"Why I Banned Barbie"

"To Barbie, or not to Barbie. That is the question.

I have read other mommy columnists who wax nostalgic about their playtime with Barbie, passing on the tradition with their little girls and having a ball. The little shoes, the Corvette, the Dream House! It's all very alluring, very ... pink. What's not to like? I mean, I had a Brooke Shields Barbie doll when I was young and she was loads of fun!

Then one day my oldest son (a big second-grader at the time) came up to me with a half-naked Barbie doll in his hands and said to me sternly, "Mom, I don't think this is an appropriate toy." He had just had a fatherly talk with my husband about what is "appropriate" and what is "a poison worse than the black plague of death itself and should be avoided at all costs, lest it rot your mind like an unstoppable rebel force."

He was right. Half-naked buxom blondes littering the toy chest are not appropriate for my boys. It's just a fact of life that Barbie dolls spend 70 percent of their time either half-clad or not clad at all. Oh, it's all very innocent, of course. Those tiny clothes are really hard for little fingers to put on. Heck, it takes me the better part of 10 minutes to get Barbie ready for her hot date with Ken. How can I expect uncoordinated, chubby hands to wrestle on those microscopic rags and keep her plunging neckline and bare midriff Velcroed up all the time?

I know for families of girls, Barbies are a lifeline, an institution even. But that is not my family. My daughters are surrounded by brothers. Hot-blooded, American boys who should not be put into tough, compromising spots every time they're rooting around the playroom on a quest to find that one LEGO piece to complete their set....

.....

I searched online and found alternative 9-inch dolls we love, namely

"Only Hearts Club" dolls.

These dolls are girls, not women, and feature a much more modest wardrobe for my girls to emulate. They're not old enough to drive (no Corvette), or date (no Ken). But then, neither are my girls! Instead they ride horses, take good care of their pets and look forward to the day when they're finally old enough to babysit. Just right.

Our playroom may still be a mess, and there are LEGO pieces we've resigned we'll never find, but I believe making conscientious choices about playtime helps make our home our very own Dream House." - By Margaret Anderson, ksl.com contributor

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This is an article I read in the news today and I was very impressed with it. I wanted to give her a standing ovation! Finally another mom who sees barbies the same way I do!!! By the way did you know that the woman who invented barbies got the idea while in Europe from a popular sex toy there? It's true! It doesn't surprise me though.

When I read in Margaret's above article about the Only Hearts Club dolls, I went straight to their website. I read about the companies intention to make wholesome dolls, to teach our daughters morals and values and to follow their hearts. I honestly started to cry tears of joy!!!

What is being taught???

I'm amazed at the simple prophetic words of Rudyard Kipling from 1919. His poem is called, "The Gods of the Copybook Headings".

The copybook headings to which the title refers were proverbs or maxims printed at the top of 19th century British schoolboys' notebook pages. The students had to write them by hand repeatedly down the page.

Makes me think about the Godless education in our Country and what is being taught in our school systems today.

You might already know that John Dewey is known for his educational reform around the beginning of the 20th century and was a major influence in how our school systems run today.
But did you know he said the following?.... "I believe there is no such thing as sin to be forgiven and no life beyond the grave but death everlasting... Faith in the prayer-hearing God is an unproved and outmoded faith. There is no God and there is no soul. Hence, there are no needs for the props of traditional religion. With dogma and creed excluded, the immutable truth is also dead and buried. There is no room for fixed, natural law or moral absolutes." (John Dewey, 'Soul-Searching', Teacher Magazine, September 1933, p.33)

When I read this I was blown away! Holy cow! One of the main founders of our education system was a total anti-God and his reformation was to bring the teachings of Marx and Engles into our school system.

Take a look at this!!
The drastic drop in stories with a moral lesson is reflected in a special study of fourth grade readers between 1810 and 1950. Out of each 25 pages the following pages emphasized a moral lesson:

1810 - 16.01 pages

1830 - 16.75 pages

1850 - 12.42 pages

1870 - 6.00 pages

1890 - 4.19 pages

1910 - 4.50 pages

1930 - 1.00 pages

1950 - 0.06 pages

(George C. S. Benson and Thomas S. Engeman, "Amoral America" Stanford, Calif: Hoover Institute PRess, 1975, p. 23)

Needless to say, I have been driven to do some personal study of our Constitution, and the teachings of our Founding Fathers. I believe they would be appalled at what is being taught today!! I want to find out where we went wrong, how we could stray so far from everything they fought for and how to take it back and make things right.

I believe the only way to combat the evil that has been penetrating our society and restore our Country to the principles and morals we once honored is start with ourselves. Educate our minds with truth. Seek to understand and fight for the faith of our fathers. Defend our home. Be with our families as often as we can! Teach our children morals and principles, teach them by our own example. Teach them to pray and pray always. Teach them that God is not dead but that HE LIVES and we are His children. Teach them to follow the Spirit of Truth that God has given each one of us to guide us.

I pray like Elisha did for his servant, "Lord, open my eyes that I may see that they that be with us are more than they that be with them." 2 Kgs. 6: 16

Catholics and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Unite

See the devotional here Francis George Catholics and Latter-day Saints: Partners in the Defense of Religious Freedom February 23, 2010 BYU Broadcasting

Of Mind and Heart

My husband and I were having a discussion the other night about education. And these are a couple of thoughts I had and I wanted to share them...

The finest education is not obtained in state universities but rather in the state of mind and heart.

With a formal education, one may achieve great positions of power, fame or wealth....but in all their fine schooling, if they fail to use this gift of knowledge for good, for the betterment of others, to share virtue and light, If their pursuit is for self and self alone then they have learned nothing and they are fools indeed.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that higher education is not important. It is vital to obtain all the learning one can and seek wisdom all the days of their life. But like all other gifts from God it must be used with wisdom and for worthy purposes and then it will be added unto them, like Jesus teaches in the parable of the talents. For in God is the "highest" education. :)

This makes me think of Prov. 4:7. “With all thy getting get understanding.

..........What are your thoughts?

The Power of Virtue

I read this quote today in a talk given by Sheri Dew. It was a wonderful talk on virtue and the family:

click here http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57746/Sheri-L-Dew-The-Power-of-Virtue.html for the complete text of a talk given by Sister Sheri L. Dew at the World Congress of Families V in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Aug. 10, 2009.


"There can be no public virtue without private morality….And there cannot be a good society unless the majority of individuals in it are at least trying to be good people….A nation that is traveling the low road is a nation that is self-destructing. It is doomed, sooner or later, to collapse from within."

- Clare Boothe Luce

Watch Out!!

On memorial day my two little boys discovered that the cars driving around the grounds of the cemetery were driving extremely slow. Traffic was almost at a standstill, mostly because of the crowds there that day.

My two boys began to play a game of holding up their hands, signaling for the slow moving cars to stop and then cross to the other side. They were amused at their strength to "stop them".

At first I thought it was cute but soon my protective instinct set in. "You guys.. this really isn't a good game to play, you could get hurt... I know the cars are going very, very slowly but please just stay on the grass."......

Later that day, we went up to the canyons with a group of friends for lunch. I had forgotten about the game my boys were playing with the cars. The traffic along the canyon road was critically faster than that at the cemetery and there were blinding curves coupled with steep slopes. Most cars were going about 50 mph. It was a beautiful day, and the weather was perfect. We were sitting in the shade enjoying our lunch when I looked up....

To my horror... there was my little 4yr. old boy standing in the middle of the canyon road with his hands in the air waiting for the cars to come so he could "stop them." I had only a split second to rescue him. If a car came at that moment it would certainly be going fast enough to kill him and if the driver saw him they certainly wouldn't have been able to stop in time because of the steep, blinding curves. I yelled out his name as I ran to him and pulled him out of the road just in time... for only seconds later there passed a speeding car. He was angry at me because he couldn't see the danger. To him, I had spoiled his fun and ruined his game.



.... I have thought about this situation with the cars many times since and have thought how God must feel sometimes when his children insist on having dangerous "fun" and how we as His children get angry at Him because His commandments are too "restricting."



This little experience helped to solidify that God gives us commandments because He loves us and to protect us, they are there to prevent unnecessary hurt and spiritual death to our souls.

Someone once said, "God made us free and He gives us commandments to keep us free." I testify that this is true! He sees the bigger picture. I know He loves us and wants so much for us to be happy, to be free... but we must understand that "His ways are not our ways." I testify that it is only His way that sets us free.

I am thankful for the experience I had that Memorial day... for it taught me a valuable lesson.

God bless you,
Alicia

A Return to Virtue

I was studying in Alma 47 this morning and was reminded of some conference talks given in the fall of 2008. "Christian Courage" by, Robert D. Hales (Quorum of the 12 Apostles) and "Return to Virtue" by, Elaine S. Dalton (General Young Womens President)Photo: Elaine S. Dalton, General Young Women's President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

"Could it be that we have been slowly desensitized into thinking that high moral standards are old-fashioned and not relevant or important in today’s society? As Elder Hales has just reminded us, Lehonti in the Book of Mormon was well positioned on the top of a mountain. He and those he led were “fixed in their minds with a determined resolution” that they would not come down from the mount. It only took the deceitful Amalickiah four tries, each one more bold than the previous, to get Lehonti to “come down off from the mount.”8 And then having embraced Amalickiah’s false promises, Lehonti was “poison[ed] by degrees”9 until he died. Not just poisoned, but “by degrees.” Could it be that this may be happening today? Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us?10 Could it be that we have been deceived by false role models and persuasive media messages that cause us to forget our divine identity?

Are we too being poisoned by degrees? What could be more deceptive than to entice the youth of this noble generation to do nothing or to be busy ever-texting but never coming to a knowledge of the truths contained in a book that was written for you and your day by prophets of God—the Book of Mormon? What could be more deceptive than to entice women, young and old, you and me, to be so involved in ourselves, our looks, our clothes, our body shape and size that we lose sight of our divine identity and our ability to change the world through our virtuous influence? What could be more deceptive than to entice men—young and old, holding the holy priesthood of God—to view seductive pornography and thus focus on flesh instead of faith, to be consumers of vice rather than guardians of virtue? The Book of Mormon relates the story of 2,000 young heroes whose virtue and purity gave them the strength to defend their parents’ covenants and their family’s faith. Their virtue and commitment to be “true at all times” changed the world!11

...What can each of us do to begin our return to virtue? The course and the training program will be unique to each of us. I have derived my personal training program from instructions found in the scriptures: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.”14 “Cleave unto [your] covenants.”15 “Stand … in holy places.”16 “Lay aside the things of [the] world.”17 “Believe that ye must repent.”18 “Always remember him and keep his commandments.”19 And “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, … seek after these things.”20 Now more than ever before, it is time to respond to Moroni’s call to “awake, and arise” and to “lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.”21

...I testify that a return to virtue is possible because of the Savior’s example and the “infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.”22 I testify that we will be enabled and strengthened not only to do hard things but to do all things. Now is the time for each of us to arise and unfurl a banner to the world calling for a return to virtue. "

Elaine S. Dalton, “A Return to Virtue,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 78–80

Gratitude: A Sign of Maturity

A grateful person is so inspiring to be around. Ever notice how uplifting it is to talk to someone who focuses on all the blessings they have? It's contagious! One of the sisters in my church has this wonderful quality. Her name is Cami, she's amazing and I love her dearly.

Anyway, I am reading about the virtue of gratitude in my book "Standing for Something." I thought I would share a few things that Gordon B. Hinckley writes:

"Gratitude is a sign of maturity. It is an indication of sincere humility. It is a hallmark of civility. And most of all, it is a divine principle. I doubt there is anything in which we more offend the Almighty than in our tendency to forget His mercies and to be ungrateful for that which He has given us."

"Where there is appreciation, there is also courtesy and concern for the rights and property of others. Without these, there is arrogance and evil. Where there is gratitude, there is humility instead of pride, generosity rather than selfishness."

"When we walk with gratitude, we do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, but rather with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to us and will bless our lives. We should all be thankful to the Almighty for His wonderful blessings upon us."

"Gratitude is of the very essence of worship - thanksgiving to the God of Heaven, who has given us all that we have that is good."

"Above all else, I am grateful for my belief in God and in His Beloved Son, the Redeemer of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament. In all of human history there is nothing to compare with the Savior's gracious gift of atoning sacrifice."

Thrift and Industry

We live in a time of uncertainty.

This post is part of a series of favorite quotes from a book I've been re-reading entitled, "Standing for Something" by, Gordon B. Hinckley. If you would like to view other quotes from this book click on the label, "Standing for Something". Great book! I highly recommend it!

I found this chapter very encouraging to me because my husband is attending school full time and trying to support a family of 6 on less than 30 hrs. a week. He has a grant that helps with tuition but doesn't cover all of it and certainly doesn't pay our rent and other bills. He forked out almost $1,000 for just his books alone. The ever increasing gas and grocery prices don't help the situation very much either. But amidst all of this I am happy to say we are completely free of debt.

Here are some quotes from chapter 7 of "Standing for Something":

"I believe in the gospel of work. Work is the miracle by which talent is brought to the surface and dreams become reality. There is simply no substitute under the heavens for productive labor."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Children who are taught to work and to enjoy the fruits of that labor have a great advantage as they grow toward maturity. The process of stretching our minds and utilizing the skills of our hands lifts us from the stagnation of mediocrity."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Nothing of real substance comes without work. Nothing happens in this world until there is work. Our pioneer forebears could never plow a field by turning it over in their minds."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"The labor and thrift of the people make a nation, a community, or a family strong. Work and thrift make the family independent.... Bankruptcy generally is the bitter fruit of debt, over extension, and uncontrolled appetites. It is a tragic culmination of a simple process of borrowing more than one can repay. I deplore waste. I deplore unnecessary and uncontrolled extravagance. I value thrift. I believe in temporal prudence and conservatism."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Seductive advertising strives to persuade us that we deserve to have it all and to have it now, regardless of the cost. There is a lack of self-discipline and financial self-control that promises future doom."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"The time has come to get our houses in order. Too many people are living on the very edge of their incomes or beyond.... There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Ours is a wasteful generation. Our pioneer forebears lived by the motto: "Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Today, the obsession with riches cankers and destroys and leads to irresponsible financial decisions."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"We would do well to look to the condition of our personal finances, to be modest and prudent in our expenditures, to discipline our purchasing and avoid debt to the extent possible, to pay off the debt quickly, and to free ourselves from the bondage of others."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"May we set our houses in order. If we have paid our debts, if we have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about our heads, we will have shelter for our families and peace in our hearts."- Gordon B. Hinckley

The Twin Virtues of Forgiveness and Mercy

Chapter 6:

Wow! I really enjoyed this Chapter in Standing for Something. The principle isn't new. All through the scriptures we are taught to follow the Savior's example of love and forgiveness. These virtues are ones I feel are so much easier "said" than "done," at least that's how it is with me. I can preach it until my face is blue... but that doesn't mean I live it. Pride gets in my way. These virtues, for me, are obtained only as I earnestly seek them through much struggle and prayer and through the great Mercy and Forgiveness from a loving Father in Heaven. I stand in awe of the Savior's life and how perfectly He gave us an example of these twin virtues.

Here are some quotes that I really liked from this chapter in Standing for Something, by Gordon B. Hinckley:

"We have need of forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. The whole world has need of them, for they are of the essence of goodness. We need these qualities in homes where tiny molehills of misunderstanding grow into mountains of argument, and where parents and children sometimes hang on to an old grievance for years and even a lifetime. We need them among neighbors whose insignificant differences lead to undying bitterness. We need them among business associates who quarrel and refuse to compromise or forgive when, in most instances, a willingness to sit down together, exercise compassion, and speak quietly one to another could resolve the matter to the blessing of all.

Too often, too many people spend their days blaming others, nurturing grudges, and planning retribution." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Painting: "The Prodical Son" by- Clark Kelley Price

"We are prone to brood on the evil done us, and that brooding becomes as a gnawing and destructive canker.... it takes neither strength nor intelligence to brood in anger over wrongs suffered, to go through life with a spirit of vindictiveness, to dissipate one's abilities in planning retribution, or to press a grievance when someone else is 'down.' There is no genius or peace in the nursing of a grudge." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Hatred always fails and bitterness always destroys. Are there virtues more in need of application in our day, a time marked by litigious proceedings and heated exchanges, than those of forgiving, forgetting, and extending mercy to those who may have wronged us or let us down?" - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Our Redeemer reaches out to us in forgiveness and mercy, but in so doing He commands that we repent of our wrongdoings. A true and magnanimous spirit of forgiveness will become an expression of that required repentance." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"So many of us are prone to say we forgive, when in fact we are unwilling to forget. If the Almighty is willing to forget the sins of the repentant, then why are so many of us inclined to bring up the past again and again? Here is a simple but great lesson we all need to learn: There is no true forgiveness without forgetting." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Let us bind up the wounds - oh, the many wounds that have been caused by cutting words, by stubbornly cultivated grievances, by scheming plans to 'get even' with those who may have wronged us. We all have a little of this spirit of revenge in us. Fortunately, we all also have the power to rise above it." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Painting: "The Good Samaritan" by, Walter Rane

"I plead for a stronger spirit of compassion in all of our relationships, a stronger element of mercy, for if we are merciful we shall obtain mercy from the Ultimate Judge." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"The degree to which we are able to extend mercy is evidence of our commitment to Him who is our Master. He practiced what He preached, for it was He who, while hanging on the cross in dreadful agony, cried out, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34)." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"How great a thing is mercy! Most often it is quiet and unassuming. It receives few headlines. It is the antithesis of vengeance and hatred, of greed and egotism." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Let us be more merciful. Let us get the arrogance out of our lives, the conceit, the egotism. Let us be more compassionate, gentler, filled with more forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and a greater measure of respect one for another. In so doing, our very example will cause others with whom we associate to be more merciful, and we shall have greater claim upon the mercy of God who in His love will be generous toward us." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Learning: "With All Thy Getting - Get Understanding"

These are a few quotes from Chapter five of the book I've been reading by the late President Gordon B. Hinkley, "Standing for Something." This is such an awesome book - I hope sharing these quotes inspires people to go get the book and read it for themselves. To view the other chapters, click on the label "Standing for Something" on the left of the screen.

This chapter is on learning and education:

"No matter how old we become, we can acquire knowledge and use it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it. We can grow and progress and improve- and, in the process, strengthen the lives of those within our circle of influence."

"I believe that the glory of God is intelligence, and that the Almighty takes delight in our efforts to improve and enrich and enhance our minds."

"May I be so bold as to suggest that far too many people spend far too much time mesmerized by the mindless drivel that too often inhabits television airwaves, videos, and other forms of electronic media. What a great contrast it is, a refreshing and liberating contrast to read the great literature of the ages, or the word of God as recorded in sacred books of scripture."

".... we must never stop learning. The more we learn, the more we are in a position to learn. I urge parents everywhere to make a determined effort to create and cultivate within their homes an atmosphere of learning and the growth that will come of it."

"None of us can assume that we have learned enough. I have lived long enough now to say with certainty that as the door closes on one phase of life, it opens on another. It therefore behooves us, and is our charge , to grow constantly toward eternity in what must be a ceaseless quest for truth. And as we search for truth, let us look for the good, the beautiful and the positive."

"The Savior taught, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' (Matt 5:14-16) It is not enough just to live, just to survive. It is incumbent on each of us to equip ourselves to do something worthwhile in society- to acquire more and more light, so that our personal light can help illuminate a darkened world."

- all quotes by Gordon B. Hinckley

"Our Fading Civility"

I have shared quotes from the 3 previous chapters of this book I've been reading called, "Standing for Something." You can click on the label with that title to view the other chapters. Today I am sharing from Chapter 4 - "Our Fading Civility." This chapter is intriguing to me because it doesn't take a genius to see how much we are losing simple common courtesy and gentle behavior in our society and throughout the world.
God Bless You!
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Alicia

These are the quotes I'd like to share today. All of the below are from President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"It is not enough just to be good. We must be good for something. We must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for our presence. And the good that is in us must be spread to others. This is the measure of our civility."

"Civility is the root of the word civilization. It carries with it the essence of courtesy, politeness, and consideration of others. How very much of it we have lost in our contemporary society! All of the education and accomplishments in the world will not count for much unless they are accompanied by marks of gentility, of respect for others, of serving as a good Samaritan, of being men and women who look beyond our own selfish interests to the good of others."

"This is the essence of civility - to extend, without price, a helping or lifting hand to those in need; to anxiously look for ways to strengthen those who may have less than we do."

"We are sons and daughters of God, each a member of the divine family. As surely as He is our Father, we are all brothers and sisters. We simply must work unitedly to remove from our hearts and to drive from our society all elements of hatred, bigotry, racism, and other divisive actions and words that limit a person's ability to progress, learn , and be fully accepted. Snide remarks or racial slurs, hateful epithets, malicious gossip, and mean and vicious rumormongering have no place among us."

"None of us needs someone who only points out our areas of weakness and the ways in which we have fallen short. We need someone who encourages us to go forward, to try again, to reach a little higher this time. Excellence is difficult to achieve in a vacuum."

"Imagine how our own families, let alone the world, would change if we vowed to keep faith with one another, strengthen one another, look for and accentuate the virtues in one another, and speak graciously concerning one another. Imagine the cumulative effect if we treated each other with respect and acceptance, if we willingly provided support. Such interactions practiced on a small scale would surely have a rippling effect throughout our homes and communities and, eventually, society at large."

"There are few things more delightful than participating in a conversation with bright and happy people who have something to say, whose dialogue is witty, scintillating, and punctuated not only by good humor but by thoughtful dialogue about serious and important topics.... There is plenty of humor in the world without resorting to dirty jokes or uncouth language."

"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves. By and large, if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves. For many years, there was a sign on the wall of a shoe shop I patronized that read: 'I complained because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.' The most effective medicine for the sickness of self-pity is to lose ourselves in the service of others."

"I don't suppose that many of us will be remembered a thousand years from now. But in this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, we can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. We can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right and good, and we can lend our efforts and our resources to helping those who have been saddled with handicaps and burdens."

"Caring for others, seeing and reaching beyond our own wants and comforts, cultivating kindness and gentility toward others from all of life's situations and circumstances - these are of the essence of civility, a virtue to be admired, a virtue to be acquired."

- All of the above are quoted from the book by President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Standing for Something."

Making a Case for Morality

I've mentioned in a previous post that I'm re-reading a book I read about 9yrs. ago. It's entitled, "Standing for Something." It was written by the late President Gordon B. Hinckley (Prophet from 1995-2008).

These are quotes I'd like to share from the 3rd Chapter, "Making a Case for Morality."

"A great moral reformation will occur only as reformation takes place in the hearts, minds, and lives of each of us"

"Paul counseled Timothy, 'Keep thyself pure' (1 Tim 5:22) Those are simple words. But they are ever so important. Paul is saying, in effect: Stay away from those things that undermine and eventually destroy the soul."

"The challenge to recognize evil and oppose it is one that every moral, virtuous person must accept... It all begins with our own personal virtue. Reformation of the world begins with reformation of self. We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of moral virtue unless we live lives of virtue."

"It is naive to believe that a steady diet of blatant immorality, played out nightly in our living rooms, has no effect on people...Apparently, a host of advertisers felt confident that in thirty seconds' time they could influence their viewers to buy the products or services they were peddling. Are we really to believe that hours, leading to years of television viewing will not affect attitudes about everything from family life to appropriate sexual relations?"

"In too many homes and lives, [pornography] is now regarded as a legitimate slice of entertainment. Pornography robs its victims of self-respect and of an appreciation of the beauties of life. It tears down those who indulge and pulls them into a slough of evil thoughts and possibly evil deeds. It seduces, destroys, and distorts the truth about love and intimacy. It is more deadly than a foul disease. Pornography is as addictive and self-destructive as illicit drugs, and it literally destroys the personal relationships of those who become its slaves.
Not one of us can afford to partake of this rubbish. We cannot risk the damage it does to the most precious of relationships- marriage- and to other interactions within the family. We cannot risk the effect it will have on our spirit and soul. Salacious videotapes, 900 telephone numbers, the filth found on the Internet, sensual magazines and movies- all are traps to be avoided like the deadliest of plagues."

"Both experience and divine wisdom dictate that moral virtue and cleanliness pave the way that leads to strength of character, peace of mind and heart, and happiness in life."

"The violation of moral virtues in this age, as in any other age, brings only regret, sorrow, loss of self-respect, and, in many cases, tragedy."

"Self-discipline is not necessarily easy. It requires effort and strength. It requires thought and prayer. In the long run, however, self-discipline is a far easier path than is blatant indulgence, which leads to a corrosion of heart and spirit."

"Any self-justification is only self-deception and a miserable fraud. It was said of old that 'he that governeth himself is greater than he that taketh a city.' Can there really be peace in the heart or freedom in the life of any man who has left only misery as the bitter fruit of his indulgence? Can anything be more false or dishonest than gratification of passion without acceptance of responsibility?"

"Legal restraints against immoral behavior are eroding under legislative enactments and court opinions. This is done in the name of freedom- freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of choice in so-called personal matters. But the abuse of these freedoms has yielded enslavement to degrading habits, and behavior that leads only to destruction."

Love, Love, Love

As I shared from my last post, I've just begun to read again a wonderful book called, Standing for Something - (10 neglected virtues that will heal our hearts and homes), by Gordon B. Hinckley

The love I want to talk about is not how the world describes it. The world's definition of love is skewed, twisted, and often portrayed in a very opposite way and is better described as "lust".

The true definition of love, is "the pure love of Christ"... or in other words, "charity."

I desire to share with you a few bits and pieces of the first chapter of this wonderful book I've been reading,

Love: The Lodestar of Life:

" If the world is to be improved, the process of love must make a change in the hearts of humans. It can do so when we look beyond self to give our love to God and others, and do so with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds."

"Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people or bridge the chasms of bitterness."

Painting: "The Prodigal Son" by- Clark Kelley Price

"Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue."

"There is nothing as energizing, as confidence-building, as sustaining as the power of love. How substantial is its influence on the human mind and heart! How great and magnificent is its power in overcoming fear and doubt, worry and discouragement!"

Painting: "The Good Samaritan" by- Walter Rane

"He who most beautifully taught this everlasting truth was the Son of God, the one perfect exemplar, teacher, and embodiment of love. His coming to earth was an expression of His Father's love. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved' (John 3:16-17). In the ultimate expression of love, He did something for us that we could not do for ourselves."

"Now, to all of us who would be His disciples, He has given the great commandment, 'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another' (John 13:34)"

Painting: "Washing the Apostles' Feet" by- Ford Madox Brown

"Love is like the Polar Star. In a changing world, it is a constant. It is something that, when sincere, never moves. It is the very essence of the teachings of Christ. It is the security of the home. I t is the safeguard of community life. It is a beacon of hope in a world of distress."

"Admittedly, it is not always easy to follow the Polar Star of love. It requires a discipline almost beyond the power of many to observe. I think it is the most difficult and also the most important of all commandments. But out of its observance come a remarkable discipline and a refining influence that are wonderful to experience."

"The virtue of love changes lives- ours as well as those of every one with whom we come in contact. It is the virtue that has embedded within it precincts the power to have the most lasting good."

Quotes from "Standing for Something- by Gordon B. Hinckley"

God bless you!

Alicia

The Secularization of America

"If we are to continue to have the freedoms that came of the inspiration of the Almighty to our Founding Fathers, we must return to the God who is their true Author."- Gordon B. Hinckley

About 8 years ago I read a book written by Gordon B. Hinckley called, "Standing for Something." I couldn't put it down! I read it in just about 3 days! I loved it!!

I have just begun to read this book again and recommend it to people of all faiths who believe in God.

There is an illness that is spreading across our nation and it can be remedied, it can be healed if we turn again our hearts to God and live these 10 neglected virtues.

No nation can be greater than the strength of its individual homes or the virtue of its people. Sadly, many today would say ours is a nation in crisis. Families are splintering around us, our children are becoming alienated from their great cultural heritage, and our leaders seem increasingly out of touch. Yet according to (the late) Gordon B. Hinckley, (former) President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (and living Prophet of God), one cannot lose hope.

The solution lies not within our governments, schools, or symbols of popular culture, but rather within ourselves, our families, and our faith. The Chapter's of this book include:

Forward by Mike Wallace

Introduction: The Secularization of America

Part One - The 10 Virtues

1. Love: The Lodestar of Life

2. Where there is Honesty, Other Virtues Will Follow

3. Making a Case for Morality

4. Our Fading Civility

5. Learning: "With All Thy Getting Get Understanding"

6. The Twin Virtues of Forgiveness and Mercy

7. Thrift and Industry: Getting Our Houses in Order

8. Gratitude: A Sign of Maturity

9. Optimism in the face of Cynicism

10. Faith: Our Only Hope

Part 2- The Guardians of Virtue

Marriage: What God Hath Joined Together

The Family: We Can Save Our Nation by Saving Our Homes

Some of which I read today in the introduction, I would like to share with you:

"Can we expect peace and prosperity, harmony and goodwill, when we turn our backs on the Source of our Strength?..."

"I would hope that all of us, within our hearts would then resolve to live nearer to God and the commandments He has given us as a guide in our lives; to walk with gratitude before Him for His generous mercies; to incorporate virtue in its many forms into our lives; to recognize that someday we all must give an accounting of our lives to Him; to strengthen and defend the home; and seek His strength, His wisdom, His inspiration, and His love as we serve in the great society of which each of us is a part..."

"Those who are committed to, and have patterned their lives after, a Higher Power need not rely on public opinion, which is often blatantly skewed. Here is the answer to the conflicts that beset us. Here is the answer to the evils of pornography, abortion, drugs, and the squandering of our resources on evil pursuits. Here is the answer to the great epidemic of litigation that consumes time, saps our financial strength, and shackles our entrepreneurial spirit. Here is the answer to tawdry politics that place selfish interests and pursuits above the common good."

"Let all houses of worship ring with righteousness. Let people everywhere bow in reverence before the Almighty who is our one true source of strength. Let us look inward and adjust our priorities and standards, recommitting ourselves to time-honored virtues that embrace right and shun wrong. Let us look outward in the spirit of the Golden Rule. Let us work tirelessly to defend and strengthen the family, which is the fundamental unit of society." - Gordon B. Hinckley

For the Strength of Youth

Even if you are not of the same religion as me and we have a few different doctrines... I believe that most of the Christian community would agree on the same principles... such as honesty, gratitude, charity, and so on. This is a wonderful guide and resource for Youth and Families. I believe if we apply these principles in our lives the world will be a better place. Check out the topics below by clicking on them-
God bless you,
Alicia

Table of Contents
Message from the First Presidency 2
Agency and Accountability 4
Gratitude 6
Education 9
Family 10
Friends 12
Dress and Appearance 14
Entertainment and the Media 17
Music and Dancing 20
Language 22
Dating 24
Sexual Purity 26
Repentance 29
Honesty 31
Sabbath Day Observance 32
Tithes and Offerings 34
Physical Health 36
Service to Others 38
Go Forward with Faith 40
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles 43
The Family: A Proclamation to the World 44

Pornography

“I plead with you … to keep yourselves free from the stains of the world. You must not indulge in sleazy talk at school. You must not tell sultry jokes. You must not fool around with the Internet to find pornographic material. You must not dial a long-distance telephone number to listen to filth. You must not rent videos with pornography of any kind. This salacious stuff simply is not for you. Stay away from pornography as you would avoid a serious disease. It is as destructive. It can become habitual, and those who indulge in it get so they cannot leave it alone. It is addictive.

“It is a five-billion-dollar business for those who produce it. They make it as … attractive as they know how. It seduces and destroys its victims. It is everywhere. It is all about us. I plead with you young men not to get involved in its use. You simply cannot afford to.

“The girl you marry is worthy of a husband whose life has not been tainted by this ugly and corrosive material” (Ensign, May 1998, 49).President Gordon B. Hinckley

Here are some other ways you can stay far from the lethal spiritual crevice called pornography:

1. Know it when you see it. A simple definition is this: Pornography is any entertainment that uses immodest or indecent images to stimulate sexual feelings. So even a mainstream television program or advertisement can be pornographic. If images trigger sexual feelings in you, you should avoid them.

2. Break the emotional connection. There is a connection between any addictive behavior and emotions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, try to deal with those feelings directly—rather than using pornography or any other destructive means to cover them up. Prayer, scripture study, exercise, positive friends, and regular Church attendance can all help. A parent, a Church leader, or another trusted adult can be a lifeline if problems seem too big to resolve alone.

3. Surf smart. If you have the Internet at home, ask your parents to install an Internet filtering service. But don’t rely on the filter alone; it may fail you. The only real control is self-control. Do keep your computer out of your bedroom; keep it where others will be around.

4. Be a modern-day Joseph. Remember what Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife tried to trap him in an immoral situation? Joseph “fled, and got him out” (Gen. 39:12). In other words, he ran. When you are exposed to pornography, leave immediately—whether by a mouse click, a channel change, or a quick exit from a friend’s house.

5. Get the most powerful help of all. Don’t let your spirit grow weak from lack of spiritual food. A steady diet of righteous influences—such as prayer, scripture study, Mutual, seminary, and a careful study of For the Strength of Youth—can give you the strength you need to navigate through a world that has spiritual crevices at every turn.

Please pray for our Country!

Pray for our Country!!! Pray for good and righteous men and women to stand up for moral issues, for the family, for the importance of children deserving a mom and a dad, for the sanctity of childbearing and womanhood. Pray for the good people of this earth to rise up in defence of religious freedoms. Pray that we will not let down our guard. We cannot afford to support those who mock or strive to tear down the Ten Comandments. If we kick God out of this Country then we are "biting the Hand that feeds us," and we will crumble. This Nation was founded on God. We need Him. We are helpless without Him. Pray for our Country!!! Let's use our freedom to do all that we can to fight for all that is pure, honest, virtueous and good! We can't afford to just sit on the sidelines and do nothing.... I believe we will be held accountible for that.

I've shared this observation about the fall of civilizations before and I'll share it again:

"It's appalling that since the dawn of history no less than 22 civilizations have risen and fallen. When you look for and classify the reasons, they are monotonous in their similarity:

1. They lost their religious convictions and flouted basic morality

2. They became obsessed with sex

3. They debased their money of its intrinsic value and let inflation run rampant

4. Honest work ceased to be a virtue

5. Respect for law disintegrated, and violence became an accepted method of achieving individual and group desires

6. They reached the point where the citizens were no longer willing to be soldiers and fight for the defense of their nation and their heritage; they resorted to paid mercenaries or tried to buy off their attackers" - Kenneth McFarland

Fall of Civilization

I read this observation in a book a while ago but I recall it every time I see these things manifested in our world today.

"It's appalling that since the dawn of history no less than 22 civilizations have risen and fallen. When you look for and classify the reasons, they are monotonous in their similarity:

1. They lost their religious convictions and flouted basic morality

2. They became obsessed with sex

3. They debased their money of its intrinsic value and let inflation run rampant

4. Honest work ceased to be a virtue

5. Respect for law disintegrated, and violence became an accepted method of achieving individual and group desires

6. They reached the point where the citizens were no longer willing to be soldiers and fight for the defense of their nation and their heritage; they resorted to paid mercenaries or tried to buy off their attackers" - Kenneth McFarland

God's Way / The World's Way

The following is just some observations I have made. It's not a poem although it's kind-of in poem format. It's basically just something I wrote randomly.

I'll Choose the First.

God's way...
We percieve things with our hearts,
And not with our eyes and ears.
The world's way...
We percieve things with our eyes and ears,
And not with our hearts.

God's way...
We become more self-less.
The world's way...
We become more selfish.

God's way...
We seek after righteousness.
The world's way...
We seek after self-righteousness.

God's way...
We practice humility.
The world's way...
We practice "high mindedness."

God’s way…
We say, “thank you” more and complain less.
The worlds way…
We complain more and say, “thank you” less.

God's way...
We love more and judge less.
The world's way...
We judge more and love less.
(including ourselves)

God's way...
We love to serve.
The world's way...
We "have to" serve.

God's way...
We focus on the blessings.
The world's way...
We focus on the scarcities.

God's way...
Changes things from the inside-out.
The world's way...
Changes things from the outside-in.

God's way...
We understand each other more.
The world's way...
We fight with each other more.

God's way...
Instills trust and fidelity in relationships.
The world's way...
Instills mistrust and infidelity in relationships.


God's way...
Defends and protects
The sanctity of marriage and the chastity of women.
The world's way...
Exploits and degrades marriage
And mocks the chastity of women.

God's way...
We nurture a spirit of optimism.
The world's way...
We nurture a spirit of pessimism.

God's way...
Increases our perspective.
The world's way...
Decreases our perspective.

God's way...
Rules protect us.
The world's way...
Rules limit us.

God's way...
Always brings freedom.
The world's way...
Always brings bondage.

Conclusion:
Following God and His ways is guaranteed to bring everlasting happiness.
Following the World and it's ways is guaranteed to bring everlasting misery.

Let us be "in" the world.... but not "of" the world.
Let us choose the first!By- Alicia Rawlins http://aliciarawlins.com/