Anyway, the following is what makes me such a great fan of President Ezra Taft Benson:
BENSON CLEARLY SAW THIS BACK IN 1966. LOOK WHERE WE ARE AT 45 YEARS LATER; TODAY!
Stand Up For Freedom
By Ezra Taft Benson
[Editor's Note: Excerpted from an hour-long address given in 1966. Ezra Taft Benson was a true patriot and a prophet in Israel.]
Humbly and gratefully I stand before you - grateful for patriots such as you - humbled by the magnitude of the task before us.
I speak to you as a fellow citizen of the United States of America deeply concerned about the welfare of our beloved country.
I am not here to tickle your ears - to entertain you. I will talk to you frankly and honestly. The message I bring is not a happy one, but it is the truth, and time is always on the side of truth. As the German philosopher Goethe, said: "Truth must be repeated again and again because error is constantly being preached round about."
I realize that the bearer of bad news is always unpopular. As a people we love sweetness and light - especially sweetness. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that every mind must make a choice between truth and repose. Those who will learn nothing from history are condemned to repeat it. This we are doing in the Americas today. ...
Returning recently from two years abroad has caused me to reflect seriously on recent trends and present conditions in our beloved country. I am shocked and saddened at what I find. I am sorry to say that all is not well in so-called prosperous, wealthy and powerful America.
We have moved a long way - and are now moving further and more rapidly down the soul-destroying road of socialism. The evidence is clear - shockingly clear for all to see.
With our national prestige at - or near - an embarrassing all-time low, we continue to weaken our domestic economy by unsound fiscal, economic and foreign aid policies which corrupt our national currency. Ever increasing centralization of power in the federal government in Washington, D.C. is reducing our local and state governments to virtual federal field offices while weakening individual initiative, enterprise and character.
With the crass unconstitutional usurpation of powers by the Executive Branch of the federal government, anti-spiritual decisions of the Supreme Court - all apparently approved by a weakly submissive rubber-stamp congress - the days ahead are ominously frightening.
Surely - certainly - it behooves patriotic citizens - such as you - to meet together to seriously consider present conditions in our beloved nation. It is imperative that American citizens become alerted and informed regarding the threat to our welfare, happiness and freedom.
No American is worthy of citizenship in this great land who refuses to take an active interest in these important matters.
All we hold dear as a great Christian nation is at stake. ...
We Americans have strayed far from sound principles - morally, Constitutionally and historically. It has been getting us into a quagmire of trouble all over the world, and especially here at home.
Americans at the grass roots level have sensed that their way of life is being threatened....
... There are some legitimate functions and services which the Federal Government can and should provide, but those who want the federal power to exceed the authority delegated to it by the Constitution will be resisted both by Democrats and Republicans. This is what is happening in some limited areas today. May the trend increase.
And anyone who tries to equate this love of Constitutional principles as meaning hatred of our national leaders is using Goebbels-style deception. History has already demonstrated that conservative opposition to national leaders was not "hate" but an attempt to do them a favor. ...
Therefore, I repeat, this kind of resistance to a national leader is rooted in love and respect, not hate. Regardless of which political party is in power, you do not want to see your President make a serious blunder. ...
What causes one to wonder is why these warnings were not carefully considered and acted upon. Why is it that men in high places in government, regardless of party have been deceived? I am convinced that a major part of the cause can be justly laid at the door of the Socialist-Communist Conspiracy, which is lead by masters of deceit who deceive the very elect. J. Edgar Hoover put it well when he said, "I would have no fears if more Americans possessed the zeal, the fervor, the persistence, and the industry to learn about this menace of Red fascism. I do fear for the liberal and progressive who have been hoodwinked and duped into joining with the Communists."
Therefore, let those who call for unity and the elimination of hate be sure they are not merely trying to silence the friends of freedom. These are they who respect their leaders and resist them only when it is felt they are headed for a catastrophe. What patriotic American would wish to stand silent if he saw the President verging on a blunder because of bad advice or a mistake in judgment of the facts?
I believe one of the most serious mistakes a President could make would be to weaken the Constitution.
From the time I was a small boy, I was taught that the American Constitution is an inspired document. I was also taught that the day will come when the Constitution will be endangered and hang as it were by a single thread. I was taught that we should study the Constitution, preserve its principles and defend it against any who would destroy it. To the best of my ability I have always tried to do this. I expect to continue my efforts to help protect and safeguard our inspired Constitution.
Some two years ago, however, a critic from Washington, D.C. claimed that a person who serves in a church capacity should not comment on such matters. He charged that the separation of church and state requires that church officials restrict their attention to affairs of the Church.
I, of course, also believe that the institutions of church and state should be separated, but I also do not agree that spiritual leaders cannot comment on basic issues which involve the very foundation of American liberty.
In fact, if this were true, we would have to throw away a substantial part of the Bible. Speaking out against immoral or unjust actions of political leaders has been the burden of prophets and disciples of God from time immemorial. It was for this very reason that many of them were persecuted. Some of them were stoned, some of them were burned, many were imprisoned. Nevertheless it was their God-given task, as watchmen on the towers, to speak up.
It is certainly no different today.
To Moses God said: "....proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." (Lev. 25:10)
Why? For God knows full well that the gospel - His plan for the blessing of His children can prosper only in an atmosphere of freedom.
To modern men God has said: the Constitution "should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh." (Doctrine and Covenants 101:77) ...
At this particular moment in history the United States Constitution is definitely threatened and every citizen should know about it. The warning of this hour should resound through the corridors of every American institution....
Our Republic and Constitution are being destroyed while the enemies of freedom are being aided. How? In at least ten ways:
1. By diplomatic recognition and aid, trade and negotiations with the Communists.
2. By disarmament of our military defenses.
3. By destruction of our security laws and the promotion of atheism by decisions of the Supreme Court.
4. By loss of sovereignty and solvency to international commitments and membership in world organizations.
5. By undermining of local law enforcement agencies and Congressional investigation committees.
6. By usurpations by the Executive and the Judicial branches of our Federal Government.
7. By lawlessness in the name of civil rights.
8. By staggering national debt with inflation and the corruption of the currency.
9. By a multiplicity of executive orders and federal programs which greatly weaken local and state government.
10. By the sacrificing of American manhood by engaging in wars we apparently have no intention of winning.
Wherever possible, I have tried to speak out. It is for this very reason that certain people in Washington have bitterly criticized me. They don't want people to hear the message. It embarrasses them. The things which are destroying the Constitution are the things they have been voting for. They are afraid of their political careers if these facts are pointed out. They therefore try to silence any who carry the message - anyone who will stand up and be counted. ...
Now we should all be opposed to Socialistic-Communism, for it is our mortal and spiritual enemy - the greatest evil in the world today. But the reason many liberals don't want the American people to form study groups to really understand and then fight Socialistic-Communism is that once the American people get the facts they will begin to realize that much of what these liberals advocate is actually helping the enemy.
The liberals hope you'll believe them when they tell you how anti-Communist they are. But they become alarmed if you really inform yourself on the subject of Socialistic-Communism. For after you inform yourself you might begin to study the liberal voting record. And this study would show you how much the liberals are giving aid and comfort to the enemy and how much the liberals are actually leading America towards Socialism itself.
For Communism is just another form of socialism, as is fascism. So now you can see the picture. These liberals want you to know how much they are doing for you - with your tax money of course. But they don't want you to realize that the path they are pursuing is socialistic, and that socialism is the same as communism in its ultimate effect on our liberties. When you point this out they want to shut you up - they accuse you of maligning them, of casting aspersions, of being political. No matter whether they label their bottle as liberalism, progressivism, or social reform - I know the contents of the bottle is poison to this Republic and I'm going to call it poison.
We do not need to question the motive of these liberals. They could be most sincere. But sincerity or supposed benevolence or even cleverness is not the question. The question is: "Are we going to save this country from the hands of the enemy and the deceived?" ...
So from the very beginning of this Moscow campaign, to stop the anti-Communist movement in this country, it was an important part of the Communist strategy to get their liberal American friends to carry out an attack against patriotic organizations. Of course, the Communists have learned not to attack all patriotic groups at once. Their strategy is to focus on just one organization and make it so detestable and ugly in the public mind that they can hold it up as a sort of a tar baby and then use it to smear all other individuals or groups in the same category. ...
I feel it is always good strategy to stand up for the right, even when it is unpopular. Perhaps I should say, ESPECIALLY when it is unpopular.
I had to make this same decision all over again when President David O. McKay received an invitation from former Congressman John Rousselot, asking that I be authorized to give a patriotic speech.... President McKay after careful consideration, told me I should make the talk and that I had his permission and blessing....
This talk was given to [nearly 6,000 people at two events]....
Both talks dealt with the preservation of the Constitution and the need to resist the Communist threat....
Of course, ... this talk brought an immediate outcry from some liberal elements in Washington. These voices said that I, as a Church official, had no business speaking [at a political event]. They said it was making me "controversial." Patrick Henry and the Founding Fathers were also "controversial." True patriots have ever been. Perhaps they did not realize that I had fulfilled this assignment with the full approval of President McKay.... The fight to save the Constitution is not near controversy, nor the fight against Communism. In fact, it is a war with the devil - Christ verses anti-Christ - and I am willing to fight it. It is a fight against the greatest evil in this world - a ruthless, powerful, godless conspiracy.
J Edgar Hoover has warned that the cold war is a real war and that the threat is increasing. I agree, and unfortunately we are losing the war.
I think it is time for every patriotic American to join with neighbors to study the Constitution and the Conspiracy. Subscribe to several good patriotic magazines.... Buy a few basic books, such as Masters Of Deceit and A Study Of Communism by J. Edgar Hoover; The Naked Communist by Cleon Skousen, recommended by President David O. McKay, in the General Conference of the Church, October 1959; You Can Trust The Communists by Dr. Fred Schwartz, and so on.[Editor's note: These books are all available used at Amazon.com. More current publications include Awakening to Our Awful Situation, Jack Monnett; The End of America and Give me Liberty by Naomi Wolf; and Glenn Beck's Common Sense.] And then prepare to do some independent thinking. And remember that the organized who have a plan and are dedicated, though they be few, will always defeat the many who are not organized and who lack plans and dedication. The communists know this and have proven it. Isn't it about time that most Americans realize it too?
In conclusion may I say that one of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed and organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road trying to avoid being "controversial" and get hit by traffic going both ways.
To the patriots I say this: Take the long eternal look. Stand up for freedom no matter what the cost.
It can help to save your soul - and maybe your country.
This is a choice land, choice above all others. Blessed by the Almighty, our forefathers have made and kept it so. It will continue to be a land of freedom and liberty as long as we are able to advance in the light of sound and enduring principles of right. To sacrifice such principles for momentary expediency - often selfishly motivated - is to endanger our noble heritage and is unworthy of this great American people.
With all my heart I love this great nation. ... This is a nation with a great mission to perform for the benefit of liberty-loving people everywhere. It is my firm conviction that The Constitution of this land was established by men whom the God of heaven raised up unto that very purpose. This is part of my religious faith.
The days ahead are sobering and challenging, and will demand the faith, prayers and loyalty of every American. As the ancient apostle declared:
"The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Romans 13:12)
May God give us the wisdom to recognize the dangers of complacency, the threat to our freedom and the strength to meet this danger courageously. ...
In this mighty struggle each of you has a part. Every person on the earth today chose the right side during the war in heaven. Be on the right side now. Stand up and be counted. If you get discouraged remember the words of Edward Everett Hale when he said:
"I am only one, but I am one.
I can't do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, that I ought to do,
And what I ought to do,
By the grace of God, I shall do!"
And this is my prayer for you this day. May God bless all of you, each and every one....
(Ezra Taft Benson. Stand Up For Freedom. Assembly Hall at Temple Square, Feb 11, 1966. Given to The Utah Forum for the American Idea)
Full Text:
http://michael-bonham.com/wordpress/...or-freedom.htm
Full Audio:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/downloads
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