M4 Sherman Tank

This is an M4 Sherman Tank used in World War Two. My Grandpa was a driver for one of these in the Pacific Theatre of WWII. The tank had a crew of five which consisted of a commander, gunner, loader, driver, and co-driver. My Grandpa was about 6'2" tall and I am very surprised that he was able to fit in one of these tanks. There were more than 50,000 of these made for WWII. The Sherman Tank had a 75mm gun and many times a flame-thrower as well. This tank showed up as number 10 on a Military Channel List, but I still find it interesting because of the amount produced. Most of all I find interest in this tank because my grandpa drove one when he served in World War Two.

The Truth to our Problems

Heaven hath decreed that tottering empire Britain to irretrievable ruin and thanks to God, since Providence hath so determined, America must raise an empire of permanent duration, supported upon the grand pillars of Truth, Freedom, and Religion, encouraged by the smiles of Justice and defended by her own patriotic
sons. -Nathanael Greene (1776 by David McCullough)

I think this quote is great at stating three building blocks of America: Truth, Freedom, and Religion. Today I listened to Glenn Beck and he talked about how the problem with America today is not necessarily with parties blaming each other for problems. He said it is because there are to many people who are godless and evil. He asked Americans to get back to believing in God and he said no matter what religion you belong, it needs to be one that doesn't hate others or desires to do evil to fellow men.

Great Scripture

This scripture was part of the Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple. I think this is what we should also be praying about in our day.

Doctrine and Covenants 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.

It is amazing to think that this was revealed to Joseph Smith in the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, at a time when the saints were being persecuted by Americans and unaided by the executers of the Constitution.

America, Don't Strike Out

"Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions." Ulysses S. Grant

We know from the scriptures that this is true. Nations are righteous, began to prosper, and then they are destroyed allowing other nations to have there turn. Many nations and empires have fallen to destruction in this world. Let us hope and do the best that we can to prevent a similar thing from happening to America.

Praise by a Communist

That admission of America's past errors "was without a doubt a brave gesture," Castro wrote.

"It would only be fair to recognize that no other United States president would have had the courage to say what he said," the former Cuban leader said.

These are a few praises from Fidel Castro to our president. You know you are doing well as a president of our country when an ex-communist leader gives you praise. Shouldn't we all be so proud?

Where in History Would You Liked to Have Been?

I have just been thinking about places in history I would have liked to been and people I would like to meet. Other than the most important one of being around when Christ walked the earth, I would choose a few others.

1. The Composing and Signing of The Declaration of Independence- To sit in the room when the First Continental Congress decided to declare Independence from Great Britain, to meet John Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and watch as Thomas Jefferson penned the lines, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.", would have been absolutely humbling and reverent.

2. The Defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown-It would have been astounding to meet George Washington and see the British Army surrounded by those fighting for liberty and the joy on the faces of colonists who had finally gained Independence after losing wives, sons, brothers, property, and best friends.

3. To Be With Alf Sorenson in World War Two- I would be greatly appreciative to meet my Grandpa Alf when he was fighting for his country and freedom. To see the horrible things he as well as many others had to go through to protect my freedom and rights. Last of all to be there when he heard of the news that Japan had surrendered and to see the joy of ending a conflict with evil.

These are three places in history I would have enjoyed seeing. Where would you have been?

Sam Adams Quote

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." Samuel Adams

Righteousness Requires Freedom

"America was discovered, colonized, and made into a great nation so that
the Lord would have a proper place both to restore the gospel and from which to send it forth to all other nations. as a prelude to his coming, and so the promised work of restoration would roll forward, the foundations of the American nation were laid." -Bruce R. McConkie

I think the formation of America by farmers, craftsmen, and plantation owners would have been impossible without God helping them defeat the world's most superior military force of the time. God had reasons for helping America come into existence. Freedom from tyranny, allowing personal rights, and especially the freedom of religion were all created as an essential for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to come about and spread to all the world.

It is no coincidence that many principles of the gospel parallel those found in The Constitution. Agency is one of the largest gospel principals I can think of that coincide with The Constitution as well as others. I think that to be a member of this church you have to be a follower of The Constitution.

In Captain Moroni's time there was cause to stand for freedom. When Amalickiah conspired to be king, Moroni rallied his people around the title of liberty "...In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children..." Alma 46:12.

I would think that all true followers of Christ would desire to maintain the freedom and the Constitution of the United States, with all their hearts.

Truth From Another Founding Father

"We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties." -James Madison

This is an excellent quote for our day.

Remember September 11, 2001

Eight years ago people in the United States were attacked on their own soil by terrorists. Three-thousand and seventeen people died from the suicide attacks, while more than six-thousand people were injured. As the world watched the planes collide and the towers fall they had to have felt the threat to freedom and safety in the United States. A terrorist group had gone into America, our country and killed thousands of people. Whether Republican or Democrat, black or white, and everything in between on September 11, 2001 we were all Americans. People put division behind them and mourned over those Americans lost at the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. Today, more than ever in this country, we need that same feeling of unity in a time were freedom is being infringed upon in a more subtle way.

Quarreling Reveals Cowards

"A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit." Thomas Jefferson

This is a very good quote to think about for our day. Just think about how some individuals know what is true and just state the truth while others have to keep trying to justify their ideas by empty words, personal attacks, and diversion tactics.

Good 'ol George

"By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability and expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, altho' death was levelling my companions on every side."
GEORGE WASHINGTON, July 18, 1755

I find it incredible how George Washington was able to fight in two wars and was never wounded in either. He was destined to live and help set the foundation for The United States of America.

Didn't Sound Socialist, but Motives May Have Been

As I watched and listened to President Obama's speech today in school, I was surprised how un-socialist it sounded. The Secretary of Education, however made remarks before the President's speech that made me question what Obama's real intent was with telling students to do the best they can in school to enable them to help fix this country. His speech in and of it self, without motives behind the words, sounded just motivational. Things like taking responsibility for homework, working hard to get a good education, and so on were good encouragement.

Nevertheless President Obama spoke about how hard he worked to get good grades and reach were he's at today. He even spoke of how hard his wife worked to get her education. Working hard to me sounds like a capitalist, what you put in you get out, kind of attribute. I just can't understand why, if he worked so hard to get were he's at now, he would push for laws that would give no motivation for growth and laws that make working seem unnecessary. His speech didn't sound like he wanted to build a socialist nation, but the motives could have been geared that direction. I couldn't really tell what the true motives behind this speech were.

Common Sense Can Still Be Found

Hope is not lost. People still question controversial appointments, such as that of the "czars" to President Obama's staff. Republican Representative Mike Pence, who is the first congressman to stand and question how constitutional the appointment of czars is, proposed the suspending of more czars being appointed. He proposed that no more appointments should be made until congress can examine the background, responsibilities, and constitutionality of "czars" to advise the president.

I applaud this congressman for his ability to stand and question if President Obama's advisers are constitutional. I didn't know today's congressmen new the meaning of the word "constitutional". There is still hope in the system of checks and balances, as well as the maintaining of the Constitution.

Fox News Site about "Czar" resignation: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/06/jones-resignation-embolden-administration-critics/

Obama Education

I was just reading in the Deseret News about the speech President Obama is going to give to America's youth. When you hear of the first few things he will be speaking about it sounds like an encouraging speech, but once you learn that he is going to use this speech to indirectly talk about how youth should take actions to break away from their parents beliefs and indoctrinate themselves with socialistic thinking you wonder were this country will be in the future. President Obama will be talking about the necessity of education in "building a new foundation for America". Yes, education is necessary in maintaining the foundation of America, but not in building a "new foundation". What do you suppose our president means by a new foundation? I believe that building a new foundation in government would be saying that you are creating new principles and getting rid of the previous ones. Does that mean that principles of America such as the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and balance of power between branches of government will be replaced. What will be placed in their absence? Perhaps the right to being shot by criminals, freedom of silence, and the consolidation of power.

I am not saying we should not listen to our president, but if he is trying to deceive America we should make his power go back down to size or perhaps find someone who has morals and believes in America, mainly the already existing foundation of America.

To read the article and angering comments from the following link: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705327522/Obama-protest-planned-by-parents.html