What is Freedom Worth to You?

It was my job to give the first lecture for the Key of Liberty class I am co-mentoring.  Our goal was to inspire the kids to want to put forth the effort required to learn about the founding of our country.  The outline titles the lecture "America is your land" and gave a little guidance as to what to include in it.  I found as I prepared that it came out much like a talk, so I typed it up to include here. 

What is Freedom Worth to You?

Over 200 years ago the founding fathers signed their names to a document declaring their independence from Britain.  The document stated that they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in support of that declaration.  Those men knew that they would be accused of treason.  “The penalty for treason was to be hanged by the head until unconscious then cut down and revived.  Then disemboweled and beheaded.  Then cut into quarters.  Each quarter was boiled in oil.  The remnants were scattered abroad so that the last resting place of the offender would remain forever unnamed, un-honored and unknown” (Making of America).  The founders sacrificed personal benefit for the good of the country, for freedom.

Robert Morris was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  He was self-educated, owned his own business and was extremely wealthy.  When Congress went bankrupt, Robert gave $10,000 to feed and clothe General Washington’s militia.  Another time Washington pled with Robert to provide more money.  He borrowed money with his word that he would pay it back.  At the commencement of the battle at Yorktown, Washington needed more money.  Robert raised all that was asked.  Time after time he gave his own resources or used his credit to raise money to keep the militia going.  When the war ended, Robert spent 5 years in debtors’ prison.  He understood the value of sacrificing personal benefit for the freedom of the colonies. 

Francis Lewis was another signer of the Declaration who sacrificed for the good of the country.  He was well educated and had built a successful business.  The British troops were ordered to attack his home and seize his wife.  Soldiers advance from one side and a war ship attacked from the other.  Shots were fired.  The soldiers destroyed books, papers, pictures and furniture, and then captured Mrs. Lewis.  She was thrown into prison, not allowed a change of clothing and only given small amounts of food.  She soon dies from the poor treatment.  Francis lived alone for the next 24 years. 

One thing that these men and the other founders had in common was their education.  They were all well read and had read most of the same books.  George Washington took fencing lessons and devoured books so he’d be quick with a sword and quick with his mind. 

John Adams was bored with school and originally wanted to be a farmer like is father.  His father kept him home for a day, but encouraged him to continue his studies.  Adams later confessed that he didn’t like his teacher.  His father found another teacher and Johan began to study with greater interest.  He discovered that he loved books and loved to study. 

Benjamin Franklin taught himself to read and write.  He father discussed whatever Benjamin was reading.  Sometimes he would read through much of the night.

Even though Thomas Jefferson’s father died when he was 14, he was able to continue his education.  He learned Greek and Latin so he could read works in their original language.  He loved learning. 

The founders taught the importance of education.  Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”  Franklin said, “Wise and good men are the strength of the state more so that riches or arms.” 

The declaration teaches that we have certain God-given rights.  The founders also teach that the rights have certain duties and that one of those duties is to stay informed. 

Abraham Clark was another signer of the Declaration of Independence.  He was a successful entrepreneur and a veracious reader.  He was known as the poor man’s attorney because he took cases from people who couldn’t afford to pay.  After the signing of the Declaration, the British captured his 2 sons and put them on a slave ship.  The soldiers told Abraham they would only give his sons only water until he signed a document saying he would take back his signature.  Abraham begged for his sons.  He offered to trade his own life.  The British said they didn’t want him; they wanted him to sign a document saying he would take back his signature.  He talked to his wife.  They decided to gather all their money and possessions and exchange them for their sons.  The British refused to trade saying they only wanted Abraham to sign a document saying he would take back his signature.  He returned to his wife.  They talked and prayed and came to a decision.  Abraham returned to the slave ship.  He told the British, “I will give you my life, I will give you my fortune, buy my sacred honor is not mine to give” and he walked away.

We aren’t asking you to sacrifice all your money or your family.  All we are asking is that you sacrifice some of you time to read these books, to study these documents and to learn these principles so that when you are asked to lead you will be ready.  What is freedom worth to you? 

 

 

Book #58

We finished "Dorothy and the Wizard in OZ" today.  In my last post about the OZ series I mentioned that I wasn't enjoying the books.  I take that back.  This one was much better.  It was creative and fun.  Dorothy falls to the center of the Earth with a cousin after an earthquake and the same the happens to the wizard.  They find themselves in a vegetable land where they are not liked and are kicked out.  Then they travel to a land of invisible people.  Next they luckily escape a land populated by wooden gargoyles.  Finally they are trapped in a cave and are magically transported to OZ by the magical belt of Princess Ozma, where we are reunited with all of the characters from previous books (except Jack Pumpkinhead).  Dorothy eventually returns to Kansas, but the kids and I think she will soon go back to OZ. 

Book #57

I read a book that I didn't really have time to read.  I tried to make sure that I got an hour of "appropriate" reading in first, though, so I don't feel too guilty.  It was the next book in the Last Apprentice series--"Grimalkin the Witch Assassin".  This story was told from her point of view instead of Tom's, the apprentice.  Grimalkin was the witch who helped Tom bind the fiend in the last book.  It was  her responsibility to protect the severed head and keep it from the fiend's followers who wanted to reconnect it to the body.  Grimalkin was dedicated and was able to keep the antagonists at bay for most of the book.  These books really get me thinking about good vs. bad.  Can a witch be good?  If she is fighting for a good cause but uses bad magic, is that alright?  Does the ends justify the means? 

Book #56

Anyone who knows me, knows that I like to read parenting books.  I'm always game for learning something new that will help me be a better mother.  "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp is more than just a parenting book though.  The author teaches that "most books on parenting give you advice either on how to shape and constrain your children's behavior or on how to make them feel good about themselves.  Either control or self-actualization is deemed the goal of parenting."  He
goes on to say that this book teachers a parent to look not only at the behavior of their children, but the "attitudes of their hearts."  He wants us to look more at the "why" of a behavior than at the "what".

Tedd Tripp's philosophy applies to both good and bad behavior.  Are we good because we want the recognition or because it is the right thing?  Our bad behavior usually stems from a selfish, prideful heart.  If we change our heart, our behavior will change.  Pride is the universal sin because nearly every sin is related to pride.  It's interesting that at the same time I was reading this book I was reading in Helaman 4: 11-13.  Mormon writes that the wickedness and destruction would not have  happened had it not been for the pride of the Nephites.  In my journal I drew a word bubble with the word PRIDE in the center.  Extending from the bubble are arrows and at the end of each arrow is a symptom of pride: lack of charity, cruelty, contention, desertion, greed, selfishness, mocking, boasting in own strength, not sharing, denying the spirit of prophecy and revelation, murder, plunder, lying, stealing and adultery.  WOW!  That's a long list of things that we might do because we have pride in our hearts. 

I had a hard time with some of the stuff Tedd Tripp talked about in his book.  I thought he was too free with his interpretation of Proverbs 13:24: "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."  He says God has commanded us to spank our children.  I disagree with this idea and think that spanking is rarely the right form of discipline.  Even though I didn't agree with everything the author wrote, I really love the idea behind changing the heart.

Books #51-55

The kids and I listened to and read a cute series of books by Patricia MacLachlan.  The first one we've read, but I had no idea there were more.  The first 3 were part of an audio set, then I found the other 2 at the library. 

"Sarah, Plain and Tall" is about a family who puts and advertisement in the paper in search for a wife and mother.  A weird concept to us, but it worked for them.  The oldest child, Anna, tells the story of when Sarah came from Maine to the plains and fell in love with the kids and the father and the land.  You can't help falling in love too.

"Skylark" is again told from Anna's point of view.  Because of a draught, Anna, Caleb, and Sarah go to Sarah's hometown in Maine.  They stay with her aunts for the summer.  Caleb and Anna are afraid that Sarah won't want to return home to Papa. 

"Caleb's Story" is told from Caleb's point of view.  Several years have gone by.  There is a new child in the family and Anna is living and working in town.  We meet Grandfather and learn the story about the farm. 


We read "More Perfect than the Moon" out of  order.  I thought there were just the first 3 books because that was all that was on the audio.  Then I accidently found "Grandfather's Dance" on the shelf at the library so we read it.  There seemed to be a few gaps, but nothing big so we had no idea that we missed a whole book.  Then when I was looking for pictures for this post I learned that there was another book.  I ordered it from the library and we finished it in one day.  Cassie tells the story of her mom's pregnancy.  She doesn't want a "terrible baby" and instead hopes for a perfect gift.  Luckily her wish comes true.

"Grandfather's Dance" is also told by Cassie.  She has a new little brother and the family is preparing for Anna's wedding.  We learn more about relationships. 

Book #50

My sister leant me a book on Saturday and I read it in 2 days--it was a quick, enjoyable read.  The title says it all: "Mafia to Mormon: My Conversion Story". 

Mario Facione grew up in Detroit surrounded by the Italian Association.  He learned the tricks of the trade from his father and easily became part of the mob as he grew older.  He participated in so many scams that I started to feel uncomfortable.  Although his deception is unbelievable, his conversion story is equally amazing.  He saw the hand of God through the whole process.  It was fascinating to see him go from a criminally minded individual to a God fearing man.  What a great story!

Book #49

I chose something fun and easy to read on our recent trip to Utah because I know that finding the time to study while on vacation is difficult.  I read the next book The Last Apprentice series--"Rage of the Fallen". 

I'm not sure what I like about these books.  Maybe the fantasy, maybe the good versus evil, maybe the scare factor, maybe the fact that they are a break from my normal reading.  In this book Tom, the apprentice, his witch friend, Alice, and his master, the Spook attempt to bind a creature from the dark.  In the process, Alice is kidnapped, Tom is attacked and they anger several other dark creatures. 

At one point, the Spook is explaining how the dark began.  He says, "I still believe that the dark is fed by human wickedness.  Human greed and lusts for power make it even stronger and more dangerous.  If we could only change the hearts of  men and women, the dark would be weakened--I'm sure of it.  But I've lived long enough to know that it would be easier to hold back the tides than achieve that.  We can only hope."  I agree with the Spook that changing hearts is the way to fight the wickedness that is creeping ever further into the world, and I agree that it is a hard task.  But I think that it can be done. 

The way to starve the dark is to start with our own hearts.  Then we can increase our circle of influence and help those closest to us.  Confusius once said,

The ancients who wished to manifest their clear character

to the world would first bring order to their states.

Those who wished to bring order to their states would first cultivate their personal lives. 

Those who wished to cultivate their personal lives would first rectify their minds. 

Those who wished to rectify their minds would first make their wills sincere. 

Those who wished to make their wills sincere would first extend their knowledge.

The extension of knowledge consists in the investigation of things.

When things are investigated, knowledge is extended.

When knowledge is extended, the will becomes sincere. 

Then the will is sincere, the minds is rectified.

When the mind is rectified, the personal life is cultivated.

When the personal life is cultivated, the family will be regulated. 
When the family is regulated, the state will be in order.

When the state is in order, there will be peace through the world.

From the Son of Heaven down to the common people,

all must regard cultivation of the personal life as the root or foundation.

There is never a case when the root is in disorder and yet the branches are in order.

 

Changing our hearts begins with having the right information--learning from great people--and then applying what we've learned.  I feel blessed to be surrounded by great leaders who I can learn from and associate with.  I am slowly changing one heart at a time.