Sword Play

I've mentioned before that I want our boys to grow up to be real men.  I want them to learn how to respect and defend women and children.  I want them to be tough and brave. Thomas Jefferson said, "virtue is not hereditary." (Read more good quotes here). Therefore I must teach them.  It is hard finding things that will help them do this!  For Christmas we bought the boys, "high impact battle swords."  We love them.  You have to be tough to play with them.  No whining.  We purchased them from Vision Forum.  Here is the link and you simply must watch the video demonstration.

Waling to Zion: Casting Down My Idolatry

Idolatry. That was what Brigham Young said was one of the main reason the Saints could not redeem Zion. How am I doing on this?

Idol worship means worshipping something/one instead of God. It keeps us from doing the right things; no matter how small. They are often seen in the form of addictions. These are our weapons of rebellion.Elder Kearon recently said,

 "We must lay down our weapons of rebellion (and we each know what they are). We must lay down our sin, vanity, and pride. We must give up our desire to follow the world and to be respected and lauded by the world. We must cease fighting against God and instead give our whole hearts to Him, holding nothing back."

Today there are many idols we can worship. Money. TV. Books. Sports. Music. Drugs. Alcohol. Tobacco. Pornography. Stuff. Image. Fashion. Shopping. Food. Work. Hunting. Hobbies. Facebook. Internet. Gaming. Time. Education.

I have found that it's really easy to recognize the idols that others have, but it's harder recognizing and accepting the idolatry in my own heart. I guess though according to Elder Kearon I really do know what they are and maybe I just don't want to admit them to myself.

Here on earth we have been given the wonderful gift of agency. How to we use it? Do we use it to bow down to worship dumb idols or are we worshiping the one true God? Elder Hales said, "Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that! The only time he can affect our minds and bodies-our very spirits-is when we allow him to do so."

I find hope and strength from this. I can resist the temptations of Satan and refuse to bow down to my weaknesses. I must be vigilant though because I can lose my agency by making wrong choices. Elder Hales commented, "To retain our agency we must daily walk in the light our Lord and Savior and follow the path of obedience."

Elder Hales has talked about how we can reclaim our agency that we may have lost to wrong choices (idolatry). He says the path back should include these steps:

"Choose to accept-truly accept-that you are a child of God, that He loves you, and that He has the power to help you.

"Choose to put everything-literally everything-on the altar before Him. Believing that you are His child, decide that your life belongs to Him and that you will use your agency to do His well. You may do this multiple times in your life, but never, never give up.

"Choose to put yourself in a position to have experiences with the Spirit of God through prayer, in scriptures study, at Church meetings in your home, and through wholesome interactions with others. When you feel the influence of the Spirit you are beginning to be cleansed and strengthened. The light is being turned on, and where that light shines, the darkness of evil cannot remain.

"Choose to obey and keep your covenants, beginning with your baptismal covenant. Renew these covenants weekly by worthily partaking of the sacrament.

"Choose to prepare to worthily attend the temple, make and renew sacred covenants, and receive all of the saving ordinances and blessings of the gospel.

"Finally, and most importantly, choose to believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Accept the Savior's forgiveness, and the forgive yourself. Because of His Sacrafice for you, He has the power to 'Remember

{your sins} no more.' You must do likewise."

I thought this was important counsel to me in my quest to strip the idolatry out of my life. I must recognize the things I hold on to and that prevent me from laying my will on the alter. In my life most of what entices me to idolatry is the worship of my own agenda, my own ideas, my own time, and just simply my desire to do what I want. Regardless of how noble or wholesome it is if it is not what God wants me to do at that moment then I am worshiping the idol of my own self.

In Zion I must only worship the one true God. I must cease my self-worship, my idolatry.


All the quotes (except for the quotes from Elder Kearon) are quoted from the conference address, "To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency," given April 1, 2006.

Walking to Zion: Restoring Gender to the Family

This topic may seem the most surprising of my goals in Walking to Zion. Through the years I've come to see it as a serious problem infiltrating society today.

In the second paragraph of the Proclamation it reads, "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Initially when I read this line of the Proclamation I always thought it was interesting that they included it in there. Of course gender is important. Recently however, I have come to see (of course) their divine wisdom in including this in a manifesto on the family.

I am amazed at the changes racing through our society. When we go to "town" my children often remark, "Is that a boy or a girl?" It is becoming harder and harder to tell. We are on a collision course in the world of a people that are unisex. This is manifested in many ways. Men are feminized and women are masculine. Women can work in any job, including front line combat while men are transitioning to stay at home nurturers. Women are crude and men wear make-up.

I see this "unisex" world having two parts. The first is that we are unisex is dress and the second we are unisex in action.

Speaking of the first the Lord told the children of Israel in the Law of Moses, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do are abomination unto the Lord thy God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)

I have been pondering on this scripture for a long time. I have realized that we are dressing like men today! I have thought about my jeans, my pony tails, my tennis shoes, my baseball caps, my t-shirts, my sweatshirts….Ugh!!! In my state of 'frump' I have dressed like a man. Why? That's what they sell first and that's what everyone else wears.

Another tidbit is the slogan of, "Tough enough to wear pink." I know that breast cancer awareness is important. However, I don't think that feminizing our men is the right way to do it. Very subtle.
I'm sure the junction to not dress like a man only applied to the Law of Moses and the Children of Israel anyway. The law of was fulfilled so it doesn't have anything to do with me today. Whew! (Yeah, I wish that was true). Something to think about.

So besides the fact that we are dressing like men (or the men like women) we are not teaching masculine and feminine roles. We are teaching our children that they can do anything and be anything. The church understood the need to make sure parents teach their children correct gender roles by creating a section specifically aimed at this in the booklet, "A Parent's Guide," published in 1985. Here are some of their thoughts:

"Considerable controversy has been aroused of late around such terms as sexism, feminism, and machismo, as if there is something wrong with being too male, too female, or too virtuous. President Kimball said, 'I sincerely hope that our Latter-day Saint girls and women, and men and boys, will drink deeply of the water of life and conform their lives to the beautiful and comprehensive roles the Lord assigned to them.'

"But members of the Church must not be deceived about one immutable truth: there is eternal significance in being a man or a woman. The history of the gospel from Adam to this final dispensation documents equal respect for the roles of men and women and the need for all men and women to develop their gifts to the utmost through living the commandments of God. But within that same gospel framework are some realities about differences between the two genders. This means that there are some exclusive things men are to do and some that women are to do. A most appropriate time for this development is the interlude between early childhood and adolescence. President Kimball clarified the eternal significance of gender identity when he said:

"'Some people are ignorant or vicious and apparently attempting to destroy the concept of masculinity and femininity. More and more girls dress, groom, and act like men. More and more men dress, groom, and act like women. The high purposes of life are damaged and destroyed by the growing unisex theory. God made man in his own image, male and female made he them.'

"Girls ought to be taught the arts and sciences of housekeeping, domestic finances, sewing and cooking. Boys need to learn home repair, career preparation and the protection of women. Both girls and boys should know how to take care of themselves and how to help each other. By example and by discussion, both sexes need to learn about being male or female, which in summary, means becoming husbands and fathers or wives and mothers, here ore hereafter." (Pages 25-29)

Here are some general goals we have been working on:

1. For the women/girls of the family to dress feminine.
2. For the men/boys of the family to dress masculine.
3. Create a culture saturated with men acting like men.
   1. Be around other families where the men/boys act like men/boys.
   2. Read books (and other media choices) where there are strong, tough men who protect women.  We enjoy the the books of the author Louis L'Amour.
   3. Men/boys expected to work and protect women including open doors, helps with coats, and talk respectfully around women.
   4. Learn masculine skills.
4. Create a culture saturated with women acting like women.
   1. Be around other families where the women/girls act like women/girls.
   2. Read books (and other media choices) where women are feminine from books written by Louisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, etc.
   3. Women/girls are expected to feed, clothe, and encourage their men.
   4. Learn feminine skills.
5. Learn and study what nurture, preside, protect, and provide really mean.

I think that it is important that we reclaim our families from the unisex culture that is threatening our destruction.

Susanna Wesley

Susanna Wesley by Kathy McReynolds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Studying the lives of the great reformers of Christianity is paramount. Included in these biographical sketches we need to include the lives of the great women who nurtured these great men as mothers and wives. In their steadfast faith we can find example in how to raise our own hero generation.

I have long wanted to read a biography about the great Susanna Wesley. I was happy with the book by Kathy McReynolds. I had done some research into the biographies of Susanna and many of them focused on her being dominated by men and other worldly trumped up interpretations instead of narrowing in on the very hope of her life-her faith in Jesus Christ and her dedication to her family.

Susanna Wesley was born in England in 1669; the 25th child in the family. She was the mother of John and Charles Wesley who were later dubbed the founders of Methodism. Charles Wesley’s hymns have found their way to all Christian hymnals. Some of his more famous hymns include, “Rejoice, the Lord is King!,” “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” and “Hark the Herald Angles Sing.”

Susanna was fiercely dedicated to Christ and the Bible. She was extremely well read and self-taught that was encouraged at an early age by her famous father. She left behind a large legacy of letters and writings that continue to impact people today. As her children grew and attained adulthood she continued to teach them through letters. She bore her testimony constantly. The object of all her letters was to make sure they were living by the Bible.

She gave birth to 19 children in 21 years. She outlived two of her adult children. Ten of her children died young, one of which it believed to have been killed by persecutors. They lost their home to fire twice; one of the fires was believed to be intentionally started. Their fields were also set on fire, their cattle stabbed and their dog’s leg was brutally cut. The persecutors “shouted out obscenities to them and fired their guns in front of their home during all hours of the night.” All of this occurring while her husband sat in prison.

She was revered by her husband and her sons spoke highly of her. She also understood her role as wife and mother and was devoted to them.

Susanna is also famously known because she homeschooled all of her children. Her tenants and practices on child rearing are well known. She expected strict discipline out of her children but also smothered them with love.

Susanna Wesley is a woman worthy of emulation and study.

View all my reviews

Walking to Zion: Rejecting My Enemy

Satan is my enemy. In the Pre-mortal existence his plan for forced salvation and personal glory were rejected. Christ's plan of agency and the glory being given to our Heavenly Father was chosen. Satan was offended and convinced one third of God's children to follow him. They left the presence of God. They have claimed earth as their playground to seek for the souls of men who kept their first estate. They seek us.

How do they plan to do it? Satan's plan hasn't changed. He still wants the glory. He still wants forced subjection. They seek to stand opposite of Christ in everything. Faith/Fear Peace/War Light/Darkness Righteousness/Wickedness

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Two great civilizations were destroyed the same way. It is a pattern we must look to and learn from. They both were destroyed because of wickedness. They were both destroyed from secret societies that destroyed them from the inside out.

Mormon gives us a huge discourse on these secret societies in Heleman chapter 6. I quote from versus 21-32.

"But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the hearts of the Nephities, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders and their pluderings, and their stealings…

"And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God.


"And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness…

"Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit-

"Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, that if he would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world. And he did plot with Cain and his followers from that time forth.


"And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was the same being who led on the people who came from that towers into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land until he dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.

"Yeah, it is that same being who put it into the heart of Gadianton to still carry on the work of darkness and of secret murder; and he has brought it forth from the beginning of man even down to this time.

"And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.

"And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephities; yeah insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver.

"And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years."

Satan influenced and led the secret societies of the Nephites and the Lamanites. Their creed included no moral code, no accountability to the law of the land, and the rejection of God.

This last dispensation is a gathering of all the good the world has ever know (the restoration of all things) and it is also a gathering of all the evil the world has ever know. While God has been raising up His prophets, Satan has also been raising his army.

Nephi and Moroni both testified of this latter-day built up. Nephi said,

"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.

"And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malife.

"And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for his the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and the works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cord forever." (2 Nephi

26:20-22)

And Moroni testified about when the Book of Mormon come,

"Yea, it shall come in a day when the blood of saints shall cry unto the Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness.
"Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied, and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them belong to their churches….

"Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.

"Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins." (Mormon 8:27-32)

Satan's plan for the last day: no moral code, no accountability and the rejection of God. It's the same plan he's always had. Interesting point though is that many of the secret combinations will be in the form of an open religion.

Fast forward to today. Do we see that? Is there a rejection of God? Is there a rejection of moral codes? Is there the belief that no one is accountable?

Here are some modern day definitions:

Moral relativism is the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are culturally based and therefore subject to a person's individual choice. We can all decide what is right for ourselves. You decide what's right for you, and I'll decide what's right for me. Moral relativism says, "It's true for me, if I believe it." http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/Secular-Humanism.htm

Secular Humanism is an attempt to function as a civilized society with the exclusion of God and His moral principles. During the last several decades, Humanists have been very successful in propagating their beliefs. Their primary approach is to target the youth through the public school system. Humanist Charles F. Potter writes, "Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every American school is a school of humanism. What can a theistic Sunday school's meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children do to stem the tide of the five-day program of humanistic teaching?" (Charles F. Potter, "Humanism: A New Religion," 1930)

Secular Humanism - Main Tool is Evolutionary Thought
Secular Humanism is manifested in Evolutionary Theory. To satisfy the fundamental question of "Where did we come from?" children are taught the doctrine of Evolution. The first plank of the Humanist Manifesto states: "Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created." The second plank states: "Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process." Certainly, the public school system propagates the Humanist doctrine (clearly an atheistic "religion"), and thus, condemns the concept of God. This is an amazing irony. Creation Science has been successfully kept out of the public schools by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (A.C.L.U.) on the grounds that Creation is religious, and the government should not support religion in any fashion. "In fact, evolution became in a sense a scientific religion; almost all scientists have accepted it, and many are prepared to 'bend' their observations to fit with it." (H. S. Lipson, FRS, Professor of Physics, University of Manchester, UK, "A Physicist Looks at Evolution", Physics Bulletin, vol. 31, May 1980, pg. 138).

Humanism: A Belief with no Purpose or Objective Values
Humanism holds that the universe exists for no purpose. We are the result of a blind and random process that does not necessitate any kind of meaning. Humanism differs from the more extreme philosophy of nihilism, in that life can have a meaning if we assign a meaning to it. Life is only worth living if we ourselves make it worthwhile and enjoyable. Humanism maintains that no objective or universal values exist. A person may be moral if he or she creates a system of values and lives according them. A humanist would maintain that no one is obligated to be moral. Therefore, humanism fails to provide moral objections to immoral behavior. Obviously, if no moral absolutes exist, you can't demonstrate that anything is wrong or evil. Thus, in a humanist society, no one can really judge or condemn the choices or actions of others.( http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/humanism.htm)

 

Humanism: Life Without Real Meaning
Humanism is fostered by the teaching of evolutionary science, materialism and moral relativism in our popular media and public school system. We've removed God from the equations. Without God, we lose any transcendent purpose for the universe in which we live. Without God, we lose any transcendent purpose to give meaning to our individual lives. We are nothing more than bugs struggling with survival until we die. All the achievements, the sacrifices, the good and beautiful acts of some people, the ugly and dark acts of others, are ultimately futile efforts of life. Without God, we lose any possibility for life after death. When you remove the hope of heaven, you remove the ultimate value and purpose of life. What difference would it really make whether we lived like a Billy Graham or an Osama Bin Laden? Everyone's fate would be the same anyway. This is the ultimate outlook of those who base their belief system on humanism. Eat, drink and be merry – for tomorrow we die. (http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/humanism.htm)

I strongly encourage you to read the "Humanist Manifesto." Here are some of their ten planks:

FIRST: Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created.
SECOND: Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.
THIRD: Holding an organic view of life, humanists find that the traditional dualism of mind and body must be rejected.
FOURTH: Humanism recognizes that man's religious culture and civilization, as clearly depicted by anthropology and history, are the product of a gradual development due to his interaction with his natural environment and with his social heritage. The individual born into a particular culture is largely molded by that culture.
FIFTH: Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. Obviously humanism does not deny the possibility of realities as yet undiscovered, but it does insist that the way to determine the existence and value of any and all realities is by means of intelligent inquiry and by the assessment of their relations to human needs. Religion must formulate its hopes and plans in the light of the scientific spirit and method.
EIGHTH: Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man's life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist's social passion.
NINTH: In the place of the old attitudes involved in worship and prayer the humanist finds his religious emotions expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being.
TENTH: It follows that there will be no uniquely religious emotions and attitudes of the kind hitherto associated with belief in the supernatural.
FINAL PARAGRAPH: So stand the theses of religious humanism. Though we consider the religious forms and ideas of our fathers no longer adequate, the quest for the good life is still the central task for mankind. Man is at last becoming aware that he alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, that he has within himself the power for its achievement. He must set intelligence and will to the task. You may not know that Secular Humanism has been ruled a religion since June 19, 1961 in Torcaso v. Watkins (see Understanding the Times by David A. Noebel pg.33 and A Christian Manifesto by Francis A. Shaeffer pg. 55)

Our enemy, Satan, is knocking on our doors. He is all around us. Have we seen him? Do we realize that our society is controlled by his influence? Communism is the political party and humanism is the religion. They are interconnected. Everything they stand for is in exact opposition to Jesus Christ and His plan. I believe that this is the great and abominable church spoken of in the scriptures. Remember everything against Christ is Satan's teachings.  Humanism is the exact opposite of Jesus Christ.

Captain Moroni as taught us how to fight them. He raised the standard of liberty to protect their religion, their lands and their families. This is the opposite plan of Communism and Humanism.

We are in the greatest battle the world has seen so far. Are we fighting in this war as if it was the greatest war? Are we preparing for battles? Are we parrying the blows of the adversary? Sometimes I worry that I am tolerant and apathetic. I realize that there are many days I am being led down to hell by Satan's flaxen cord.

There is great hope for us however. We know that Christ will prevail. It remains though which side will we be found on?

Walking to Zion: Physical Preparation

President Kimball said to plant a garden. Why? We can just buy food cheaper and easier from the store. Perhaps we need the skills. Perhaps we need to work.

In walking to Zion our family has realized that we are too lazy to walk. Mmm. That's a problem. We have realized one aspect of walking to Zion means we need to literally gain physical strength. Our world is filled with a life of physical ease and comfort. As a result we have become a fat and lazy people, and while our family is not fat we are definitely lazy!

In my long time favorite quote from Brigham Young he said,

"If we are to be saved in an ark, as Noah and his family were, it will be because we built it." (JD 8:354-355)

He also said,

"Everything connected with building up Zion requires actual severe labor. It is nonsense to talk about building up any kingdom except by labor; it requires the labor of every part of our organization, whether it be mental, physical or spiritual, and this the only way to build up the Kingdom of God." (JD 3:122)

So we are changing. We have physical goals.

Walk more. Be more active. Plant and take care of a garden. Eat less. Serve more. Move our body. Get fresh air.

In walking to Zion our family has also been identifying 'lost arts' that we feel we need to gain some basic knowledge in. One child said the other day, "What happens if we don't actually need them because we aren't called to Zion." Even if we don't physically remove ourselves to Zion these arts are being lost and the succeeding generations need these skills. I feel duty bound to make sure my posterity has possession of these skills.

Here is a working list we have been making of possible skills. We aren't necessarily going to learn all of them. We do know some of these skills and want to refine them. Other skills we may only obtain a general knowledge. It has been mentioned that learning these skills as a family would be pursuing "wholesome recreational activities." I couldn't agree more!! What would be more fun: campfire cooking as a family or watching Biggest Looser? I mean come on! These ideas are in a total random order.

Milking a Cow
Fishing
Cheese Making (butter, cottage cheese, cream cheese, yogurt)
Gardening
Canning
Spice Growing
Herbal identification and remedies
Chicken and Other Poultry Care
Killing and butchering animals
Shooting a Gun
Tracking animals
Sewing clothes
Knitting (socks, sweaters)
Wool processed to yarn
Flax production
Change water/irrigation
Growing wheat/grains and harvesting
Seed reproduction transplanting to garden
Bee keeping
Carpentry
Car care/ mechanics
Fruit Trees
Soil health
Cooking basics (molasses, vinegar, pickling, breads, mayonnaise, …)
Food drying
Quilting
Swordsmanship/knives
Archery
Tanning hides
Leather making
Coopering
Washing Clothes in bucket
Whittling
Masonry
Blacksmithing
Felling Trees and chopping wood
Animal husbandry
Plumbing
Electrical Work
Campfire cooking
First Aid
Sanitation
Water location
Desert/mountain survival
Crocheting
Tatting
Drying/smoking meat
Natural Cleaners
Wheel Making
Horse care
Trapping
Fire Building
Cement/Mud work

Going to Zion requires actual physical preparation. It is one more thing that I think is important in my Walk to Zion.

Walking to Zion: Spiritual Preparation

We know that in Zion dwells people who are, "of one heart and one mind, and dwel{l} in righteousness; and there {are} no poor among them." (Moses 7:18) In order to live there we must have hearts purified. What does this look like?

Before we discuss that we must understand what Brigham Young said that it doesn't look like. In speaking to the Saints he taught them why they were not allowed to stay in Jackson County. He said,

"Let them look at the beautiful land that the Lord would have given them if all had been faithful in keeping his commandments, and had walked before him as they should….the yoke of Jesus would have been easy and his burden would have been light, and that it would have been a delightful task to have walked in obedience to his commandments and to have been of one heart and one mind; but through the selfishness of some, which is idolatry, through their covetousness, which is the same, and the lustful desire of their minds, they were cast out and driven from their homes. We have been driven many times; but each time if they who professed to be the servants of God had served him with and undivided heart, they would have had the privilege of living in their houses, possessing their lands, attending their meetings and spreading abroad on the right and the left, lengthening the cords of Zion, and strengthening her stakes until the land had been dedicated to the Gospel of the Son of God." (JD 13:1)

D & C 101: 6-8 also speaks of these early saints,

"There were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.

"They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

"In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me."

We learn that the early saints possessed pride and idolatry. This is truly amazing to me. How were these wonderful pioneer men and women so full of these tendencies? I realize that if they possessed these faults then how great mine must truly be!!!! If they could not claim Zion, I am very, very far from it as well.
I learn from these quotes that in order to inhabit Zion there must be complete submission. There must be a complete removal of idols from my life.

In speaking of what we should be Brigham Young said,

"Let the people be holy, and the earth under their feet will be holy. Let the people be holy, and filled with the Spirit of God, and every animal and creeping thing will be filled with peace; the soil of the earth will bring forth in its strength, and the fruits thereof will be for man. The more purity that exists, the less is the strife…If the people will not serve the Devil another moment whilst they life, if this congregation is possessed of that spirit and resolution, here in this house is the Millennium." (JD 1:203)

"Let our anxiety be centered upon one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts, the purifying of our own affections, the preparing of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer." (JD 9:3)

I think we begin this quest for holiness by first, "Mak{ing} the Lord Jesus Christ the living center of your home." (Elder Scott, "He Lives! All Glory to His Name! May 2010). When Christ becomes the living center of our lives/homes (and we stop serving the Devil as President Young said) then we will focus on doing all in our power to obey and cleanse ourselves.

My personal experience has taught me that as I submit to "every word which proceed{s} forth out of the mouth of God" (Moroni 7:25) that He takes me where I need to be. I have seen this pattern repeated time after time. The problem of course is why don't I do it all the time? I have great days where I submit and I learn through the Spirit what my weakness are and how I can overcome them. Then there are other days when I don't want to listen and my mind and heart are focused on worldly thoughts and ideas. I realize in these moments that I am like the early Saints who were idolatrous and lustful. Each time I focus on something besides God I am worshiping another God.

That is why this journey is a' walking journey' built line upon line. If I go too fast I will fall. But if I am patient with myself I can repent and refocus day by day. President Young also says,

"Let us take a course to be saved today, and, when evening comes, review the acts of the day, repent of our sins, if we have any to repent of, and say our prayers; then we can lie down and sleep in peace until the morning, arise with gratitude to God, commence the labors of another day, and strive to live the whole day to God and nobody else." (JD 8:124)

In order to go through this process day by day, and live moment by moment by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God we must choose to exercise faith. Bishop Edgely said,

"Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours….If your faith is proven and mature, choose to nurture it "with great care"...It needs constant nourishment through continued scripture study, prayer, and the application of His word." (Bishop Edgley, "Faith the Choice Is Yours," November 2010).

Each moment and each day we need to strive to become more spiritually pure to dwell in Zion. Each day we need make sure our family is moving closer to that wholeness. We need to do things that bring the Spirit into our lives. Elder Bednar recently taught us we do all the right things so that we can have "the ongoing companionship of the Holy Ghost." (Elder Bednar, "Receive the Holy Ghost," November 2010).

We know what the right things are. Scriptures. Prayers. Church. Sacrament. Fasting. Service. Temple. But while we are doing those things we must make sure that we are allowing the Spirit to go through us and change us. We must be progressing day by day. We must make sure that we are casting off the natural man. We must see that we are releasing our pride, our vain ambitions, our idols, our pessimissim, our doubts…

So in my Walk to Zion I am striving to purify my heart in every way. I am striving to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. I am striving to Walk to Zion in Faith.

Walking to Zion

Through the years I have learned some important, life changing ideas. One idea is that I want to go to Zion. I feel that call today. Through the years I have learned little by little and bit by bit what this journey may consist of.

My husband and I have set some specific goals that we have been working on that I think are the key ideas and actions steps that we need to take so that we can make the journey to Zion; first in our own hearts, then as a family, and finally in an actual journey back to Missouri (whenever that call may come).

Brigham Young taught about Zion by saying,

"I wish to see this people take a course to bring back the days, years and intelligence that have been lost through transgression." (JD 8:62)

The scriptures speak of fleeing Babylon, but at the same time they caution us that the journey must not be made in haste. I think they mean we must literally flee Babylon but that the actual journey to Zion needs to include care, caution, and preparation. In D & C 133:15 the Lord says,

"Let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you; and he that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him."

But just as I must not run in haste, lest I trip and fall, I must still move, I must still go forward. I cannot loiter. So I have entitled these ideas and themes "Walking to Zion." I have to remind myself that this journey is slow-it's a walking pace. Slow and steady wins the race right?

Brigham Young says,

"Zion will not be redeemed and built up in a day. Israel will not be brought back to the fold of Christ and redeemed in a day." (JD 8:62)

In our fast food society we want the instantaneous results NOW. The Lord doesn't work this way. The Lord expects us to work line upon line and precept upon precept until we have arrived. King Benjamin taught,

"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient the he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." (Mosiah 4:27)

With patience we will build Zion.

So I invite you along on my journey to Zion by sharing with you some of our family's goals. I have written a blog post about each of these goals and ideas and will post them over the next week or so. I would love to hear your thoughts and insights as well. What does your journey to Zion look like? Here are our goals:

1. Spiritually Center Our Lives on Jesus Christ
2. Physical Prepare Ourselves
3. Understand Our Enemy That We May Reject Him
4. Remove the Shackles of Babylon From Our Lives
5. Restore the Role of Gender in Our Family

Some of these goals may seem obvious and others may seem strange. We have specifically worked on each of these the last several years have noticed changes in our thought patterns and in our spiritual growth. I invite you along on my "Walking to Zion" journey.

1839 Cookbook

Hello blogger friends.  Right now I am working on a series about Zion that hopefully I'll get posted soon.  I've written three of the six articles. 

I had a reader send this fabulous link for a 1839 Cookbook.   This will be an important resource for those of you trying to reclaim some lost arts in nutrition, cooking, meat preparing, food preservation, cleaning and home organization.

Thanks Jennifer.

Israel, Israel, God Is Calling

A couple of days ago we sang "Israel, Israel, God Is Calling," for our hymn before family prayers. The hymn hasn't left me since then. Of course I have sang this before, but this time it is working in me and speaking more directly to my soul.

Israel, Israel, God is calling, Calling thee from lands of woe.
Babylon the great is falling;God shall all her tow'rs o'erthrow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion Ere his floods of anger flow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion Ere his floods of anger flow.

Israel, Israel, God is peaking. Hear your great Deliv'rer's voice!
Now a glorious morn is breaking For the people of his choice.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, And within her walls rejoice.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, And within her walls rejoice.

Israel, angels are descending From celestial worlds on high,
And to man their pow'r extending, That the Saints may homeward fly.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, For your coming Lord is nigh.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, For your coming Lord is nigh.

Israel! Israel! Canst thou linger Still in error's gloomy ways?
 Mark how judgment's pointing finger Justifies no vain delays.
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Zion's walls shall ring with praise.
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Zion's walls shall ring with praise.
(Israel, Israel, God Is Calling Hymn #7)

It brings to mind the scripture in 3 Nephi 11: 3-7 when Heavenly Father is speaking to the Nephites and He calls to them three times before they hear His voice:

Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in who I have glorified my name-hear ye Him.

Today Christ is calling us. He calls and beckons us to come to Zion. He calls us from this land of woe, urging us to come to Him before the 'floods of anger flow." Hear His voice! Come to Zion! "Judgment's pointing finger justifies no vain delays." Come to Zion is the plea…..

The subject of Zion has been on my mind the last several years. The Doctrine in Covenants is full of scriptures commanding us to flee Babylon and flee TO Zion.

The urging for Zion rests deep in me and it calls to me. I have often wondered if this burning in my soul is similar to what the Saints felt who lived in England who had the overwhelming call to go to Utah and gather with the Saints.

Through the last couple of years I have found that my husband and I are not alone. This fire is burning in many others. I have noticed that many lives are changing. Choices to reject television, reject immodesty, reject public school, reject what is popular, etc…. In its place choices to learn to be self-reliant, to reclaim true womanhood and gender roles, to eat well, to spend hours in the scriptures, and to be around others of like mind.

It is swelling. What is happening? Israel, Israel, God is calling us! Will we go?

I have been reading Brigham Young's words from The Discourses of Brigham Young. He confirms many things that my husband and I have read, pondered and felt impressed about. Since I have a prophet to back me up I shall share what this journey to Zion looks like.

There is not one thing wanting in all the works of God's hand to make a Zion upon the earth when the people conclude to make it. (9:283)

When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his own house, he must take the lead in this good work, which it is impossible for him to do unless he himself possesses the spirit of Zion. Before he can produce the work of sanctification in his family, he must sanctify himself, and by this means God can help him to sanctify his family. (9:283)

Let our anxiety be centered upon one thing, the sanctification of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer. (9:3)

Those who are counted worthy to dwell with the Father and the Son have previously received an education fitting them for that society. (10:172)

We want all the Latter-day Saints to understand how to build up Zion. We have to build up Zion, if we do our duty. (10:172)

He will not send his angels to gather up the rock to build up the New Jerusalem...He has called upon us to do this work: and if we will let him work by, through, and with us, he can accomplish it; otherwise we will fall short, and shall never have the honor of building up Zion on the earth. (13:313) 

The work of building up Zion is in every sense a practical work; it is not a mere theory....Then let us not rest contented with a mere theoretical religion, but let it be practical, self-purifying and self-sustaining, keeping the love of God within us, walking by every precept, by every law, and by every word that is given to lead us. (9:284)
I have Zion in my view constantly.

Let us train our minds until we delight in that which is good, lovely and holy, seeking continually after that intelligence which will enable us effectually to build up Zion, which consists in building houses, tabernacles, temples, streets, and every convenience and necessity to embellish and beautify, seeking to do the will of the Lord all the days of our lives, improving our minds in all scientific and mechanical knowledge, seeking diligently to understand the great design and plan of all created things, that we may know what to do with our lives and how to improve upon the facilities placed within our reach. (10:177)

When are going back to Jackson County? Not until the Lord commands his people; and it is just as much as you and I can do to get ready to go when he commands us. (6:269)

This is just a small flavor of some of Brigham Young's discourses. We see that the journey to Zion begins in the hearts of each one of us. As the Lord teaches us the father then begins to build it within his family. Finally when the time is right and the people are prepared the Lord, through His prophet, will command us to return to Jackson County.

My husband recently exclaimed, "Why is it that the desire to build Zion burns so deeply in my heart? Everything I do is because I feel this burning to build Zion in our family?" A short time after that I read the above quote by Brigham Young that says that no one can built Zion unless he possess the "Spirit of Zion." So in a very real way the "Spirit of Zion" is burning in us.

Another interesting occurrence is in the lives of our youth and children.  As we have removed the influences of Babylon from our family our children have grown up much less untainted and immune to societal influences.  In their hearts burns the Spirit that is teaching them and preparing them.  Their hearts burn with desires to make cheese, raise a garden, wear dresses, eat healthy, reject processed food, skin animals, do physical labor, serve others, etc.  I see them rejecting evil and distraction.  I see them embracing self-preparedness, scripture study, and hard work.  The Lord is working in them!  They feel the desire to build Zion. We must allow them to do what God is leading them to and not distract them with workbook pages, twaddle books and societal expectations.  We must let them live!

Brigham Young said,

I wish to see this people take a course to bring back the days, years, and intelligence that have been lost through transgression.  (8:62)

Let them live.

May we each receive the "Spirit of Zion" and seek to build in your own hearts and in your own families. As we do the Lord will have a people prepared.

Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. D & C 133:10

Israel, Israel God Is Calling You!

Pheasant Anyone?

I've talked a lot about our family's desire to learn more farming/self-preservation skills. We are blessed to be a round a family that have immersed this way of life. We are always asking questions and learning. Sometimes we falter on the application though…(it's hard to work when you've been a 'lazy city girl' your entire life!)

On our recent visit to their house their dog killed a pheasant. They grow pheasants and have pheasants everywhere on their land so they graciously told us to take it home and eat it. Really, that's so sweet of you guys. (gag gag) My boys were really into this exciting prospect. What was I to say? So after some oral directions on how to pluck, skin and gut it we set off for home. When my oldest son (11 years) was gagging as they talked about this I determined that this had to be done. Time to 'do' instead of read and philosophize about self-reliance!

We made it home late that evening. It was 10 degrees. Mr. Patriot wasn't home yet so we decided to leave it in his car (that we had been using for the day) until he got home and we could ask him where he wanted it to be stored for the night. We ended up with last minute dinner guests who stayed really late and so the bird was forgotten.

Fortunately eight year old Leader remembered in the morning before Mr. Patriot went to work. Mr. Patriot was a little startled to learn there was "a dead bird in his car." There were lots of giggles.

Next thing I know the pheasant is defrosting in front of the space heater in the kid's room. Oh, I thought, this is going to be exciting. Later, after dinner (we eat dinner at noon) the kids set off to take care of business. I decided that the boys could go do their manly exploits while us woman folk stayed home.

They had to do the job in two sessions because it was so cold but they returned with the meat and proud of their exploits. I had told them to respect the poor animal and try to learn a little anatomy during the whole thing. They reported on what they learned.

Next came Liberty and I as we washed and cleaned the meat. We all called it a day after that left it in the refrigerator for dinner the next day. The boys said they were a little traumatized and worried they would have nightmares. But we had a good talk and we all made it through the night. : )

I do have to say that the pheasant feet that they are carrying around is grossing me out a little. I have to keep reminding them to keep the feathers in their cubby or take them outside. They have made some new arrows and restocked the feathers in their cowboy hats.

Liberty pulled out her Mt. Vernon cook book and fixed us up a delicious meal for noon the next day. We all ate it and were very somber about the whole thing.

The amazing thing was that I felt that we were doing the right thing. That may sound dumb, but we using the resources God had provided us. We weren't wasting. We were humble and appreciative, and we certainly didn't feel gluttonous!

Goals made: Learn more about plucking, skinning and gutting animals. Okay I should say 'do' more…..We are really good about learning about everything. We must do more. We are also going to start working on creating a chicken coop for at least layers this spring.

So there ends our little story about striving to return back to a 'whole life;' and a life prepared.

Recovering the Lost Arts

I am repeatedly hearing that the homemaking arts of sewing, crocheting, quilting, canning, gardening, etc. are dying out because they have not been passed on by the previous two or so generations. This knowledge was once held by virtually everyone. Not only did everyone know these skills three generations ago, but all were experts in these arts.

I have spoken at length to older members of my community (over 80 years old) about this and found that there was indeed a universal knowledge of all of these arts. "Of course I know how to do that, everyone in my generation did," seems to be the universal response among the people I have visited with.

As I have pondered on this through the years I have made an effort to teach my daughter these arts that are disappearing from the earth. I am far from proficient in them and some I don't even know. I have been seeking out older mentors not only for my daughter but also for me; that way I can help teach the next generation including my grandchildren. This requires a conscious effort.

In reflecting on this I've also realized that the basic arts for men are also fast fleeing our society as well. These arts would be: handling a gun, auto repair, animal husbandry (chickens, livestock, etc), home repairs and maintenance, farming, landscaping (fruit and ornamental trees), changing water, building and carpentry, woodworking, leatherworking, carving, etc. There are many things that go on this list. I've noticed that as a general rule more and more men are either not doing the above things or are outsourcing it when there is a problem in the home. These arts must be reclaimed as well.

I believe that these arts that are necessary, whether in the role of man or woman, have been downplayed and carefully removed by socialists from our society in an effort to reduce the impact made by those correctly living their gender role. This is done through the media and the feminist movement. The strong protector is now a "chauvinist pig" and the feminine female is now a "victim of white man supremacy who should take her 'rightful place' among the men in the workforce." Remember the goal of socialists is an amoral society. That means that not only do they remove morals but they create a society where there are not males and females, but a society that becomes "its." I believe that this goes back to Satan wanting us to be "miserable like unto himself." President Packer recently stated that "Satan is impotent." Therefore he doesn't want us to fulfill our gender roles since he cannot either.

Some thoughts from Joseph F. Smith from Gospel Doctrine page 344-347:

"And here, also, a word to parents who have daughters. Are you fitting them for the practical duties of mother and wife, that they may in due time go out and make homes what they should be? Or are you training your daughter to play the lady by making them accomplished in flourishes, and expert in ostentatious embellishments?....We should not fail to insist that they shall to do the practical things, and they do not despise the common labors of life. Any other course toward them is an injustice to the boys and girls, as well as to ourselves and the community in general.

"I believe the morals of the people will improve as skill in workmanship and productive labors is acquired. Parents, too, will find it easier to govern and control their children, if these are trained in usual manual labor…

"There are but a few of our boys who take the hammer to the anvil and to those pursuits of labor that are essential to the permanence of any community in the world and that are necessary to build up the country…

"I would like to say to this congregation, and to the world, that if I possessed millions of dollars I would not be satisfied or content in my mind unless my boys knew how to do something that would bring them in a living, how to handle a pitchfork, or to run a mowing machine or reaper, or how to plow the ground and sow the seed; nor would I be satisfied if my daughters did not know how to keep a house. I would be ashamed of my children if they did know something of these things. We need manual training in schools instead of so much booklearning and the stuffing of fairy tales and fables which are contained in many of our school books of today. If we would devote more money and time, more energy and attention to teaching our children manual labor in our schools than we do, it would be a better thing for the rising generation."

I am making a greater effort to recover the lost arts in our society by learning them myself and passing them on to my children. In this way I believe we will live fuller lives as we embrace and reclaim our inheritance.

More Information from our Prophets, Seers and Revelators on Socialism and the Constitution

As I mentioned previously the quote by President McKay which reads that parents need to include in the teaching of their children the "Open and forcible teaching of facts regarding communism as an enemy to God and to individual freedom," has caused my husband and I to reflect deeply.  It is not enough for us to simply know and understand communism/socialism but we must know it enough to teach and articulate it to our children.  Below I present some information that may help you begin to know more about it that so you may teach those in your stewardship.

Here is a YouTube video contrasting President Benson's message against socialism and President Obama's message today. It is almost 11 minutes long. At least watch from about 7:30 on...

This is also a YouTube video that is part of a talk by President Benson about "The Book of Mormon" and the secret combinations.  He correlates how these secret societs exist today in the form of socialism.  He references a book to read, "None Dare to Call it a Conspiracy" by Gary Allen. This book is amazing!  Here is a link to an on-line copy of the book.

Elder Romney gave a talk called, "Is Socialism the United Order?"  He actually gave this talk twice.  The first time at BYU (link here) and the second at the April 1966 Conference.  Here is a link and here is another link. I highly recommend reading this as this is a very good base to start with.

Elder Oaks gave a talk called, "The Divinely Inspired Constitution" that appeared in Ensign Feb 1992. Here is the the link from lds.org.