Chuck Baldwin - Why I am moving to Montana

[Original_Intent]

I thought this was pretty awesome - I believe there will be many like Pastor Baldwin that are not (yet) LDS, who will take part in building up the kingdom.

Why We Are Moving To Montana


Chuck Baldwin
Sept. 15, 2010


By now, readers of this column should be aware of the decision my family and I made to leave the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, and move to the majestic Rocky Mountains: the Flathead Valley of Montana, to be specific. Mind you, Pensacola, Florida, has been my wife’s and my home for 35 years. It is the place where each of our children was born and raised, and still resides today. Rest assured, each of my family is aware of the cold weather climate to which we are headed. We are also very cognizant of the extremely difficult economic circumstances that exist. The truth is, if we were basing this move on things such as “practicality,” or “job opportunity,” or “a place to retire,” we would either 1) stay where we are, or 2) move somewhere else (someplace warmer), because this move, in many ways, is impractical, financially challenging, and could bring personal discomfort to all of us during those harsh Montana winters. The fact is, none of that has any bearing on our decision to move.

I know unbelievers and skeptics have a hard time when I say this, but, we are moving to the Flathead Valley of Montana for the same reason we moved to Pensacola, Florida, 35 years ago: we know it is God’s perfect will for our lives. Period. Why else would we do it? Why would we leave the comfort and security of home, family, and friends? Why would we attempt such a major move in such an economically depressed housing and job market? Why would I walk away from the church that my wife and I started and have poured our hearts and souls into for over 35 years, and that took such very good care of us? On a human level, this move makes absolutely no sense. But as Christians, we are not supposed to live our lives on a purely human level, are we?

So, instead of moving south (like most every preacher you ever knew over the age of 50), I feel God moving me north (about 75-miles-south-of-the-Canadian-border kind of north!). And so does every man in my family. Count them: that’s 5 households and 17 people ranging in ages from 3 months to the upper 70s (I am 58).

I promise you, we have bathed this move in intense and prolonged prayer and meditation. This was not a quick decision. But why would God move us?

For one thing, it became very plain to me that my ministry was over in Pensacola. The brook had dried up, to borrow from the life of Elijah. And I’ve known too many pastors who allowed their personal affections for a prolonged ministry to obfuscate the clear revelation and reality that their ministries had ended and it was time to move on. And in every such instance, the longer they stayed, the more the ministry declined. I had vowed many years ago to not let that happen to my wonderful church family. They deserved God’s best, even if that meant my departure.

For another thing, my family and I are ardent patriots. To us, freedom and liberty are much more valuable and desirable than wealth and riches–or even comfort and security. And we believe God has been showing us that if there is a place left in America where true freedom has an opportunity to experience a rebirth, it is in the Mountain States of America’s great Northwest. I love the fact that Montana is often referred to as “The Last Best Place.” And as far as freedom and liberty are concerned, it just might be.

Now, we are not naïve. We realize that there are many Big-Government liberals and neocons in the Mountain States who will not be pleased to see us come. When compared to the rest of the country, however (and I’ve seen most all of it), I would dare say that there are more freedom lovers in the Mountain States (per capita and per square mile) than anywhere else in the country.

Since the release of my last two columns announcing our move to Montana, I have received more emails than over the last several months combined. And believe me, I’m talking about hundreds and even thousands of emails. I have received more than 200 emails just from people living in Montana, and 99% of them were enthusiastically supportive. I can assure you, the response that my family and I have received from Montanans has made us feel at home even before getting there.

Many Montanans are excited about the prospect of my starting a new ministry in the Flathead Valley, and once again being able to livestream my messages over the Internet. Others are excited about the prospect of us entering the freedom fight. But most seem excited about both!

Furthermore, it is our studied opinion that America is headed for an almost certain cataclysm. As Christians, we suspect that this cataclysm could include the judgment of God. As students of history, we believe that this cataclysm will most certainly include a fight between Big-Government globalists and freedom-loving, independent-minded patriots. I would even argue that this fight has already started. And as this battle escalates (and it will most assuredly escalate), only those states that are willing to stand and fight for their independence and freedom will survive–at least in a state of freedom. And we believe that God has already put the love of liberty deep into the hearts of the people of the Mountain States; and we further believe that God is already calling (and will continue to call) many other freedom lovers to those states. One thing is for sure: we know He called us!

We are not going to Montana to sunbathe (or even ski); we are not going to play games, or play politics; we are not going to “take it easy,” or “hide,” or hibernate. We are not going to “enjoy the climate.” We are going to fight! We are going to work! We are going to help the freedom-minded people of Montana make their stand for liberty! In many ways, the Mountain States just might become The Alamo of the twenty-first century, with, hopefully, much better results. But if not, I would rather die fighting for freedom with liberty-loving patriots by my side than be shuttled off to some FEMA camp after having been rejected and betrayed by soft-living, comfort-seeking, materialistic statists who simply “don’t get it” and have no desire to “get it,” which seems to be pretty much standard practice for a sizeable majority of people today–Christian and non-Christian–around most of the country.

The Mountain States are also attractive due to the distance separating them from the great regions of the country in which the tables are truly stacked against any growth and extension of the principles of federalism or limited government, namely, the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest (with my apologies to freedomists in those areas). Big-city liberalism dominates most of the states in these regions. The federal government has invested billions of dollars and thousands of personnel establishing and oiling the Orwellian machine in these areas. There are exceptions, of course, but they are few and far between, and therefore, quite isolated should any kind of serious stand be required.

Add to the intrinsically oppressive nature of big-city liberalism and UN-sponsored globalism the out-of-control illegal immigration problem along the Southern Border and one has a recipe for disaster! And that is exactly what is coming: a disaster!

If I am correct in my analysis, and Montana (and surrounding states) really is in store for a FREEDOM RUSH, then it is certain that patriotic businessmen, laborers, tradesmen, professionals, clergymen, physicians, technicians, and people from virtually every walk of life will find themselves among the “gathering of eagles.” From an economic and spiritual perspective alone, the prospect of such a rush could be not only exciting, but also historic!

Therefore, let no more be said of hardship! Our Pilgrim forebears crossed the Atlantic Ocean without maps and with no one to greet them in their quest to find a land of liberty. Our Patriot forebears challenged the greatest military force in history (at that time) and stood on Lexington Green, Concord Bridge, and Bunker Hill to defend this land of liberty. And our Pioneer forebears traversed thousands of miles in covered wagons with no roads or bridges in their quest to carve a land of liberty out of the wilderness. Traveling 2,500 miles in trucks and cars across mostly an Interstate highway system, sleeping in hotels, and eating at restaurants seem like mighty puny sacrifices to make to find that land where this latter-day remnant can live and stand together.

Yes, I realize the real work will only begin once we have arrived. I completely understand that Montana is not the Garden of Eden and that the Serpent is already there, waiting for us. I expect a fight. And I know I speak for the men of my family when I say, Bring it on! Freedom and liberty, along with the Natural Law principles of federalism and independence, are worth fighting for. In fact, they are worth dying for. So, living or dying, we intend to circle the wagons around the State of Montana and fight to our dying breath for the right of that State to live free! And while we are at it, we believe God will let us help many good, freedom-loving people of Montana find true inner freedom that comes from Christ alone. After all, any true student of American history knows that revival and revolution go hand in hand.

To borrow from the Apostle Paul, “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto [Montana], not knowing the things that shall befall me there.” (Acts 20:22) But I also have faith in another Biblical principle: that God opens doors that no man can shut (Rev. 3:8). And for the Baldwin family, that open door is the Flathead Valley of Montana. And no recession, or ridicule, or opposition, or false accusation, or cold and snow can shut that door. Montana, here we come!


SOURCE:
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=2236

[pjbrownie]

Hey I voted for him.

[Col. Flagg]

More power to him. He'll be in a safe place when states, cities and counties really begin to curtail health & human services because of severe budget problems and insolvency and unrest/chaos ensues, not to mention when the dollar begins to tank or the stinking 'Fed' de-values the dollar. I would not want to be in places like New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, etc. when that all comes down the pike. Our nation is on the brink economically and financially, all to save the banks and Wall Street, to feed the military-industrial complex and to make us all dependant upon Washington, DC for survival! We know that the west will be more safe than most other areas in the country when all hell begins to break loose, so Chuck is just trying to take precautionary measures for he and his family, especially considering his loyalty to the Constitution and not Washington, DC and the fact that he would be an 'enemy combatant' and one of the first on any 'unfriendlies' list if/when martial law is declared.

[clarkkent14]

How can we share the gospel with this audience? There will be a flood of people who know what's coming... I think they will be more receptive to the Gospel message, especially what some of us have to offer. How can we take advantage of this?

[Like]

Hey I voted for him.

Great minds think a like!!! I voted for him too!

[believer]

Here is some fulfillment of prophecy----People fleeing to the Rocky Mountains for safety, and fighting for our country and the Constitution.


Believer

[Original_Intent]

Here is some fulfillment of prophecy----People fleeing to the Rocky Mountains for safety, and fighting for our country and the Constitution.


Believer

I just started reading "Cleansing of America" and that was exactly my thought.

[lundbaek]

People who get excited about converting to the LDS Church those like the Baldwin family and others that may flock West seeking liberty should realize that they may not be quick to cotton to a church that once did but is not now working to restore the US Constitution. They may be disappointed that the Church avoids and even at local levels discourages discussion of this subject.

[BroJones]

Wonderful essay by Chuck Baldwin, about the Mountain states!

lundbaek -- Lezlee and i will go hear what Elder Oaks has to say about the Constitution tomorrow evening... will you be there?

[lundbaek]

I live in Arizona. What Elder Oaks says about the US Constitution will be of great interest to me, as was the 2 July 2009 statement by President Packer that "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."

It will be a bad omen to me if Elder Oaks says much of anything to placate the LDGs above us or to disuade folks like many of us from continuing to work for the restoration of the Constitution. The Lord has made his position on the US Constitution clear in the D&C and thru His latter-day prophets and apostles. In decades past members of the Church have been told at least 3 times in seperate general conferences that the Lord put His "stamp of approval" on the Constitution. But I fear that conditions are such now that it may be expedient that we back off and do as our stake president told me: to focus on home teaching, temple atendance, family home evening, missionary work and reactivation.

[Mark]

I live in Arizona. What Elder Oaks says about the US Constitution will be of great interest to me, as was the 2 July 2009 statement by President Packer that "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."

It will be a bad omen to me if Elder Oaks says much of anything to placate the LDGs above us or to disuade folks like many of us from continuing to work for the restoration of the Constitution. The Lord has made his position on the US Constitution clear in the D&C and thru His latter-day prophets and apostles. In decades past members of the Church have been told at least 3 times in seperate general conferences that the Lord put His "stamp of approval" on the Constitution. But I fear that conditions are such now that it may be expedient that we back off and do as our stake president told me: to focus on home teaching, temple atendance, family home evening, missionary work and reactivation.

I am compelled to open my big mouth again here. Come on Lundbaek. Your Stake President is correct man. Why is it that you can't seem to understand that? Take your cue from the prophets. What are they emphasizing in every conference and in all the church publications. US Government Politics? American Constitutional attacks? No. The church expects you to be anxiously engaged in all good causes and correct principles. That includes support of constitutional Govt. However meetings of the church worldwide are to be centered around the Saviors mission and that of His restored gospel. Bring souls unto Christ. Participate fully in the 4 fold mission of the church. Read the Doctrine & Covenants. It is clear what the Lord wants his Saints to focus on in their Sunday meetings. Quit beating the same piano key over and over again and look at the big picture.

[lundbaek]

I have reaad the Doctrine and Covenants and still do. That's where I get one cue to honour freedom and the Constitution. It is a principle of the Gospel, even if the current Prophet is relatively silent about it. It is part of the big picture.

[Mark]

I have reaad the Doctrine and Covenants and still do. That's where I get one cue to honour freedom and the Constitution. It is a principle of the Gospel, even if the current Prophet is relatively silent about it. It is part of the big picture.

You are missing the point Lundbaek. I hear you over and over and over again lament about how your stake and ward leaders are not emphasizing constitutional principles and freedom enough in church. That is not their stewardship to do so. They are following the agenda of the prophets. That is what they are called to do. You seem to think otherwise apparently. It frustrates you that they do not spend ample time and effort in teaching about these righteous constitutional principles. I would personally worry about them if that subject DID become their emphasis. Instead of questioning them continuously why not get behind them in their efforts to bring people to Christ thru missionary and temple work and service to those who are in need. That is what their stewardship demands. Don't expect them to do otherwise. It is not a fair expectation.

[lundbaek]

We're on our way out of town until Monday, but let me leave this from a good friend with you:

"How to wake up the LDS sleepy-heads? The Lord tells us beforehand: pestilence, plague, war, natural disasters of all kinds. So I guessyou and I aren't going to do it. But our desire is good!"
--david

[Mark]

We're on our way out of town until Monday, but let me leave this from a good friend with you:

"How to wake up the LDS sleepy-heads? The Lord tells us beforehand: pestilence, plague, war, natural disasters of all kinds. So I guessyou and I aren't going to do it. But our desire is good!"
--david

Once again Lundbaek its not your job to "wake up the LDS sleepyheads" in Sacrament meeting. Nor is it your Stake Presidents job to do so either. Save that for a different setting and time. That is the proper way of going about it.

[Col. Flagg]

Here is some fulfillment of prophecy----People fleeing to the Rocky Mountains for safety, and fighting for our country and the Constitution.


Believer

I just started reading "Cleansing of America" and that was exactly my thought.

I got it for my b-day back in March and finished it pretty quick. What did you think of it overall OI?

[Original_Intent]

Here is some fulfillment of prophecy----People fleeing to the Rocky Mountains for safety, and fighting for our country and the Constitution.


Believer

I just started reading "Cleansing of America" and that was exactly my thought.

I got it for my b-day back in March and finished it pretty quick. What did you think of it overall OI?

I got it for my Bday too, which was two days ago! From my sweet eternal companion! I love it, and hope to finish it this weekend! (I am now only to chapter three as my reading time has been limited)...I did sneak a peek at chapter 4 and can't wait to get to it!

[Col. Flagg]

I got it for my Bday too, which was two days ago! From my sweet eternal companion! I love it, and hope to finish it this weekend! (I am now only to chapter three as my reading time has been limited)...I did sneak a peek at chapter 4 and can't wait to get to it!

There's a lot of good information in the book and I love how he is straight-forward and blunt with a lot of things and doesn't beat around the bush like some authors do because they don't want to be politically incorrect. He flat out tells it the way it is and the way it's gonna be! I would have to say I was probably aware of about 75% of what he covers, but the other 25% I found to be very enlightening and informative. I especially enjoyed reading the part where he goes into detail about Kolob being where God and heaven are and how the earth was cast out of Kolob when Adam & Eve partook of the forbidden fruit and how when the earth is ready to receive its paradisical glory before Christ returns, it will move through space at light speed back into the presence of the Lord, thus producing the effect of the 'stars falling to the earth'. He talks about how it will be an exciting time to be alive on the earth when that happens. Pretty cool stuff. 8)