April 1, 2010 (written Feb. 2009) April 1st marks Dad’s 1 year passing
From: Richard Marden Pratt
Re: Article of Faith #12
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. Article of faith #12
“Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign and subdue all enemies under his feet.” Doctrine and Covenants 58:21-22
“We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.”
“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 (religion) the right and control of property and the protection of life. “ Doctrine and Covenants 134:1-2
Let me try and rephrase that: We believe that governments are instituted by God for mans benefit and that man should obey the same regardless of the type or system of government. But government has three basic duties: 1. To insure freedom of religion so long as it does not infringe upon the worship rights of others. 2. The right to own and control property. 3. And the protection of life.
Why is the right to own and control property so vital? Because a man literally trades part of his time or life for it. It is part of his very soul. And most, if not all governments infringe upon this right in every thing from light taxation to confiscation.
Any governing power or control beyond these three rights is infringing on mans personal liberty. Now notice this next verse: “We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgements are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.” D&C 134:5
“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 exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws and relief afforded.” D&C 134:11
Our government right now is tottering on the brink of no return. The Constitution is being paid lip service only. The Declaration of independence is scorned.
I have just finished reading “The Supremacists” by Phyllis Schlafly. She is one of the giants fighting for our freedoms. She is currently 82 years old, a wife, mother of six and has written a newsletter since 1967. She is heard daily on 460 radio stations and on and on. Has lectured or debated on more than five hundred college campuses and was named the Illinois Mother of the year in 1992. She heads Eagle Forum and Concerned Women for America. They do much good in the cause of family and liberty!
Here is just one of the horrible things she reports. We are allowing the courts to rule us. And here is how it is done spearheaded by ACLU.
The ACLU and other left-wing groups are able to use these lawsuits as a source of income. Many of the lawsuits are actually funded by the taxpayers because a federal law awards attorneys fees if they win the case. The fees collected can be staggering.
The organizations that sued to remove the Ten Commandments form the Alabama State Judicial Building, collected $540,000 (½ million plus!) In attorney’s fees and expenses in 2004 from ALABAMA taxpayers.
Kentucky taxpayers handed over $121,500 to pay the ACLU for its action against the Ten Commandments display outside its state capital, and $50,000 for the same offense in Georgia.
The ACLU profited enormously, collecting $790,000.00 plus $160,000 court costs (that’s 1 million!) As a result of its suit to deny the Boy Scouts of America the use of San Diego’s Balboa Park for a summer camp. A City facility the Scouts had used since 1915. The ACLU argued that the Boy Scouts must be designated a “religious organization” because it refuses to accept homosexual scoutmasters and because the Scouts use an oath, “to do my duty to God and My country.” And all it would take to stop this assault on our liberty and tax dollars is a simple majority vote in congress according to Mrs. Schlafly. Her book is 235 pages long ~ I suggest you read it.
We may still give lip service to the checks and balances of our constitutional republic, but the phrase is now quite hollow, the checks and balances are gone! The Constitution has become but a piece of paper that, instead of protecting men’s liberties against encroaching government, is now a source of phrases to be “interpreted” in such a way as to grant new and novel powers to government. Instead of a TRUE REPUBLIC with limited political power, we have been brought to a DEMOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP similar to those in Latin America where one man, although he carries the pleasing title of President and is elected to office by majority vote, nevertheless has almost unlimited political power during his period of office. Some people may feel that this development is both healthy and necessary to deal effectively with other dictatorships around the world; some may feel that it is a betrayal of the American Revolution (and it is) and a frightful step backward in political development; but no one can deny that it has happened. (“An Enemy Hath Done This” by President Ezra Taft Benson page 266)
We are no longer a true Republic with limited political power. We are now a “democratic dictatorship” and this form of wicked government is taking over our fantastic country and we are now engaged in several wars in which we are trying to enforce this dictatorship on others. No wonder they are fighting us so hard and no wonder that we nationally are under such a blight ourselves.
“Decisions of the Supreme Court have undermined the forces of law and order and, more than any other single cause, are directly responsible for the nations soaring crime rate.
Almost everyone recognizes that something is wrong with the Supreme Court. One does not have to be a constitutional lawyer to sense it. The modern Supreme Court had tipped the scales of justice in favor of the rights of criminals at the expense of the rights of law-abiding citizens who are the victims of those criminals.”
It is not the criminals, actual or potential that need a neuropathic hospital; it is the people who slobber over them in an effort to find excuses for their crime.” Ibid 263
Another warning: you and I sustain one man on this earth as God’s mouth piece
President David O McKay (1964) one of the greatest seers who has ever walked this earth. “We do not need a prophet ~ We have one ~ What we desperately need is a listening ear.”
Should it be a concern to us when the mouthpiece of the Lord keeps constantly and consistently raising his voice of warning about the loss of our freedom as he has over the years? There are two unrighteous ways to deal with his prophetic words of warning: you can fight them or ignore them. Either course will bring you disaster in the long run.
HEAR HIS WORDS: “No greater responsibility rests upon members of the church, upon all citizens of this Republic (not democracy) and of neighboring republics than to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the constitution of the United States.
As important as are all other principles of the gospel, it was the freedom issue which determined whether you received a body. To have been on the wrong side of the freedom issue during the war in heaven meant eternal damnation. How then can Latter-day Saints expect to be on the “side” in this life and escape the eternal consequences? The war in heaven is raging on earth today. The issues are the same: shall men be compelled to do what others claim is for their best welfare or will they heed the counsel of the prophet of the Lord.
No matter what you call it communism, socialism or the WELFARE STATE ~ our freedom is sacrificed.
We believe the gospel is the greatest thing in the world; why then do we not force people to join the church if they are not smart enough to see it on their own? BECAUSE THIS IS SATAN’S WAY, NOT THE LORD’S PLAN. The Lord uses persuasion and love.”( free agency, or the right to make ones own choices) Ibid 273-274
Today two mighty forces are battling for supremacy of the world. The destiny of mankind is in the balance. It is a question of God and liberty or Atheism and slavery.
Those forces are known and have been designated by different terms throughout the ages.
“In the beginning” they were Satan on the one hand, and Christ on the other.
In Joshua’s time they were called “Gods of the Amorites,” on one hand, and “the Lord” on the other. In these days, they are called “domination by the state,” on one hand, “personal liberty,” on the other hand; communism on one hand, free agency on the other. Ibid -274
No one is likely to destroy America but Americans! In America, only the federal government can increase the money supply. Only government can create inflation.
What then can we do to protect ourselves? The first and most obvious step is to get out of debt if at all possible! Avoid looking to government for handouts or future security. Don’t look to “Big Brother” to take care of us thru price controls, rent controls, guaranteed jobs and wages. Remember the greatest helping hands you will ever get are on the ends of your arms! Second: Have something to eat stored away. This is a must!
Any government powerful enough to give the people all they want is also powerful enough to take from the people all that they have.
Third: above all don’t forget your PRAYERS and learn to hear the whisperings of the Spirit and OBEY them! Finally: the very least we can do is keep the commandments, pay an honest tithe and keep saying our prayers and reading the scriptures daily.
Our son Stephen is spending countless hours and money in public speaking. He is acting as a voice of warning to become prepared. And to be centered in Jesus Christ.
I’m trying to do my part through these memos as my lack of strength no longer allows me to do much more. Become prepared in every needful thing and be Christ centered. We will win! I pray for you daily!
My love always,
Dad, Grandpa, brother, friend
Richard Marden Pratt
Grandmother’s apron
by Adaline Kearl Pratt
Grandmother’s apron was of dark calico
purposely made so the dirt wouldn’t show,
full gathered skirt on a band wide,
and a large pocket on the left side.
Her best one was white, with a dainty lace trim,
for quiltings, and ragbees, and calling on friends.
She looked neat in her apron. No sweetness she lacked
in her dainty white apron with bow in the back.
But the everyday apron that she wore so much,
trimmed with bright color of rick rack or such,
was really a part of her. Through heat or frost;
without that apron she really felt lost.
We tell of that apron ~ its various abuses ~
its values, its needs, and its hundreds of uses.
She busied herself, never forsaking
the frying, the roasting, the boiling and baking,
Experiences past, though painful, had told her,
“Remove the hot pot with the handy pot holder.
At meal time she was lucky, if able
to protect the food which was placed on the table,
for quicker than you could ever surmise,
with a flip of her apron, she shooed away flies.
For a better conveyance, you couldn’t ask it,
lifting her apron she made a nice basket.
“Chick-chick-chick-chick” ~ she tossed cracked corn
to her hungry flock early each morn.
Woe to the chickens that scratched in her garden.
Grandma was stern as an old prison warden.
She flapped and she flipped her apron so hard
the hens all went sqawking back to the yard.
Egg gathering time was a pleasure,
each egg a welcome treasure.
So into her apron with eager zest
she gathered the eggs from every nest.
Then lifting her apron up to her hips
she gathers a load of kindling chips
for the stove in the kitchen is big and slow
and without a good starter the fire won’t go.
Summer found her often in the garden hoeing weeds
protecting tiny vegetables to insure the family’s needs.
And now and then she rested, as time would allow
to wipe the perspiration from her weary brow.
A grandchild skins a bony knee
and runs to gran for sympathy
banished are the childish fears
when she wipes away the falling tears.
And if one day there came a stranger
the children always thought of danger
then they would leave their play and race
to feel secure in the hiding place.
Company sighted down the lane.
Plainly seen through the window pane,
rushing fast as she is able
she dusts the chairs and the dining table.
And as she speeds her parting guests
she stands in the door and talks with zest
of friends and crops and the chilly weather
she looks down the valley at the neighboring
farms and wraps her apron around her arms.
And when day is done and evening brings
the hour to untie the apron strings,
weary and worn and feeling her age
she tenderly covered the canary cage.
