Recap of Our First Meeting (session 1)

Natalie and I would like to thank those who attended the first meeting of our group. We feel it was a great evening with good discussion and served as a good kick-off to future discussion sessions.

In this first session we addressed the following key items:

• Why each member felt compelled to get involved in this group and how we feel the group can be of benefit going forward.

• The "awakening" that is going on within individuals and groups regarding the status and future of our nation.

• The role our country has played in God's plan up to now. This land was consecrated by our Heavenly Father and preserved for a specific purpose. The destiny of America is intricately intertwined with the Gospel plan in this final dispensation, and was set up as a free country in which the restoration could occur.

• The restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith, and the growth of the church thus far, emanating from the United States, is just a begining to the role our Father in Heaven has in store for this land. The mission and role of our nation is significant in establishing the New Jerusalem, preparing for the return of the lost tribes, and ushering in the Millenium.

Regarding the role of America in this dispensation, President Brigham Young said the following:

"When the day comes in which the Kingdom of God will bear rule, the flag of the United States will proudly flutter unsullied on the flag staff of liberty and equal rights, without a spot to sully its fair surface; the glorious flag our fathers have bequeathed to us will then be unfurled to the breeze by those who have power to hoist it aloft and defend its sanctity.

"How long will it be before the words of the prophet Joseph Smith will be fulfilled? He said if the Constitution of the United States were saved at all it must be done by this people. It will not be many years before these words come to pass." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 360)

• A short clip was shown entitled "LDS Prophets Warn of The Dangers Facing America". It can be found at the following link.

• Discussion was held regarding the role individual freedom and agency has in the Gospel plan.

• As a group we discussed some of the recent events that have occurred, just in the past few months, that represent a departure from principles of liberty and the role of government ordained by God and set up by our founding fathers.

• We read and discussed excerpts from a General Conference address by Ezra Taft Benson entitled "Not Commanded in All Things". This address clearly outlines the responsibility of Latter Day Saints to engage in what President Benson has often referred to as "the fight for freedom" or the "freedom issue". President Benson then outlines seven tactics the adversary uses to keep good people from getting involved in this issue, and explains the potential consequences if we choose not to get involved.

We will be holding a second session of this first meeting on Thursday May 28th for those who are interested in participating in this group, but were unable to attend the first session.

Please consider others in our area who would find benefit in this group, and invite them to attend. We hope to see many more faces on Thursday May 28th.

Dates and times for future sessions will be published soon.

Key Resources To Accompany the Discussion:

1. Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi Chapter 13
2. Book: Elder Marke E Petersen, (1978) The Great Prologue, Desert Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah (available on Amazon.com starting at $9.99)
3. Book: Jerreld L Newquist (1964) Prophets, Principles, and National Survival, Publishers Press, Salt Lake City, Utah (available on Amazon.com starting at $11.72)
4. Talk: Ezra Taft Benson Not Commanded in All Things General Conference April 1965
5. LDS Prophets Warn Us of Dangers Facing America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehD390q9G3k

Learning From One Another

We are pleased to begin hosting a monthly discussion group on the importance of the values and principles upon which our country was founded. We believe the Constitution of our nation was inspired of God, and we are expected to do all we can to protect and promote the principles of freedom and liberty. President David O. McKay spoke of the importance of local study groups based on the Constitution and the role they play in preserving our liberties. Our knowledge of true principles, as well as our willingness to share them with one-another, is very important. It is an everlasting truth that we can lose the things we hold most precious due to ignorance and apathy, including our freedom.

President Ezra Taft Benson stated "Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time 'this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.' It is my conviction that the elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of constitutional government."

In order to be a part of this balance of power we must hold fast to the principles upon which the Constitution was founded. We must keep these principles in the forefront and educate our children about them. This can be accomplished by helping and teaching one another. That is the reason we are forming this group, and hope all who are interested will become actively involved.

This blog will serve as a central point of communication for discussion topics, discussion notes, recommendations on reading, study materials, and other resources.

The proposed topics for the first meetings are as follows:

Session 1- Introduction and Group Kick Off
This is a discussion centered around why these meetings are being held,what the group expects from the meetings, and how these meetings can help each of us do what we can to stand up for freedom.

Session 2- Prophetic Guidance: Our Duty to Follow Counsel
This discussion will focus around what the prophets and apostles have said regarding our responsibilities in preserving freedom. Our Priesthood leaders have been very clear and direct on what we should be doing to stand up for freedom in our nation. They've also clearly and abundantly described what may happen if we don't.

Session 3- Founding Principles of Our Nation
We cannot stand up for the principles of freedom unless we clearly know what these principles are, and how they were revealed to men. There were several specific and timeless principles that our founding fathers adhered to in forming a new government for free men. In this discussion we will focus on these principles and compare them to what we see happening in our country today.

Session 4- Our Founding Fathers
God has said that our country was established by "wise men raised up to this very purpose". A real understanding of our Constitution and the principles upon which it was founded can be better understood as we better understand the great men through whom God worked to raise up our nation.

Session 5- The Proper Role of Government
Our founders intended the government to play a very specific role in the life of the governed in America. We've seen significant divergence from this role over the past century. This discussion will focus on what that role is, how it was envisioned by our founders, and the consequences that will apply if we cannot return to our founders vision.

Session 6- Threats to our Constitution
Prophets have warned us for years that threats to our Constitution, freedom, and way of life will arise. These threats will come from outside as well as from within. We must be aware of these threats so we can help defeat them.

Future sessions will be determined by the group, and will be facilitated by various group members on a rotating basis.

Check this blog often for updates and details about discussions.

Thank You

Richard and Natalie Parke