I wrote this a very long time ago, about 25 years ago, but I think its time to dust it off and put it out there again. Many of you know that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints...I'm a Mormon. Always have been, always will be.
This piece is about an issue that I was struggling with a long time ago in a land far, far away. Well, kinda. A few hundred miles anyway. The story pretty well speaks for itself and tells you the why. If you're not LDS, it may or may not have the same impact on you... *********************
Alma 59:13
"And it came
to pass that Moroni was angry with the government, because of their
indifference concerning the freedom of their country."
Folks,
Don't
ask me why but I have felt very strongly compelled to express my
sentiments on a few subjects that I wish were more important to every
American; the Constitution, gun control, revolution and the end
times.
I
have never sent out a religious oriented commentary of my own making
before and I don't want you to think that I'm preaching or trying to
convert anyone. It's just some things that I need to get off my
chest. I don't think that it's as important that anyone reads this as
it is that I write it. This letter is only going out to those that I
know are LDS members or whom I know have had a passing interest in
the Church at some time or another. Two or three of you have at least
read part of the Book of Mormon so you qualify. There are at least
two pagans or atheists that I consider friends that are receiving
this letter and I'm not sure why but please feel free to hit 'Delete'
if you don't want to read it. You will still be my friends, at least
as far as I'm concerned.
All
my life I have been preoccupied with the founding, history and
well-being of this country. When most kids my age were crying over
Bambi, I cried all the way home over Tora, Tora, Tora (a 60's movie
about the bombing of Pearl Harbor). I felt an overwhelming sense of
pride which I could not contain when I saw a man in a military
uniform or saw the heroes going home in a John Wayne movie. I'm now
almost 45 years old and I cried again when I tried to explain to my 5
year old son and 6 year old daughter what the flag stood for and why
we put it up and take it down every day. I never did get quite
finished. I'll try again soon.
I
wasted a lot of my best years drinking and carousing when I should
have been serving my country but finally did wake up and join the
Army in '82 at the age of 26. When I got out, I always felt a little
ashamed that I didn't stay and retire or at least until Komrade
Klinton took office and then I didn't regret it anymore.
Many
years later, as I sat one night with my guts churning with anxiety
over the state of the Nation, I decided that I needed to do
something, however small, in the service of my country again. At my
age, re-enlisting was out of the question so I started researching
the legitimacy, legality and mission of the citizen's militia. Boy,
talk about an eye-opener! I found that not only was it legal for me
to be a part of the militia but that I was actually obligated under
10 USC Chapter 13, Section 311 which states:
(a)
The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at
least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title
32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of
intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female
citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b)
The classes of the militia are-
(1)
the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the
Naval Militia; and...
(2)
the unorganized militia, which consists of members of the militia who
are not members of the National Guard or Naval Militia.
A
little more research showed me that my state Constitution also
provided for a militia:
Article
18, Sections 1-2 of the New Mexico State Constitution states:
Section
1. [Composition, Name and Commander in Chief of Militia.]
The
Militia of this State shall consist of all able-bodied male citizens
between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, except such as are
exempt by laws of the United States or of this State. The organized
Militia shall be called the "National Guard of New Mexico,"
of which the Governor shall be the Commander in Chief.
Section
2. [Organization, Discipline and Equipment of Militia.]
The
Legislature shall provide for the organization, discipline and
equipment of the Militia, which shall conform as nearly as
practicable to the organization, discipline and equipment of the
Regular Army of the United States, and shall provide for the
maintenance thereof.
Well
now. Is there anything about that any of you didn't understand? It
seemed quite clear to me so I decided that I would try to put
together a group and start training. I had no idea how to go about it
but with a little more research, found a group in Albuquerque that
did that very thing. The commander of this unit was an honorable,
Christian man that I have a great deal of respect for even though we
have since had a parting of ways. I am still active in the militia
and have no fears or regrets for getting involved.
I'm
sure by now that you are wondering what in the world that all this
has to do with Mormons. Well, plenty. When I first got into this
movement, I struggled constantly with whether or not what I was doing
would interfere with Church doctrine and what I was going to do if it
did. Not to worry.
After
a tremendous amount of scripture search, prayer, reading Church
approved books and even a call to Salt Lake, I am 100% at ease and
confident that what I'm doing is not only accepted but supported in
every facet. Maybe not by every member but, I believe, by the Lord.
When I started searching scriptures, I actually TRIED to find
something that would tell me that I was barking up the wrong tree but
try as I may, no matter which way I turned, I could find nothing but
support.
While
going through some scriptures in the Book of Mormon, I came up such
things as:
Helaman
5:2 -- "For as their laws and their governments were
established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were
more numerous than those who chose good, therefore they were ripening
for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted."
Alma
60:14 -- "And now behold, I say unto you, I fear exceedingly
that the judgements of God will come upon this people, because of
their exceeding slothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our
government, and their exceedingly great neglect towards their
brethren, yea, towards those who have been slain."
Alma
51:6 -- "And those who were desirous that Pahoran should
remain chief judge over the land took upon them the name of freemen;
and thus was the division among them, for the freemen had sworn or
covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their
religion by a free government."
These
are just a few but should give you an idea. Does this not sound like
we have come full circle? Are the times now any different? These are
the words of ancient prophets but what does that have to do with now
and what do the more modern prophets have to say about this?
In
the Doctrine and Covenants 134:1 & 2, we read:
1.
"We believe that governments were instituted of God and that
he holds men accountable for their actions in relation to them, both
in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of
society."
2.
"We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such
laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual
the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property,
and the protection of life".
D&C
134:11 tells us:
"We
believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all
wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right
of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will
protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in
defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the
government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all
persons in times of exingency, where immediate appeal cannot be made
to the laws, and relief afforded."
Please
read that one again...
"...but
we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their
friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults
and encroachments of all persons in times of exingency, where
immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded."
Now
this seems pretty cut and dried to me. Lest anyone confuse the
"government" with the people that run the government,
remember that we believe that God put select men on this earth just
for the purpose of organizing this country and writing the
Constitution and supporting documents(D&C 101:80). By
my way of thinking, the people in control now are part of "all
persons" as referenced above and we are justified in defending
ourselves against them.
77.
"According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I
have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the
rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy
principles;"
78.
"That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to
futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him,
that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of
judgement."
79.
"Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage
one to another."
80.
"And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of
this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very
purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood."
The
Lord made it clear to us through Joseph Smith on 6 August 1833 just
what the law of the land was in D&C 98:4-11...
4.
"And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land,
it is my will that my people should observe to do all things
whatsoever I command them."
5.
"And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting
that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges,
belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me."
6.
"Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my
church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of
the land;"
7.
"And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less
than this, cometh of evil."
8.
"I, the Lord God, make you free therefore ye are free indeed;
and the law also maketh you free."
9.
"Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn."
10.
"Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for
diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold;
otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil."
11.
"And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all
evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which
proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God."
I
shouldn't have to go into anymore detail on that one but for anyone
that didn't catch it the first time, here's what Joseph Smith said in
his dedicatory prayer at the Kirtland Temple on 27 March 1836:
D&C
109:54
"Have
mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the
rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and
nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers,
be established forever."
And
that's all I have to say about that.
Now
let's take a quick look at the right to self defense.
Alma
43:47
"And
again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even
unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending
with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and
their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion."
How
about Alma 48:13-14?:
13.
"Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and
he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his
country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood."
14.
"Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their
enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and
they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to
raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to
preserve their lives."
In
the Bible, Luke 11:21-22 advises us:
21.
"When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in
peace:
22.
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he
taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his
spoils."
And
further, in Luke 22:36,
"Then
said he unto them, but now, he that hath a purse, let him take it,
and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his
garment, and buy one."
OK,
now that I've written half of the BOM, we might as well talk about
the end times for a few minutes.
I'm
often asked my opinion on preparedness and the possibility of seeing
more turbulent times during our lifetimes. Some of the stuff that I
found links not only our food storage and preparedness programs to
these troubled times but also, again, my involvement with the patriot
movement.
Between
the scriptures and a book called "The Coming of the Lord"
by Gerald N. Lund (which I strongly recommend that you read ASAP), I
have found some astonishing things that put the final nails in the
coffin of my indecision and lit a fire under the Minuteman in me.
I've quoted most of the things in the BOM that have inspired my
decision to be prepared but please let me give you just a couple from
the Bible that specifically deal with preparedness.
We
are admonished in 1 Timothy 5:8 to provide for our families:
8.
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of
his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
infidel."
Or
maybe Proverbs 27:12:
12.
"A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself; but the
simple pass on, and are punished."
Heber
C. Kimball described it as being like a curtain which would drop
between the church and the United States...
"Lay
up your stores, and take your silks and fine things, and exchange
them for grain and such things as you need, and the time will come
when we will be obliged to depend upon our own resources; for the
time is not far distant when the curtain will be dropped between us
and the United States. When the time comes brethren and sisters, you
will wish you had commenced sooner to make your own clothing. I tell
you, God requires us to go into home manufacture; and, prolong it as
long as you like, you have got to do it."
Elder
Orson Pratt tells us why when he explicitly described the conditions
that would sweep the nation to it's destruction...
"......it
will be a war of neighborhood against neighborhood, city against
city, county against county, state against state, and they will go
forth destroying and being destroyed, and manufacturing will, in a
great measure, cease, for a time, among the American nation. Why?
Because in these terrible wars, they will not be privileged to
manufacture; there will be too much bloodshed -- too much going forth
in bands and destroying and pillaging the land to suffer the people
to pursue any local vocation with any degree of safety......."
There
is much, much more but you need to read the book.
Recently,
on a bulletin board that I frequent, some misinformed individual
claimed that the Constitution is the root of the problems plaguing
this country. Latter Day Saints are privileged to know that the
Constitution, while severely damaged and "hanging by a thread"
will survive and be brought back to strength by the Elders of Israel.
A few more quotes from various Elders and Presidents of the Church
and I'll start trying to close.
Concerning
war in this country, and this one really got my attention, in the
1967 Priesthood Conference of the Church, Elder Hugh B. Brown of the
First Presidency said, in part, "....and some of you young
men are going to engage in that battle. Some of you are going to
engage in the final testing time, which is coming and which is closer
to us than we know..."
I
was 11 years old at the time.
A
little more on the Constitution. Brigham Young said: "Will
the Constitution be destroyed? No; it will be held inviolate by this
people; and, as Joseph Smith said, ' the time will come when the
destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At that
critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the
threatened destruction.' It will be so."
David
O. McKay said in 1956, the year I was born, that "Next to
being one in worshipping God there is nothing in this world upon
which this Church should be more united than in upholding and
defending the Constitution of the United States."
HA!
That clinched it for me. Color me camo and put a rifle in my
hands.
Lastly,
President John Taylor tells us: "When the peoples shall have
torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States the Elders of
Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and
proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and extending the
hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations. This is part of
the programme, and as long as we do what is right and fear God, he
will help us and stand by us under all circumstances."
My
mind and my path is clear. The consequences of what may happen in the
not too distant future are of little consequence. What my co-workers,
church members, the police or the feds think of me is of little
consequence. I have to do what I have to do. Far be it for any
patriot to fire to the first shot, especially in anger, but he should
be prepared to damn well fire the second one. Come to think of it,
I'm not so sure that the first shot hasn't already been fired.
For
whatever this is worth to anyone, if anything, I've shared my reasons
that I do what I do and am who I am. If any thing that I have said
helps any of you to work out a dilemma that you may be having trouble
with, I will be pleased and honored to have been of assistance. If it
has made things worse for you in any way or offended you in some way,
I make no apology for it but it was absolutely not my intention.
Please
know that I am here to offer my hand to any of you that may need it.
I know that this is the true Church and that Joseph Smith was and is
a true prophet of God and that President Hinckley is our living
prophet today. I can attest that the Book of Mormon is another
testament to the word of God. I am comforted by the fact that I am
guaranteed to be with my family for all time and eternity. I pray
that I can be guided to have the strength and courage to make the
right decisions in troubled times and do the best things for my
country and my family.
I
leave this with you, humbly, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
In Liberty, Cope Reynolds (Desertscout)
Southwest Shooting Authority of Arizona
Listen to Cope live on
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