The Crooked Circus: Locked and Loaded

Monday, November 17, 2008

Locked and Loaded

This weekend was awesome! And may reveal just a little too much about my take on things, but that's ok. Friday we doubled to the shooting range. Poor "orange man" as Jess calls him. There were 2 for me, one took various wounds in many places, not all of them pleasant, but he will never taunt me again. #2 only took 20, ten to the head (ok, 9, I missed one) and 10 in the gut. Ok, only 9 there, too, but whose counting? I'd say he'll survive, but let's not kid ourselves. Bad guys beware, and forget the dog! It is amazing how little anger and frustration is left after 100 rounds. Who wants to go next month?

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What about "Mormons"?

Most of you know we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormon). Some may wonder why, so we thought we would answer a few questions. First of all, the LDS church is not to be confused with the FLDS church, which supports and actively practices thing such as poligomy. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we do not and have not practiced plural marriage in well over 100 years. Obviously long before we were born! In fact, in the LDS faith we believe in "honoring, obeying and sustaining the law" ( 12 th Article of Faith). In our family we make a very open effort to ensure the boys know they need to obey ALL laws of the United States as well as whatever individual State they live in. We also promote respect and support our local and federal authorities. We do not always agree with them, so that means we will fight a cause we feel infringes upon our own religous beliefs or secular freedoms. We do not feel it is ok that pornography, homosexual lifestyles, anarchy or atheism are taught in our schools, or forced upon our religous meetings. (Something the ACLU keeps pushing for, but they won't tell you that.) Yes, these same things are issues the LDS church has taken a firm stand against. One of the reasons we are LDS is we believe teh same things. While we think open prayer in school would be wonderful, we understand others are uncomfortable and do not push issues such as these. If you are ever in our home during a meal time or Family Home Evening (our weekly religous lesson taught in home based on family needs) we will invite you to pray with us and will not take offence if you excuse yourself or want to offer your own prayer, too. As members of the LDS faith, we are taught to love and accept all people and all faiths. Just because we do not agree on doctrine or lifestyle doesn't mean we don't want to be your friends! Some of our dearest friends and family are Jewish, Baptist and Pagan. As long as we can respect our differences, ask questions openly, answer questions honestly and with out being attacked for our beliefs (we promise not to attack yours either), we have no problems with any one. SOOO if you have any questions about our faith, family or anything else, feel free to ask. Also, for more information on the LDS church, you can visit http://www.mormon.org/ and get answers to just about anyting you can think to ask (maybe even some cool stuff you didn't think to ask!)

We love the gospel and strive everyday to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. We follow the council of our sweet prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. We also believe that even with human frailties, these men are called of God. We love them and believe theirs are heavy burdens lightened by our prayers, and that we would never want upon our own shoulders. We also pray for local and Federal government officials.

Below are "The 13 Articles of Faith" that are the basis for our faith. Maybe they will help with questions you may have!

We love you all!!!

The 13 Articles of Faith for Latter Day Saints

Joseph Smith first wrote them in a letter to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, in answer to his request to know what members of the Church believed. The letter became known as the Wentworth Letter and was first published in the Times and Seasons in March 1842. On 10 October 1880, the Articles of Faith were formally accepted as scripture by the vote of the members of the Church.

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

by Joseph Smith

My Testimony: by Lacy

I testify Jesus Christ lives. He is the literal Son of God and He loves and knows us all. I believe the gifts of the gospel, repentance and eternal families are rivaled only by the Atonement and Resurection, of which we can all take part if we so desire. There are no secrets found in our faith, but many things we hold sacred and do not allow to be defiled or trampled under the feet of those who refuse to understand. There is nothing here every other person on the planet can not also enjoy if they are willing to pay the price in obdience to secular and spiritual laws governed by God. If you need more information, we can arrange for that, and any answers we do not have or that may not be on the web sites above. (It's pretty complete, though, I have yet to find something missing.) We all spend our lives learning, even the Holy Bible teaches us to continue learning. As the late President Gordon B Hinckley once said in a Conference address: "Come, bring what knowledge you have and let us add to it." That doesn't mean you have to join the church. The answers are for all who desire to know, whatever affiliations they may share. I share this testimony in the sacred name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.