April 2010 General Conference

Zachary PItts,
I think I am starting to annoy people. I have dominated this post, but I feel constrained one more time. I have enjoyed this little back and forth with you Zachary PItts.
Here are some of my thoughtsâ€¦.
I appreciate your fair evaluation of Glen Beck as part entertainer. I think we must take his opinion with a grain of salt because controversy = ratings = big pay cheque for Glen Beck so his motives are suspect in my opinion. I understand his point about how words can mask hidden agendas but it seems a bit paranoid and conspiratorial in my opinion. I think we should give other denominations the benefit of the doubt as we would have them do unto us. When other denominations say Mormons are not Christians we feel slighted, similarly when Beck tells other good Christians to leave the churches he is being unkind and uncharitable. Do unto others and turn the other cheek and all that good Sunday School stuff applies here.
I do believe in a free press but it is very disheartening when the press behaves irresponsibly, merely for profit without the public interest at heart. Anyone who watches FOX news should watch the BBC or Al Jezzera and notice some of the differences. (Just waiting for the conservatives to whine, I can hear it in my head). Beck has every right to express his views on a privately owned television or radio station. I just canâ€™t express how disappointed I am that he is openly LDS and espouses such a hurtful position (I wanted to say hateful but I restrained myself.). As this blog purports to discuss LDS topics I found it appropriate to disagree with Beck because he just doesnâ€™t get it.
The Canadian medical system is broken. It is not perfect. But the American system is broken too. I say, good for Obama for attempting to fix a broken system. When millions of people, whose only crime is being poor, canâ€™t get health care something needs to be done. It is a very complex issue but something needs to be done, at least Obama has taken a stab at it and not let wealthy lobbyist purchase their vote. I donâ€™t think either Democrats or Republicans have the right plan. If your politics was not so divisive perhaps both parties could work together and really get something done that works for everyone. Both parties are locked into their ideologies and common sense disappears.
I do not understand the 2000 page health bill and I agree, often the process and procedures of politics are less than ideal. You have a better sense of your political system but I look at Bushâ€™s record which was all about war and deceit. Contrast that to disarmament and health care and Obama looks like a welcomed change to me, I admit I did some cherry picking there but really what is the Bush legacy, not to mention Cheney and Rumsfeld who profited tremendously from the war. (See the profit motive motif again?) Was the war in Iraq a just war? (It didnâ€™t meet the Book of Mormon test Alma 43: 46) How free are the Iraq people now? Are Iraqi citizens better off now than before the war? Bush made a very serious miscalculation unilaterally, a little arrogant donâ€™t you think? Do the Iraqiâ€™s deserve their fate? Are Americans any better than Iraqiâ€™s?
My reference to North Korea was a bit of hyperbole. Liberals love to tease conservatives with such examples to see how loudly they whine. But the point remains, if all nations have equal rights and sovereignty how does one state get more rights than other? Why does North Korea deserve fewer rights than America? I am more of a philosopher than a political scientist to I often generalize to much when I think.
America gives away a lot but its per capita giving is very low in the world. I donâ€™t know why the big fear of redistribution of wealth. Are we not our brotherâ€™s keeper? As a Native American I am sure you know the evils of the dole, but you must also know about poverty, oppression, racism and exclusion. No one is free when these vices exist. Conservatives tend to resist changes in these areas. It turns out that liberals were right when they said it was not so good to segregate people by race. Arenâ€™t we glad that we made a shift towards civil rights? What good are civil rights if they are denied some citizens? Prov. 29: 2
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
The Perpetual Education Plan is a noble example of a hand up and not a hand out. But sadly few governments run on correct principles. We are counseled to be self-sufficient but I think the reason is not only because it is good for us but when we are self sufficient we are able to help others, even if we think they might not deserve it.
Socialism is not my political preference. But increasingly I see greed and avarice oppress the poor in the industrialized world. If you canâ€™t afford insurance you will suffer poor health. If you can afford insurance we will deny your claim based on some preexisting condition hidden in the small print. They prey on the poor with high risk mortgages they can barely afford and then when the market crashes we take their homes. They charge an unfair price for drugs and oppress the elderly, and the sick. They limit jobs to part time so no one is eligible for benefits. They treat workers with little respect and callously lay them off. Banks with huge profits are never satisfied. Financial managers are reckless with their clientâ€™s money.
Most of the problems I have mentioned are not exclusive to any political party but the problem is not the politics of your country. It is the ethics and morals. You canâ€™t write enough laws to control an evil populace.
Self sufficiency is good but none of us is self sufficient we are all beggars before God for all that we have and hope for. Those of us who are blessed with much should be eager to share and not hoard. Ancient prophets of Israel spoke of such social evils too such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. All too often we fail to liken these scriptures to ourselves and think we are righteous when we are not.
D&C 104:13-18
13 For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.
14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.
15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
16 But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

1 Cor. 13: 1-4,
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Mosiah 4:16-19
16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are justâ€”
18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
Isa. 5: 8
8 Â¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

Isa. 10: 2
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
I also find it ironic. Someone early in this post alluded to the fact that Elder Christopherson was alluding to Beck when he spoke of social justice. I am beginning to think I was incorrect and that he was referring to Beck. I thought if Elder Christopherson would get any support it would be on this blog. I guess not.

Enough of my pompous opinions.

55 thoughts on “April 2010 General Conference”

Zachary Pitts says:

15 Apr 2010 at 19:54

ExMoHoMoDon,

Just curious if you read my last entry? Anonymous responded to it and, while I’m sure he doesn’t agree with everything, admitted that there were reasons behind some of my convictions which he was unaware of. I was able to support those convictions with hard data. Do you have anything to back up your claim that the people most responsible for America’s out of control spending are GW Bush, Reagan, Obama, and GHW Bush, in that order?

Anonymous,

Thanks for your time and the healthy debate. Enjoy your time off.
TylerM says:

17 Apr 2010 at 12:07

Anonymus,

First of all I am Canadian and I take offense to being lumped in with so called “Americans”. There I got that off my chest, I apologize in advance for my tounge in cheek response to all those belonging to the United States of America.

Second at what point did you feel I labelled you as a “Liberal”? I did say that you were spouting a leftist agenda which I will still allow that opinion stand. You assumed and then took offense to the fact that I was comparing what you were saying to what I qualified as a complete generalization of Right wing and Left wing thinkers. I still feel that I have a point and the facts show the validity of it as well.

Third my original question still has yet to be answered.

“How is Glenn Beck restricting anyoneâ€™s freedom to exercise religion?”

Your criticism

“Deal with my ideas and quit the labeling me”

seems sort of hypocritical at this point does it not?
Anonymous says:

19 Apr 2010 at 20:04

Zachary PItts,
I think I am starting to annoy people. I have dominated this post, but I feel constrained one more time. I have enjoyed this little back and forth with you Zachary PItts.
Here are some of my thoughtsâ€¦.
I appreciate your fair evaluation of Glen Beck as part entertainer. I think we must take his opinion with a grain of salt because controversy = ratings = big pay cheque for Glen Beck so his motives are suspect in my opinion. I understand his point about how words can mask hidden agendas but it seems a bit paranoid and conspiratorial in my opinion. I think we should give other denominations the benefit of the doubt as we would have them do unto us. When other denominations say Mormons are not Christians we feel slighted, similarly when Beck tells other good Christians to leave the churches he is being unkind and uncharitable. Do unto others and turn the other cheek and all that good Sunday School stuff applies here.
I do believe in a free press but it is very disheartening when the press behaves irresponsibly, merely for profit without the public interest at heart. Anyone who watches FOX news should watch the BBC or Al Jezzera and notice some of the differences. (Just waiting for the conservatives to whine, I can hear it in my head). Beck has every right to express his views on a privately owned television or radio station. I just canâ€™t express how disappointed I am that he is openly LDS and espouses such a hurtful position (I wanted to say hateful but I restrained myself.). As this blog purports to discuss LDS topics I found it appropriate to disagree with Beck because he just doesnâ€™t get it.
The Canadian medical system is broken. It is not perfect. But the American system is broken too. I say, good for Obama for attempting to fix a broken system. When millions of people, whose only crime is being poor, canâ€™t get health care something needs to be done. It is a very complex issue but something needs to be done, at least Obama has taken a stab at it and not let wealthy lobbyist purchase their vote. I donâ€™t think either Democrats or Republicans have the right plan. If your politics was not so divisive perhaps both parties could work together and really get something done that works for everyone. Both parties are locked into their ideologies and common sense disappears.
I do not understand the 2000 page health bill and I agree, often the process and procedures of politics are less than ideal. You have a better sense of your political system but I look at Bushâ€™s record which was all about war and deceit. Contrast that to disarmament and health care and Obama looks like a welcomed change to me, I admit I did some cherry picking there but really what is the Bush legacy, not to mention Cheney and Rumsfeld who profited tremendously from the war. (See the profit motive motif again?) Was the war in Iraq a just war? (It didnâ€™t meet the Book of Mormon test Alma 43: 46) How free are the Iraq people now? Are Iraqi citizens better off now than before the war? Bush made a very serious miscalculation unilaterally, a little arrogant donâ€™t you think? Do the Iraqiâ€™s deserve their fate? Are Americans any better than Iraqiâ€™s?
My reference to North Korea was a bit of hyperbole. Liberals love to tease conservatives with such examples to see how loudly they whine. But the point remains, if all nations have equal rights and sovereignty how does one state get more rights than other? Why does North Korea deserve fewer rights than America? I am more of a philosopher than a political scientist to I often generalize to much when I think.
America gives away a lot but its per capita giving is very low in the world. I donâ€™t know why the big fear of redistribution of wealth. Are we not our brotherâ€™s keeper? As a Native American I am sure you know the evils of the dole, but you must also know about poverty, oppression, racism and exclusion. No one is free when these vices exist. Conservatives tend to resist changes in these areas. It turns out that liberals were right when they said it was not so good to segregate people by race. Arenâ€™t we glad that we made a shift towards civil rights? What good are civil rights if they are denied some citizens? Prov. 29: 2
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
The Perpetual Education Plan is a noble example of a hand up and not a hand out. But sadly few governments run on correct principles. We are counseled to be self-sufficient but I think the reason is not only because it is good for us but when we are self sufficient we are able to help others, even if we think they might not deserve it.
Socialism is not my political preference. But increasingly I see greed and avarice oppress the poor in the industrialized world. If you canâ€™t afford insurance you will suffer poor health. If you can afford insurance we will deny your claim based on some preexisting condition hidden in the small print. They prey on the poor with high risk mortgages they can barely afford and then when the market crashes we take their homes. They charge an unfair price for drugs and oppress the elderly, and the sick. They limit jobs to part time so no one is eligible for benefits. They treat workers with little respect and callously lay them off. Banks with huge profits are never satisfied. Financial managers are reckless with their clientâ€™s money.
Most of the problems I have mentioned are not exclusive to any political party but the problem is not the politics of your country. It is the ethics and morals. You canâ€™t write enough laws to control an evil populace.
Self sufficiency is good but none of us is self sufficient we are all beggars before God for all that we have and hope for. Those of us who are blessed with much should be eager to share and not hoard. Ancient prophets of Israel spoke of such social evils too such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. All too often we fail to liken these scriptures to ourselves and think we are righteous when we are not.
D&C 104:13-18
13 For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.
14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.
15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
16 But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

1 Cor. 13: 1-4,
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Mosiah 4:16-19
16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are justâ€”
18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
Isa. 5: 8
8 Â¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

Isa. 10: 2
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
I also find it ironic. Someone early in this post alluded to the fact that Elder Christopherson was alluding to Beck when he spoke of social justice. I am beginning to think I was incorrect and that he was referring to Beck. I thought if Elder Christopherson would get any support it would be on this blog. I guess not.

Enough of my pompous opinions.
TylerM says:

20 Apr 2010 at 07:38

Anonymous,

I hope it isn’t me that you feel you are annoying. The last post was mostly intended to be satirical I apologize if I offended you. I am actually interested in your opinion regarding the basis of your argument. I have always wondered why it is more “politically correct” to sensor the thoughts of the perceived majority while allowing the opinions of the minority to go unchecked. Which is why I asked where you felt that Glen Beck was restricting others freedom to religion. I guess I may never understand it but I thought maybe you or others might have some insight into what I consider an anomaly.
Anonymous says:

20 Apr 2010 at 09:40

I don’t think Beck is actually restricting anyone’s freedom. But his call for Christians to leave their churches seems to be pushing the boundaries or tolerance and respect for others. I would not want to be treated this way.

I may have been a little unbalanced myself but it seemed appropriate because I see Beck as unbalanced to the right.

I do not think that all the private sector are corrupt and people need an economy. Jobs are so important to peoples well being. I love the small business sector. But I am concerned about companies of today that are approaching near monopoly size that unduly exercise unrighteous dominion.

This will be my last post here (I hope) I would sure like to hear other peoples points of view though.

Comments are closed.

April 2010 General Conference

Published by

Kim Siever

55 thoughts on “April 2010 General Conference”