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by Shauna Gibby
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men."
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read "We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down," by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign, May 2009, 59-62.
Thought:
We cannot and we must not allow ourselves to get distracted from our sacred duty. We cannot and we must not lose focus on the things that matter most.
Song:</b.
"I Want to Live the Gospel," Children's Songbook, p. 148.
Scripture:
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:20)
Lesson:
Have your family tell of different times in history when people have been killed for what they believed. Ask, "Why would one group of people kill another group for what they believe?"
Take turns reading 3 Nephi 1:4-9. Ask:
What were the wicked people going to do to the righteous? Why?
Why do you think the truth makes some people so angry? (See Helaman
13:25-28.)
If your life was threatened by a wicked group of people because of what you believed, what would you do?
As a family, read 3 Nephi 1:10-23 and look for what happened to the
righteous Nephites who were condemned to die because of what they believed. Ask:
What most impresses you about this group of Nephites?
Even though they were spared, how was their faith tried?
How do you think they felt when "at the going down of the sun there was no darkness"? (Verse 15.)
Do you think you would have remained faithful in this circumstance? Why or why not?
Even though we may not face the threat of death, what lessons can we learn from 3 Nephi 1 about preparing for the Second Coming?
Story:
An example of tremendous courage in the face of certain death is the story of Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales, two brethren from Mexico who lived during the Mexican civil war. The rebels who fought against the government in hopes of gaining power were called Zapatistas; they were followers of Emiliano Zapata. The civil war caused much bigotry, cruelty, anarchy, and bloodshed, reaching into the most isolated villages. Amid the violence, personal, political, and religious scores were often settled. In 1912 while this terrible civil war was in full swing, the Monroy family was contacted by LDS missionaries. They eventually accepted the gospel and were baptized.
"They were accused of having abandoned the faith of their fathers, consorting with foreigners, and selling poisoned food in their store. Even local religious leaders ridiculed them. Some townspeople began painting graffiti on the walls of their home, while others boycotted their store. Despite these trials, the family stood firm with an increased commitment to the Church.
"Rafael had been a member only three months when the civil war forced the evacuation of all foreign missionaries from Mexico. Before leaving Mexico, President Pratt ordained Brother Monroy to the Melchizedek Priesthood and set him apart as president of the San Marcos branch. . . .
"The Zapatistas eventually arrested President Monroy and his three sisters for associating with North Americans and for allegedly being in league with the Constitutionalists. The Zapatistas also arrested Vicente Morales, who had married into the Monroy family and served with Rafael in the San Marcos branch presidency.
"Acting on erroneous reports that the Morales family was hiding guns and ammunition, the Zapatistas ransacked the family store. Finding no weapons, they demanded that the men 'give up their arms.' Brothers Monroy and Morales were beaten after they presented their scriptures in reply. Later, they were told their lives would be spared if they would denounce their faith. When they refused, they were executed. One author wrote of the family's loss:
"'It had rained most of the night, and the air was damp. Jesucita Monroy had not slept and was out on the street early, pleading with the officers of the Zapatista army. . . . Her early morning appeal was successful, and the Zapatistas released her three daughters from army custody. After getting two of her daughters home, Jesucita and her oldest, Guadalupe, went to the place where the two executions had taken place the evening before. Already burdened with emotion and grief, these two women began the task of moving the . . . bodies of their son and brother, Rafael, and their nephew-in-law and cousin-in-law, Vicente Morales, home to prepare for the funeral and burial. Victims of the brutality of a civil war in Mexico, these two men had lost their lives in the violence they had deplored. For many members of the family and for many friends, Rafael and Vicente became examples of faith and dedication to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'"
Activity:
Mark a two lines on the floor, five feet apart, with tape. Give each person five washers and have them take turns tossing them from behind one line toward the goal line. The person who gets his washer across the line, but closest to it, wins all the washers tossed during that turn. The person who finally gets all the washers wins. Explain that the people who remain closest to the Lord will receive the greatest rewards.
Refreshment
English Toffee
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups butter
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 cup slivered almonds
2 teaspoons vanilla
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup ground almonds
Directions
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter, water, and corn syrup. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove cover and cook over medium heat until mixture turns golden, stirring frequently. Add slivered almonds, and continue cooking, stirring frequently, to about 300 degrees on a candy thermometer, or until a little of the candy, dropped into cold water, becomes hard and brittle. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Pour into an ungreased 9 × 13-inch pan. Sprinkle chocolate over hot candy, and cover with a sheet of aluminum foil to melt. Sprinkle with ground almonds. Makes approximately 2 pounds candy.
"Commitment" While I enjoy photography, I also like playing the mandolin. I have the computer and books set up with the main lighting on the instruments and penny board to show that I have to commit to this work so that I can stay committed to the things I love to do. I used a small LED lamp to illuminate the computer and roommate, and a warm desk lamp to illuminate the instruments in the back. My Canon T5i was set at: ISO 1600, Aperture 3.5, Shutter speed 1/100th
In 2021, the Volunteer Fair Upper Austria took place for the very first time during the Ars Electronica Festival.
Photo: tom mesic
At a speech to the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Premier Clark reaffirmed her commitment to balance the budget in 2013.
Tanzania - ELC: All children attending confirmation classes in the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania are required to plant and take care of ten trees before they can be confirmed. This is part of the ELC commitment to environmental conservation. On September 18, 2012, 26 Christian, Muslim and Hindu faith groups in sub-Saharan Africa launched long-term environmental action plans during ARC's 'Many Heavens, One Earth, Our Continent' celebration in Nairobi, Kenya. Visit www.arcworld.org
The Great West Window of Worksop Priory contained a window of 1868 probably by O'Connor. but this was replaced in 2003 by a window showing St Cuthbert, to whom, with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church is dedicated. It was designed by Helen Whittaker and she explains the design as follows:
St. Cuthbert is set against white foliated scrollwork with a blue
background. The design elements of the scroll are based on the
Priory's south door ironwork and the leaves, fruit and flowers
from the Tickhill Psalter. The figure is framed by a geometric
band of lozenges in a mix of white tints, bordered in beaded
strap work. The central bosses of the diamonds are inspired by
the Priory's unique stone-carved rosettes, found in the
architecture of the nave aisle. The band is interrupted with
small chips of coloured glass, break-leads and painted details
influenced by Romanesque glass painting. The names of
benefactors are recorded within the diamond quarries of this
band. At the corners of the base and spring lines of the window
are four, white-bordered roundels set on the red ground, each
relating to the life of St. Cuthbert.
The top left roundel depicts the beginning of his commitment to God in
the year 651. Cuthbert had a vision, whilst at prayer, of a dazzling beam
of light across the night sky. Within the light a host of angels bore a
burning globe, the soul of St. Aidan, to heaven. In the top right roundel
can be seen his ending on the island of Farne. A monk announced
Cuthbert's death to the brethren of Lindisfarne by signalling with
lighted torches from a high rock. The bottom left roundel depicts two
Eider ducks known as ‘St. Cuthbert's birds’ on the Farne Islands. He
befriended and tamed them and promised that they should never be
disturbed. To the right can be seen the story of the Ravens, that brought St.
Cuthbert a piece of hog's lard. He used the incident as a parable to teach man
how to be obedient and humble.
Tanzania - ELCT: Women-led tree nurseries are a core part of the long-term plan for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania. The aim is to establish one in every parish. On September 18, 2012, 26 Christian, Muslim and Hindu faith groups in sub-Saharan Africa launched long-term environmental action plans during ARC's 'Many Heavens, One Earth, Our Continent' celebration in Nairobi, Kenya. Visit www.arcworld.org
Uganda - HEAR Uganda and UMYA: Immam Kasozi hands out tree seedlings at an environmental seminar in Hoima, Western Uganda. On September 18, 2012, 26 Christian, Muslim and Hindu faith groups in sub-Saharan Africa launched long-term environmental action plans during ARC's 'Many Heavens, One Earth, Our Continent' celebration in Nairobi, Kenya. Visit www.arcworld.org
www.yahoo.com/news/us-becoming-developing-country-global-...
US is becoming a 'developing country' on global rankings that measure democracy, inequality
The United States may regard itself as a “leader of the free world,” but an index of development released in July 2022 places the country much farther down the list.
In its global rankings, the United Nations Office of Sustainable Development dropped the U.S. to 41st worldwide, down from its previous ranking of 32nd. Under this methodology – an expansive model of 17 categories, or “goals,” many of them focused on the environment and equity – the U.S. ranks between Cuba and Bulgaria. Both are widely regarded as developing countries.
The U.S. is also now considered a “flawed democracy,” according to The Economist’s democracy index.
As a political historian who studies U.S. institutional development, I recognize these dismal ratings as the inevitable result of two problems. Racism has cheated many Americans out of the health care, education, economic security and environment they deserve. At the same time, as threats to democracy become more serious, a devotion to “American exceptionalism” keeps the country from candid appraisals and course corrections.
‘The other America’
The Office of Sustainable Development’s rankings differ from more traditional development measures in that they are more focused on the experiences of ordinary people, including their ability to enjoy clean air and water, than the creation of wealth.
So while the gigantic size of the American economy counts in its scoring, so too does unequal access to the wealth it produces. When judged by accepted measures like the Gini coefficient, income inequality in the U.S. has risen markedly over the past 30 years. By the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s measurement, the U.S. has the biggest wealth gap among G-7 nations.
These results reflect structural disparities in the United States, which are most pronounced for African Americans. Such differences have persisted well beyond the demise of chattel slavery and the repeal of Jim Crow laws.
Scholar W.E.B. Du Bois first exposed this kind of structural inequality in his 1899 analysis of Black life in the urban north, “The Philadelphia Negro.” Though he noted distinctions of affluence and status within Black society, Du Bois found the lives of African Americans to be a world apart from white residents: a “city within a city.” Du Bois traced the high rates of poverty, crime and illiteracy prevalent in Philadelphia’s Black community to discrimination, divestment and residential segregation – not to Black people’s degree of ambition or talent.
More than a half-century later, with characteristic eloquence, Martin Luther King Jr. similarly decried the persistence of the “other America,” one where “the buoyancy of hope” was transformed into “the fatigue of despair.”
To illustrate his point, King referred to many of the same factors studied by Du Bois: the condition of housing and household wealth, education, social mobility and literacy rates, health outcomes and employment. On all of these metrics, Black Americans fared worse than whites. But as King noted, “Many people of various backgrounds live in this other America.”
The benchmarks of development invoked by these men also featured prominently in the 1962 book “The Other America,” by political scientist Michael Harrington, founder of a group that eventually became the Democratic Socialists of America. Harrington’s work so unsettled President John F. Kennedy that it reportedly galvanized him into formulating a “war on poverty.”
Kennedy’s successor, Lyndon Johnson, waged this metaphorical war. But poverty bound to discrete places. Rural areas and segregated neighborhoods stayed poor well beyond mid-20th-century federal efforts.
In large part that is because federal efforts during that critical time accommodated rather than confronted the forces of racism, according to my research.
Across a number of policy domains, the sustained efforts of segregationist Democrats in Congress resulted in an incomplete and patchwork system of social policy. Democrats from the South cooperated with Republicans to doom to failure efforts to achieve universal health care or unionized workforces. Rejecting proposals for strong federal intervention, they left a checkered legacy of local funding for education and public health.
Today, many years later, the effects of a welfare state tailored to racism is evident — though perhaps less visibly so — in the inadequate health policies driving a shocking decline in average American life expectancy.
Declining democracy
There are other ways to measure a country’s level of development, and on some of them the U.S. fares better.
The U.S. currently ranks 21st on the United Nations Development Program’s index, which measures fewer factors than the sustainable development index. Good results in average income per person – $64,765 – and an average 13.7 years of schooling situate the United States squarely in the developed world.
Its ranking suffers, however, on appraisals that place greater weight on political systems.
The Economist’s democracy index now groups the U.S. among “flawed democracies,” with an overall score that ranks between Estonia and Chile. It falls short of being a top-rated “full democracy” in large part because of a fractured political culture. This growing divide is most apparent in the divergent paths between “red” and “blue” states.
Although the analysts from The Economist applaud the peaceful transfer of power in the face of an insurrection intended to disrupt it, their report laments that, according to a January 2022 poll, “only 55% of Americans believe that Mr. Biden legitimately won the 2020 election, despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud.”
Election denialism carries with it the threat that election officials in Republican-controlled jurisdictions will reject or alter vote tallies that do not favor the Republican Party in upcoming elections, further jeopardizing the score of the U.S. on the democracy index.
Red and blue America also differ on access to modern reproductive care for women. This hurts the U.S. gender equality rating, one aspect of the United Nations’ sustainable development index.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Republican-controlled states have enacted or proposed grossly restrictive abortion laws, to the point of endangering a woman’s health.
I believe that, when paired with structural inequalities and fractured social policy, the dwindling Republican commitment to democracy lends weight to the classification of the U.S. as a developing country.
American exceptionalism
To address the poor showing of the United States on a variety of global surveys, one must also contend with the idea of American exceptionalism, a belief in American superiority over the rest of the world.
Both political parties have long promoted this belief, at home and abroad, but “exceptionalism” receives a more formal treatment from Republicans. It was the first line of the Republican Party’s national platform of 2016 and 2020 (“we believe in American exceptionalism”). And it served as the organizing principle behind Donald Trump’s vow to restore “patriotic education” to America’s schools.
In Florida, after lobbying by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state board of education in July 2022 approved standards rooted in American exceptionalism while barring instruction in critical race theory, an academic framework teaching the kind of structural racism Du Bois exposed long ago.
With a tendency to proclaim excellence rather than pursue it, the peddling of American exceptionalism encourages Americans to maintain a robust sense of national achievement – despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
CAMP HUMPHREYS — Chong, Pyeong-sik (left), President of the Korea Foreigner Tourist Facility Association’s Pyeongtaek Chapter, and Col. Joseph P. Moore, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys commander, sign a Memorandum of Understanding May 9. The signing signifies cooperation for the promotion of a healthy entertainment culture, Soldier safety and the prohibition of underage drinking in local establishments around Camp Humphreys. Han, Chong-sop, president of the Anjeong-ri Entertainment Establishments Association and Cho, Hang-won, president of the Paengseong Merchants Association also signed.
— U.S. Army photos by Steven Hoover
For more information on U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and living and working in Korea visit: USAG-Humphreys' official web site or check out our online videos.
Jasper demonstrates his depth of commitment to catching the ball. How he can dive like this, nab the ball and keep running full speed is beyond me.
Both photos show quayside working at DP World Southampton, and show DP World's commitment to its customers by offering 24-7 vessel working.
Minister George Heyman, Parliamentary Secretary Aman Singh, Parliamentary Secretary Kelly Greene, and Parliamentary Secretary Susie Chant announce the Province is renewing and expanding its commitment to make B.C. parks more inclusive and accessible with the release of the BC Parks Commitment to Inclusion.
The humanitarian commitment of the international community was emphatically reaffirmed at a two-day meeting convened in Geneva in July by UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. The 65 nations attending the meeting made substantial commitments of funds and offers of permanent asylum to help solve the immediate and long-term needs of the hundreds of thousands of Indochinese refugees and displaced persons in South-East Asia. The international relief effort is being coordinated by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Cambodian children at the Ban Mai Rut refugee camp near Klong Yai, Thailand. There are about 5,200 refugees in this camp which has a permanent wooden structure and several new ones made of Bamboo poles and thatched roofs and walls. [July 1979]
UN Photo/John Isaac
Klong Yai, Thailand
Photo # 86022
Camera: Lomo LC-A+. Film: Fujichrome Provia 100F, home-crossprocessed with the Rollei Digibase C41 kit.
Both photos show quayside working at DP World Southampton, and show DP World's commitment to its customers by offering 24-7 vessel working.
CAMP HUMPHREYS — Chong, Pyeong-sik (left), President of the Korea Foreigner Tourist Facility Association’s Pyeongtaek Chapter, and Col. Joseph P. Moore, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys commander, sign a Memorandum of Understanding May 9. The signing signifies cooperation for the promotion of a healthy entertainment culture, Soldier safety and the prohibition of underage drinking in local establishments around Camp Humphreys. Han, Chong-sop, president of the Anjeong-ri Entertainment Establishments Association and Cho, Hang-won, president of the Paengseong Merchants Association also signed.
— U.S. Army photos by Steven Hoover
For more information on U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and living and working in Korea visit: USAG-Humphreys' official web site or check out our online videos.
According to our tour guide in Myanmar, to become a pure monk you have to go to the temple, aged 5, and commit your entire life to becoming a monk.
I just found that... sad. Being 5 years old, you can't make decisions - so it's your parents who make the actual decision. I saw several of these kids wandering around the streets in Yangon and Bagan - all of whom don't look that much happier than this kid here.
The Class of 2023 affirmed their commitment to service on August 15, 2021, and took the Oath of Affirmation, binding them to complete their next two years of study and a minimum of five years of active-duty military service thereafter. Astronaut William S. McArthur Jr. ‘73 was the guest speaker for the evening.
Members of the Class of 1973, the 50-year affiliates of the Class of 2023, presented the cadets with commemorative coins to mark the occasion of their affirmed commitment.
"Regardless of your academic focus, you will graduate having majored in leadership. The good news is that you will leave this hallowed institution well-prepared to meet the challenges your careers will place before you. When you graduate, look at your diploma. Understand what it represents. It doesn’t mean that you are ready to conquer the world any more than one from an Ivy League school, an MIT or Ga Tech, a Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas, or Stanford. It means you are ready to learn your profession through hands-on experience. It means you are ready to make your own luck.
- Astronaut William S. McArthur Jr. ‘73
Uganda - UMSC and UMWA: Ugandas 2nd Deputy Prime Minister joins International Climate Champion Hajjat Sebyala in planting trees on behalf of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and the Uganda Muslim Women's Association . On September 18, 2012, 26 Christian, Muslim and Hindu faith groups in sub-Saharan Africa launched long-term environmental action plans during ARC's 'Many Heavens, One Earth, Our Continent' celebration in Nairobi, Kenya. Visit www.arcworld.org
more at www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=283458&id=227433525829
Same sex marriage is not yet recognised in Australia by the law but that does not stop Vic (in black) and Amy from exchanging their vows of love and commitment to each other in the shores of Narrabeen, Sydney in the company of their closest friends and relatives.
The couple bears matching tattoos on their left arm. "Never is a promise, and you can't afford to Lie" and "Be the change you want to see".
Photography by www.josephineki.com.au
As a part of the Malahat Safety Improvements, barriers were recently installed along sections of the Malahat on the Trans Canada Highway. Five sections of new concrete median barrier, totalling 5.4 km, will be added to the Malahat by spring 2013. When complete, over 40 per cent of the Malahat corridor will be separated with median barrier.
The installation of this section of median barrier will cost approximately $250,000. This is part of the government of British Columbia’s $8 million commitment to additional concrete median barrier and other safety improvements on the Malahat.
On November 6, 2019 the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation honored members of the Department who have demonstrated exceptional bravery, excellence, and commitment to their community.
VALOR
Medal of Valor: A member is entitled to consideration for this award by performing an act of conspicuous heroism and/or bravery under extreme personal risk above and beyond the calculated personal risk demands of the fire service. This prestigious award goes to:
Captain I Matthew Nolan
Award of Merit: Earned by members taking conspicuous action in rendering aid during a life-saving or life-threatening situation under circumstances which pose calculated risk to the members or performing an endeavor which brings significant credit to the Department. This outstanding award goes to:
Firefighter III/Paramedic Derek Cook
Helicopter Pilot II Joel Smith
Helicopter Pilot III David Norquist (retired)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to a retiree of the Department who exemplifies the true spirit of “Service to the Community” through their actions while on active duty and as a retired member. This year’s recipient is:
Assistant Chief Roy Harvey
The Crystal Flame Community Service Award: Presented to a sworn member of the Department who has gone beyond their regular duties, demonstrating exceptional compassion and personal commitment to the community. This year’s recipients are:
Secretary Rebecca Alvarado
Letter of Special Recommendation: An act performed of unusual character during emergency or non-emergency conditions, requiring initiative or ability worthy of recognition entitles a member to consideration for this commendation. This year's recipients are:
Deputy Chief Kristin Crowley
Firefighter III/Paramedic Daniel Harris
"Our members routinely respond to a variety of incidents that place significant risks on themselves. The members being honored have exceeded what is typically expected of them and deserve to be recognized. I would like to acknowledge the LAFD Foundation for making this event possible", LAFD Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas
LAFD Event - 1106019
Photo Use Permitted via Creative Commons - Credit: LAFD Photo | Gary Apodaca
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