Several of our readers have asked for the Beehive Standard Weekly to speak out on the recent raids on polygamists in Texas. Uniquely, our staff consists of lawyers who also happen to be Mormon, who also happen to be journalists. To that end, perhaps we can't avoid having or expressing an opinion.
To that end, we offer the conclusion before the commentary, so no one can misquote us without knowing that they are misquoting us.
Conclusion: Our conclusion is that though there may be specific and individual examples of violations of several laws of the State of Texas relating to underage marriage, the state and federal authorities have also violated the most sacred law of all, the United States Constitution. In the balance, religious prejudice and bigotry has tainted the actions of authorities, the media and the peeping-tom public. It may be one of the ugliest displays of religious intolerance since -- well, since the Mormons were driven out of the United States.
With that said, this is not an apology for those who have violated the law or abused children. Those participating in such low crimes should be brought to justice. The FLDS cannot hide behind their faith for attrocities against children. Religion is not an excuse for violating the laws which are clear and unambiguous.
Collective persecution, however, is not the way to obtain justice. In the majority, the people who were subject to the raid were living peaceful lives, though their religious practices are clearly not mainstream.
Some may view this act of Texas authorities as America taking a stand against abusive religious doctrines. In many ways, this is a test of the American system. Either we believe in religious freedom, or we don't. If we don't, then let's not act like hypocrites and let's rescind the right under the Bill of Rights. We can't continue to hold up litmus tests for public office and persecute those who don't hold mainstream religious beliefs and claim at the same time to have religious freedom. We either do, or we don't.
This lesson is centered around the sermon of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, and his comments on the atonement of Christ for the sins of man. Here are some points you may want to consider in giving your lesson:
Teacher Hint: Always question why certain words were chosen in the scriptures and the history of the writer to obtain proper intention of the writer.
Background
Jacob has received the priesthood from either Nephi or his father and has been "consecrated." From this we can presume that he has received a call to a particular position or responsibility. (1 Nephi 6:2). We note that Nephi has taken the role of a "king" and is probably busy with administrative matters. Not unlike King Josiah in Jerusalem, Nephi would have had a secular and religious role over his people and has likely passed on to Jacob some of the responsibilities of the church.
We see in versus 4, 8, & 9 that Jacob has had the same or nearly the same vision experienced by his brother Nephi and his father Lehi regarding the coming of the Messiah and the destruction of the people of Jerusalem; however, his vision has come much later. Jacob states that he has been shown that those in Jerusalem have now been slain and carried away captive -- in the past tense. So his vision would have come more recently or at least after Nephi's vision.
He mentions an angel who has spoken to him of these matters (v9).
Jacob's sermon seems to accent the role of the Messiah in the last days in the fulfilling of the promises to the chosen people. In verse 14, we see that the Messiah will recover Israel a second time by manifesting himself and destroying their enemies.
John McCain is headed for defeat in November. He has won over 40 percent of the Republican party, but will likely face a political rock star in Barack Obama who will not lose a single Democratic vote and might even get some Republican cross-overs. A McCain defeat will be devastating for the GOP and a last embarrassing blow to a once proud coalition of religious, financial and military conservatives.
To avert this loss, Senator McCain, with the help of prominent conservatives, needs to make a New National Covenant filled with new ideas and a definition of conservatism.
Shunned Mormons Could Serve Up the West for Obama Mormons learned a hard lesson from the presidential campaign of Mitt Romney. The message Southern Evangelicals made loud and clear was "you are not welcome." Despite sharing substantially similar values, Mormons and Evangelicals are deeply divided on the issue of theology. To Mormons, voting for Evangelical candidates is routine. For Evangelicals, voting for a Mormon candidate is now seen as nearly heresy -- hence the reason Mormons may abandon the Republican Presidential nominee in November
As one blog contributor noted recently, this election was never about the Mormons supporting Evangelicals, as there is a history of such support coming from Mormons. This election was about turn about and fair play. Mormons believed that the Republican Evangelical base in the southwestern portion of the United States would accept a Mormon candidate on shared values, despite theological differences. In other words, Mormons incorrectly assumed that where common values prevailed over theology, Evangelicals would return the favor and vote for a Mormon candidate.
Having seen the first installment of the series, some may question whether Nicolas Cage and his entourage of conspiracy-theory treasure hunters could strike a cord a second time. The answer is somewhat mixed, but in the end, it is hard to argue that this latest episode was still very entertaining and deserving of a Saturday afternoon with the kids.
The storyline picks up after the first film and we now see our hero treasure hunter, Ben Hunter (Nicolas Cage), and his ex-girlfriend (Diane Kruger) on the outs. At the same time, a strange southerner (Ed Harris) asserts that a famous ancestor of our hero was actually involved in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, a charge Gates takes personally.
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