Thanksgiving

May we all be grateful and be thankful for the bounteous blessings we all are able to enjoy each day!

THE THANKSGIVING STORY

The Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect). They had earlier fled their home in England and sailed to Holland (The Netherlands) to escape religious persecution. There they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became disenchanted with the Dutch way of life, thinking it ungodly. Seeking a better life, the Separatists negotiated with a London stock company to finance a pilgrimage to America.

Most of those making the trip aboard the Mayflower were non-Separatists, but were hired to protect the company's interests. Only about one-third of the original colonists were Separatists.

The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Their first winter was devastating. At the beginning of the following fall, they had Lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. But the harvest of 1621 was a bountiful one. And the remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast--including 91 Indians who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true "thanksgiving" observance. It lasted 3 days.

Governor William Bradford sent "four men fowling" after wild ducks and geese. It is not certain that wild turkey was part of their feast. However, it is certain that they had venison. The term "turkey" was used by the Pilgrims to mean any sort of wild fowl.

Another modern staple at almost every Thanksgiving table is pumpkin pie. But it is unlikely that the first feast included that treat. The supply of flour had been long diminished, so there was no bread or pastries of any kind. However, they did eat boiled pumpkin, and they produced a type of fried bread from their corn crop. There was also no milk, cider, potatoes, or butter. There was not domestic cattle for dairy products, and the newly-discovered potato was still considered by many Europeans to be poisonous. But the feast did include fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, venison and plums.

This "thanksgiving" feast was not repeated the following year. But in 1623, during a severe drought, the pilgrims gathered in a prayer service, praying for rain. When a long, steady rain followed the very next day, Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of Thanksgiving, again inviting their Indian friends. It wasn't until June of 1676 that another Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed.

On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving.

October of 1777 marked the first time that all 13 colonies joined in a thanksgiving celebration. It also commemorated the patriotic victory over the British at Saratoga. But it was a one-time affair. George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, although some were opposed to it. There was discord among the colonies, many feeling the hardships of a few Pilgrims did not warrant a national holiday. And later, President Thomas Jefferson scoffed at the idea of having a day of thanksgiving.

It was Sara Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Magazine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book.

Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality when, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November
as a national day of Thanksgiving.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.
And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

Thanksgiving was proclaimed by every president after Lincoln. The date was changed a couple of times, most recently by Franklin Roosevelt, who set it up one week to the next-to-last Thursday in order to create a longer Christmas shopping season. Public uproar against this decision caused the president to move Thanksgiving back to its original date two years later.

And in 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday, as the fourth Thursday in November.

Updated - Liberal media lies and distortions

Update: The Salt Lake Tribune decided after 4 weeks to publish my editorial. I've added a link to it.

I'm tired of the liberal media controlling what is said on TV and published in newspapers. More often than not, they spin the story to make Republicans look bad and Democrats look good. In conversing with a few reporters from The Salt Lake Tribune, I am even more convinced that they don't recognize their bias in their own thinking, let alone their reporting. (more on my conversations with Holly Mullen in another post)

I'm posting a piece I submitted to The Tribune for publication, because I am fairly confident that since it goes against the stated and inferred positions of the editorial board at Utah's Independent Voice newspaper, it will never see the light of day.

Here is my editorial:

Since the election, there have been many opinions and editorials published detailing how Utah was left behind because those who voted chose to stay with many Republicans and did not convert to the Democratic way of life. The Salt Lake Tribune tries to denigrate those who chose to stay true to their convictions and principles with this rejoinder, "“Utah voters stuck with those that brung 'em."

Where are the compelling and coherent arguments to '‘throw the bums out'’ just because they are Republicans? Those who acquiesce to the position of The Tribune and the national media have failed in their attempts to show one plausible reason for a needed change of party affiliation. What else do the Democrats have to say besides bring the troops home? It surely isn'’t speaking the truth regarding stem cell research in their political ads this year.

Republicans and Democrats alike have character flaws. However, Democrats look the other way and actually rally the troops when any of their own casts a long shadow over their morals. (See Mel Reynolds, Barney Frank, Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton as examples). Republicans throw their disgraceful occupants of Congress out on their backsides and seek for improved candidates to replace them. Having been a delegate this year, I saw firsthand the many character flaws that exist in my party and the much needed cleansing that needs to take place from within. That still doesn'’t mean I'’m going to change party affiliation just because people think there is an imbalance in this nation and state.

The economy is rolling right along, setting all-time highs on the NYSE. Unemployment is at an all-time low. New jobs are being created every day. Middle income families did get a tax break under President Bush. Gas prices are lowering each day; except in Utah!

Now with '‘the mandate'’, as those in the liberal press like to label it, we will have the opportunity to see what the Democrats will actually bring to the table besides their spiteful remarks and unwillingness to move off their mast which belongs to the likes of Michael Moore, Mr. Olbermann, Mr. Matthews and Ms. Streisand. Democrats will also need to disassociate themselves with fundamentally bankrupt organizations such as the ACLU, NARAL and NOW.

My guess is we will have our taxes raised to pay for all of the socialist programs that the Democrats favor; which I am still unable to find any reference to in the Constitution. We will have endless inquiries into President Bush and his administration just because the Democrats do not like the man who was elected as President. We will have continued and relentless attacks on the unborn children through the mysterious right of an abortion and we will have the endless homosexual agenda crammed down our throats. What really is the definition of safe, legal and rare? Is it over 1 million abortions a year since 1973?

Lastly, we will have unintelligible persecutions against those who believe this great and magnanimous nation we call The United States of America was established by the hand of the Almighty.

The call for change from The Tribune and others, just for the sake of change, is nothing more than drivel and an unimpressive complaint. The core of the liberal Democratic principles and values are not congruent with my principles. If the Democrats want to make inroads in Utah and other conservative places, then they will need to do a better job of convincing me that their positions are more in line with mine regarding the purpose of government and the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Dear Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

How I wish I knew who you are. It's disappointing that you roam the internet, as if you were a ghost, reading what others have to say about their beliefs and what they feel about the current environment of the land and summarily make outlandish comments about their blog. Obviously you will find sites you agree with and those with whom you disagree. That is only logical.

However, while wearing the mask of Casper, you send comments like the following,
"Utah needs more sanctimonious blogs like this. Keep up the good work. Utah has a shortage of people who are sanctimonious and full of themselves. "

I'm quite comfortable that you don't agree with my postings, as I know many won't agree with the scriptures. However, your comments have no meaning or relevance. What is so sanctimonious about them? Are the blogs who agree with your stance sanctimonious as well? That's an argument for another day.

Now I'm not sure what Anonymous is referring to as I feel my posts are fairly straightforward and True2TheFaith. Maybe Anonymous is one of those people who doesn't have a backbone and can't have a coherent discussion about eternal truths. Maybe Anonymous is one of those who used to be a believer and now has found the intelligent side of his brain and follows the philosophies of men. I don't know.

What I do know is that I will never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings therein.

So Anonymous, please step forward and reveal yourself. Don't be Casper all of your life. Step out from behind the curtain so we will all know who you are. If you are confident in your positions, you shouldn't feel the need to stand behind Anonymous.

Anonymous is for people who have no true convictions and prefer to denigrate those with whom they disagree.

Woe unto them....

There seems to be so much confusion these days about what is right and what is wrong. I watched a movie the other day when the two characters were arguing about "right and wrong" or "black and white". It was interesting how one character was trying to tell the other one that the world is gray, not black and white. And the character who was in the right corrected him by saying that it is right versus wrong, not black versus white. I couldn't agree more with that analagy.

Way back in the good ol' Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah had this insightful prophecy concerning right/wrong; black/white,

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21

Could there be any truer words about today's social calamities? People are running here and there saying the sky is falling. People are completely polarized regarding issues because one man named George W. Bush is in office. They can't even see straight because of their hatred towards him.

In today's world, one doesn't even have to speak the truth. Only opinion matters and is presented as fact. Just look at all of the negative editorials, op-ed's, blogs, TV commentators etc. that denigrate Pres. Bush. They hate him with all their being and set out daily to try to destroy what is good. Just look at one days news cycle and you will know what I am writing about.

The crowds at NBC, CNN, CBS and ABC are all seeking to destroy Pres. Bush and all that is good in the country. There isn't enough space to detail all of their preposterous arguments and formidable fairy tales spread each day. In news circles it is called "spin". And the spin that they put on the truth to try to make their arguments seem real is just down right falsehoods.

Those who walk the hallowed halls of the Capitol each day are not statesmen, but just a bunch of people who are out the support the special interest groups. When is the last time you can say that you are pleased with the actions of Congress, especially your own Senator or Representative? When is the last time you felt they represented your beliefs and opinions. I know that Senator Hatch and Senator Bennett are just out for themselves and not for the people. When did it become all about being re-elected and not what was in the best interest of the republic in which we live?

Abortion is accepted and tolerated by certain entities because we are told that the embryo isn't a human and can't live outside the womb. Well, what do you think the embryo becomes? Third trimester abortions are protected because of the life of the mother. What baby can't be delivered another few inches and be spared the murderous act being committed on it. Needless to say, I have yet to read about an OBGYN doctor who says this practice is needed to save the life and health of the mother. Maybe there is one, but the overwhelming evidence shows no need for this deplorable act.

Homosexuals are trying to make us believe that their behavior is normal and should be accepted. The saddest part of all of this is that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been duped into all the hysteria surrounding this issue under the umbrella of "acceptance and tolerance". I've read many articles where people have made comments completely contrary to the doctrines of the church and still profess to be "active" members who support the prophet. I wonder if they actually know what it means to sustain the prophet of God. Is it only on positions that we agree with? Is it on all positions? Should the prophet stay out of issues that are considered political? How will one justify actions taken against the counsel of the prophet? We all have issues but to be so blunt and outspoken against the prophet's counsel is a course I'd rather not follow. Nothing good can come from me thinking that I am smarter and wiser than the Lord's mouthpiece on the earth.

There are a whole host of other issues that society is trying to show as being good when it is pure evil. They are also trying to defeat and demean all those who are doing good in the world. Just look at a typical newscast and what do you witness for the first 10-15 minutes - everything that is wrong with the world today. How many good and uplifting stories are shown? If we are lucky, there might be one at the end of the broadcast.

Isaiah got it right when he saw our day and what a mess it would be. However, just because it is messy doesn't mean we sit on the sidelines and let those who want to be the squeaky wheel have free reign. We must stand up and ensure that good prevails. We shouted for joy at that opportunity. How are you doing in standing up for righteousness in all places and at all times? I know I can do better and will continue to strive to move the Lord's work forward, notwithstanding the strong winds of opposition.

Truth in Politics = Accountability

Early this year, I was fortunate enough to be selected as a Salt Lake County Delegate for the Republican Party. I have mingled in politics a little over the years, but nothing substantial at all. I've written and called all of my representatives, including President Bush.

I have been extremely frustrated with my party because of their lack of response to the citizens who elected them and to their having placed all common sense on the side of the road. Locally, it was a thrill to go to the Republican Convention and vote for people to represent our party.

From the night I was elected as a delegate, my phone started ringing off the hook by those who were seeking the nomination for Senate District 9. Apparently the current senator was retiring. Good thing since no one that I knew had ever received any communication from him or even knew he was our senator. (Sherrie Swensen, SL County Clerk, redrew the lines which are completely unintelligible and have no common sense to them.)

I had a couple of the people in the race come up to the house and discuss some of the issues. One kept promising that he would be coming over but never quite made it. I received a lot of literature on their stances over the next few weeks.

I sat down with Wayne Niederhauser and Bryson Garbett and discussed their politics and stances. Wayne was heavy in his slogan of Accountability. He felt that the legislature should start with a zero based budget and that the departments should have to explain the need for their expenditures. I actually think that is a great idea because I truly believe that spending is out of control and those who are in office don't know how to restrain themselves. (Notice that Congress is trying to pass a line-item veto for the President. Only those who enjoy spending others money need someone else to keep them in line)

I spoke with Bryson about his previous experience as a House Representative and how that would be effective in the senate. He also indicated that we needed to pay teachers more in order to attract the best qualified. I agree with that wholeheartedly. He also talked about the state's natural resources and how the severance tax on them was extremely low and hadn't been reviewed in years. He felt that an increase on these resources, as they left the state, would be a great way to pour more money into the schools.

Well, the convention came and went. We had 2 votes in our district to see if one of the nominees could come up with 60% of the votes, thereby foregoing a primary election. Bryson and Wayne wound up as the two who would go to the primary, with Bryson falling 2 votes shy of the 60% threshold. It was really interesting after the voting was done, when I overheard two party political hacks questioning the audacity of those in Senate District 9 and why they couldn't come up with someone getting the nomination so there wouldn't be a primary. I guess they should have sent their memo to everyone BEFORE the votes so we could vote them out.

After more research and investigation, I decided I would support Bryson at the convention and in the primary, if there was one. There was. I walked the neighborhood with Bryson one night, introducing him to my neighbors. Many said they would vote for him and a few said he could put up a sign in their yard. I thought that was cool. I even took him to meet Mike Jerman who is with the Taxpayers Association. I knew this would be a long visit because Mike really likes to talk. It was a long visit and Mike asked Bryson about his severance tax idea. Bryson explained it and Mike indicated he thought it was a pretty good idea.

The day before the election, I received a letter from Howard Stephenson, a senator from the neighboring district and used to be our senator until the redistricting mentioned above. I have had exactly 1 conversation with Howard and let's just say I wasn't impressed with his answers to my questions. In the letter that Howard sent, he noted that he was supporting Wayne. He also lambasted Bryson's idea on the severance tax. He wrote that "the economic impact of the Garbett tax increase would be devastating. Not only would it increase the already record-high fuel prices for our cars and homes, but it would hurt our competitiveness, drive up the cost of extracting Utah's natural resources and force job cuts throughout the state." He went on to say that this increase would slow our economy.

Well, needless to say, I was completely unimpressed with Howard's letter and assertions. But more importantly, I was disappointed in the politics that were going on. Howard sent his letter the Saturday before the vote; it arrived the day before the vote which allowed no time for Bryson to refute the erroneous assertions by Howard. I called Howard that night, left a message. I called again in the morning seeking a response from him. Again, I left a message. Come to find out later when Howard called me at 6:47am, under the guise of returning my call and wanting to discuss the letter, he was out of town for the past week. Howard must have put all of the letters in the mail and then boogied from the state.

Since I couldn't reach Howard, I called Wayne to see what his take was on it. He indicated that he knew about the letter and agreed with its content. He stated that our gas prices would go up with a severance tax on the state's natural resources.

Bryson lost the election which was disappointing to me. Bryson ran a clean, honest race. I also thought that Wayne was doing the same until the letter was received. At that point in time, I knew that truth in politics in our senate district was a one way street. I don't look on slamming the other guy with fondness. If you can't run on your own platform, then your platform might not be good enough and you need to make changes. (Reminds me of many days sitting in meetings at work where people couldn't make their own arguments but had to degrade someone else just to try to make themselves look good.)

So I wrote Howard and Wayne letters indicating my distaste for their politics. An interesting note is that everyone I have spoken with thus far who received the letter, thought the exact same thing as I did regarding the purpose of the letter and lack of political acumen regarding Howard and Wayne.

So far, no response from Howard. I'm sure I will never receive one knowing the kind of politician he is. Howard is a big fan of gifts from lobbyists saying that there is nothing wrong with them and that the media is to blame for the public distrusting politicians. Seems to me that there is no need for a gift from anyone to a politician unless it is to buy access or votes.

Wayne apparently left a message yesterday and wanted to talk. I'll be interested in hearing his take.

I say truth in politics is long gone, but is something that must be demanded back from the people. Too many incumbents win reelection and they have horrible voting track records. They don't respond to constituents once elected and have their ears bent by special interests. Case in point, Senator Bennett disregarded the voters of Utah and voted for the Senate's immigration bill. Senator McCain did the same thing. Calls into their offices asked them to vote no on the bill, yet they still did because that's their point of view. Senator Bennett went so far to say about his vote on the flag burning amendment, that if the state didn't like his vote they could make a change. Well, he knows that is highly unlikely, being the incumbent.

However, apathy in our great state and nation are at all-time highs. Out of 3 precincts voting where I do, only 126 people came out to vote. That's horrible and downright ridiculous.

As I said in my letter to Wayne, your slogan was Accountability, and I'm holding you accountable for those who send letters on your behalf. I don't like your politics of personal destruction and distortion. You owe Bryson and those who received the letter an apology and an explanation!

Here I Am

Well, this is a first. I've never posted anything like this before except our family web page years ago. I've had some interesting experiences over the past few months and will be addressing them individually in the near future.

A dear friend of mine has posted her poetry online to help her in her recoveries of depression and as an outlet to let others know what she is feeling. After reading a few of her publishings (Dina Gardner) and having other concerns with happenings in the world, I thought that I would create my own publishing spot and hopefully provide food for thought.

I chose the name True2TheFaith because it appears that so many people seem to be losing their way in life and straying from the straight and narrow path. The Great Deceiver is doing a wonderful job of confusing people and helping in the fulfilment of the prophesy of Isaiah where he indicated right would be called wrong and wrong would be taken for right. (Isaiah 5:20-21)

The fight between good and evil is real and is increasing in intensity each and every day. Sitting on the fence and hoping that others will do the fighting is no longer an acceptable response. Too much is at risk. This nation will only be sustained as long as those who inhabit it are true and obedient to the commandments of God.

It truly is time to stand up and be accounted for and to help others and ourselves stay True 2 The Faith!