The Mormon Effect by the Federalist Press

I have been looking for an original article posted shortly after the 2012 presidential election that was written. It was originally published on the Canada Free Press called "Smart Mormons" by Mike Jensen (22 January 2012). The Federalist has reprinted the article in its entirety:

The "Mormon Effect"

During the 2012 presidential campaign, that awesomely deep well of perpetual wisdom, Alec Baldwin, proclaimed that if Barack Obama were not black, his vote total would have been 20 percent higher.

People of real intelligence realize that the opposite was probably true: if he had been white, his vote total would have been 20 percent lower. The African-American voting bloc combined with enough whites suffering from liberal guilt guaranteed a higher vote total for Obama.

The truth of the matter is, if Mitt Romney had not been a Mormon, his vote total might very well have been significantly higher.

In fact, according to a Gallop poll released in June of last year, while 4 percent of people said they would not vote for a black president, a full 22 percent said they would not vote for a Mormon. In fact, only atheists and gays ranked higher.

So Baldwin probably had it backwards, which he usually does, so that comes as no surprise.

What did come as a surprise to me is why people would have such negative views of Mormons. I have known lots of them in my life, and in most cases they have been hard-working, kind, generous family-oriented people—just the kind of people this country used to value (and maybe that’s the problem right there.)

Mormons have intrigued me ever since Mike Huckabee back in 2007 claimed that Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers. With the recent election over, I decided to check out Mormons a bit more.

My hope in doing this was to explain to readers who Mormons are and whether or not 22 percent of the people were justified in opposing having a Mormon president.

But instead I’m going to share an intriguing bit of Mormon theology I learned that I think makes them perhaps the most politically wise human beings on the planet. Ironically, this story stems from that Huckabee quote about the relationship between Jesus and the devil, but the lesson to be learned is one that, regardless of our political or religious views, we would all be wise to consider.

So here’s what I learned: Mormons, unlike most other Christian sects, believe that all humans lived a life before mortality. They call this the pre-existence or pre-earth life. At birth a veil is placed over our minds so that we don’t remember it (you’ll see why in a minute).

In this pre-earth life, we were all in the presence of God as His spirit children. Jesus was there—the first-born of God’s spirit children, and a leader in the councils in Heaven. Lucifer was also there, and was another leader among the children of God. He was called a “son of the morning.”

At some point in this existence, the Father called all of His children together to explain how things worked. All of His children would have to leave His presence and come to earth for a period of testing. The goal was to see if we would live a righteous life even when we had to live by faith, as we would no longer be able to remember God or heaven (that’s the reason for the veil).

If we would live a righteous life, we would be given the opportunity to return and live with God forever. Otherwise we would forfeit that chance, because no unclean thing can live in God’s presence. However, God knew that we would all make mistakes, so he would provide a Savior for the world. This Savior would live a sinless life, and because of that, he would qualify to pay for the sins of the world through what would be called the “Atonement.” If people would sincerely repent of their sins, then the Atonement would essentially erase their sins, and they could still return and live with God. The Father called for volunteers to be this savior, and two stepped forward: Jesus and Lucifer.

Lucifer said that he would be the savior and he would force everybody to live righteously, thus guaranteeing that all of God’s spirit children would return to Him in heaven [and he, Lucifer would receive all the credit/glory]. Jesus said that He would follow the Father’s plan and allow God’s children their free agency [and all the glory would go to God]. They could choose for themselves whether to live righteously and take advantage of the Atonement or whether to live in sin and forfeit the opportunity to return and live with God.

God rejected Lucifer’s plan, causing Lucifer to rebel and declare war on God. One-third of God’s spirit children joined Lucifer in this rebellion. In the end, the rebellion failed and Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven. They came to earth without bodies and now, continuing the war they started in heaven, they tempt men to do evil to one another and lose out on the chance to return to God. [Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9; Isaiah 14:12]

PAY ATTENTION HERE; THIS IS THE GOOD PART

Now, any traditional Christians reading this will see similarities to their own belief system. Most traditional Christians believe that Lucifer lived in heaven as an angel, but then declared war on God and was cast out. However, the causes for that war are not necessarily clear in traditional Christian theology.

That is where Mormon theology is so intriguing. For Mormons, the greatest of all battles, the war in heaven, was fought over LIBERTY—or as they call it, “free agency.”Lucifer wanted to take it away, while God demanded that humans have it.

Although a Mormon might balk at my making comparisons between their religious beliefs and modern politics (and as I said earlier, every Mormon I’ve ever known was a very good person, so I apologize to any I offend), I see a direct correlation here. For a Mormon, the battle for liberty is not unique to this life; it is the core battle of the ages. Lucifer lost the war in heaven (he really thought he could beat God?), but the war continues on earth. So seeing the government become more and more tyrannical is not just a political concern; it’s a fundamental, eternal concern.

I’m inspired by this Mormon theological idea: God intended for humans to be free to make our own choices and live with the consequences of those choices. The Founding Fathers of this country said essentially the same thing in the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evidence, 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.

My study of Mormonism has not only given me newfound respect for this people and their religion; it has also made me evaluate my own attitude towards the liberty that seems to be slipping through all of our fingers. Is this just something that is nice to have, and for which I thank the Founding Fathers? Or is it really something that is endowed by God, and that He expects me to fight for. According to Mormon theology, I already fought for this once. The fact that I’m here says that I was on God’s side in the war in heaven, and fought for liberty.

A Mormon might ask, why should any of us be less willing to fight for it here than we were there?

Reprinted from “SMART MORMONS,” Canada Free Press By Mike Jensen, January 22, 2013

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.

The Purpose of StatesmenPAC

The purpose of StatesmenPAC is to bring to the hearts of Americans the importance of our historic values which made this nation great.

We are living in historic times in America, but are hedged in by a mediocre Congress made up of mediocre individuals who gain more by going along with narrow, monied powers than by solving problems. StatesmenPAC is seeking 200+ men and women across America to run for Congress in 2014. They want people who have proven themselves through the fires of time and who have emerged with competence, integrity and strength. They expect statesmen to limit their contributions to less than the legally de minimus $200.

StatesmenPAC works with PSBtxt.com which provides communication tools, principally push texting, fundraising, polling, forums and grassroots development, thereby enabling candidates to communicate with their constituents as they are running for office and after, relying on the hearts of Americans to come together on national priorities. PSBtxt is developing grassroots across America, helping Americans understand that we will be heard if we simply unite in purpose.

StatesmenPAC uses texting tools and discussion forums on national issues to strengthen the link between candidates, their campaigns, their volunteers, their small funders and, ultimately, their constituents.

Through PSBtxt, texting tools candidates are able to fundraise, poll, push information to voters and engage them with contests. This is all done within seconds. A SinglePoint worldwide study on texting showed that 98% of people read a text within 3 seconds to 3 minutes. This is an astronomical read rate, with an equally astounding 70.6% click through rate.

PSBtxt has formed a partnership with StatesmenPAC to provide tools and best practices for 200 statesmen candidates for the US House and Senate in 2014. Just by running they will change the status quo. StatesmenPAC believes the election of a great many of them is likely as people all over the country ask themselves why their congressman doesn’t measure up.

We believe the election will be followed by a time of great prosperity and a restoration of American robustness.

John F. Kennedy said, “Let us not seek of the Democrat answer or the Republican answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept responsibility for the future.”

StatesmenPAC seeks men and women willing and able to shoulder the responsibility for the future. PSBtxt seeks both candidates and to empower the grassroots. Imagine, if you will, the ability to respond to a text, shaping the national debate.

Text JOHNADAMS to 33733 and PSBTXT to 33733 to become part of the movement to restore prosperity to America.

Hashtags: #StatesmenPAC #200Statesmen #PSBtxt #EmpowertheGrassroots

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.

Are Healthcare Compacts the Answer to Obamacare

Actual affordable healthcare is one of the key issues I feel can be addressed. Breitbart.com has a thoughtful article on an interstate compact called The Health Care Compact that is worth debating and exploring:

The Health Care Compact: The Best Path Forward 

by Leo Linbeck III

There is no need, at this point, to belabor the problems with the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Suffice it to say that millions of Americans have been negatively impacted by the new law, and that number will grow in the coming months and years.

The question now is what to do about it. Democrats are dividing into two camps: those who want to stand by the President’s signature achievement until the bitter end, and those who are running from Obamacare, trying to save their political careers.

At the same time, Republicans are just trying to stay out of the way. Having voted against the bill, regained control of the House in its wake, and attempted to repeal the ACA multiple times, they are enjoying their moment of vindication. They rightfully fear that any attempt to “fix” Obamacare will allow Democrats and the media to portray them as “co-owning” any problems that occur downstream. And there will be more problems.

But while the Republicans are in a much stronger position than they were at the time of the government shutdown, they are still in a strategic quandary. On the one hand, Obamacare is exacting a very real human toll in the country, and the longer they stand aside doing nothing, the more they will be painted as insensitive and unresponsive to the damage. And many voters, in the midst of a personal crisis, don’t really care who caused the problem. They just want it fixed.

On the other hand, once Republicans provide specifics on the “replace” part of their “repeal and replace” plan, Democrats will switch from defense to offense. If history serves as a guide, we can expect Republicans to propose a policy cooked up in one of the top Washington DC conservative think tanks: Cato, Heritage, AEI, Manhattan, etc. Or perhaps they will dust off Rep. Paul Ryan’s free market plan for reforming health care. But no matter its provenance, their plan will be perceived as pushing a “conservative” solution for the country, designed and implemented in Washington, DC.

Such a move, once made, will put Democrats back on their home court, attacking Republican plans as heartless and greedy. And these attacks will continue into the 2014 election cycle.

So what can be done? Well, it might help to ask, “If you had to come up with the ideal plan going forward, what would it look like?” It might have the following elements:

Read More on Breitbart.com

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.

Judicial Tyranny Rules Against Utah

It is with a heavy heart I write this blog post today. On Friday, Judge Robert Shelby of the 10th Circuit Court indulged in a gross overreach of his power, violating the 10th Amendment rights of Utah, and overturned the 3rd Amendment to Utah's Constitution. Sixty-six percent of Utahns voted for this Amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Amendment 3 reads:

1. Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman.

2. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.

An article in the Deseret News read:

SALT LAKE CITY — A federal judge Friday struck down Utah's voter-approved constitutional amendment — which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman — finding that it violates rights to due process and equal protection as set forth in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 

Although the U.S. Supreme Court upheld earlier this year that it would be left up to the states to decide whether they would accept gay marriage within their borders.

The 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution reads:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8), nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Judge Shelby not only ignored the SCOTUS ruling, but also the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the supreme law of the land. In so doing, Shelby followed a long line of judges who feel they are allowed to legislate from the bench. It is called judicial tyranny, and it was in fine form in the 10th Circuit Court on Friday.

Utah was founded by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who fled America so they could worship according to the dictates of their own conscience. For more than a century Utah's communities were defined by that which was important to them: God, family and country. We knew we'd begun the battle for freedom in heaven, and it continues today, seven thousand plus years later.

The Proclamation on the Family reads:

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

On Friday, when Shelby decided to defy his oath of office, he chose to tell the 66% who voted to maintain traditional marriage, finding it so important we amended our state constitution, that the voice of "We the People" was of no consequence to him. He chose to rule against thousands of years of precedent, and the U.S. Constitution. He should be promptly impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, but I fear they haven't the backbone for that either.

This has happened in state after state. The people vote to maintain traditional marriage, and the courts overturn it. It is a huge mistake and one that will cost America dearly in the long run. I defy history to show one incident where the embracing of homosexuality served society well.

Marriage, as a sacrament, is the sole purview of churches and has been for millennia. The federal government pushed its way in, in order to gain a piece of the pie, and messed it up as they have everything else. It has been suggested, and I am seeing the wisdom of it, that the government get out of the marriage business altogether. Leave it to the churches to manage, and then the issue of protection is no longer of importance.

Yes, there are many who will castigate me for this position, but mine is based on religion, history and current law as defined by the Supreme Court of the United States, not by the 10th Circuit Court.

To date, Robert Shelby denied the oral emergency motion to stay, but has agreed to hear the written motion to stay his decision in an expedited fashion. This will, again, find it's way to SCOTUS where they should strike down the 10 Circuit Court decision to overturn our 3rd Amendment, if they follow their own decision rendered earlier this year.

All in all, there are a huge amount of saddened individuals in the state of Utah.

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.

BYU Fans From Across the World

Alvin played for BYU in the 1980's. I went to school there at the same time. We are both avid BYU Football fans, and often Basketball as well. Cougar Blue runs through our blood! Looks like Hyundai decided the BYU fans were the loyal, faithful and true. Check it out!

 

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.

The Darker Side of Duck Dynasty, and the Sun Rising on the Other Side

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.

America Will Not Fail, Watch and See

The day always comes where we believe we cannot go on. It often seems this fight for America is being lost on a daily basis, but nothing could be further from the truth. I assure you, the battle is being carried out and we will restore prosperity and balance to America. As this battle is waged, every good candidate found will need the support of the nation to win. From coast to coast I call on the grassroots of America to take action and support these candidates by opting into their campaigns, donating what you can ($3 to $199), it really is the battle America must be engaged in. I urge you to watch these particular candidates over the next twelve months and see if I am not proven right:

Matt Bevin for U.S. Senate, Kentucky
Dan Bongino for U.S. Congress, Maryland -- Text BONGINO to 33733 to support him.
Bill Both for House District 22, Utah -- Text BOTH to 33733 to support him.
Craig Bowden for U.S. Congress, Utah -- Text BOWDEN to 33733 to support him.
Bill Connor for U.S. Senate, South Carolina
John Stevens for House District 57, Utah -- Text STEVENS to 33733 to support him.
Rob Maness for U.S. Senate, Louisiana
Ben Sasse  for U.S. Senate, Nebraska
Ryan Zinke for U.S. Congress, Montana
Tim Donnelly for Governor, California

As the months go on, I will add more candidates I think bear watching and supporting to the "Candidates to Watch" in the blog sidebar. So visit often as they are added. Read this quote as often as needed to keep your spirits up, and share this MEME far and wide.

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Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.