, he quoted the following from President Spencer W. Kimball who also knew a lot about adversity.

                “Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors.  Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery” [Faith Precedes the Miracle, (1972), 98].

                President Hunter continued:  “In that statement, President Kimball refers to closing doors upon certain experiences in life….  Doors close regularly in our lives, and some of those closings cause genuine pain and heartache.  But I do believe that where one such door closes, another opens (and perhaps more than one), with hope and blessings in other areas of our lives that we might not have discovered otherwise.”

                A few paragraphs later President Hunter stated:  “All of us must finish our `preparations unto the children of men’ [Doctrine and Covenants 19:19].  Christ’s preparations were quite different from our own, but we all have preparations to make, doors to open.  To make such important preparations often will require some pain, some unexpected changes in life’s path, and some submitting, `even as a child doth submit to his father’ [Mosiah 3:19].  Finishing divine preparations and opening celestial doors may take us – indeed, undoubtedly will take us – right up to the concluding hours of our mortal lives.

                “We came to mortal life to encounter resistance.  It was part of the plan for our eternal progress.  Without temptation, sickness, pain, and sorrow, there could be no goodness, virtue, appreciation for well-being, or joy….  We must remember that the same forces of resistance which prevent our progress afford us also opportunities to overcome.”

                I think it is part of the natural man to look at adversity as a negative part of our lives; however, I know that adversity is part of Heavenly Father’s plan for us in mortality.  I know that adversity can strengthen and help us grow spiritually – just as exercise strengthens our physical bodies.  I know that Jesus Christ overcame the ill effects of adversity through His atoning sacrifice, and I also know that Heavenly Father will help us overcome the adversity in our lives IF we put our trust in Him and keep His commandments.