The people we ought to be... once more

A few years ago, I was blessed to have the experience of traveling to Pennsylvania. I was able to visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, among many, many other historical places. The Spirit there was as strong as it can be in the Temple. Amazing.

I have such a love for our Founding Fathers. In Doctrine and Covenants 101:80 it says, "I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood."

How wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father directed our Founding Fathers in such a beautiful work!!

So, on that note...I am excited, I am nervous, and I am thrilled to say that I am a 9 - 12er. What is a 9-12er? If you believe that it is vital that we live our lives on principals and values, you too just might be a 9 -12er. First, the principles:

Do you believe...

1. America Is Good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the external rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
“I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
“It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is known. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
“I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results. “Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable. “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
“In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
“I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson


Now, the Values:

Honesty - Reverence - Hope - Thrift - Humility -
Charity - Sincerity - Moderation - Hard Work -
Courage - Personal Responsibility - Gratitude



I am confused as to why everyone seems to have forgotten the lessons we learned from 9-11. On September 12th, we all promised ourselves that we would stick closer to what was truly important in this life. However, we are all back to the bickering, fighting, finger pointing, and looking out for ourselves and no one else style of living. Back to our September 10th selves.

I know that I am sticking my neck out by saying this, but I am sick and tired of people screaming about how patriotic they are, but when push comes to shove, they stand around whining and complaining about what's going on with our country instead of taking actions to try to fix it.

Well, I am no longer one of those people. I am now a part of "The 9-12 Project". It is getting larger everyday and it is gaining speed - rapidly (over 340,000 as of today). If you feel that these principals and values are indeed important and worthy of your attention, please join up. It is not a democrat vs republican thing. It is a right vs wrong thing. It always has been. If you would like to get more info and even see what other people around the country are doing click here.


I finally feel like I have a voice and that I am no longer alone in how I feel.