Memo #117

Re: Book review of: Man - His Origin and Destiny

(written February 27, 2008)

June 1, 2010

From: Richard M. Pratt

Because the eternal future is so brilliant I am going to endeavor to write a review of one of the most essential books ever written other than the scriptures. The name of the book is:

Man - His Origin and Destiny by Joseph Fielding Smith, a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for more than half of his 97 years of mortal life.( He was the prophet of the church from 1970-1972) It will take several memos to do so. This first one will reach you about two years from the above date. In all likelihood, I will be gone from this mortal life and I write this in hopes that you as if you were the only you and you really are because if you didn’t exist or worse yet, didn’t succeed in receiving the promised blessings would be forever regretful as, I would be, not to be able to enjoy eternal life together.

Here is a quote from Parley P. Pratt (my great grandfather) on what we might hope for in the eons to come.

“In the resurrection, and the life to come, men that are prepared will actually possess a material inheritance on the earth. They will possess houses, and cities, and villages, and gold and silver, and precious stones, and food, and raiment, and they will eat, drink, converse, think, walk, taste, smell and enjoy. They will also sing and preach, and teach, and learn, and investigate, and play on musical instruments, and enjoy all the pure delights of affection, love and domestic felicity. While each, like the risen Jesus can take his friend by the hand and say: “Handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

“God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is every where in the scripture revealed as a being possessing a bodily organization in all its parts. He is said to have head, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, nostrils, face, arms, hands, fingers, back parts, feet and all other parts. It is also said that man was made in his likeness and image. Jesus Christ is also represented to be the express image of his person.”

This marvelous word picture of the God Head is so real, so scriptural and testified to by modern prophets that even a child can understand it.

What I don’t understand is why would anyone want to dispute such a glorious future. For the alternative doesn’t exist, at least not one that anyone in a sane mind would want to accept.

In the forward to Man - His Origin and Destiny Mark E Peterson (member of the twelve apostles) states: “Knowing the great need to provide Later-Day-Saints students of science with material which would help them to preserve their faith and coordinate in their minds the pure truth of both science and revelation, some of us have hoped for a book which could make the facts readily available to them.

Many have recognized in President Joseph Fielding Smith of the council of the twelve the profound student of scripture he is, but not so many were acquainted with the fact that he also is a deep student of science, widely read in various phases of the subject.

Recognizing his possession of this superb knowledge of both science and religion, some of us urged him to write a book on the creation of the world and the origin of man setting forth both the up-to-date views of science, and the facts provided through revelation.

The present volume is the result. It is a most remarkable presentation of material from both sources under discussion. It will fill a great need in the church, and will be particularly invaluable to students who have become confused by the misapplication of information derived from scientific experimentation.

All scientific TRUTHS harmonize with scriptural TRUTHS. The problem is that scientists, owing to their strong desire to display their brilliance have a tendency for theory to become more important than what the theory is trying to prove and if false never will prove. In fact one so called prominent scientist said, “I am more concerned with the elegance of the theory than the truth of it.”

“Few fields of science come into such direct conflict with the revealed scriptures as the palaeo-sciences-historical geology, palethnology, paleontology, palaeogeography.

The theoretical structure of these sciences is incorrect because it is not only in disagreement with the scriptures but is in direct opposition to them...when these sciences are denuded of their theoretical superstructure, they are not found to conflict with the revealed truths of the scriptures.”

I am deeply grateful for this documented and scientifically accurate volume to which one may turn for answers to technical questions.” Melvin A Cook Professor of Metallurgy University of Utah. (Introduction IX) from the introduction by the author.

“There cannot be any conflict between truth revealed from heaven and truth revealed thru the research of man; for truth is a unit and never is found in conflict with itself. Unfortunately we live in an age when many theories which have not been proved are accepted as truth.”

Most of the textbooks written today boldly and impudently contradict the doctrines in the Bible and its history. Instead thereof, the students are confronted with unproved and in many cases, unprovable theories.

That man who leads his fellows away from the path of eternal life, commits the greatest of all crimes!

It is a very strange thing, but verily true, that almost any false doctrine, philosophy or hypothesis, will be readily received. Charlatans and false religious leaders seemingly have little trouble to gain a following and become popular. But the truth has had to fight its way thru the most severe opposition.

The great trouble with so many members of the church is that they do not live in strict accordance with divine law therefore they have not freed themselves from darkness, and they are unable to distinguish the truths from heaven from the theories and doctrines of men.

So far as the philosophy and wisdom of the world are concerned, they mean nothing unless they conform to the revealed word of God. Any doctrine whether it comes in the name of religion, science, philosophy, or whatever it may be, if it is in conflict with the revealed word of the Lord, will fail. It may appear plausible. It may be put before you in language that appeals and which you may not be able to answer. It may appear to be established by evidence that you cannot controvert, but all you need to do is to abide your time. Time will level all things. You will find that every doctrine, every principle, no matter how universally believed, if it is not in accord with the divine word of God to his servants, will perish.

I know of no history published today dealing with ancient peoples that does not start out with a false conception in relation to the origin of man, the age of the earth, and the historical development of the human race.

In the Book of Job, we read, “Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” The answer is, without the Spirit of the Lord, NO! The scientific mind which dwell constantly on the physical and temporal things of the universe endeavoring to fathom all of the laws of nature, but who ignores the spiritual guidance which he could have if he sought in faith for it, will never find out God. He will invariably find and follow false Gods, worshiping the substance and ignoring the Maker.

One thing that a member of the Church may know is most assuredly that God lives, that Jesus is in very deed the Only Begotten Son of God; the Redeemer of the world and the Savior of all those who obey him and keep his commandments. (Chapter I Conflict Between Religion and Science)

Between the revealed word of the Lord to his prophets and the truth revealed thru scientific investigation THERE IS NO CONFLICT. There can be no disagreement wherein truth is arrayed against truth. Could such a thing be possible all things would perish in confusion. There is a conflict between revealed truth coming from the Lord and the false doctrines taught by men of science. There is also a conflict between false religion and truth revealed thru Scientific investigation. The time will come when nothing will remain except truth.

As long as men of science have no faith in the Divine Creator, they will search the hard way. And will formulate false theories which may prove harmful in that they will guide their fellows who accept them away from the revealed plan leading to eternal life.

God does not create worlds to be destroyed. They are created to bring to pass his divine purpose to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Life is not an accident and the human race is not destined to die and cease to be. Neither is life an unimportant by- product of the main line.

The Lord has not created worlds by accident, they are not wandering blindly thru space. The Universe is well organized according to divine law and it is revealed; all kingdoms have a law given:

“And the end shall come (of the present world) and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth...and not one hair, neither mote shall be lost. For it is the workmanship of my hand.

Therefore it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the Celestial glory.

For after it has filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father.

That bodies who are of the Celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.”

Latter-day Saints should be extremely grateful for this light which the Lord has revealed to them concerning their destiny and the destiny of the earth, let us add this comment from Brigham Young:

“ and this world, so benighted at present, and so lightly esteemed by infidels, when it becomes Celestialized, it will be like the sun, and be brought back into the presence of the Father and the Son. It will not then be an opaque body as it is now, but it will be like the stars of the firmament, full of light and glory; It will be a body of light.”

John compared it, in its Celestialized state to a sea of glass.

I started with Parley P. Pratt and feel it fitting to end with Orson Pratt, brothers.

“Who, in looking upon the earth as it ascends in the scale of the Universe does not desire to keep pace with it...Who but the most abandoned, does not desire to be counted worthy to associate with those higher orders of beings who have been redeemed, exalted, and glorified together with the worlds they inhabit. Ages before the foundation of our earth were laid. O man remember the future destiny and glory of the earth and secure thine everlasting inheritance upon the same. That when it shall be glorious, thou shalt be glorious also.

And to YOU and only YOU I love YOU!

All my love always,

Dad, grandpa, brother, uncle friend,

Richard Marden Pratt

Recently I had to give a lesson on preparedness and thought you might like some of the basic information.

It is first and foremost the responsibility of the individual and the family to meet their own emergency needs. LOOK AFTER YOUR OWN FAMILY FIRST THEN AND ONLY THEN DO YOU SEEK TO HELP OTHERS.

Being prepared before an emergency is the key:
FEMA.gov has many disaster training classes at no cost. Also go to the following sites for more information., Bereadyutah.gov, redcross.org, cdc.gov, www.ready.gov

What you can do NOW!...
Make a flamily emergency plan.....choose an out-of-state contact.....pick two meeting places, close-by and one that’s out of the neighborhood......consider the special needs of family members and pets.....know the emergency plans for your children’s schools.....record important telephone numbers.....assemble your 72 hour kits.....PRACTICE with your family. Remember that if you don’t have to evacuate your home stay put and shelter in place. Do plan to be safe! Turning off utilities....leave them on unless there is a problem. TURN Gas off only if you smell or hear a leak. ......HAVE shoes and flashlight by your bed a bathrobe could be useful too.
Hint: If you have children your emergency supplies should include some simple activities. Maybe a good coloring book and crayons. A couple of old issues of the Friend would be fun. Most kits are the bare minium and that is only for survival. Consider making the kits well rounded: A copy of the scriptures, a good book, a game, some gum and hard candy.

News Flash! Another fantastic resource from the Rice family is a Blog site that is packed full of information. I book marked it on my computer as it has so much GOOD!

tm3emergency.blogspot.com

You can click on anything that is blue and it will bring up the “what to do if” on that particular emergency. GO CHECK IT OUT!

Memo #116

May 1, 2010 (written Feb. 25, 2008) Dad worked the last couple of years of his life studying and writing for our learning and benefit! It is a special privilege to be entrusted to put these out monthly. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. In so many ways he is still helping us grow!

Re: 13^th article of Faith

From: Richard M. Pratt

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” 13^th Article of Faith

What a wonderful world we would be living in if this was the universal code and it will be when the Lord reigns personally upon the earth. And may that day be soon is my daily prayer. The day of his second coming was laid in the great plan of Heaven before the earth was, so there is no use praying for the day to be hastened, it will come on the appointed day.

Remember that the Lamanite prophet Samuel gave the wicked Nephites a sign of the birth of Jesus by prophesying that, “there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh (be born) there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.”

“Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there was no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; there fore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; never the less the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.” (Remember this sign was to be given here in America signaling the birth of Jesus in Jerusalem)

Heleman 14: 3-4

“Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.....but it came to pass that the words of the prophets were fulfilled. For behold at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.....and it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew it was the day that the Lord should be born.” 3 Nephi 1:1-19

but we don’t live in that wonderful world yet and must endure the wickedness of the present world. So let us follow the admonition of Paul. Lets start with the first word, “HONEST” What a joy to live in a world where everyone was honest. I can’t remember the many times dishonest people have taken advantage of me not the exact amount of money but it would run well in excess of fifty thousand dollars and a half dozen or more of people. Two of them I forgave the debt and cancelled it, but all the rest were totally dishonest. In fact one man said, “sue me, I never pay my debts in full, how do you think I got rich.” well we sued him and sure enough he won. When we heard he and the judge calling each other by their first names we knew we were lost and we were sure of it when they went out to lunch together.

And these crooks were not all men. I had a little 75 year old woman do about the same as the man listed above. She said, “take me to court, can you imagine what chance big rough old you has against me a cute little o ld widow.”

~ 2 ~

I just walked away in disgust for truly I didn’t have a chance of collecting.

yet I would rather lose all the money than to think some where in that group was an individual who would not have been saved had I kept the money.

An honest man is a true man and can be trusted with your very life. Such a man was my own father. As a small boy I learned this valuable lesson and he was not even aware of it. In the early spring when I was about eight years old, Dad needed money badly so he sold his first cutting of alfalfa hay for ten dollars per ton to be picked up in the field by the buyer when it was cut and cured.

The buyer gave Dad a $5.00 per ton deposit. Two months later the hay was ready to be hauled away. In the meantime the price of hay had doubled to twenty dollars a ton.

The buyer came to haul the hay away and fully expected to pay the increased price. There had been no papers signed, only Dad’s word and a handshake.

The buyer was willing to pay the increased price but MY DAD SAID, “NO WE MADE A DEAL AND I INTEND TO KEEP IT.” Boy what a lesson that was to a small boy and I’ve always tried to emulate my Dad! IT FEELS GOOD TO BE HONEST!

An honest person is a true person they can be depended upon. Both their words and actions are as solid as the mountain stone. An honest man is chaste. He shuns all things that are unclean and impure. An honest man is benevolent, always aiding those in dire circumstances paying an honest tithing and contributing to the other programs of the church that is helping their fellow beings.

I am constantly deluged as you are by mail and phone for charitable contributions. It would be utterly impossible to help them all. One time, long ago, I was looking at a picture of a starving little child and supposedly that child could be saved by as little as fifteen dollars a month. Then these thoughts went through my mind. Most of these commercial “do gooders” take from fifty to ninety percent of your money for management. I thought there must be a better way. And then I thought of my monthly tithing and offerings. Besides tithing which of course is ten percent, there are seven other categories that one can help in. And with the church 100% goes to the needy one. I”m going to list them. And the LDS Church reaches out into all areas of distress in the world.

1. Fast Offering - The equivalent of two meals per month. That’s a minum. And every cent goes to the hungry. So I could increase my Fast offering.

2. Ward Missionary - every cent goes to the missionary- I saw how this works when we were in the islands. The young men wanted to serve missions but had nothing. The church would finance ninety percent of their mission but never 100 percent. So I contrived ways to help those young men make that ten percent. And as soon as they had it saved the church paid the rest. They had found by sad experience that unless the missionary sacrificed a little, they were not effective missionaries.

3. General Missionary fund - if your ward is not sponsoring a missionary, a contribution to the general fund is always welcome.

4. Book of Mormon - suppling to those who can’t afford them.

5. Humanitarian Aid - where ever needed in the world regardless of race, color or creed the Church responds to disasters with supplies and help.

6. Temple construction - The only church in the world that has a saving program for the living and the dead.

~ 3 ~

7. Perpetual Education Fund - This is one of my personal favorites as I hear success stories of

returning missionaries being aided to qualify for a well paying job that would otherwise never be possible. The educational loan is then paid back for another to go to school!

And we believe in doing good to all men regardless of race, color or creed. I had a touching incident happen to me in Moses Lake, Washington about a half a hundred years ago. As I was driving on the busy highway out of town ahead I could see a man trotting as fast as he could carrying a lunch pail. Several cars passed him, but I stopped. He hurriedly got in, saying as he did so, “My car wouldn’t start. And if I don’t get to my job on time I’ll be fired!” He told me where the job was another two or three miles down the road and off to the side a mile or two.

We made it. He got out came around to my side, opened the door and kissed, yes kissed my dirty old work boots, not once but two or three times. I never saw him again, but his thankfulness was so touching I wanted to cry. Oh! Yes and he was black.

Paul says, “We believe all things (that are true) to believe in things that are not true is not just a waste of time, it is much worse than that. Much of what the world believes today is false. And no matter how faithful they are in their beliefs in untruths it will not only not save them but may well lead to their destruction.

Example: as quoted earlier in this memo. “The wicked did not believe the “day-night-day” of bright light that would signify the birth of Jesus in far away Jerusalem. But it happened and of course “scared the living day lights out of them.

So if we will just believe “all things about the Father and the Son, that they are resurrected, glorified men who are trying to lead us into all truth and that the Holy Ghost as the revelator will testify to us of these truths then all other truths are believable and as Paul says. Because of this fundamental belief about God, “we can HOPE all things.” Knowing that our hopes will be justified we can then rest assured with a good conscious that we are doing all things needed to assure our peace and happiness here on earth and in the life following. Such a person is then free from the sorrows of this world so far as they affect them although of course they still sorrow for those who have not yet arrived at a belief of all things.

We have endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things. And we are going to pass through many trials before long that will try our faith to the limit. But we must never, no never give up! And all will be well.“And when I think of God, his Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing he bled and died to take away my sin.” Keep focused on Jesus Christ!

As I look back over my long life and the things I have endured, and they have been many. Yet now that its about over it really doesn’t seem important. The important thing is that everything I have endured has been educational and I have no regrets unless it is like that great patriot of the Revolutionary war, Nathan Hale as the British prepared to hang him, said: “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” Except in my case I would say: “I regret that I have but one life to give to my country, my family and my God.”

If there is anything virtuous, let us seek after it. Let us shun all that is unclean and is destroying the lives of those who indulge in them. I’m thinking of x rated movies and TV programs. I”m thinking of pornographic literature of all the poisons of mind, spirit and body that is ensnaring the unwary. Shun all such as if it were the very poison of hell for truly it is.

Seek after that which is lovely and of good report and praiseworthy. Above all be so living your personal life that the sick, the weary, the discouraged, the lonely and the abused may ~ 4 ~

look to you as an island of refuge in a world beset on its own speedy demise.

It’s such a thrill to be your father, grandpa, uncle, brother, friend or whatever. Let us rejoice together now and always.

My Love,

Dad, Grandpa etc.

Richard Marden Pratt

Mom’s Pink Jell-O fluff (Adaline Pratt’s by Rose Marie Pratt Rowbury)

put a can of canned milk in the fridge as well as a can of equal size crushed pineapple the night before you plan to make this.

1 large package red jell-O

make this with a tiny bit less water than called for and let set up tell “jiggley” in a large bowl.

Crush graham crackers, add 1/4 cup sugar, ½ cube butter and mix well. Put this in the bottom of a large cake pan. Set aside about a 1/4 cup to garnish the top of the finished fluff.

Beat the canned milk like whip cream, add ½ cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla.

Put 1 T lemon juice in jell-o, fold in the whipped milk, stir in the can of crushed pineapple and pour this mixture over the graham cracker crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the top to garnish and set in fridge for 4 hours. This should set up just like mom’s did and served in her glass dishes bring a fond memory or two.

A mother is someone who knows all our needs, hopes and our dreams and desires.

With a genuine interest in all that we do, someone who guides and inspires.

The heart of my mother is full of compassion, is generous, kind and forgiving.

The smile of my mother is loving and tender, and adds so much gladness to living.

My mother is someone with infinite patience, who soothes all my troubles away.

My mother has limitless faith in we her children and loves us day after day.

My mother made a home out of a house by being there and using talents and thoughtful, sweet actions.

My mother is warm, understanding and gentle.

My mother is full of wisdom, strength, loveliness, and grace.

My mother is well read and shares bits of this learning well with others.

My mother shares all that is hers joyfully.

My mother takes pride in her husband, children and home.

My mother radiates beauty. She has a gentle tone to her voice.

My mother is a wonderful grandmother too. She is always thinking of one of them and seeing to their needs.

My mother has always kept her priorities in order.

My mother is an influence for great good on all whom she comes in contact with.

My mother has a quick mind for ideas and can see ways of making things beautifully.

My mother shares her sincere testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She lives a life of dedication to these sacred beliefs.

If mothers were rated from one to ten, my mom would be much more she’d be at least a 15!

Happy Mother’s day!

Love,

Roger, Rose and tribe ((Written in poster form and mom saved this all these years. Probably written 30 years ago before we had a computer! In cleaning out the house from Dad’s passing we have found things they treasured. May 12^th, 2009)) May 9^th is Mother’s Day honor motherhood that day.

Memo #115

April 1, 2010 (written Feb. 2009) April 1^st 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.