LDS Freedom Forum

At the 2 July 2009 Provo, Utah Freedom Festival, Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, stated: "And now we face a danger greater than any of the wars we have faced. To honor the Constitution and to honor freedom is a sacred duty for all of us. I invoke the blessing on you who are doing this sacred work that you will keep it up, and that in due time the challenges that we face now from within can be conquered so that this nation may remain free."

What are some things we can do ourselves and encourage others to do to better comply with that duty in this critical hour for America and secure the blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in Heaven?

1.) What is the great danger we now face that threatens our freedoms?

2.) What actions can we take to conquer the threat to, and prevent (further) loss of our freedoms?

3.) How can we honour the U.S. Constitution?

I'm hoping for a variety of answers that I can present to some members as yet unconcerned about these issues.

1) Government violation of privacy (e.g., Arizona SB1070)
2) Make lots of noise (which I'm not doing, admittedly)
3) Read it critically and thoughtfully.

Thanks for the post.

As to number one - please read my other post where I posted a 5-page of quotes from Cleon Skousen's The Naked Capitalist (General discussion), a good start at recognizing the threat to us. There are other excellent reading materials

As to number two - vote intelligently, which usually means not voting for eithr democratic or republican candidate in elections, rather pick Consitutional Partt candidates or other similar party candidates. Get out of debt. Store life sustaining essentials. Pray.

As to number three - learn of the principles that guided the Founders. Read Skousen's 5,000 Year Leap, and other such materials. Do personal study to offest the 12+ years each of us have endured via the public [government] school system.

1, Us

2 understand what we are doing to destroy freedom and stop doing it. have some guts to actually be an example of the believer

3 see #2

3.) to the question "How can we honour the U.S. Constitution?"

I like these excerpts from President Benson, October 1987 General Conference:

"First and foremost, we must be righteous." I'll venture to suggest that includes obeying all God's commandments, including the one in D&C 88:79 to educate ourselves on what has been and what is now going on in the world, the one in D&C 98:4-7 to "befriend that law which is the constitutional law of the land", and the one in Ether 8:21-26 to awaken to and oppose the works of the secret combinations.

"Second, we must learn the principles of the Constitution in the traditon of the Founding Fathers." I like Chip's suggestion that we "...learn of the principles that guided the Founders. Read Skousen's 5,000 Year Leap, and other such materials."

"Third, we must become involved in civic affairs to see that we are properly represented." This reminds me of the story told by Ezra Taft Benson at a BYU devotional in 1966 about a non-LDS man who suggested to him that certain local church leaders be released from their callings so they could participate more in civic affairs and rally other to support constitutional principles in government.

"Fourth, we must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, our teaching, and our advice. We must become accurately informed and then let others know how we feel." Becoming accurately informed may be the greatest of these challenges. Perhaps that is why President Uchtdorf called D&C 88:79 to our attention in the Octobere 2009 General Conference Priesthood Session.

lundbaek wrote:At the 2 July 2009 Provo, Utah Freedom Festival, Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, stated: "And now we face a danger greater than any of the wars we have faced. To honor the Constitution and to honor freedom is a sacred duty for all of us. I invoke the blessing on you who are doing this sacred work that you will keep it up, and that in due time the challenges that we face now from within can be conquered so that this nation may remain free."

What are some things we can do ourselves and encourage others to do to better comply with that duty in this critical hour for America and secure the blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in Heaven?

1.) What is the great danger we now face that threatens our freedoms?

2.) What actions can we take to conquer the threat to, and prevent (further) loss of our freedoms?

3.) How can we honour the U.S. Constitution?

I'm hoping for a variety of answers that I can present to some members as yet unconcerned about these issues.

I consider the Bill of Rights (1st ten amendments) to be inspired, and I propose to memorize these so that I can use them whenever and wherever unrighteous dominion arises.

Perhaps the greatest threat right now (what I see) is the threat to our freedom of speech without fear of reprisals.