Snail Hollow Gazette

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Gold: A Cautionary Tale

Prompted by discussion about gold, I am reminded of my own exploits searching for that elusive ore. Many times in wanders about the Wild West I dreamed about stubbing my toe on that big nugget that would make me rich. I was never selfish or self-centered about my dreaming - I always intended to share the wealth with my friends.

Well, it never has happened, but hope springs eternal - right? I have found numerous sites with ore that contains bits of that yellow metal, but never was ambitious enough to be a miner. The most promising was in the mountains of eastern Oregon, which seemed likely because men have already mined in all these spots and carted away. Mostly it was ore that would cost more to mine and process than the gold yield would be worth. Anyway, I'm not dead yet, I still have a chance!

Gold stories also remind me of the stories about Bishop Koyle and his prophetic dreams about a fabulous cache of hidden gold in the mountains above Spanish Fork, Utah, details of which were revealed to him directly from the Angel Moroni.

Koyle was excommunicated in 1947, along with a number of his closest friends, but adherents have never abandoned the idea that the Relief Mine will someday bring salvation to the Church. Many sympathetic stories about Bishop Koyle and his dreams are found at "http://www.reliefmine.com/".

Interestingly enough, Koyles followers persist. They have amassed a significant enclave in the mountains above Spanish Fork.

Koyle loyalists maintain that Bishop Koyle was tricked into signing a false document repudiating his claims, but then the General Authorities excommunicated him anyway.

Because the General Authorities had consummated their cleverly conceived placard, the Bishop realized that he had been exploited and betrayed. The full impact of what he had done by signing that directive was now clear to him. Under coercion and threats, he had put his trust in the arm of flesh--the General Authorities--and now he suffered the curse. Remorse and regret are the consequences of sin, and now came the Godly sorrow that only repentant sinners know. His grief nearly brought, him to death.

The stalwart followers still believe that the great wealth that still lies hidden in the Relief Mine will come forth at the crises and save the day. They believe that the American people are to be punished for their great wickedness, and that the body of the Church is in apostasy as they disagree with the inspired prophecies of Bishop Koyle.

Some of them mourn that America is so lost in evil and depravity that they are no longer capable of discerning between what is good or bad.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Utah Traditional Marriage Support

Today in Salt Lake City, supporters of homosexual marriage staged a protest rally at the Utah State Capitol. There were reports in the Deseret News and the SL Trib.

I for one have had enough of watching this happen without adding my own voice to the political scene. I oppose the legalization of homosexual "marriage", I support the promotion of traditional marriage between a man and a woman, and am not convinced that these practices violate any man's rights or constitute any compromises to personal freedom. We are not obligated to sit quiet and allow our own rights to be compromised, just because we constitute the greatest majority in Utah. We can no longer tolerate being silenced by the angry demands of a few.

I have expressed my beliefs and concerns on this blog page, and would welcome any ideas or suggestions that might contribute to this cause. I believe it is time for a public rally to express the beliefs that the majority of good people uphold in Utah and around this great country.

Homosexual supporters and activists reported gathering more than 58,000 signatures on petitions - some reportedly even from Utah - asking the Governor not to appeal a District Court decision legalizing homosexual "marriage".

"I care about love, just like the rest of you, that's why I did this", one of the organizers explained.

The reports actually indicate that up to 1,000 supporters attended the rally at the Capitol.

Homosexuals continue their assault on traditional marriage with the demand that same-sex unions be legally regarded as equivalent to traditional marriage between a man and woman. Legal challenge of the Utah state law that establishes traditional marriage by statute is what brought this situation forward. By their own idiosyncratic definition, they justify perverted behavior by perverting the true meaning of "love".

The term obviously means different things to different people. In the October 2013 General Conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks reiterated traditional LDS doctrine - our first love is commanded to be for God, and we are commanded to have no other Gods.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:36-37)

Jesus declared plainly his definition of love.

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

Elder Oaks elaborates.

Our twelfth article of faith states our belief in being subject to civil authority and “in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” But man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. Commitment to our highest priority—to love and serve God—requires that we look to His law for our standard of behavior. For example, we remain under divine command not to commit adultery or fornication even when those acts are no longer crimes under the laws of the states or countries where we reside. Similarly, laws legalizing so-called “same-sex marriage” do not change God’s law of marriage or His commandments and our standards concerning it. We remain under covenant to love God and keep His commandments and to refrain from serving other gods and priorities—even those becoming popular in our particular time and place.

Elder Oaks' counsel suggests to me that the citizens of the State of Utah have obligation to legally promote God's standard of morality. This would include participation and support like that organized for the California Prop 8 campaign.

I have written here previously about legislating morality. Latter-day Saints are prompted by their ideals and their doctrine to support and promote laws that reflect our understanding of God's laws and commandments.

I believe it is a time to stand for something. Millions of Utah citizens have made sacred covenants with God to uphold righteous causes. Perhaps a representative sample of supporters should organize to gather in Salt Lake and other civic centers around Utah, to counterbalance the expression of those few hundred at this "gay" rally. What is at stake may well impinge upon the future welfare of our families.

We are people of peace. We are followers of the Christ who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty (see Alma 48:10) (Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2001 General Conference address).

I will attempt to develop this idea further. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.

The Truth Shall Make You Free

From my perspective, one of the missions of the Church is to teach the World the message of the Gospel. The pure source of Truth is not to be found in the World. If there is any secret conspiracy of evil, the primary goal must be to entice information seekers to believe in and invest their confidence in that which is not Truth.

The promise of Jesus is that knowing the truth brings us freedom.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

Is it a mistake to base our actions and convictions on these Worldly information sources? What sort of freedom is in jeopardy? What kind of bondage do we risk?

Judging by most behavior, common sentiment is that as long as the World tends to align with our own personal notions and standards, we can find this to be justifiable and sufficient for our needs. We rely on these information sources and make our own judgements and decisions based on the flawed and biased information that was crafted specifically with the intent to deceive.

Perhaps we feel justified in forming positive or negative impressions of those we ought to rather regard as peers, so long as we continue to select from these biased sources that appear to support our arguments.

Some seem to be strongly inclined to trust information sources even far less reputable than the mainstream, apparently with this very rationale.

Counsel from the Church seems to belie the prudence of such tendencies.

We must not seek guidance from the world, and if our true identity has been clouded by mistakes or sins, we can change. We can turn around and repent and return to virtue. We can climb above the willows. The Savior’s Atonement is for you and for me. He invites each of us to come unto Him. (Elaine S. Dalton, “Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord”)

Some Church leaders admonish us to get as far away as possible from the influences of the World.

Above all, start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you. As those battling something like alcoholism know, the pull of proximity can be fatal. So too in moral matters. Like Joseph in the presence of Potiphar’s wife, just run—run as far away as you can get from whatever or whoever it is that beguiles you. And please, when fleeing the scene of temptation, do not leave a forwarding address. (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul")

The scriptural guidance is we continue our efforts to bring truth to the knowledge and understanding of men.

For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—
Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—
These should then be attended to with great earnestness. (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12)

In light of this understanding, some political theories seem less than consistent.

Thursday, January 09, 2014

The Best Time To Plant a Tree

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.

In this month's Ensign, President Uctdorf counsels,

Now is the best time to start becoming the person we eventually want to be—not only 20 years from now but also for all eternity. (January 2014 Ensign, First Presidency Message)

I have long resisted the idea of making "New Years Resolutions", just because it is January. It strikes me as rather arbitrary rationale. But I do see that there is merit in the idea of considering the present as a good launching point. And I am quite accomplished at procrastination, so this is particularly pertinent counsel for me to consider.

I am reminded of an occasion several years ago, when there arose an issue of some controversy here in Provo. The administrators at BYU had invited vice-president Dick Cheney to be the guest speaker at the commencement ceremony. Some people decided that they didn't care for him, and they tried to organize protests and political sort of stuff in an attempt to block him from speaking. It never amounted to much more than another superficial media fest, and Cheney delivered a nice speech, despite the controversy.

One point that intrigued me at the time was one of Cheney's private insights of wisdom that he shared. I have remembered it. He said that he had never intended to become involved in politics in the first place. It was never one of his life ambitions. But unexpected things kept springing up, as they do through the course of life, presenting him with many unique opportunities. He said that setting goals was the enabling factor that prepared him to take advantage of these opportunities, when they became available. When Mr. Bush unexpectedly called him up one day with an invitation to join with him on the presidential ticket, Mr. Cheney said was ready.

Mr. Cheney made reference to the military aphorism that "no battle plan ever survives the first contact with the enemy". But, he asserted, he made careful plans anyway, because they enabled him to make good, intelligent choices, rather than just reacting or not. It makes the difference between informed choice and a galvanic response. One is considered, the other is just an automatic knee-jerk.

President Uctdorf assures us that setting goals is a "worthy endeavor", and that procrastination can "derail" our best efforts.

Sometimes the thing that holds us back is fear. We might be afraid that we won’t succeed, that we will succeed, that we might be embarrassed, that success might change us, or that it might change the people we love.

And so we wait. Or give up. (Ibid)

Attempting to withdraw from the struggle is obviously not the best outcome. It is well worth the effort to press on with our intended goals despite adversity. Another advantage of advance planning...

We almost certainly will fail—at least in the short term. But rather than be discouraged, we can be empowered because this understanding removes the pressure of being perfect right now. It acknowledges from the beginning that at one time or another, we may fall short. Knowing this up front takes away much of the surprise and discouragement of failure. (Ibid)

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Consequences of immorality

It is contrary to the order of heaven for any soul to be locked into compulsive, immoral behavior with no way out!

It is consistent with the workings of the adversary to deceive you into believing that you are. (Boyd K. Packer, 1986 General Conference address)

Along our way we are aided in our choices through the sustaining influence of the Spirit. Now, if we choose to act contrary to the light and understanding that we have, we will experience a bad conscience, which of course does not feel good. But a bad conscience is a blessing in that we immediately are reminded that it is time to repent. When we are humble and desire to do what is right, we will be anxious to act promptly to change our ways, while those who are proud and who may seek “to become a law unto [themselves]” (D&C 88:35) will allow Satan to lead “them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever” (2 Nephi 26:22) unless the spirit of repentance enters their hearts. To follow evil influences can never result in a feeling of peace simply because peace is a gift from God and it only comes through the Spirit of God. “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). (Per G. Malm, 2010 General Conference address)

We are people of peace. We are followers of the Christ who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty (see Alma 48:10). (Gordon B. Hinckley, 2001 General Conference address)

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe. (2 Nephi 1:13)

Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land.

O
 that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us;
 for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery, and 
we cannot hold them.

Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great. O Lord, canst thou not turn away thine anger from us? And this shall be your language in those days.

But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head. (Helaman 13:32-38)

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Happy New Year!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Messiah

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)