What's the De-Neutralize Zone?

I guess some explanantion is in order as to the title of my blog -- the DeNeutralize Zone?

I believe that the prophets have clearly stated that it will be the elders of Israel who will step forward to help save the Constitution.

However, many of the prophecies referring to America's preservation are conditional. That is, if we do our duty we can be preserved, and if not, then we shall be destroyed. This means that a good deal of the responsibility lies with the Priesthood of this Church as to what happens to America and as to how much tragedy can be avoided if we act now.

I believe if we would do our homework and were faithful, we could step forward right now and help save this country. The sad fact is; most of us are unprepared to do it. And why are so unprepared? Sadly, I believe sadly that the devil has concentrated his effort, to a large extent successfully, in neutralizing much of the priesthood.

How has he accomplished this? Well, there are two unrighteous ways to deal with the numerous prophetic statements of warning: you can fight them or you can ignore them. Either course brings disaster in the long run.

I believe that by and large, most of the priesthood doesn't fight against the prophets warnings; rather, they simply ignore them. This site will be a place to analyze some of the fallacies and lies that Satan uses to deceive us, to lull us to sleep. Here are a few of them I can list right off: (In a future post, I intend to address them each individually and in depth, and why I believe they are lies)

We haven't really received much instruction about freedom.
baloney

I'm too involved in other Church work.
manage time better

I want to be loved by everyone. The freedom battle is too controversial. I might be accused of engaging in politics .
this didn't fly in the war in heaven

I'll wait until it becomes popular to do, or at least until everybody in the Church agrees on what should be done.
you might wait till heck freezes over

It might hurt my business or my family. I'll let others save the country -- they aren't as busy as me.
I'm glad George Washington didn't say this

As long as we are righteous, the Lord will protect us, whereas the world is so corrupt and heading toward destruction at such a pace that we can't stop it, so why try.
this is "carnal security" see 2 Nephi 28:21

There's no need to do anything in the fight for freedom until the Church sets up its own specific program to save the Constitution.
might never happen. "Be not compelled in all things"

I will admit, that there are times when #6 gets to me. When I get feeling overwhelmed, and that there's nothing I personally can do to stave off the constant onslaught of wickedness, war, homosexuality, divorce, immorality, violence, etc. etc. I sometimes feel like 'calling it quits' as far as any efforts to 'save the world, if only a little', and just clam up and climb into a safe little shell of making sure my own family is righteous, that I'm doing my church calling, and the Lord will protect us, and the rest of the world be damned. But I truly believe the prophets have warned us that we *must* stand and warn our neighbors (see previous post).

But I digress. Back to the title. Basically, most of the Priesthood has been lulled to sleep and **neutralized** by Satan's deceptions. This blog is for quotes and other tidbits that I hope will help others to AWAKE and de-neutralize.

Stand up and speak up

"[W]e should help those who have been deceived or who are misinformed to find the truth. Unless each person who knows the truth will "stand up and speak up" it is difficult for the deceived or confused citizen to find his way back."

- Elder Ezra Taft Benson
General Conference, October 1961

Time for flat tax

The latest publication from The Adam Smith Institute, the UK's leading innovator of free-market policies, is Andrei Grecu's report of flat tax. Tried in 9 countries so far, it has achieved impressive results. It involves setting a single rate of income tax and doing away with all of the allowances and exemptions. The threshold is set high enough so that low earners pay no income tax at all, and everyone else pays a fixed rate.

Because the flat tax is paid on all income above that threshold, the rate can be very low. It ranges between 13% and 33%. The low rate encourages payment. There are no tax loopholes, nor the need for them, given the low rate. Instead of paying accountants to shelter income and move it offshore, people find it cheaper just to pay the tax. And a low rate makes it more worthwhile to earn more, which brings economic expansion.

The countries doing this have found the low flat rate produces more tax revenue than the complex system which went before. When tax rates are cut the richest people end up paying a higher share of the total. The top ten percent stop avoiding and evading taxes and put their effort into earning more instead. The result is that they pay a higher proportion of the total. And economic expansion produces higher revenue from the lower rate.

Hong Kong brought in a flat tax in 1947. Other flat tax adherents include Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia, all EU members. They also include Russia, one of the G8 countries. Even the US is interested, with some of the Bush team looking at the possibility of a flat tax during his second term.

In Britain the flat rate might be about 20%. Estonia, which brought in a 26% flat rate a decade ago, is lowering it to 20%. At 20% few people would object to paying the tax, so out would go the exemptions and allowances, and in would come an economic boom. Out, too, would go a legion of tax inspectors; flat tax is simpler and very much less costly to collect.

A flat tax is simple, letting people understand their obligations. It is fairer, with low earners paying nothing and the rich paying their due. And it unleashes all the talent and enterprise being held back by a devious and complex system.

(Text mirrored from www.AdamSmith.org)

Is the Constitution inadequate now?

John Adams wrote, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Benjamin Franklin said, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."

Under this logic, could it be that the Constitution is indeed inadequate for the government of this people? Could it be that therefore this people does need such an additional 'master' as a Federal Marriage Amendment to strengthn an increasingly inadequate Constitution?

Sure, my mind abhors government even being involved in marriage in the first place. Marriage survived fine a religious sacrament for 6,000 years, without government interference.
Sure, I'd rather that Congress excercise an existing Constitutional ability to simply prohibit the Supreme Court from hearing cases dealing with marriage.

But these feelings presuppose a Constitution which is already adequate for governing this people. However, if this people is increasingly immoral, unvirtuous, anti-religious (atheistic) people, if this nation is increasingly vicious and corrupt, then perhaps a constitutional amendment would serve as a needed additional 'master' added upon a people in need of such.

The War Prayer

I received today an email from a relative containing a 'prayer request'. You can view the image and text it contained here.

Such a prayer reminded me of an article written by Samuel Clemens titled 'The War Prayer', which you can view here: The War Prayer

It saddens me how easily we may pray for our soldiers, our brothers and sons and fathers, to have success, when a positive answer to that prayer might mean the death of other brothers, sons, and fathers... and sisters, daughters and mothers. I am not advocating that we stop praying for our loved ones in war, by any means. I'm just hoping that our prayers can be more thoughtful.

Winning the war will not mean a lasting peace -- ever. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ will bring true, enduring peace.

Secret Knowledge in Justices of Court

"What secret knowledge is breathed into lawyers when they become Justices of this Court, that enables them to discern that a practice which the text of the Constitution does not clearly proscribe, and which our people have regarded as constitutional for 200 years, is in fact unconstitutional? Day by day, case by case, (the court) is busy designing a Constitution for a country I do not recognize."
— Justice Antonin Scalia

Strong Body, Strong Mind

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks."

- Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.

May your chains rest lightly...

"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams