Where Is Your Home?

            The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns where we consider our home. My husband and I moved to Alaska more than 46 years ago. It is where we reared our family and where we own property. We enjoy the Alaskan way of life. I consider it my home or where I live; however, I think of the community where I was reared when I think of home.


            Angela Sailor posted an article at The Daily Signal that asked an important question:  

 “Do you consider America to be your home, or just the place you happen to live?” This is a question that popped into her mind as she was listening to Luther Vandross’ “A House Is Not a Home,” and she asked herself, “Do I consider America to be my home, or just my house?” She realized that she considers America to be her home because of the teachings of her grandmother.

When I reflect on America’s history, I also think about my family and the legacy of my forefathers and foremothers. Grandma Irene, fully decorated with a third-grade formal education and a Ph.D. in homemaking and rainmaking from the school of wisdom, intentionally pounded history into our household discussions.

            I like her description of how her grandmother taught the history of her people and her nation to her posterity – “intentionally pounded history into our household discussions.” What did Grandma Irene pound into the heads and hearts of her family members? She gave them roots as well as wings when she spoke of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington and told of “their different roles and approaches to liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness.” She spoke of “Crispus Attucks, the first American to die in the Revolutionary War; Benjamin Banneker, the architectural genius who designed our nation’s capital; and Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, the first person to successfully perform open-heart surgery.”


            Sailor’s article made me wonder how much history I “intentionally pounded” into the heads and hearts of my children.” Would it have made a difference in their lives if I had been persuasive in teaching them?


            Another thought that keeps popping up in my mind is how we treat our home as compared to just a place to live. Thousands, probably millions, of people live in rental property. As I think back to the days when my husband and I were renting apartments and houses, I realize that my attitude about those abodes was different than when we purchased our first home and then built our second one. We did our best to take care of the property that we rented, but our hearts go into taking care of our home. 

Most people are a little surprised at the costs associated with owning property. When there is a plumbing problem, it is nice to be able to call the landlord and let him take care of it. It is a different story completely when one owns the property and must handle the problem. 

This understanding got me to thinking about people who live in our nation. Those who consider America their home are willing to work to keep it clean and in good repair. Those who consider it just a place to live do not care about how it looks – just if their personal needs are met. If we really consider America to be our home, we need to be alert to the dangers that may affect it. 

America became a superpower for many reasons, but the main reason is because its citizens are free. Freedom is a wonderful thing that we must not take for granted, or we will lose it. We must fight to protect our freedoms from the encroachment of socialism and other evils that seek to destroy. If we consider America to be our home, we must do the necessary work and spend the required money to keep her shining and new – like a shining city built on a hill.

What I Would Tell My Posterity

            I visited my youngest daughter last week to meet my newest grandchild. I do not remember what I said, but my daughter came back with this statement: “I am proud that I can tell my children that I never voted for Trump!” I tried to defend Trump by pointing out that he has accomplished a lot of good things. She replied, “He has done a few good things, but not many.”

I was a little shocked at her passion because I was not aware that she was a “Never Trumper.” I inflamed her passion even more when I said that she would be either voting for Trump or socialism in the 2020 presidential election. She replied, “Then I guess that I will be voting for socialism.”

            I wanted to preserve the relationship, so I slowly backed out of the conversation. However, her statements have been on my mind for over a week for several reasons. The first reason is that my oldest daughter once said something about socialism being good in some ways. The second reason is that my oldest son questioned me a month ago about whether I would vote for Trump again. The third reason is that three of my grandchildren asked me this summer if I like Trump, and I could tell that they had heard negative things about him. I hope that this post will share some light on why socialism is a bad thing as well as why I support Trump.


            I first want to make plain that I would never hold Donald Trump up to my children, grandchildren, or anyone else as a good role model. The best description that I can give of him is that he is a crude street fighter as well as a brilliant businessman. He makes some mean statements at times, and his past behavior seems to be questionable. However, people who meet him in person say that he is a nice man. In his defense, however, I must say that I would not hold Obama, either Bush, Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Johnson, Kennedy, or Eisenhower up as role models. Some of them were good presidents and others were lousy, but none of them lived saintly lives. There are a lot of other people that I would suggest as good examples, but none of the presidents in my lifetime.


            I voted for Donald Trump in 2016 with some anxiety because I did not know what I would get for my vote. I liked what he was promising to do, but all politicians make promises that they do not keep. I am pleased to say that he has kept many of his campaign promises, and I will discuss some of his accomplishments later. However, I did not vote FOR him as much as I voted AGAINST Hillary Clinton. I felt certain that she would take us further down the road to destruction by following the same practices that Barack Obama used. 

I was most concerned about who Clinton would appoint as justices on the Supreme Court and as judges in the other federal courts of the land. I am proud to say that Trump has appointed more than 150 judges, including 2 Associate Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, 43 judges for the U.S. Courts of Appeal, and 105 judges for U.S. District Courts. These judges believe that the Constitution means what it says and not what judges think it should say.

            I next want to discuss socialism. I have a difficult time believing that any of my children are unaware of the dangers of this great evil. They are all intelligent people who can surely see the terrible conditions in Venezuela that were caused by this evil economic system. I fear that they are being deceived by the tactics of the evil one. Bernie Sanders claims that his kind of socialism is different than that of Venezuela or Germany or the numerous other nations that have tried it and brought disaster to their people. Sanders is either lying or plain stupid. Democratic Socialism is just a new name for the old socialism. 

Any member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – or any Christian – should be able to recognize that socialism is the exact opposite of the teachings of Jesus Christ. In fact, it is Satan’s counterfeit for the Lord’s law of consecration. In the April 1966 General Conference, Elder Marion G. Romney made the following statement.

As to the fruits of socialism, we all have our own opinions. I myself have watched its growth in our own country and observed it in operation in many other lands. But I have yet to see or hear of its freeing the hearts of men of selfishness and greed or of its bringing peace, plenty, or freedom. These things it will never bring, nor will it do away with idleness and promote ‘industry, thrift and self-respect,’ for it is founded, in theory and in practice, on force, the principle of the evil one” (Conference Report, April 1966, p. 98; emphasis added).

            Capitalism has brought more freedom and prosperity to the world than any other economic program. It has its weaknesses, but it is the best thing that mankind has yet found. If we allow socialism to control our economic system, we will be among the most miserable of people. We must hold onto capitalism and the free market until the Savior returns or until the law of consecration has been established once again. 


            Last, I would like to share some of the campaign promises that Donald Trump made and kept. These are in addition to the fact that he has donated all his paychecks to strengthen our nation. Some presidents – such as Obama – leave the White House much richer than when they enter it. Trump is losing money as he stands between Americans and those who wish to destroy the nation. Democrats, liberals, and progressives all liked Donald Trump until he was elected as President of the United States, but they fight against him now because he is exposing evil. Here is a list of what may be considered as the Top Ten Campaign Promises Kept. 

10. Impose a 10% repatriation tax to bring jobs back to America.

9. Withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

8. Withdraw from the disastrous Paris Climate Accord.

7. Bring North Korea to the table and rein them in.

6. Stop over-regulation and jump-start the economy.

5. Reverse Obama’s executive orders.

4. Pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.

3. Give tax cuts to middle-class Americans.

2. Change strategy and defeat ISIS.

1. Recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the U.S. embassy.

            You will notice that there is nothing on this list about securing the southern border and reining in illegal immigration. This was the main campaign promise that brought supporters flocking to Trump, but it has yet to be achieved. Trump has fought the clowns in Congress on both sides of the aisle on this issue and continues to wage this battle. A secure barrier along the border is being built but slowly.

There is much division in our nation over immigration issues. Hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens have entered our nation while Congress forsook their oaths and responsibilities. There should be little doubt that the United States has the right and the responsibility to secure its borders and to choose who should enter the country. 

Numerous presidents promised to secure the border but never did. Members of Congress have spoken in the past about the need to secure the border. Yet, they fight against doing so simply because Trump is willing to complete the task. They were willing to say the words when they knew that no action would be taken. Now we know that they were lying. 

I am pleased with another issue raised by Trump – birthright citizenship. We should never allow babies to become citizens of the United States simply because their mothers entered or lived here illegally. I hope that Trump is successful in taking this issue to the Supreme Court.

There are many other issues that should be brought to light and corrected, but it will take time. I will vote for Trump in 2020 because I believe that he is the best candidate running and because he has proven that he keeps campaign promises. I hope that he gets four more years to correct more of the problems that were kicked down the road by other presidents.

Trump Syndrome Strikes Again

            The Trump Syndrome continues to make Democrats, liberals and progressives look insane or stupid. They continue to do their best to take down President Donald Trump, but their efforts are at best ridiculous and at worst dangerous. The latest allegation against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is the most recent example of the effects of the Trump Syndrome.


            The New York Times, once a great newspaper, published a story over the weekend about an alleged instance of sexual impropriety by Kavanaugh while he was a college student. The blowback was so bad that the Times had to put a note from the editor on the article. It stated that the female student who was supposedly the victim “declined to be interviewed and friends say that she does not recall the incident.” Does she have PTSD, or are more lies being told? Your guess is as good as mine, but I will go with the latter.


            Vice President Mike Pence waded into the mess while speaking at The Heritage Foundation on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. He called the allegation “discredited” and accused liberals of “getting desperate.” He had much more to say about it according to The Daily Signal.

The Democrats and their allies in the media are obviously getting desperate…. After dominating our courts for more than a generation, leading Democrats today are now openly calling for packing the court.

This week, they have even taken to smearing a sitting justice on the Supreme Court with discredited allegations….

The calls by Democrat candidates for the president to remove Justice Kavanaugh from the court are a disgrace and nothing short of an attack on our independent judiciary….

In the last two and a half years, President Trump has appointed 150 federal judges to our courts…. And they are all conservatives who are committed to upholding the God-given liberties enshrined in our Constitution, including the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

            The vice president called Kavanaugh “a good and decent man” and said that he is “a principled jurist and a credit to the highest court in the land.” He called for the attacks on Justice Kavanaugh to stop. I do not expect Kavanaugh’s opponents to heed Pence’s words. 

Pence is not the only one defending Kavanaugh. President Trump suggested that Kavanaugh should start taking people to court over the awful allegations that continue to erupt from the desperate liberals.

            Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) claims that the fresh impeachment cries show that Democrats are going to “extreme resistance measures” in their hatred of all things Trump. He says that they are “undermining constitutional government” in their efforts to subvert the powers of any institution that they cannot control. Besides going to all lengths to get Trump out of office, Democrats want to pack the Supreme Court by adding more justices – the same thing that FDR wanted to do when he could not control the Court.


            If we were not living in perilous times, the behavior of the liberals would be hilarious. As it is, they are putting our constitution way of life in danger by their thirst for power and control. Hopefully, American citizens will be wise enough to vote many of them out of office and to return Trump to the White House for four more years.

What Does the Constitution Mean to You?

            I was pleased and a little surprised last week when my youngest daughter mentioned that her children were learning about Constitution Day at their elementary school. I thought back to when I was their age, and I could not remember learning anything about the Constitution. I know that I said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag every morning, but I do not remember learning about Independence Day or Constitution Day.


            Tomorrow is Constitution Day, the day that we commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution. Thirty-nine delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Constitution is the most influential document in the history of the United States and is the reason that the United States of America has remained a free nation for more than 230 years.


            For more than 200 years the U.S. Constitution has served as a model for more than100 other nations. Yet, no other nation can claim the constitutional benefits that Americans can. The Constitution is what makes America great, and it is the reason why people continue to immigrate – legally and illegally – to America.

The Constitution is a miraculous document in that it was created in colonial times to govern less than three million people. Yet, it remains the supreme law of the land for a nation with a population of more than 320 million people.

            The Constitution is a living document in that it contains the means to amend itself. It has been amended twenty-seven times with the first ten amendments being added at the time of ratification. These ten amendments comprise the Bill of Rights, one of the main reasons why the Constitution was ratified in the first place. Other amendments have been proposed but never ratified. Still, the Constitution lives on in basically the same condition as when it was signed.


            I have studied the Constitution for more than ten years, but I feel that I am just beginning to understand the intelligence behind the writing of it. The Constitution is a blessing in the lives of all Americans, and I am grateful to live in a nation with such an influential guiding document.

Can O'Rourke Confiscate AR-15s and AK-47s?

            The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns constitutionally guaranteed right to “to keep and bear Arms” (Second Amendment). The Democrat candidates for President of the United States seem to be vying for the most outrageous statements. Conservatives are aware that Democrats want to get rid of the guns of Americans, but they have always denied the possibility of confiscating them. However, they can no longer deny their intent to take away guns. 


            During the fourth round of the Democrat debates, Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke exposed the real plan of the Democrats. “If the high-impact, high-velocity round when it hits your body shreds everything inside of your body because it was designed to do that … Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47, we’re not going to allow it to be used on fellow Americans anymore.”


            O-Rourke claimed that confiscation of these guns is constitutional and would not go against the Second Amendment because it would be accomplished through the Commerce Clause. Do you have any idea what the Commerce Clause says? Progressives like to use this clause for all kinds of purposes according to The Blaze.

The Commerce Clause is a critical part of the Constitution because it is a favorite of progressives who want to grow the size and power of government. For over a century now, it has been used to justify the federal government intruding into all kinds of local, and even personal economic activity.

In fact, during the debate over Obamacare, some lawyers and judges even tried to claim that it was the Commerce Clause that somehow gave Congress the power to force you to buy health care.

            The Commerce Clause is otherwise known as Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution. It gives Congress power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian.”


            The Blaze article explains that the word and is an important word in this clause. It says that Congress has the same power “to regulate commerce” between the states as it has with foreign nations. In other words, if Congress can regulate commerce with foreign nations in a certain way, it can do the same between the states.


            United States v. Lopez (1995) was a case brought before the U.S. Supreme Court where the government sought to use the Commerce Clause to prohibit the possession of a gun within 1,000 feet of a school. The Court ruled that the Commerce Clause cannot be used in this way.
             
            According to The Blaze, Justice Clarence Thomas supported the decision but wrote his own concurring opinion. He explained that the Commerce Clause can be used to regulate something in interstate commerce only if it makes sense in this sentence: Congress has the power to regulate ______ with foreign nations. Can Congress regulate how far from a school a gun can be possessed in a foreign nation? The answer is an emphatic NO. Therefore, Congress does not have that authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate the same between states.


            This takes us back to the O’Rourke statement where he claims the Commerce Clause gives authority to confiscate an AK-47 or an AR-15. Let’s use the above sentence to see if his statement is true. Congress has the power to regulate possession of AK-47s and AK-15s with foreign nations. This is an untrue statement because foreign nations will decide about the guns under their own authority. Therefore, the statement of O’Rourke is untrue. 


            O’Rourke claims that Texans support the confiscation of their guns, but he offered no proof. However, a gun shop in Tempe, Arizona, decided to earn some money off O’Rourke’s claim. Alpha Dog Firearms ran a “Beto special” on AR-15s and AK-47s. The store discounted AR15s so low that “EVERY AMERICAN can afford one.” The deal was for $349.99 and was available only online. It quickly sold all the guns offered on the deal. It does not seem that Americans are ready to give up their guns, so any confiscation would lead to another civil war!

A More Excellent Way

            I recently studied the words of the Apostle Paul about spiritual gifts in my “Come, Follow Me” studies. I am fascinated with the topic and have a great desire to learn more about spiritual gifts. Paul discusses spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and end the chapter with these words, “But covet [seek] earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (verse 31). He then gives a wonder discourse on charity in chapter 13.


            Some of my greatest aids in studying the scriptures are some books known as “institute manuals” or manuals used in institute classes and religion classes at universities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The institute manual on the New Testament has clarified many topics for me as I studied the life of Christ and the teachings of His Apostles. This book gives the following information about charity. All other quotes for this essay are also found in the institute manual.

The word charity is a translation of the Greek noun agape, which can also mean simply “love.” Agape is used in other New Testament passages to describe the deep and abiding love between the Father and the Son, the divine love that God has for man, and the love we are to have for our fellowman (see John 13:34-35; 15:10; 17:26; Romans 8:35, 39) (New Testament Student Manual – Religion 211-212 [2014], 376).

When we understand that charity is the type of love that exists between the Father and the Son and their love for us, we can better understand why Paul emphasized the importance of charity and its influences on all other spiritual gifts. Followers of Jesus Christ are encouraged and even urged to seek the gift of charity. 

Paul says “Charity suffereth long, and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). A person with charity is patient with those who offend them or during adversity. If we have charity, we are patient and kind with everyone – no matter how they treat us. President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

We do not know the hearts of those who offend us. Nor do we know all the sources of our own anger and hurt. The Apostle Paul was telling us how to love in a world of imperfect people, including ourselves, when he said, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Charity envied not; Charity vaunted not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (1 Cor. 13:4-5). And then he gave solemn warning against reacting to the fault of others and forgetting our own when he wrote, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known” (1 Cor. 13:12).” (“That We May Be One,” Ensign, May 1998, 68).

If we are to have true charity, we must develop the Christlike characteristics of patience and kindness and exhibit them. The Apostle Paul taught, “Charity never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8). An ancient American prophet named Mormon taught the same thing and added, “Charity is the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:46-47). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says that true charity is Christ’s pure love that will never fail.

The greater definition of “the pure love of Christ,” however, is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once. It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate, and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that “suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not.” It is his love for us that is not “puffed up …, not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” It is Christ’s love for us that “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” It is as demonstrated in Christ that “charity never faileth.” It is that charity – his pure love for us – without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of his love at the last day – the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise – surely it shall be well with them….

Life has its share of fears and failures. Sometimes things fall short. Sometimes people fail us, or economies or businesses or governments fail us. But one thing in time or eternity does not fail us – the pure love of Christ” (Christ and the New Covenant [1977], 336-37; see also Romans 8:35-39).

            True charity is the love that Christ has for us. It is the greatest of all the spiritual gifts, but it does not act alone. The Apostle Paul ends this chapter with this statement, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Three modern-day Apostles expand on his statement.


            In teaching about charity, Paul also referred to faith and hope, saying that charity is the greatest of the three virtues. These qualities are sometimes called the three sisters. Elder M. Russell Ballard explained the relationship between the three principles.

The Apostle Paul taught that three divine principles form a foundation upon which we can build the structure of our lives. They are faith, hope, and charity. (See 1 Cor. 13:13.) Together they give us a base of support like the legs of a three-legged stool. Each principle is significant within itself, but each also plays an important supporting role. Each is incomplete without the others. Hope helps faith develop. Likewise, true faith gives birth to hope. When we begin to lose hope, we are faltering also in our measure of faith. The principles of faith and hope working together must be accompanied by charity, which is the greatest of all. According to Mormon, “Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.” (Moro. 7:47.) It is the perfect manifestation of our faith and hope.

Working together, these three eternal principles will help give us the broad eternal perspective we need to face life’s toughest challenges, including the prophesied ordeals of the last days. Real faith fosters hope for the future; it allows us to look beyond ourselves and our present cares. Fortified by hope, we are moved to demonstrate the pure love of Christ through daily acts of obedience and Christian service” (“The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 33).

            Even though faith, hope, and charity work together, the greatest of the three is charity. When Paul says that “charity never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8), he means that it never ends. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explains why charity is the only gift that endures forever.

Shall the gifts of the Spirit cease? Is there to be a day when the saints shall no longer possess the gifts of prophecy and tongues? Or the gift of knowledge? Yes, in the sense that these shall be swallowed up in something greater, and shall no longer be needed in the perfect day. When the saints know all tongues, none will be able to speak in an unknown tongue. When the saints become as God and know all things – past, present, and future – there will be no need or occasion to prophesy of the future” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:380).

            I found the above information interesting. The only spiritual gift that endures is charity because the time will come that the rest of them are unneeded. President Howard W. Hunter (1907-95) explained why charity is “the greatest” of all the virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13): “Charity encompasses all other godly virtues. It distinguishes both the beginning and the end of the plan of salvation. When all else fails, charity – Christ’s love – will not fail. It is the greatest of all divine attributes” (“A More Excellent Way,” Ensign, May 1992, 61).


            The information from the Apostle Paul, combined with the teachings of modern-day Apostles, expanded my understanding of charity. For the first time, I understand why charity never fails and why it is the greatest of all the spiritual gifts. It is exciting for me to know that “all other godly virtues” are encompassed in charity. To me, this means that I am working to develop charity as I work on developing patience, long-suffering, faith, hope, and all other Christlike attributes. This gives me hope that I can have true charity one day.

Families Thrive in Civil Societies

           Families, communities, and nations are stronger when they have a civil society. When one considers the term civil society, one may be tempted to think that it is a group of people with good manners. I personally thought that it meant a place where people controlled their words and actions rather than attacking each other like wild animals. I learned a great deal from an opinion piece in the Deseret News written by Doug Wilks.  


           Wilks said that he heard the best definition for a civil society while attending the 68^th United Nations Civil Society Conference held recently in Salt Lake City, Utah. The theme of the conference was “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities land Communities,” and the conference drew thousands of people from around the world.

At least part of the reason that the United Nations chose to meet in Salt Lake City is the society that is in Utah. Wilks wrote, “Years ago Utah was identified as one of the best states in the country for upward mobility.” This means that people living in Utah have an opportunity to improve their lives. Wilks included the following information in his opinion piece. 

As the Deseret News reported in May 2015: “The Equality of Opportunity Project involved the tracking of millions of families over a period of years and uncovered a direct link between a child’s future earnings and the specific place where he or she grew up. In short, some neighborhoods are conducive to upward mobility while others, for a variety of reasons, are not.”

            Wilks said that the Salt Lake City metro area was selected as one of the top three in the Harvard project based on its strength in the following areas: (1) The economic landscape of the greater Salt Lake area, (2) Its stable middle class, (3) Good schools and educational opportunities, (4) Its strong social networks, noting its religious communities and volunteerism, and (5) Its strong family structures. 


            The Greater Salt Lake area is not the only place in Utah that received recognition. Wilks also wrote that Utah County was recognized “as a place where the underprivileged can climb out of poverty” in a Social Capital Project of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. 

As the Deseret News reported in May of this year, there are pockets of ideal social mobility in the U.S., according to Nathaniel Hendren, an economics professor at Harvard University. He identified Prove in his research, which discovered that “children from low-income families grow up to earn $66,000 on average at age 35. In contrast, low income children who grow up in parts of inner Baltimore grow up to earn, on average, only $16,000 in adulthood.”

Where you live and where you come from make a difference.

            It appears that the United Nations chose Salt Lake City for their conference “because of Utah’s commitment to civil society. This is a place that believes in the third leg of the three-legged success stool: Civil society, which in joining a strong private economic sector and an effective government, provide the stability needed for upward mobility.” 


            This brings us to the definition of civil society. Jeanetta Williams, the head of the NAACP in Utah, was part of a panel discussion. She works locally and nationally in promoting civil rights for all kinds of communities. She shared a conversation that she had with “a senior leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” “She said he would not just ask her how she was doing. He asked, “How are they treating you here?” Wilks wrote the following.

That is the best approach to creating a civil society that I heard during the conference. It’s not just about being polite or civil in society. A true “civil society” is about actively seeking to learn how each person we come across is faring. How are they being treated in the cities and towns where they live? Is there opportunity for them to live the life they wish to live and to progress?

            Utah has discovered the principles for a creating an environment where people can grow and improve. Those principles can be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints believe that all men, women, and children are spirit brothers and sisters who belong to the same loving Father in Heaven. We believe that it is our duty to watch over and care for each other.


            Wilks presented the requirements for an environment where children can grow up and prosper or have upward mobility. Children need to live in an area where people consider everyone to be their neighbor and care about each other, an area that has a strong private economic sector, and an area with an effective government. 

All three legs of the “stool” are necessary, but ordinary individuals may not have much control over the economic sector or the government. However, each one of us can help to develop a civil society. As we work on this creation, we will be strengthening families, communities, and nations.