Mormon Prophets Speak out Against Income Inequality

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1875)

THE EXPERIENCE OF MANKIND has shown that the people of communities and nations among whom wealth is the most equally distributed, enjoy the largest degree of liberty, are the least exposed to tyranny and oppression and suffer the least from luxurious habits which beget vice. Under such a
system, carefully maintained there could be no great aggregations of either real or personal property in the hands of a few; especially so while the laws, forbidding the taking of usury or interest for money or property loaned, continued in force.

ONE OF THE GREAT EVILS with which our own nation is menaced at the present time is the wonderful growth of wealth in the hands of a comparatively few individuals. The very liberties for which our fathers contended so steadfastly and courageously, and which they bequeathed to us as a priceless legacy, are endangered by the monstrous power which this accumulation of wealth gives to a few individuals and a few powerful corporations. By its seductive influence results are accomplished which, were it more equally distributed, would be impossible under our form of government. It threatens to give shape to the legislation, both State, and National, of the entire country. If this evil should not be checked, and measures not taken to prevent the continued enormous growth of riches among the class already rich, and the painful increase of destitution and want among the poor, the
nation is likely to be overtaken by disaster; for, according to history, such a tendency among nations once powerful was the sure precursor of ruin.

YEARS AGO IT WAS PERCEIVED that we Latter-day Saints were open to the same dangers as those which beset the rest of the world. A condition of affairs existed among us which was favorable to the growth of riches in the hands of a few at the expense of many. A wealthy class was being rapidly formed in our midst whose interests in the course of time, were likely to be diverse from those of the rest of the community. The growth of such a class was dangerous to our union; and, of all people, we stand most in need of union and to have our interests identical. Then it was that the Saints were
counseled to enter into co-operation. In the absence of the necessary faith to enter upon a more perfect order revealed by the Lord unto the Church, this was felt to be the best means of drawing us together and making us one.

A UNION OF INTERESTS was sought to be attained. At the time co-operation was entered upon the Latter-day Saints were acting in utter disregard of the principles of self-preservation. They were encouraging the growth of evils in their own midst which they condemned as the worst features of the systems from which they had been gathered. Large profits were being consecrated in comparatively few hands, instead of being generally distributed among the people. As a consequence, the community was being rapidly divided into classes, and the hateful and unhappy distinctions which the possession and lack of wealth give rise to, were becoming painfully apparent. When the proposition to organize Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution was broached, it was hoped that the community at large would become stockholders; for if a few individuals only were to own its stock, the advantages to the community would be limited. The people, therefore, were urged to take shares, and large numbers responded to the appeal. As we have shown, the business proved to be as successful as its most sanguine friends anticipated. But the distribution of profits among the community was not the
only benefit conferred by the organization of co-operation among us.

CO-OPERATION has submitted in silence to a great many attacks. Its friends have been content to let it endure the ordeal. But it is now time to speak. The Latter-day Saints should understand that it is our duty to sustain co-operation and to do all in our power to make it a success. The local co-operative stores should have the cordial support of the Latter-day Saints. Does not all our history impress upon us the great truth that in union is strength? Without it, what power would the Latter-day Saints have?
But it is not our doctrines alone that we should be united, but in practice and especially in our business affairs.

Your Brethren:

Brigham Young, Daniel H. Wells, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young Jr., George A. Smith, John taylor, Orson Hyde, Charles C,. Rich, Erastus Snow, George Q. Cannon, Albert Carrington
1875

maddow takes on GOP's notion of reality

i've been frustrated for years at the right's propensity to assert that what they want to be reality, is.  i'm glad to learn i'm not alone ...

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

binders of women and followers of men

mitt's solution to the question of equal pay for women reminds me of the witch trial in monty python's holy grail (see below).  ok, i'm taking it out of context but for heavens sake here are some of the myriad of reasons his response terrifies me.

1. he surrounds himself with people so stupid that they would suggest an entire state cabinet without one women one it
2. they are so far way from qualified women that they have to do a nation wide search for qualified ones
3. the dismay and wonder mitt experienced as he realized that there were qualified women

Happy National Coming Out Day (a day late)

yesterday was national coming out day.  i didn't know until the middle of the day so ... tada.  late but not too late i hope.  i'd like to offer a passage from a book i'm reading.  may the shame and silence that keeps us trapped in our individual closets be quashed by honesty and love.

"There is a language older far and deeper than words.  It is the language of bodies, of body on body, wind on snow, rain on trees, wave on stone.  It is the language of dream, gesture, symbol, memory.  We have forgotten this language.  We do not even remember it exists. 

In order for us to maintain our way of living, we must, in a broad sense, tell lies to each other, and especially to ourselves.  It is not necessary that the lies be particularly believable.  The lies act as barriers to truth.  These barriers to truth are necessary because without them many deplorable acts would become impossibilities.  Truth must at all costs be avoided.  When we do allow self-evident truths to percolate past our defense and into our consciousness, they are treated like so many hand grenades rolling across the dance floor of an improbably macabre party.  We try to stay out of harms way, afraid they will go off, shatter our delusions, and leave us exposed to what we have done to the world and to ourselves, exposed as the hollow people we have become.  And so we avoid these truths, these self-evident truths and continue the dance of world destruction."   

  -- Derrick Jensen,  "A Language Older than Words", Silence

i trust Thoreau when he said that "the only way out is through".  i also trust Jesus when he said "the truth will set you free".  so i've decided that to celebrate National Coming Out Day, i'd live a more reality based, honest life.  mostly, i want to stop hiding truths from myself.  does seem quite ridiculous.

Draw the Line

i'm so grateful this is finally happening!!  we can draw the line ... all we have to do is draw it and then not move.  its time to get up stand up, stand up for your rights.  but the good news is, all we have to do is stand there.  just stand still and calm and say the truth loudly.

DRAW THE LINE – SIGN THE BILL – SPREAD THE WORD

Attacks on reproductive rights have become rampant. Hostile politicians keep trying to put women down in their speeches and keep women down through their laws. But when news of a movement to fight back reaches the one person capable of spreading the word to EVERYBODY, a revolution is born.

go to drawtheline.org, for a more impassioned video

funny or scary

how is this race even close?  people are sharing this because they think it is funny... to me its quite scary.  how does this guy get so close to taking abe lincoln and george washington's chair?

PBS Statement Regarding October 3 Presidential Debate

ARLINGTON, VA – October 4, 2012 – We are very disappointed that PBS became a political target in the Presidential debate last night. Governor Romney does not understand the value the American people place on public broadcasting and the outstanding return on investment the system delivers to our nation. We think it is important to set the record straight and let the facts speak for themselves.

The federal investment in public broadcasting equals about one one-hundredth of one percent of the federal budget. Elimination of funding would have virtually no impact on the nation’s debt. Yet the loss to the American public would be devastating.

A national survey by the bipartisan research firms of Hart Research and American Viewpoint in 2011 found that over two-thirds of American voters (69%) oppose proposals to eliminate government funding of public broadcasting, with Americans across the political spectrum against such a cut.

As a stated supporter of education, Governor Romney should be a champion of public broadcasting, yet he is willing to wipe out services that reach the vast majority of Americans, including underserved audiences, such as children who cannot attend preschool and citizens living in rural areas.

For more than 40 years, Big Bird has embodied the public broadcasting mission – harnessing the power of media for the good of every citizen, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. Our system serves as a universally accessible resource for education, history, science, arts and civil discourse.

Over the course of a year, 91% of all U.S. television households tune in to their local PBS station. In fact, our service is watched by 81% of all children between the ages of 2-8.

Each day, the American public receives an enduring and daily return on investment that is heard, seen, read and experienced in public media broadcasts, apps, podcasts and online – all for the cost of about $1.35 per person per year.

Earlier in 2012, a Harris Interactive poll confirmed that Americans consider PBS the most trusted public institution and the second most valuable use of public funds, behind only national defense, for the 9th consecutive year.

A key thing to remember is that public television and radio stations are locally owned and community focused and they are experts in working efficiently to make limited resources produce results. In fact, for every $1.00 of federal funding invested, they raise an additional $6.00 on their own – a highly effective public-private partnership.

Numerous studies -- including one requested by Congress earlier this year -- have stated categorically that while the federal investment in public broadcasting is relatively modest, the absence of this critical seed money would cripple the system and bring its services to an end.

Learn more at: http://valuepbs.org/.

About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website,pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available atwww.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by followingPBS Pressroom on Twitter.

CONTACT:

Anne Bentley, awbentley@pbs.org, 703-739-5021
Jan McNamara, jmcnamara@pbs.org, 703-739-5028

Family Wellness Warriors

Family Wellness Warriors Initiative (FWWI) seeks to address the devastating problems of domestic violence, abuse, and neglect in the Alaska Native community. Its purpose is to equip organizations and individuals to effectively address the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical effects of domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. It is our desire to encourage wellness in each of these areas in the individual, the family, the community, and the world in which we live:
*  Families and Communities
*  With hearts open to change
*  Working together with others through education and training
*  Instilling hope for restoration and wellness

i got to participate in part of one of their conferences  it was an amazing healing experience.  it caught me off guard.  i will write more about that later.

FWWI is an alaskan native lead initiative to break the cycle & end the silence of abuse.  they use truth telling, empathy, culture, and hearing.  its quite powerful.  i got just a smidgen and healed a ton.

this video provides a beautiful overview of the program.  the music is so amazingly alaskan i love it!