I wrote this a couple months ago and thought it might be worth posting.
I finished reading 1984 today. In the last forty pages or so it talked about reality, 'it only exists in your mind, nothing is really real,' in addition, it was one of those days when nothing seemed real, like I was walking through a dream (I don't know if other people ever have days like that, but I do fairly often,) and I was wondering what reality was, questioning, doubting everything; also, I was becoming very depressed-and if you know me, you know that's a big deal- about the totalitarian government, how there was absolutely no way to change it, it was "immortal," and then about America, and her future.
After I had finished reading the book we watched Elder Bednar's CES braodcast "Things As They Really Are."
As I watched I was trying, with relatively no success, to silence the part of my brain that kept saying it wasn't real- for I had been reading 1984 right before listening to the talk and I had gotten into the habit of telling myself that while I was reading to keep from getting emotionally attached and even further depressed- I kept telling myself to listen with 'blind faith', as it were, but unbidden thoughts kept coming, casting doubt into my heart, saying things like; "Your being indoctrinated," "It's not real," "You're just using double-think to make yourself believe it is," etc...
Then, just as I was on the brink of giving in to these thoughts, Elder Bednar started talking about reality, how this life, this spirit which posses my body is real, immediately all doubt and all fear, all darkness, was cast out leaving only pure, brilliant Faith. I knew at that moment that what I was hearing was truth, truth in it's purest form, that I was not just listening to some "Big Brother" figure, but an apostle that is called of God, that I couldn't be using double think because what I was hearing all corresponded with it's self and the scripture so perfectly, I did not have to simultaneously convince myself of two opposing 'facts' for it to be true. They all testified of one truth, that Jesus is the Christ.
Also, all my fears and depression about totalitarian government and America's future vanished when he said this: "This [my] generation shall establish Zion, and Zion shall reign forever."
As he spoke my heart melted, and tears flowed from my eyes, for all earthly governments shall pass away, and even if such a totalitarian government as in 1984 could be established, unconquerable by the hands of men, when Christ comes again all the wicked will be burned, Big Brother must perish, and Zion, Zion shall reign forever!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Yes We Can?
Just recently I listened to President Obama's 'Yes We Can' speech. In his speech he states;
"In the unlikely story of America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of the people.
Yes we can.
It was the creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can...
Yes we cant to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair the world. Yes we can."
They are amazing and inspirational words, but, contrary to what president Obama said, it is a false hope. A hope in one's own strength, a hope in one's own knowledge. And was not the creed which was 'written into the founding documents which determined the destiny of [this] nation' In God We Trust? How much truer a hope is this, a hope in something bigger than self, something bigger than any enemy which could come against us, somebody through which 'we can,' and have prevailed against all odds.
Wouldn't it be beautiful if the speech read instead;
"In the unlikely story of America, when we have faced down impossible odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of the people.
In God we trust.
It was the creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
In God we trust.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights.
In God we trust.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
In God we trust...
In God we trust to justice and equality. In God we trust to opportunity and prosperity. In God we trust to heal this nation. In God we trust to repair the world. In God we trust."
And instead of hundreds, possibly even thousands of men and women chanting 'Yes we can,' at the end of his speech they chanted 'In God we trust,' and instead of his speech ending;
"And together we wil bigin the next great chapter in America's story with these three words which will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea-Yes we can."
they ended as this blog entry will.
Together with God, we will continue America's great story, with a creed with which she was founded that will ring louder and louder from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea- IN GOD WE TRUST!
"In the unlikely story of America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of the people.
Yes we can.
It was the creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can...
Yes we cant to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair the world. Yes we can."
They are amazing and inspirational words, but, contrary to what president Obama said, it is a false hope. A hope in one's own strength, a hope in one's own knowledge. And was not the creed which was 'written into the founding documents which determined the destiny of [this] nation' In God We Trust? How much truer a hope is this, a hope in something bigger than self, something bigger than any enemy which could come against us, somebody through which 'we can,' and have prevailed against all odds.
Wouldn't it be beautiful if the speech read instead;
"In the unlikely story of America, when we have faced down impossible odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of the people.
In God we trust.
It was the creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
In God we trust.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights.
In God we trust.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
In God we trust...
In God we trust to justice and equality. In God we trust to opportunity and prosperity. In God we trust to heal this nation. In God we trust to repair the world. In God we trust."
And instead of hundreds, possibly even thousands of men and women chanting 'Yes we can,' at the end of his speech they chanted 'In God we trust,' and instead of his speech ending;
"And together we wil bigin the next great chapter in America's story with these three words which will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea-Yes we can."
they ended as this blog entry will.
Together with God, we will continue America's great story, with a creed with which she was founded that will ring louder and louder from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea- IN GOD WE TRUST!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
In order to intern for the Eagle forum at the capitol, they asked us to complete an essay on why we want to intern and what we wish to get from the experience, So... here's my essay.
Fourteen years ago I was born to two wonderful people. a mother who taught me of the gospel and God's love for me, and a father with a fervent passion for history, freedom and patriotism, who instilled in my the same passions while I was but a small child. That passion slowly grew until it became an unquenchable fire!
Now I know who I am, I know of the many sacrifices of brave, patriotic men and women who fought for my freedom and happiness, I know what this country was and is founded upon, and I have seen the plans of evil and conspiring men to destroy that foundation and make void the many sacrifices of those men and women.
Now I am filled with a burning desire to heal and keep my country free! To protect my rights, and the rights of every man, woman and child living in this promised and blessed land, but I am still very young and, for long while, have not know how, at my age I could be of any use to my country.
Until now!
Now I have the opportunity to serve my country as an intern at the Utah state capitol, to aid those who have the same passions and dreams as I. I have the opportunity to learn of the workings and proceedings of our congress and to work alongside modern heroes sacrificing and fighting to preserve the truths and rights which are being threatened, those same truths and rights for which our fore fathers fought so diligently.
My goal in interning is to learn all I can about myself and my country to help prepare me for my future so I may make the biggest difference I can, and serve my country to the fullest of my ability.
Fourteen years ago I was born to two wonderful people. a mother who taught me of the gospel and God's love for me, and a father with a fervent passion for history, freedom and patriotism, who instilled in my the same passions while I was but a small child. That passion slowly grew until it became an unquenchable fire!
Now I know who I am, I know of the many sacrifices of brave, patriotic men and women who fought for my freedom and happiness, I know what this country was and is founded upon, and I have seen the plans of evil and conspiring men to destroy that foundation and make void the many sacrifices of those men and women.
Now I am filled with a burning desire to heal and keep my country free! To protect my rights, and the rights of every man, woman and child living in this promised and blessed land, but I am still very young and, for long while, have not know how, at my age I could be of any use to my country.
Until now!
Now I have the opportunity to serve my country as an intern at the Utah state capitol, to aid those who have the same passions and dreams as I. I have the opportunity to learn of the workings and proceedings of our congress and to work alongside modern heroes sacrificing and fighting to preserve the truths and rights which are being threatened, those same truths and rights for which our fore fathers fought so diligently.
My goal in interning is to learn all I can about myself and my country to help prepare me for my future so I may make the biggest difference I can, and serve my country to the fullest of my ability.
Welcome to my blog! I will be interning at the state capitol this session of congress and I created this blog for the purpose of informing the citizenry of Utah, of the current issues and bills going through our state congress, and to inspire them to greater patriotism and love for their country (for this is an issue very dear to my heart) and also to inspire them to contact their senators on the issues and bills they are passionate about.
I will, however, also have some fun things such as a quote of the week, quizzes and interesting ponderisms. Sound fun? Good! I hope you will get as much out of reading this as I do of writing!
Until I type again, keep the faith, keep the freedom, and keep the passion!
Your founder of tomorrow, Alyssa.
Btw, Please feel free to comment, I am very intersted to see what you have to say, even if you are in opposition to my political or other opinions. I think it very important to hear all sides of issues and current events. Please refrain from all forms of profanity and insulting language. Thank you!
I will, however, also have some fun things such as a quote of the week, quizzes and interesting ponderisms. Sound fun? Good! I hope you will get as much out of reading this as I do of writing!
Until I type again, keep the faith, keep the freedom, and keep the passion!
Your founder of tomorrow, Alyssa.
Btw, Please feel free to comment, I am very intersted to see what you have to say, even if you are in opposition to my political or other opinions. I think it very important to hear all sides of issues and current events. Please refrain from all forms of profanity and insulting language. Thank you!
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