So last night we held our annual county convention for the Republican Party here in Cache County. Now you need to understand a couple things about Utah politics.
First, it is completely grass roots. Every two years in local precincts we meet and elect precinct officers, county and state delegates. These delegates then go to their respective conventions (either county or state) and elect people to run for office or every other year they elect who will lead their county or state party. What makes it grass roots is that if a candidate gets over 60% of the delegates to vote for them at convention they do not have a primary contest and can move onto the general election without opposition. So if you want to run for a political office, you better get your supporters to show up in mass at their respective precincts and have them get elected as delegates. But here lies the 2nd thing you need to know about Utah politics
In most of the State the Republican Party dominates the scene. Now you might wonder why this would be a problem for a die hard Republican like myself. Well it makes for very boring conventions and even worse, a general apathy amongst voters.
Take last night for example. Out of 500 delegates, only 150 showed up. That's right, and we were electing officers for the county party. Also there was no competition for the offices (which worked out nice for me as I am the new Vice Chair of the Party). So I have a goal to increase our attendance and excitement for the political process. Somehow we need to let people know that we need people to be interested in serving. Its good for our candidates to have opposition at times even within their party. Here in Cache County if you win at convention you are almost assured the win in November. But someday, that may not be case. We need to get more people my age interested in politics and especially Republican politics.
With that said, I am honored to serve my county. I do have aspirations to serve in other political offices in the future, but for now, my goal is to build up the party faithful and prepare ourselves for the next go around of elections. And probably most importantly to show people that politics can be fun!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Faith and Remembrance
For sometime now I have been reflecting on my faith. Its not that I doubt what I believe in, its just that sometimes I long for those feelings I had when I was "young" in the gospel. I often reflect on the changes in my life that led to me finding God in my life. There is a scripture found in the Book of Mormon :Helaman 5 in which Helaman tells his sons to remember key events in the history of the people. In order to remember why I believe, I also have to reflect on those moments in my history.
I cannot deny the feelings I have felt which tell my soul that I am a child of a heavenly father. Those stirrings began at young age for me out in the prairies of Wyoming. That feeling, stirring in my soul, led me down a path of religious searching. I will never forget the darkness I felt at times during my senior year of high school. Those dark times were often until until one day I was introduced to a light that would forever dispel the darkness. I will never forget those moments reading the book of Mormon in my room, pondering the implications of what I was feeling. I remember the sweet feelings of happiness I felt as I was taught about a plan of salvation. That there was a God that was merciful and wanted all his children to return to him. That even though my grandparents and loved ones were not part of organized religion, that they were not cast into an eternal hell, that even they were given an opportunity to learn.
I remember the doubt that crept into my mind as I made the decision to be baptized into a church that at one time I thought was weird and untrue, yet that doubt was ended by the burning feeling within my soul. It was like my soul was talking to some unseen force and it felt like it was coming home. I will never forget the power of darkness that tried to keep me away from that fateful day of baptism and the joy that overwhelmed me as I came out of the water and began my new life. I remember trying to be a Mormon while still trying to be with my friends. But you know, I will always cherish those friends from high school and college. Even though I changed, for the most part they honored that change.
There are too many experiences to relate from my two years serving a mission in the Dominican Republic, but let it suffice to say that I learned the real power of God and how powerful the devil can try to be. I learned that there are really two forces out there, good and evil. I remember coming home and having good friends who helped me to stay faithful. I remember learning new things about my relationship with God, and still longing for something more. That more came in the form of my beloved wife. I will never forget the day of our wedding and even though I had to leave good friends and even my parents outside the Temple of the Lord, I knew that the ceremony I was going to be part of would join me and my new wife for all eternity and not just for this life. It would be a short 9 years later that those feelings would be made complete as I was able to see my parents enter into the same temple and enjoy the sealing authority that now binds my family together, parents to children for all the eternities. I will never forget the feelings I have felt each time one of my children was born, and I look forward to the birth of the last of my children in August. There are many blessings given, responsibilities shared and the power of God has been in my life.
I have seen lives changed, people healed and souls brought back into their proper place. I know that I am loved by a Heavenly Father. I know that a man called Jesus lived on this earth and that he was more than just a man, he was the Son of God, the Messiah. I know that I am blessed to live in a time where the restored church is found. I know that even though it sounds crazy, that Joseph smith was indeed a prophet of God. He truly did see what he said he saw. I know these things not because it can be proven by fact, but because the spirit of the Lord has touched my soul in such a way that I cannot deny it. Yet, my faith wanes at times. That is part of the human experience. Our lives are full of ups and downs, yet when we really think about those ups are more numerous than the downs.
I know that not everybody believes in the same belief system that I do, yet I can still love all those that sojourn in this life with me. I am grateful that I have friends of different faiths. Because it makes the world a lot more interesting. And so even though at times I wonder where my faith is, when I remember my past, it gives me hope to the future and the reason? Because I know that I am loved by many people, but most importantly I am loved by a supreme being and that my friends is true faith!
I cannot deny the feelings I have felt which tell my soul that I am a child of a heavenly father. Those stirrings began at young age for me out in the prairies of Wyoming. That feeling, stirring in my soul, led me down a path of religious searching. I will never forget the darkness I felt at times during my senior year of high school. Those dark times were often until until one day I was introduced to a light that would forever dispel the darkness. I will never forget those moments reading the book of Mormon in my room, pondering the implications of what I was feeling. I remember the sweet feelings of happiness I felt as I was taught about a plan of salvation. That there was a God that was merciful and wanted all his children to return to him. That even though my grandparents and loved ones were not part of organized religion, that they were not cast into an eternal hell, that even they were given an opportunity to learn.
I remember the doubt that crept into my mind as I made the decision to be baptized into a church that at one time I thought was weird and untrue, yet that doubt was ended by the burning feeling within my soul. It was like my soul was talking to some unseen force and it felt like it was coming home. I will never forget the power of darkness that tried to keep me away from that fateful day of baptism and the joy that overwhelmed me as I came out of the water and began my new life. I remember trying to be a Mormon while still trying to be with my friends. But you know, I will always cherish those friends from high school and college. Even though I changed, for the most part they honored that change.
There are too many experiences to relate from my two years serving a mission in the Dominican Republic, but let it suffice to say that I learned the real power of God and how powerful the devil can try to be. I learned that there are really two forces out there, good and evil. I remember coming home and having good friends who helped me to stay faithful. I remember learning new things about my relationship with God, and still longing for something more. That more came in the form of my beloved wife. I will never forget the day of our wedding and even though I had to leave good friends and even my parents outside the Temple of the Lord, I knew that the ceremony I was going to be part of would join me and my new wife for all eternity and not just for this life. It would be a short 9 years later that those feelings would be made complete as I was able to see my parents enter into the same temple and enjoy the sealing authority that now binds my family together, parents to children for all the eternities. I will never forget the feelings I have felt each time one of my children was born, and I look forward to the birth of the last of my children in August. There are many blessings given, responsibilities shared and the power of God has been in my life.
I have seen lives changed, people healed and souls brought back into their proper place. I know that I am loved by a Heavenly Father. I know that a man called Jesus lived on this earth and that he was more than just a man, he was the Son of God, the Messiah. I know that I am blessed to live in a time where the restored church is found. I know that even though it sounds crazy, that Joseph smith was indeed a prophet of God. He truly did see what he said he saw. I know these things not because it can be proven by fact, but because the spirit of the Lord has touched my soul in such a way that I cannot deny it. Yet, my faith wanes at times. That is part of the human experience. Our lives are full of ups and downs, yet when we really think about those ups are more numerous than the downs.
I know that not everybody believes in the same belief system that I do, yet I can still love all those that sojourn in this life with me. I am grateful that I have friends of different faiths. Because it makes the world a lot more interesting. And so even though at times I wonder where my faith is, when I remember my past, it gives me hope to the future and the reason? Because I know that I am loved by many people, but most importantly I am loved by a supreme being and that my friends is true faith!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Conservatism and rule of law
So on Friday night, I attended the annual Lincoln Day Dinner event with about 100 other local Republicans. The food was pretty good, the company was great (of course I was sitting next to my wife and my table was full of credit union people). At this dinner our Keynote speaker was Paul Mero from the Sutherland institute which is a Utah conservative think tank. He speech was pretty good and there was one thing that really stuck out to me. He mentioned that a conservative "conserves" values. I guess I had never thought about the root of the word. I sometimes struggle with the concept that I want to be compassionate toward my fellow human beings, yet there are core things I just can't believe.
Lets take gay rights for example. It has been in the news a lot lately. From a compassionate stand point, I understand what they are trying to do. It isn't right that a partner should not be allowed medical information even though they have lived together for many years. That information would be given to a non married heterosexual couple after they have lived together for the allotted number of years as dictated by the laws of the state. I can understand their feelings that they long to feel like their relationship should be seen in the same way as all other marriages. I do get it. But, there is something more prevailing than what society (or what some say the society says) is the norm. There are certain laws that cannot be broken. These laws are eternal in nature and honestly they are laws that some governments just do not understand or believe in, yet they are still eternal laws.
Let me explain with an experience in my life. For three years I got to serve my church by going to the local detention facility for youth. It was one of the greatest service opportunities I have ever had. Here were these kids, in jail. They ranged from ages 10-20. They were there for a myriad of crimes including accessory to murder and sexual crimes. One time I was asked why they should believe the same things I believe. What makes the commandments that I follow important for them to follow. So I used an example. I like to drive faster than the speed limit. Now I honestly think that some speed limits are insanely to slow! So I guess you could say that I don't believe that I should have to drive 25 mph near my house. Now if I get stopped and the police officer comes and says "You were going 10 miles over the speed limit" and I respond, "I don't believe in the speed limit" what will the cops response be? Hopefully he wouldn't arrest me but am not still guilty of violating the law, even if I don't believe in it? According to the state yes, and I would suffer the consequences.
So how does this example relate? These eternal laws are just that, eternal! We will all be held responsible and suffer the consequences whether or not we believed the law. Luckily though, in the whole scheme of things, the final judge is a merciful one, and there is always a way to come back. So even though I can relate with the arguments of those who want certain rights to be given to gays, up to and including Gay Marriage. The fact is, there is an eternal law which defines marriage. Now is there some compassion that needs to be shown, but how far do we go down the path and then deny the ultimate goal of which they are fighting for? Laws were established based off moral principles. Certain rights are inherent in who we are, but is marriage? If it were, then my ten year old son, could get married right now without my permission. But I think we can all agree that would just be wrong. I will end this post, by saying that I hope we can come up with a solution that allows all people the basic rights of knowledge and ability to act in the well being of those whom we love, regardless of sexual orientation, yet we must preserve the eternal institution of marriage, for it is an eternal law and cannot be broken.
Lets take gay rights for example. It has been in the news a lot lately. From a compassionate stand point, I understand what they are trying to do. It isn't right that a partner should not be allowed medical information even though they have lived together for many years. That information would be given to a non married heterosexual couple after they have lived together for the allotted number of years as dictated by the laws of the state. I can understand their feelings that they long to feel like their relationship should be seen in the same way as all other marriages. I do get it. But, there is something more prevailing than what society (or what some say the society says) is the norm. There are certain laws that cannot be broken. These laws are eternal in nature and honestly they are laws that some governments just do not understand or believe in, yet they are still eternal laws.
Let me explain with an experience in my life. For three years I got to serve my church by going to the local detention facility for youth. It was one of the greatest service opportunities I have ever had. Here were these kids, in jail. They ranged from ages 10-20. They were there for a myriad of crimes including accessory to murder and sexual crimes. One time I was asked why they should believe the same things I believe. What makes the commandments that I follow important for them to follow. So I used an example. I like to drive faster than the speed limit. Now I honestly think that some speed limits are insanely to slow! So I guess you could say that I don't believe that I should have to drive 25 mph near my house. Now if I get stopped and the police officer comes and says "You were going 10 miles over the speed limit" and I respond, "I don't believe in the speed limit" what will the cops response be? Hopefully he wouldn't arrest me but am not still guilty of violating the law, even if I don't believe in it? According to the state yes, and I would suffer the consequences.
So how does this example relate? These eternal laws are just that, eternal! We will all be held responsible and suffer the consequences whether or not we believed the law. Luckily though, in the whole scheme of things, the final judge is a merciful one, and there is always a way to come back. So even though I can relate with the arguments of those who want certain rights to be given to gays, up to and including Gay Marriage. The fact is, there is an eternal law which defines marriage. Now is there some compassion that needs to be shown, but how far do we go down the path and then deny the ultimate goal of which they are fighting for? Laws were established based off moral principles. Certain rights are inherent in who we are, but is marriage? If it were, then my ten year old son, could get married right now without my permission. But I think we can all agree that would just be wrong. I will end this post, by saying that I hope we can come up with a solution that allows all people the basic rights of knowledge and ability to act in the well being of those whom we love, regardless of sexual orientation, yet we must preserve the eternal institution of marriage, for it is an eternal law and cannot be broken.
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