What is a Concerned Citizen to do?

The United States was founded on principles of hard work. Why? Because our forefathers understood that this is the way to go to bed at night and feel good. This is the way you provide for your family. This is the way to understand your worth and God's abilities.

Can you imagine sitting back and simply waiting for God to shower tons of blessings on you? Why on earth would He do that? True, His greatest gift He gave us is the grace of His Son Jesus Christ. NOTHING we do merits that gift, nor ever could. But the gifts of prosperity and abundance and the myriads of other things we desire...now that just might be a different matter.

The principle is easiest to understand when we think of a newborn. As much as we'd like her to avoid getting hurt while trying to walk, we also understand the concept of muscles. Muscles only get stronger when they are used. Our spirits, our talents, our work ethic only get stronger when used. If God rushed in every time we cried "This is too hard!", we'd never grow in the strength He desires that we have.

He is a God of strength and love and He is interested in our happiness. But the principle of engaging ourselves in a worthy cause is too great for Him to jeopardize. He weakens us if He does everything for us. There are principles found in the scriptures that speak over and over about the need to work (see Adam's admonishment received from the Lord).

Thus, it seems to me that free government handouts strike at the core of what the Lord lays out for His children. There is a better way. Speak to anyone who has received welfare assistance from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The difference between the Church's approach and perhaps other approaches is the expectation. The Lord's Church knows that there is divinity within each person. All are capable of mighty things. None deserve to be sitting in the "dirt" of life.

So, it's not that receiving assistance is wrong. No, not at all. The Lord knew that there would be differences amongst us on earth. Part of that is to test us. Will we reach out to others and care for the weary, the downtrodden, the hurt? Not only did Christ heal and help the sick and the afflicted, but he ALSO taught them how to get out of those situations. As a result, His Church uses this same approach. They know that each child of God is capable of contributing and works to help build them to a point of growth and self-sufficency.

Think about it. What does it say to an individual when somebody continues to gives her a free handout--over and over and over again, without ever helping her to become self-sufficient and growing in personal abilities? On some level, without expectations present, it dangerously says, "You're not capable. You are too weak to do any good in this community." While it might make those who are power-hungry feel good to lord this over the welfare individual, it certainly doesn't help her.

And what if those handouts go away? There is a story about seagulls who'd lived near a location where people fed them. This went on for generations of seagulls. The seagulls became weak and incapable of fishing. Eventually the people moved on and the seagulls died, surrounded by fish.

The Church welfare program recognizes that through service and work we all as individuals grow in feelings of self-worth, capability, and love. Thus, when welfare assistance is given with the Church (and it is given), there is belief in the individual receiving that aid.

I've seen this time and time again. For example, a woman finds herself stranded because her husband has left her. She has small children and no job. It's a frightening scenario.

There are two different approaches: the "check-of-the-month" program with no further help OR a "let-us-help-you-find-your-strengths" approach. While she is receiving encouragement, job training, and life skills, there is temporary assistance provided (a person has to eat, after all).

But here is where the difference lies. God-given assistance that feeds a family doesn't just feed them physically, but teaches them self-respect through doing, through working. The money is temporary while she's getting back on her feet. Speak with her three years later, and her face will glow as she speaks of gifts and talents and capabilities she's discovered as she became a contributing member to society.

And that is where the difference rests. The dole has an addicting effect. It brings about malaise. But when you elevate a person by helping them find their God-given talents and their unique way to bless their community through work, that is when you aid a human being for life. That is when self-respect enters in. And that, my friends, is priceless. Those receiving such aid will tell you it helped them grow in their knowledge of who they are and their great worth. It didn't weaken them.

In today's world, I wonder what our Founding Fathers would think as they viewed all the "entitlement" programs being proliferated throughout the United States. Just the word itself implies the opposite of humility. When we begin to believe we are "entitled" to something, hmmm, where does that lead?

The answer is not in entitlement spending by the government, nor in government takeovers. The answer lies in the Savior and Redeemer of this world, Jesus Christ, and His teachings. If people were to follow Him, they would busy themselves working to serve their neighbor. They would be lifting burdens and feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison. Saturate a country with government "entitlement" programs and you squelch all possibilities for self-choice, self-worth, and self-growth.

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To learn more about living a provident lifestyle and how you can help the downtrodden, visit Provident Living.

By Their Fruits

I was reading in Matthew today and came across these familiar verses:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

The founding fathers gave us much information on the constitution of good government. Some leaders today fail to understand the wisdom of the Bill of Rights, the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence, and the power for freedom proscribed in the U.S. Constitution.

Leaders who are willing to remove these liberties frighten me. They may speak pretty words, thus deceiving many. But their fruits eventually will be seen and can be tracked by their voting records.

It would behoove those who love America to understand the wisdom of the founding fathers and to understand what they established quite carefully, through vigorous debate, and with willing personal sacrifice.

One of the best ways for us to begin, those of us who are the founding fathers' benefactors, is to study carefully the Declaration of Independence. Notice the individual statements. Take time to ponder each one (maybe take one each day to muse on during the day).

The Declaration of Independence was written by bold men who knew what it was like to face death down in a valiant pursuit of eternal liberty. We aren't engaged in a literal physical battle. But the fight for rights waged back then must never be forgotten.

Pocket sized Constitutions

When have you last read the U.S. Constitution? If you're an American citizen, I hope it was recently. I'm ashamed to confess, though, this hasn't been on the top of my reading list until recently.

And just yesterday I found the coolest thing! It's a pocket sized, laminated little thing made by QuickMarks. I picked one up for less than $5 and now whenever I'm standing in line anywhere, I can pull it out and read about the rights my country's founding fathers died to give me. Pretty cool, huh!

The Law of the Harvest

Today's quote:

"One of the distinguishing characteristics of our world is that it is a place of law and order, and the basic law of creation is God's fundamental law of compensation. It says that all work must be paid for, that we can no more do a good thing without sometime, in some way receiving a reward, than we can do an evil thing without suffering a penalty.

"In everything that we do, including the very thoughts that we think, we are subject to this interesting, undeviating eternal law. It is just as universal in its operation as are the laws of gravity, electricity, light or heat. It is never set aside, it is never suspended or restricted, and it governs in every department of human activity. Nothing is ever denied well-directed effort and nothing is ever achieved without it (Sterling W. Sill, The Law of the Harvest, 11).

I look at our nation today, and the nations in other areas, and I wonder how well the citizens understand this divine law in action. We have been given choice for each 24 hour period of our lives. What we choose either contributes to the lives of others and ourselves, or it detracts or even destroys. And at some point, what we send out will come back -- with ourselves on the receiving end.

The more we study the principles of good government, the more we can follow in the footsteps of men like George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, etc. We can make a difference in serving the cause of freedom. I used to think this would be a boring process, but the more I pour myself into the study of the principles they fought for, the more it enriches my life. Not boring at all!

Were these men without flaw? Not at all. That's what makes their sacrifice for noble causes even more amazing to me. It doesn't take a perfect man, woman or child to make a beautiful difference in the lives of their fellow human beings. It just takes one who is willing to make the effort. And that, my friends, is the law of the harvest in action. Without planting the seed, there will be no plant.

And without studying the lives and purposes of our Founding Fathers, how will we recognize the brilliance of what they've left us. A plant not watered is a plant soon withering and gone. Who will sustain our Founding Fathers efforts? I invite you to join with me to study the time-honored gift they've given to the world. Freedom is a noble principle. We do not need be flawless to be its friend and conveyor.

The Code of the Good American

I found an old book recently in a used bookstore (sometimes these stores are our society's most priceless of jewels). Published in 1941, the book is called The American Citizens Handbook.

The book's author quotes William J. Hutchins' 1916 text, "The Code of the Good American." Mr. Hutchins' words are rather urgent for us as Americans today. Have we strayed far since his words nearly 100 years? It's important to remember not to injure another, whether in word or in deed.

Here are his words:
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THE LAW OF SELFCONTROL

"The Good American Controls Himself. "Those who best control themselves can best serve their country.

• "I will control my tongue, and will not allow it to speak mean, vulgar, or profane words. I will think before I speak. I will tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
• "I will control my temper, and will not get angry when people or things displease me. Even when indignant against wrong and contradicting falsehood, I will keep my selfcontrol.
• "I will control my thoughts, and will not allow a foolish wish to spoil a wise purpose.
• "I will control my actions. I will be careful and thrifty, and insist on doing right.
• "I will not ridicule nor defile the character of another; I will keep my selfrespect, and help others to keep theirs."
  

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That kind of says it all, doesn't it?