Mindy Tyler Cam & Jane: January 2008

Freedom Quotes

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
John Adams

"The (individual) growth required by the gospel occurs only in a culture of individual effort and responsibility. It cannot occur in a culture of dependency. Whatever causes us to be dependent on someone else for decisions or resources we could provide for ourselves weakens us spiritually and retards our growth toward what the gospel plan intends us to be."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks

The Truth...

...About GOOD VS. EVIL: How do we tell the difference?

I started a study about a year ago. I was thinking of how we're told in these last days good will be called evil and evil called good. I was also thinking of how those who stand for good things are often portrayed as anything but, and those who secretly (or not so secretly) stand for bad/immoral, etc. things are either lifted up or they have such a way with words that they are able to trick even the best of us. History is replete with examples of both. So while history can often be skewed based on who wrote the history books, so to speak, I turned the ultimate authority of the scriptures for my study. My study was conducted in the Book of Mormon (although such a study could be conducted in any book of scripture with similar results) and over the past year while reading it, I pulled out and documented every instance of the following that I could find. Because I am not perfect, there may be more that I missed.

Instances of evil doers being popular/tricky
-King Noah and his priests use flattery and lead people to much wickedness: Mosiah 11:7
-Samuel the Lamanite points out contrasting examples (see other side below in next section); "flattery," no consequences for actions: Helaman 13:27-28
-inspired men testify boldly, and lawyers and chief judges, high priests are very angry because of; prophets are put to death secretly: 3 Nephi 6:20-23
-Secret combinations tribe leader Jacob flatters to gain dissenters: 3 Nephi 7:12
-Rebellious Alma the younger a "man of many words" and does "speak much flattery" causing people to commit iniquity: Mosiah 27:8, 26:6
-Sherem is "learned," has a "perfect knowledge of the language," uses "flattery and much power of speech" to "overthrow the doctrine of Christ": Jacob 7:4
-Zeezrom, the "most expert" of lawyers tries to catch Alma and Amulek with tricky words for money: Alma 10:31-32; all ch. 11
-Korihor leads away the hearts of many by teaching Anti-Christ doctrine: Alma 30:12-18
-Amalikiah leads away by flattering words and promises for power; seeks to be king and destroy foundations of liberty: Alma 46:1-10

Instances of prophets/good people being accused of bad things
-Abinadi called contentious/wanting to stir up anger: Mosiah 11:28
-Nephi, son of Helaman, called a liar and said to "condemn" and "revile" against the law: Helaman 8:1-6
-Samuel the Lamanite points out contrasting examples (see other side in above section); testifies of iniquity, is called "sinner," "devil," "false prophet": Helaman 13:26
-Samuel the Lamanite is said to have a devil: Helaman 16:6
-Lachoneus is called wicked by Giddianhi, leader of Gadianton robbers: 3 Nephi 3:10
-inspired men testify boldly, and lawyers and chief judges, high priests are very angry because of; prophets are put to death secretly: 3 Nephi 6:20-23
-Prophet Ether "esteemed as naught" and cast out: Ether 13:13
-Lehi is mocked and the wicked are angry with him because of his prophecies; other prophets treated similarly: 1 Nephi 1:19-20
-Lehi and Nephi are said by Laman and Lemuel and co. to be foolish, trying to gain power over and rule over others:
-Alma and Amulek thrown into prisons and have their lives threatened because of their preaching: Alma 8:31
-Korihor claims church leaders/priests seek to usurp power over the people: Alma 30:23-31

I wanted to share this with everyone because I want to stress that sometimes people are not what they seem and that we need to be careful to support and follow the right people, politically and otherwise. We as good people cannot afford to be tricked. This is especially important with elections coming up in November. Since we can obviously not always rely on someone's words, either their own representation or someone else's opinion of them, or popular culture/media's representation of a person, how do we decide who is "the real deal?" Who is really good? How can we avoid being tricked? I came up with a couple of good answers.

First, we can know someone's true character by their "fruits."
3 Nephi 14:17-18 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
So in terms of at least politicians, what are their voting records? What do they support with their actions, not words? Do they live an honest personal/family life? (Yes, I absolutely believe integrity in one's personal life has everything to do with public life as it is pure evidence of their true character.) Don't look at how one talks the talk, look at how they walk the walk.

Second, we've been given the power to judge for ourselves and with the Lord's help we can come to correct conclusions.
D&C 9:8 "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
This translates to me as "do your homework." I promise that "evil doers" have hidden their real intent and messages very well. You actually have to put in the work, study and research. Do more than passively hear one newscaster's assessment. Get the whole story. Spend the time. Then ask the Lord. It's a promise.

…About SECRET COMBINATIONS

The freedoms of the United States were divinely instituted by men raised up to that task. Today we are either distracted or have forgotten how fragile freedom is and cannot even fathom life without it. I would like to strongly suggest that there are evil forces at work bent on getting money and power at the expense of our freedom. And they have their people in our government, the media, and our corporations. Sure, you can call it a conspiracy theory if that makes you more comfortable, but to help illustrate my point and to show that I am not crazy, I am going to use the ultimate source, at least for LDS readers, The Book of Mormon. And while reading, remember the book was written specifically for us in our day. In fact, I have never been so terrified of what is happening today while reading Helaman through Ether as I was this last time around.

1. Yes they exisit: Secret Combinations/Gadianton Robbers will be among the Gentiles(us). Mormon 8; 2 Ne 26:20,22

2. These organizations will gain advantages because of people’s iniquities. 3 Ne 2:18

3. They hold positions of power and prominence: The organizations have their people fill government seats to usurp power and authority. Hel 7:4; 8:1, 27-28

4. Yes it is possible: Governments have been destroyed by secret combinations. 3 Ne 7:6,9

5. No nation is immune from the unthinkable: These combinations caused the complete destruction of both the Nephites and Jaredites. Hel 2:13; Ether 8:18,21

6. These were not organizations that destroyed from without, they destroyed from within; Nephites supported the combinations and united with them. Hel 6:38, 7:25

7. Fortunately, they can be rooted out: the Lamanites completely eradicated them from their society. Hel 6:37

8. A warning and hope for us: Unless the people repent they will not be delivered from the Gadianton Robbers. 3 Ne 3:15

9. Watch this video by President Benson

Don’t underestimate what is most likely happening. But don’t underestimate what you plus millions of good people just like you are capable of. Think about it. THEN ACT!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Car Seat Lover

So, Cameron has colic and he gets very fussy at night. And lately there's only one thing we can do to settle him down--put him in his car seat and swing it around while we stand and watch TV or something. Not only that, he is also not wanting to sleep in his crib at nap time or night time--he'll wake up after 10 minutes and cry and the process will repeat itself several times until I just give up and put him in his car seat and then he'll sleep like an angel! Well, they say that car seats give babies flat heads, but if there's one thing I've learned about being a parent, it's that if it works, do it. It may not be ideal, but if it works, do it!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Journey to "Mother"

I thought I would write a little about my journey to motherhood.

Here's me after my last day of work at KPMG in Salt Lake. It was Thursday, 6 December. I actually stopped a day earlier than planned due to my braxton hicks contractions getting more uncomfortable. So here's me, bracing for the upcoming change in my life. The glamorous life of business would have to wait, for now!

The next day, Tyler and I took some well given advice and went out for our last night on the town without a baby or without worrying about a babysitter. Even though we were trying to save money, we went to Ottavio's to eat a yummy dinner together and enjoyed what we knew would most likely be the last night of it being just the two of us. The end of one era and beginning of another!

Monday morning, after a Sunday spent working until 2 am on a scale model house for one of Tyler's finals that he wanted to get done before the baby came, I woke up at 9 am to discover my water had broken! What impecible timing too, considering I had been developing painful muscle spasms in my legs because of all the pressure. Can't you tell why? I quickly showered while Tyler packed my bag. We were on our way to Orem Community Hospital in an hour! (And yes, I did just post a picture of my naked stomach, and yes, I know it looks wierd. But that's a 9 lb 4 oz baby in there!)

After 19 hours of labor, our sweet Cameron came to us! This picture was taken about 6 hours after he was born. He was born at 4 am and by 6 am they had taken him to the nursery so I could sleep a little. I still remember when they wheeled him in to me in his little plastic hospital crib at 10 so he could eat. I was so excited to see him! I couldn't believe that sweet little baby was mine. That morning was very special as it was just us new parents with our sweet new baby.

Now my days are spent mostly inside our little house with my sweet Cameron making sure his every need is attended to. I like this picture because it epitomizes my days--clean laundry needing to be folded, bed needing to be made, and me trying to get some makeup on now that he is sleeping and I can set him down for a moment.

But it is all worth it at moments like this one when you peek in on your sleeping baby and your heart just melts. Or when they look up at you with their innocent eyes or smile when they recognize you are holding them.

Babies are such a miracle! I can't believe Heavenly Father gives everyone the chance to have them.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Batman

When at home with a very new baby who doesn't interact much yet, you have to think of interesting ways to play with them, hoping you're entertaining them and somehow stimulating their brain. Well, Batman Begins was on the TV the other night and we decided to fly Cameron around the room and say he was Batman! Does anyone see the similarities?

Who knows what Cameron thought about it all... We sure thought it was funny though!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Tub Cub!

Thankfully for us, Cameron likes his baths! Tyler gave him one the other day in which he didn't cry from start to finish (finish being out of the tub, dry with lotion on, and in his diaper!) These are pictures Heidi took of him when she was here in December. I think they are so cute, this first one I could just die for! Thanks Heidi!

And for those of you who are wondering, the Tub Cub is what he's laying on. Although daddy calls him "baby bear" so I suppose he could be a tub cub too!