Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Unlikely Activist....

Earlier today, I was listening to Glenn Beck and he was talking about the sales of the book The 5000 Year Leap. The current sales have shot the book to the status of best seller (youd think Oprah told everyone to read it) and it has sold more copies in the last 3 weeks since the 912 project was introduced than it had since its first publishing 30 years ago. I am currently reading said book and find it fascinating and very saddening as I see how far we have strayed from the founders vision for America. After stating this statistic, Glenn then took me to task. EEK. While it was fantastic that so many were getting aquainted or reaquainted with the constitution and the reasons for the founding fathers setting things up they way they did, Glenn said just learning about it was not enough. It was what we chose to do with this new education that really mattered. He encouraged local book clubs, so we could get together and discuss what we learned and start really becoming active in government to "turn the tide." In his words, "we need to become our own special interest group". As we gain in numbers we can no longer be ignored or dismissed by Washington and our local goverments. As I have done very little to connect with others reading this book and other books so we have a context for this "uprising" and following the current political rollercoasted, I felt a little chastised.

A few minutes ago, I was reading the ANWA blog and one of the writers had posted this quote:

Stand up for freedom no matter what the cost. It can save your soul and maybe your country. Ezra Taft Benson

Add to this, I was googling the other day and put in, "constitution will hang by a thread" (as it is commonly referred to in Sunday School discussions), and read up on what many refer to as "The White Horse Prophecy" from Joseph Smith. While in general the prophecy has been dismissed as "mormon folklore" it is interesting to see how many of Joseph Smiths contemporaries recorded him saying very similar sentiments regarding the constitution hanging by a thread and how a church member or church members would be instrumental in saving the US as we know it. Many mused that Romney running for president was a fulfillment of this. While he was not exactly "the" one, I find it interesting to see members of the church's involvement in politics, Romney included and Glenn as he has rolled out his 912 project.

While I dont believe in "signs" per se... I do see little flags leading me in directions or common "themes" that keep coming up. This chain of events seem to be a chain of little flags, waiving me to do something.
So here's my sorry attempt as being an activist. HEHE, that seems so funny coming from me.

Go get the book, read it. And if anyone nearby or through this blog wants to discuss, let me know. In the mean time, I think I will be contacting a ward member that is a big activist to see what she thinks about getting together a reading group. (Do I assume too much by thinking that people actually read this blog???)

1 comment:

Becca said...

I too like to listen to Glenn Beck. Ryan and I saw him live when he was in Phoenix last year and Ryan was working for KTAR. I have been quite inspired and now I really do need to do something about it. Thanks Emily I'll let you know when I have finished the book.