Our Freedom

I was blog hopping and came upon this post ( below ). I am not one to talk about politics or argue about them with people. But as I read this post, I was really touched. I hope on Tuesday that Americans will remember why we are FREE and why we are able to vote, and make the right decesion. Thank you Jill for your words.

The task ahead of you is never as great as the power behind you.
I read many blogs, not just the average "mommy blog" talking about what they made for dinner last night {even though they are my fav!}. I read all kinds, even political ones. I want to get lots of opinions and facts from people of all walks of life. Just the other day I read a long blog exploit about how its such a great thing to NOT vote as our fathers have voted "way to not vote like your daddy" were the words, I believe. At first I was like, ya, way to be a thinker! But as the days go by and the election draws near, I have this thought that keeps entering my mind. Our FATHERS, our "daddys", thier fathers and thier fathers before them made our country. The freedoms they knew we needed, the freedoms we wanted! People came and still come to AMERICA to have the freedoms our forefathers voted for, the freedoms our "daddys" gave us. As I get older, I realize it's us kids that always screw it up. I'm talking in generals here, there are things we need to vote on that our fathers didn't even have to consider. That's the world we live in. All I'm saying is that Inspired men, our fathers, drew up our constitution, our independence. Our father's fought for our right to be here, to write on our blogs. Our father's gave thier lives for us to vote like they did. So here's to us to think it's alright to vote like our daddys!So in this election, I encourage you to vote for what is right, not for what is most popular-even if it is voting like your daddy. Obviously, I'm a Republican {like my daddy} and although I'm not a fan of John McCain, I do feel STRONGLY that voting for him is a much better option. Barack Obama has too many secrets, too many questions avoided. He's too popular, and that's always a red flag to me. When other countries are telling Americans who to vote for, when celebrities are telling us who to vote for {most of which don't even live in reality....} it should send up a RED flag to anyone with a brain. American is the greatest county, leave if you think it's not. I can't tell you how passionate I am about my right to vote, and about my right to tell anyone who I'm voting for and why. The values that made our country, the values of our fathers is who I'm voting for. I'll never vote for anyone who wants to take away our indepenence and make us dependent upon the government. That's why our forefathers came here in the first place, Independence.

There's my rant. I'm not much to make an argument and I'm sure just about anything I say can be torn to shreds in a second, but I'm happy to have the right to say it.

Also....

My brother Rustin sent our family a talk given my Boyd K. Packer, he talks alot about the world we are facing in the future. ( It is long, but worth reading, I cut some of it out to make it shorter)

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesSpeaking at the Forest Bend Ward, Salt Lake City UT Sunday, October 12, 2008'

Even though I regularly have the opportunity to attend Fast and Testimony meeting, I don't usually stand to speak. But today, I feel moved upon by the Spirit to share a message.Last weekend's General Conference was different than any before. We felt that down at Church Headquarters and have been talking about it all week. We live in troubled times. There is great financial crisis and we've seen something that hasn't happened in the last 60 years: the world's financial markets are collapsing. I was six years old when the Great Depression began: the 10th of 11 children. My father was a mechanic and times were difficult for all of us. Many familieswere suddenly out of work all at once.

In the Great Depression, people were frightened and growing more so. They began to be very resourceful. They had to be. Looking forward, we're all going to learn that lesson, one way or another.The Church is in excellent condition. You don't need to worry about that. But as individuals we will face difficulty. Some will come to the Bishop seeking financial aid and counsel.

Learn to apply the old Pioneer adage - 'Eat it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without.' We're going to have to learn to do without. Again, 'Eat it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without.'Even if we have the resources, we need to do more to be thrifty. Others will rely on us. The Church will rely on us. It is our responsibility and duty to be caring for ourselves, our family,and those around us. Be watching for need. Set something by that we can be of help to others when the time comes. Trust in the counsel of our wise elders/older people.

Those who need our help may not always ask us.It's about time the Lord taught us a lesson. A great catastrophe is coming. Now I probably shouldn't say that because then it will happen. But it is going to happen. That's what it will taketo turn our hearts to the Lord. And we will learn from it.Our prayers will be different, less selfish. The scripture says 'If ye are prepared, ye need not fear.' Renew your prayers. You can [also] think a prayer. Carry a prayer in your heart throughout the day. Learn to pray for that which is of worth. Another scripture says '.do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.' (2 Nephi 9:51) That can be applied both spiritually [to prayer] and physically. Use what we have. If something is broken, fix it. Our young people are going to see different times than what they are used to. To you teenagers, your life will be different. Things are changing. You will have todo without some of the things you are used to expecting. Don't be afraid. Change your life to do without the extravagances and luxuries that you've expected.Learn to pray. There's a difference between `saying prayers' and praying. A wonderful time is coming - it's not going to be easy, and it's not going to be short. But don't be afraid. It's an apostolic calling to teach the gospel to every nation, people and tongue. They'll know what to do and will lead and counsel where they are called.Take care of what we've got. Begin to save. The rainy day is coming. Reset our expectations. Give up selfishness. Wickedness is all around us. In today's world, it's not safe for children to be outside alone. We need to be ever watchful. We need to protect ourselves from the wickedness, avarice, and greed in the world.Read the scriptures and the revelations. The guidance and counsel are there. Read with new eyes, and the scriptures, the Book of Mormon, will take on new meaning.

As President Bush and world leaders gather in the coming week and the weeks ahead, there will be no easy answers or solutions. Hard times are ahead and it's difficult for them to see what to do. It's important to listen to the Sprit. We are led by prophets and apostles. We can see ahead. We can be and are prepared.I pronounce upon you an Apostolic blessing. Comfort our children. Little children can be afraid of things we might not think of. Comfort them and strengthen our families. Turn off the television and focus on family. Pay your tithing. The promise is there - pay your tithing and you'll be watched over. You'll be alright. None of us is exempt from trials. If hard times come upon you and your income dwindles, remember that tithing is equitable for everyone: 10%. If you have nothing, then it's 10% of practically nothing. Pay your tithing, do what you're supposed to do. You'll be comforted.Sure trials will come. Because of them, faith will increase. Happiness will increase. Security will increase. You'll be glad to be alive at this time. It's a good time to be living. To be raising children. I leave this testimony, counsel, and blessing with you in the holy name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.'