a "been-there" mom of six offers encouragement
to wives, young mothers, and those not so young,
and simple common-sense approaches to
the "ings" of life:
child-rearing (hints and helps), homemaking (all areas),
cooking (simple, cheap, and do-it-yourself)
making (toys and gifts), preparing (for the unexpected),
maintaining (sanity and peace in this increasingly crazy world) and more---
all aspects of making the most of making do on little---
and having fun in the process.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

What Makes Romney Romney: A Mormon's Perspective


This is part two. If you haven't already done so, please  read yesterday's post.

I sat with my feet up last Saturday and Sunday but this time it was not because of gout like the previous weekend. This time it was a highly anticipated and renewing occasion---the twice-a-year opportunity to
hear the modern day servants of our Lord and Savior, speak to us. Each conference is a time of learning and recommitment to fulfilling the covenants we make at baptism to do our best to serve the Lord by serving
His people.

If you are a follower of my blog, you probably already realize I am a Mormon. I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 50 years ago this week.

I attended several different churches over the years — seeking answers to my basic questions and gleaning the good that each religion had to offer.  I found what I was seeking when I attended the “Mormon” Church. I found the straight-forward answers to where did I come from? why am I here? and where am I going? This religion, restored in its fullness from the days of Jesus Christ, taught me how to work towards accomplishing the quote I kept at my bedside.



Governor Mitt Romney was blessed to have these teachings from his very beginning. He was fortunate to have been taught by parents and teachers and leaders who were committed to and taught these messages from the Lord.* 

The teachings of Jesus and His apostles were dramatic and dynamic. They were honest, sometimes brutally so, and necessary for the good of the people. For these very same reasons they were not popular with the general public.

Jesus and His apostles did not try to charm the audiences with witty, entertaining dialog in an effort  to sidestep and gloss over the real issues. Jesus Christ and His leaders did not make empty promises or predictions.  Jesus addressed the real issues---the important issues---personal life- and world-saving issues ---even when they were tough. I don't believe Jesus' style was to bang the pulpit and raise his voice in His efforts to organize and incite the people.  Those methods were used by those who reviled Him and feared Him and didn't want to have personal accountability.

Over the past months we have continually witnessed the media barrage berating Governor Romney's lack of  showmanship and vibrancy as a lack of ability and depth. Nothing could be further from the truth. In truth, it is the attempts at wit and evasion by our current leaders that show their lack of ability and depth. 

Mitt Romney is a product of his beliefs and his upbringing as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I can think of no better way to introduce you to "Mormons," and their deportment, than to let you see and hear for yourselves some of our leaders, at last week-end's conference, as they deliver the instruction and messages our Savior would have us hear.

The following will take you to very short excerpts (most are one minute or less) of messages from last week-end's world-wide conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. These could well be the most important minutes you can spend to let you know  "What Makes Romney Romney." 

http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/apostles-speak-october-2012?lang=eng

To the American People:

Our  lives and the many freedoms we have been granted through the Constitution of this great country of America are endangered and hang on the outcome of this upcoming election.

Please prayerfully consider what I have written, and what you witnessed for yourself as you clicked on the above. 

Please share this with others who may be still be caught up in the vibrant dynamics of our current leaders, not realizing that their increasingly frantic antics are, in reality, an attempt to have us overlook the real-life matters they will not address because they cannot address them.

Please recognize that showmanship and vivaciousness are not the necessary qualities of a good president.

Above all else, please cast your vote.  

Simply, Gail.


*One of the first things we’re taught as children are the Articles 
of Faith — 13 statements that summarize our fundamental beliefs.

Two years before he died, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote them in a letter to a newspaper editor, John Wentworth, who had asked for information about the Church. Ever since the Articles of Faith were written, they’ve inspired and directed us in the basic principles of our gospel. They enhance our understanding of certain doctrines and help us commit to living them. They invite further thought. And they’re a good tool for explaining our beliefs to people unfamiliar with them.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: 
first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; 
second, Repentance; 
third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; 
fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and 
by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach 
the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive 
Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, 
and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. 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.

One final note:

In contrast to the political rantings and ravings we have often heard from the pulpits of Obama's religious leaders, we have never and will never hear a candidate-specific political statement from the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

That's right. Not even when our conference is within a month of the election where "one of our own" is running.  We have been taught the importance of educating ourselves to the facts of every person and situation and to personally and prayerfully cast our vote for the most honest and trustworthy.





Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Many Reasons Christians Should Not Support Obama



Yesterday, I didn't post even though I gave it 
much thought. Now I know why---this arrived 
in my inbox this morning and this is what I need 
to pass on to you.

Dr. Charles Stanley, in partnership with the 
First Baptist Church of Atlanta, presents a weekly program "In Touch" to share life-changing Biblical principles with his audience. Dr. David Barton was a guest on his program.

Dr. Barton is an American Evangelical Christian minister and conservative activist. 

Forward or discard....it's your choice...but PLEASE read before you do!

Should Christians Support President Obama?


Dr. David Barton - on Obama
Respect the office? Yes
Respect the Man in the Office? No, I am sorry to say..
I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, called upon America to unite behind Obama.
Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I AM NOT uniting behind Obama!
I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his abilities as an orator and wordsmith and pray for him, BUT that is it.
I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure that he is a one-term President!
Why am I doing this ?
It is because: 
- I do not share Obama's vision or value system for America ;
- I do not share his Abortion beliefs;
- I do not share his radical Marxist's concept of re-distributing wealth;
- I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who make $150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August);
- I do not share his view that America is Arrogant;
- I do not share his view that America is not a Christian Nation;
- I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%;
- I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegals than our American Citizens who need help;
- I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of marriage;
- I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is our enemy who should give up any land;
- I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made public);
- I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in America.
      - I do not share his Strategic views of the Middle East ;      and
      - I certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes such a Iran .

Bottom line: my America is vastly different from Obama's, and I have a higher obligation to my Country and my GOD to do what is Right!

For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility but for their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family, and his spiritual beliefs!

They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal beliefs for the betterment of our Country!

They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated except being intolerant!

They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years!

They have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the founding and growth of our Country!
They have made every effort to remove the name of GOD or Jesus Christ from our Society!

They have challenged capital punishment, the right to bear firearms, and the most basic principles of our criminal code!

They have attacked one of the most fundamental of all Freedoms, the right of free speech!
Unite behind Obama? Never!

I am sure many of you who read this think that I am going overboard, but I refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the embodiment of Evil!
PRESIDENT BUSH made many mistakes during his Presidency, and I am not sure how history will judge him. However, I believe that he weighed his decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of our Founding Fathers!!!
Majority rules in America , and I will honor the concept; however, I will fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and his "goals for America ..."
I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will destroy our Country! Any more compromise is more defeat!
I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-GOD crowd to slowly change so much of what has been good in America!
GOD bless you and GOD bless our Country!

(Please, please, please, pass this on if you agree.
If you don't agree, just delete it.)
Thanks for your time, may you and yours be safe.
"In GOD We Trust"

I am Simply, Gail and my blog is not usually political but I know we cannot simply ignore what is happening to "We the American People."

If not Obama?  

Please check back with me tomorrow.