LDS Freedom Forum

So I have struggled a little lately with the feeling of inadequately defending truth and righteousness and not acting enough. I feel bad for not shouting from the rooftops about what I think everyone should be doing right now (ie. defending Israel, destroying planned parenthood, bulldozing Detroit's Satan statue, anylating ISIS, tearing up the Iran "deal", taking everything out of the stock market, buying tons of food storage and every needful emergency preparedness thing, etc.) I listen to Glenn Beck almost daily. I love the man and I agree with most of what he says.

BUT lately he has talked about counseling your pastor, priest, or rabbi (bishop and stake president in our case) that they have to start confronting bluntly these hard topics. My understanding of Beck's counsel is if they refuse to talk about them every Sunday with as much boldness and conviction as Beck does then we should leave the church and go find a church that does. I have struggled with this idea as possibly others have to. I thought and studied about it and the spirit whispered something to me last night.

A. That I should write a post about this for at least 1 person here on LDSFF that needs to read it.

B. Isaiah 59:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

C. To magnify my personal calling on earth, even with my limited capacities and reach, and utilize the spiritual gifts Heavenly Father has given me personally.

Glenn Beck has his calling and you have yours. In a world where satan has captured the hearts of so many please do not let yourself be lead astray. Remember your testimony and what you have always known to be truth. The LDS church and it's leaders are not weak on world and community issues, they are doing exactly as the Lord is directing. It just might not be in the way that we think is best, but it is best.

Remember the 5 foolish virgins who spent their oil "While the bridegroom tarried" and had none when the time finally came. As many of us believe the Lord is tarrying right now, please do not lose your way. Please don't spend so much time researching and buying preparedness items, reading political and world news, and social media that you push aside daily scripture reading, morning and night prayers, family time, attending the temple often, magnifying your church callings, and just taking some time each day to ponder and listen to the still small voice. There is no higher priority than our spiritual preparedness.

I have fallen into the trap of preparedness panic mode before and have neglected my duties as a husband, father/patriarch, priesthood holder, and son of God. Lately I have been much better at this and it has brought more peace. I'm not saying stop preparing, not by a long shot. But please have a healthy balance and trust in the Lord's promises:

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.
3 Ne. 13:30-34

I love Beck and I think he's right about this.

StewieSox wrote:So I have struggled a little lately with the feeling of inadequately defending truth and righteousness and not acting enough. I feel bad for not shouting from the rooftops about what I think everyone should be doing right now (ie. defending Israel, destroying planned parenthood, bulldozing Detroit's Satan statue, anylating ISIS, tearing up the Iran "deal", taking everything out of the stock market, buying tons of food storage and every needful emergency preparedness thing, etc.) I listen to Glenn Beck almost daily. I love the man and I agree with most of what he says.

BUT lately he has talked about counseling your pastor, priest, or rabbi (bishop and stake president in our case) that they have to start confronting bluntly these hard topics. My understanding of Beck's counsel is if they refuse to talk about them every Sunday with as much boldness and conviction as Beck does then we should leave the church and go find a church that does. I have struggled with this idea as possibly others have to. I thought and studied about it and the spirit whispered something to me last night.

A. That I should write a post about this for at least 1 person here on LDSFF that needs to read it.

B. Isaiah 59:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

C. To magnify my personal calling on earth, even with my limited capacities and reach, and utilize the spiritual gifts Heavenly Father has given me personally.

Glenn Beck has his calling and you have yours. In a world where satan has captured the hearts of so many please do not let yourself be lead astray. Remember your testimony and what you have always known to be truth. The LDS church and it's leaders are not weak on world and community issues, they are doing exactly as the Lord is directing. It just might not be in the way that we think is best, but it is best.

Remember the 5 foolish virgins who spent their oil "While the bridegroom tarried" and had none when the time finally came. As many of us believe the Lord is tarrying right now, please do not lose your way. Please don't spend so much time researching and buying preparedness items, reading political and world news, and social media that you push aside daily scripture reading, morning and night prayers, family time, attending the temple often, magnifying your church callings, and just taking some time each day to ponder and listen to the still small voice. There is no higher priority than our spiritual preparedness.

I have fallen into the trap of preparedness panic mode before and have neglected my duties as a husband, father/patriarch, priesthood holder, and son of God. Lately I have been much better at this and it has brought more peace. I'm not saying stop preparing, not by a long shot. But please have a healthy balance and trust in the Lord's promises:

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.
3 Ne. 13:30-34

In August 2005, God’s prophet on the earth, President Gordon B. Hinckley, spoke these words, which apply more than ever to what is happening in the world today: “The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living.”

President John Taylor stated that the Elders of Israel need to “understand that they have something to do with the world politically as well as religiously, that it is as much their duty to study correct political principles as well as religious.”

I also agree with Glenn Beck on this. Too many people in every denomination (including LDS) are saying we shouldn't speak out in church meetings about things that are political -- like abortion, universal healthcare, socialism, illegal immigration, Christian refugees from the Middle East, on so forth.

Not acting is an action. Not speaking says something.

I also don't agree with Beck on everything, but I think he's right in defending truth - and what is healthy & of God, no matter if it is popular to do or not.

God ought to be our God, nobody else.

I'm also completely in agreement with Glenn Beck on boldly stating our positions on what is right.

I agree with Glenn Beck. We need to pray about what it is we should be doing. Like the conference talk, what is stopping us from progressing. NOW is the time to draw closer to the Father and Son. We will need the spirit to help us and our families.

I also agree with Glenn. We have become afraid to speak about things and have become complacent. This allows the evil leaders to control what is said. When Eric Holder stated that we were afraid to talk about race, he was right. Consequently, the powers that be dictate what we are expected to say or think about it.

If we do not stand up for truth, there will be no truth found. Already, the media dictates Satan's way. School children are not allowed to think or act in a way contrary to the politically correct way.

The president and the media tell us bold lies everyday. They would have us believe that we are in the minority. But the truth is that we are the vast majority. Like Obama stating that gun control states have the lowest murder rates. Nothing could be further from the truth, but people are not calling him out on it.

It is not wrong to do the right thing. We need courage. Courage is contagious. I fear we have become a nation of pansies.

The LDS Church has in recent years firmly addressed certain controversial issues, and seems to be continuing to do so. But there are two issues that I now believe the Church, at least at the 50 East North Temple St. level, declines to address in any way that might incur the wrath of what I call the latter-day gadiantons, who are in position to do considerable damage to the Church and hinder its main mission of spreading the gospel message to all peoples. One of those issues is the principles of liberty and of the US Constitution and members' responsibility to learn, upho9ld and abide by them. And the other is the doings of the secret combinations that Nephi and Moroni and later (Oct.1988 General Conference) President Benson and later yet (August 2010 Ensign) President Packer warned us about, and our charge to "suffer not" that they get above us. I guess I could include the illegal immigration issue, as the Church did make a public statement that members should not enter another country without proper documentation and should not overstay their visas.

Sounds to me like you have lust for war.

Jesus said love your enemies.

Many of the problems you describe are due to busy-body do-gooders thinking they have to change the world. Its time we leave people alone.

Millions of innocents have lost their lives or been devastated by us taking action we should not have.

Like any other journalist Glenn Beck hits the target accurately many times, in fact he is right more often that not. However, his arrogance and narcissism are not to hard to spot. So I would be a bit careful when he pits himself up as some ultimate truth. After all, his antagonism against Russia make me question his motivations and source of his attacks. Often he criticizes Russia for what he appears to support for the USA.

When Glenn is right I will support him, when wrong I will question him, and when he tries to promote a cult of personality I will ignore him.

All ya'll understand that this is basically how Rock Waterman and associates got started? Remember, once a month is open mic Sunday. You can get up there and say anything you please. You can make it into your personal poetry slam. You can call attention to whatever issue is burning in your bosom. You don't have to ask permission you only have to be willing to take the heat for taking a stand. Likewise you're free to comment in Sunday School, Priesthood and Relief Society Meetings. Sure, here on the internet we use screen names so being brave is easy--nobody you know is going to call you on it but, in your Sacrament Meeting you're known. You can be bold here because your Bishop isn't going to call you in and say, "Now Heber, I know you feel strongly about these things but there's a time and a place for every conversation". Keep at it. See how long until you're "Counseling the Brethren" and you're asked not to speak out. Go for it. I triple dog dare you.

They say that the universe is a great big circle and that if you go far enough in space/time you'll end up where you started--but if you insist on "speaking truths" that your Bishop or Stake President take issue with then you're going to find you've traveled all the way to where Denver Snuffer and Rock Waterman are.

So man-up and get your personal "Samuel the Lamanite" on. Maybe start a blog as well. I'd love to see how it goes and I'm sure there's plenty of folks who'd love to see the car crash.

Finally wrote:All ya'll understand that this is basically how Rock Waterman and associates got started? Remember, once a month is open mic Sunday. You can get up there and say anything you please. You can make it into your personal poetry slam. You can call attention to whatever issue is burning in your bosom. You don't have to ask permission you only have to be willing to take the heat for taking a stand. Likewise you're free to comment in Sunday School, Priesthood and Relief Society Meetings. Sure, here on the internet we use screen names so being brave is easy--nobody you know is going to call you on it but, in your Sacrament Meeting you're known. You can be bold here because your Bishop isn't going to call you in and say, "Now Heber, I know you feel strongly about these things but there's a time and a place for every conversation". Keep at it. See how long until you're "Counseling the Brethren" and you're asked not to speak out. Go for it. I triple dog dare you.

They say that the universe is a great big circle and that if you go far enough in space/time you'll end up where you started--but if you insist on "speaking truths" that your Bishop or Stake President take issue with then you're going to find you've traveled all the way to where Denver Snuffer and Rock Waterman are.

So man-up and get your personal "Samuel the Lamanite" on. Maybe start a blog as well. I'd love to see how it goes and I'm sure there's plenty of folks who'd love to see the car crash.

Where do you stand, in the front trying to make things right or in the peanut gallery yelling innuendos and the like?

Lizzy60 wrote:I also agree with Glenn Beck on this. Too many people in every denomination (including LDS) are saying we shouldn't speak out in church meetings about things that are political -- like abortion, universal healthcare, socialism, illegal immigration, Christian refugees from the Middle East, on so forth.

Not acting is an action. Not speaking says something.

The problem is, the people in your ward would have different and even contradictory things to say than the people in mine.
For example, if Glenn Beck came to my ward and spoke against universal healthcare he'd be run out of town!

But if an apostle came to your ward and spoke against healthcare provided by government, I suppose his words would be rejected ? As apostles, Ezra Taft Benson and Marion G. Romney spoke against socialism during Church general conferences, and a statement by President David O. McKay in the 18 October 1952 Church News also warned against socialism. I'm sure I could find additional such statements if I took the time that i don't have now. In recent years, however, at least as of 2007, the Church authorities have recommended turning to government assistance to meet certain needs.

Glenn Beck has done a lot of good in the truth arena, however, he always stops short of going all the way because he knows if he does, he will not only lose listeners/followers, his job would be in jeopardy as well as future book sales and he would be in the crosshairs of the SC's. This is why he is so adamantly against anything even remotely suggesting that 9/11 was more than 19 Arabs with boxcutters. Others like Rush Limbaugh are in the same camp... they can only go so far before their careers, financial well-being and even lives become at risk.

I notice the same reluctance on the part of certain politicians who I know are well aware of the "secret combinations" and the NWO conspiracy but refrain from opening themselves up to criticism and accusations of being conspiracy whackos. I imagine President Benson's October 1988 General Conference statement about secret combinations would today would provoke much criticism and very likely retribution as well. And it would be ignored to the same extent as it was in 1988.

I appreciate Glenn's mission, and understand his frustrations. But think for a moment about last Conference - what was the main theme in most talks? The Holy Ghost. We are reminded over and over again the most important truth that will direct us through days ahead - personal revelation. So if you are directed to stand boldly and defend liberties in some specific venue or online, or where ever and whenever, then obey! If the Spirit directs you to be still and not speak, then do nothing! I love the visual in Visions of Glory about the foreign troops they ran into during their journey to Canada, and they were guided to carefully maneuver around them and to not provoke them. That was the direction for this group. While Spencer also mentioned somewhere in the book that defending the Constitution was taking place as well - does that mean a righteous militia? Not sure what he meant by that. Church is a struggle for me, because I always defend when I have the chance, and to sit on my hands during meetings when I see an opportunity to share truths is hard for me. I will speak when directed to do so, I am just very careful how I frame it.

Having said all this, how long can the citizens of the United States sit on their hands and not act? Beck will always talk peace as well, and doesn't want to be the one stirring up a revolution - but something is a coming! We have tolerated way too much, and there is a breaking point, and if and when it does happen it may be too late. Once we see foreign troops in this land, is a good sign that we waited too long.

I believe that we have waited too long as it is. I believe things will get turned around only after "The Cleansing Of America" by a people educated and prepared to restore the government the Lord wants us to have. Most of what I am doing now is trying to help prepare a remnant for this purpose, even though it may nor seem like it. If the "elders of Israel" are going to save or restore the Constitution as has been prophesied they need to know what it was originally intended to mean or how the Lord wants us to understand it. For that reason I recommend Jerome Horowitz's book "THE GOSPEL KEY TO OUR TRUE CONSTITUTION", which can be read on-line.

I know that Ezra Taft Benson was one of a kind but he gave many talks that were very political in nature from defending the constitution, to speaking out strongly against communism, and even addressing the proper rule of government, and all in conference talks.

We also know from the book of Mormon that a people choosing corrupt laws and leaders, or rather as nation whose laws become corrupt because the choice of the people choose evil over good are "ripening for destruction".

In one interview he basically told a reporter he could not see how an lds member could not be conservative in his politics and insinuated that the devil is confusing people who aren't conservative.

I think as the church grows,a natural tendency is to avoid controversy in order to not alienate any of its members. So now days things like this aren't said.


I think we have to be careful though, because in today's climate many people are treating politics or rather conservatism like it is synonymous with their religion. But increasingly I see the republican party becoming void of charity in some of its policies, and the book of Mormon seems to prophesy that the gentiles will not be charitable.

I will link to Benson's most noteworthy talks which are definitely worth reading if you haven't.


http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1636" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/ ... g?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/ ... d?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Col. Flagg wrote:Glenn Beck has done a lot of good in the truth arena, however, he always stops short of going all the way because he knows if he does, he will not only lose listeners/followers, his job would be in jeopardy as well as future book sales and he would be in the crosshairs of the SC's. This is why he is so adamantly against anything even remotely suggesting that 9/11 was more than 19 Arabs with boxcutters. Others like Rush Limbaugh are in the same camp... they can only go so far before their careers, financial well-being and even lives become at risk.

The problem with Glenn Beck and 9/11 truth is that he goes way beyond even the position of supporting the official conspiracy theory. Instead of shutting up about it, he has labeled people associated with 9/11 truth-seeking as being akin to terrorists. He has also used accusations against at least one perfectly good Constitutional/Conservative candidate as being a 9/11 conspiratorialist, when the candidate had said next to nothing about the subject.

He then misses out in understanding the biggest event of our time, and will have very little to do with rooting out the really deep and dangerous contmporary conspirators behind that and subsequent egregious events.

He was able to become independently wealthy and didn't he set up an independent media outlet? So what is stopping him from actually striking at the root?

larsenb wrote:

Col. Flagg wrote:Glenn Beck has done a lot of good in the truth arena, however, he always stops short of going all the way because he knows if he does, he will not only lose listeners/followers, his job would be in jeopardy as well as future book sales and he would be in the crosshairs of the SC's. This is why he is so adamantly against anything even remotely suggesting that 9/11 was more than 19 Arabs with boxcutters. Others like Rush Limbaugh are in the same camp... they can only go so far before their careers, financial well-being and even lives become at risk.

The problem with Glenn Beck and 9/11 truth is that he goes way beyond even the position of supporting the official conspiracy theory. Instead of shutting up about it, he has labeled people associated with 9/11 truth-seeking as being akin to terrorists. He has also used accusations against at least one perfectly good Constitutional/Conservative candidate as being a 9/11 conspiratorialist, when the candidate had said next to nothing about the subject.

He then misses out in understanding the biggest event of our time, and will have very little to do with rooting out the really deep and dangerous contmporary conspirators behind that and subsequent egregious events.

He was able to become independently wealthy and didn't he set up an independent media outlet? So what is stopping him from actually striking at the root?

Good point... and good question larsen? Yeah, he pretty much went independent after he left FOX - not sure why he hasn't become more outspoken and truthful? Maybe for the same reasons?

Not only Ezra Taft Benson, but also President McKay, President J. Reuben Clark, and President Marion D. Romney also gave many talks that were very political in nature from defending the constitution, to speaking out strongly against communism. Good compilations of their talks on those subjects can be read in the books PROPHETS, PRINCIPLES, AND NATIONAL SURVIVAL, and in the more recent book A GLORIOUS STANDARD FOR ALL MANKIND. And going back further, President Grant and G.A. Smith both had significant things to say on these subjects.

lundbaek wrote:But if an apostle came to your ward and spoke against healthcare provided by government, I suppose his words would be rejected ? As apostles, Ezra Taft Benson and Marion G. Romney spoke against socialism during Church general conferences, and a statement by President David O. McKay in the 18 October 1952 Church News also warned against socialism. I'm sure I could find additional such statements if I took the time that i don't have now. In recent years, however, at least as of 2007, the Church authorities have recommended turning to government assistance to meet certain needs.

Don't really understand this post.
Why bring socialism into it?
Universal healthcare is not socialism.

Robin Hood wrote:

lundbaek wrote:But if an apostle came to your ward and spoke against healthcare provided by government, I suppose his words would be rejected ? As apostles, Ezra Taft Benson and Marion G. Romney spoke against socialism during Church general conferences, and a statement by President David O. McKay in the 18 October 1952 Church News also warned against socialism. I'm sure I could find additional such statements if I took the time that i don't have now. In recent years, however, at least as of 2007, the Church authorities have recommended turning to government assistance to meet certain needs.

Don't really understand this post.
Why bring socialism into it?
Universal healthcare is not socialism.

What's your definition of "socialism" then?