“Root Hog; or Die”
cji
9/30/13
If
one goes to Wikipedia – one can get an idea of what this means – but let’s go
back further than this source – which only goes to prior to 1834. We’ll instead
go back to the 1st half of the 17th Century to the year,
c.1622. After the failure of King directed Communism (which had failed in
Jamestown) also had failed in Plymouth by their second year. Governor Bradford
said, “At length, after much debate … the governor, gave way that they should
set corn every man for his own purpose, and in every regard trust to themselves
… and so assigned to every family a parcel of land according to the proportion
of their number, (History of Plymouth, 1606-1642, pp.160-162.)” Thus going from
the common sharing – with the hard working and those who were unwilling to work
because they didn’t have to one were everyone had to ‘root hog – cultivate –
plant and tend; or die – of starvation.’
Root;
hog or die is the polar to communism (or in today’s world socialism or sharing
the wealth of those who work and/or earned – with those who do nothing) and
this was learned very early in all of the colonies on the Eastern Seaboard of
the new world. Again to quote William Bradford – governor of the Plymouth
Colony, “The experience that was had in this common cause and condition, tried
sundry years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince
(demonstrate) the vanity of that conceit of Plato and other ancients –
applauded by some in later times – that taking away of property, and bringing
it into a commonwealth, would make them happy and flourishing as if they were
wiser than God, ibid,”
In
the above I’ve mentioned the Jamestown Colony. This was established at the
beginning of the 1600’s – and had issued a charter which mandated ‘voluntary
communism’ which by 1611 had failed terribly. The company which had mandated
this mistake (the London Company) revoked this mandate and established the rule
of each person to survive on their own. Soon after the colony did much better!
If
a people or nation want to encourage anthesis they must allow for growth
separate from another – each person is to be able to rise to their level of
goals set and accomplished. Nowhere in the Bible is the idea of communal life –
communism – socialism found in the Scriptures! Indeed, communal life is nothing
more or less than the plan which Lucifer offered in the pre-existence. One must
remember his plan would provide for all – none would be lost – all would be
saved and none would have to do anything. There were two plans – first, one
which would require each individual to use their agency to survive the tests of
mortality! The second, plan did not require agency or personal choice – all
would be saved in mortality – however, there would be Celestial reward – only
that to be an administering servant to Satan – for the glory would be his. Now
many in the world while having voted for the first plan – have instead in
mortality adopted the second plan. However, this choice is far more dangerous –
because being evicted from the heavens with one-third of the host of heaven –
have absolutely nothing to offer – zero – a void – darkness – zilch – and come
of naught in their test of mortality.
It
must be remembered that those who’ve adopted the second plan – believe they’re
in control of their lives and also have the right to control everyone else’s
life. Sadly, because of this they’re called; kings, queens, dictators, rulers,
and other such names – but maybe the best is Mongol. In many aspects in the
United States today we’ve a government – made up of Senators, Judges,
Congresspersons, and even the office of President who feel that Plato was
correct and they are the chosen one’s to make all of our decision – to
distribute wealth – violate the laws of God – and void his divine instrument of
the Constitution. This government has enlisted the aid of the media industry,
television, movies and most importantly the music or entertainment industry.
(Note: let’s understand not all of the Senators, Congresspersons or Judges have
adopted the second plan – yet for some reason they have not the ability to stop
this wave of insanity to violate the freedoms of the working class Americans
who are legal citizens.) It is in part – a large part due to three reasons of
those who’ve adopted Plato – Socialism and the denial of freedom. The first is
the overwhelming influence of the immoral flood of the entertainment world. The
first way to counteract the ‘still small voice of the Spirit’ is to create a
distraction – the music, games, and distractions of the entertainment world
have accomplished this goal – without any restrictions as to content – value –
or virtue. The second is the acts of those who have claimed leadership in this
nation. Their behavior is selfish, wanton and without regard to the laws of the
land. The third – the media who continue day and night to promote the ideas of
Plato and Augustine, Calvin and many others – in their support of lies,
socialism, defamation of any good, repetitively repeating rhetoric until many
accept what is without merit as having merit and even is true!
In
previous essays I’ve mentioned ‘strange slips’ and ‘lees’ and in this one the
saying, ‘root hog or die.’ Each has to till the earth (of their inner soul) and
plants and tend to their Spiritual wellbeing. It is actually quite easy – but
the worldly make it seem impossible. We must remember that the Father and the
Son have never asked us to do anything which was impossible. Thus we’ve to
prepare – do – and eventually find the solutions to our problems or obstacles
to be overcome. We must truly remember that each person’s obstacles will be
different (maybe similar) but each person is their own individual. Those tools
we have are our ability to pray – to call upon Heavenly Father – (James 1:5) –
and if we are prepared – clean – worthy – will gain the knowledge to do what we
need to do – and answer our questions or obstacles. Now these answers may not
come in the way we expect but they will come!
Yet
if we have not done the tilling of the field – planted seeds – tended and cared
for our harvest – there will be no harvest and there will be no answers forth
coming! We’re the ones who have to be obedient to the laws, statutes and
Commandments of Heavenly Father and the Son! Anyone who believes one only needs
to be saved – and there is no need for works – does not believe literally the
Scriptures. Repeatedly James, Paul, Peter, John, Isaiah, Job, Moses, Ezra,
Malachi, and indeed all of the Prophets of the Old and New Testaments – the
Book of Mormon – the Pearl of Great Price – and those Prophets alive today –
have always taught the principle that ‘faith without works is dead!’ It is
thoroughly understood that none of us could make without the ‘grace of God.’
What is not understood is what is this ‘grace?’ Grace is the power of God which
allows us to keep going, to endure to the end, when we’ve done everything we
can do to the best of our ability. Grace does not take away – either ‘faith’ or
‘works’ but adds to both of them. Grace
(This is taken from the Bible Dictionary: A word that
occurs frequently in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul. The
main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the
bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible
by His atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every
person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It
is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in
the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength
and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to
maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that
allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have
expended their own best efforts.
Divine grace is needed by every soul in consequence of
the Fall of Adam and also because of man’s weaknesses and shortcomings.
However, grace cannot suffice without total effort on the part of the
recipient. Hence the explanation, “It is by grace that we are saved, after all
we can do” (2 Ne. 25:23). It is truly the grace of
Jesus Christ that makes salvation possible. This principle is expressed in
Jesus’ parable of the vine and the branches (John 15:1–11). See also John 1:12–17; Eph. 2:8–9; Philip. 4:13; D&C 93:11–14.)
Therefore
if we extend the saying, ‘root hog or die’ to be ‘root mankind or die’ and
perceive the teachings of the Savior – we’ll know that there is one way to
return to the Father and the Son – and that is by what we do with what we’ve
given in this mortal test. Yes, of course one has to have faith – but one must
also repent – be baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost (which only
one Church has this authority on this earth at this time – as in all of the
dispensations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ being on this earth have had.
Let me be quite clear each of you who read
this most likely belong to a church of your choice and this is as it should be
– but in the belief of the literalness of the Scriptures – then one must
believe as I do that their church is the only true church on this earth at this
time. Why? Because we know God is not a God of confusion, contention – but a
God of order in all things. He would not have contradicting beliefs taught and
call it His church! Paul addressed this when he appealed to the congregation, “1 Cor. 1:10 Now I beseech you,
brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For
it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of
the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now
this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I
of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is
Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or
were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
The
most important aspect of the saying, ‘root hog or die’ is that we must not be
dependent upon government or socialism/communism to provide for our needs. Yes
there are government programs which we’ve paid into to help us in disability
and or injury and retirement; but these were earned through our efforts in
working and providing. However, if there are those who are gathering in these
social benefits having not contributed – having not become a legal citizen –
but instead are entitled by a government which has exceeded its Constitutional
restraints – then there is something seriously wrong on the tangible side of
the equation. Yet, let us remember that, ‘root mankind or die’ in a Spiritual
context deals with our eternal salivation – i.e. returning to our Heavenly
Father and our Savior in the highest degree of glory of the Celestial Kingdom –
with our families – (both our progenitors and our posterity) which is something
no government (except a Theocracy under the Father and the Son) can provide. If
one is indolent, wicked, evil, and immoral, doesn’t abide the Commandments,
doesn’t make covenants with the Father and the Son and other understandings
found in the Scriptures – then they have no promise other than that of the
Atonement that they will be resurrected. As found in Paul there are three
kingdoms for those who are resurrected – The Celestial: The highest of
the three degrees of glory that a person can attain after this life. Here the
righteous will dwell in the presence of God the Father and his Son Jesus
Christ. The glory of the celestial is one:1 Cor. 15:40; ( D&C 76:96;) The second of the three
degrees of glory in which people will dwell after the final judgment. Paul saw
a terrestrial glory, likened to the glory of the moon:1 Cor. 15:40–41; The lowest of the
three degrees of glory in which people will dwell after the final judgment. Paul saw a glory of the stars:1 Cor. 15:40–41. There is one more –
but this is called ‘outer darkness’ for those who cannot abide any of the three
mentioned. Each individual will inherit that which they’re able to abide!
How are we doing in our intangible lives?
Most can tell how we are doing in our tangible lives by the way we live – what
we have stewardship (for no one truly owns anything material but have them for
a while until no longer useful, rust or moth corrupts, or we die) over while
living. Are we found digging into the Scriptures – are we planting seeds of
good value – and do we harvest for both ourselves and others? Please carefully
remember James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the
Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” In the Book of Mormon –
King Benjamin added to this, “Mosiah 4:16 And also, ye yourselves
will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your
substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the
beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
17 Perhaps thou
shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay
my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my
substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
18 But I say unto
you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and
except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath
no interest in the kingdom of God.
19 For behold, are
we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all
the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for
silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
20 And behold, even
at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of
your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured
out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with
joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find
utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
21 And now, if God,
who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that
ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith,
believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the
substance that ye have one to another.
22 And if ye judge
the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish
not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for
withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom
also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the
thing which thou hast done.
23 I say unto you,
wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say
these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.
24 And again, I say
unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day
to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that
ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would
give.
25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless,
otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that
which ye have not received.”
Thus
we’ve much to be doing! Hopefully we’ll each be found anxiously engaged in both
learning, discerning and doing the Will of our Father in Heaven – seeking to be
worthy servants in the vineyards and gardens during our mortal probation – in
the name of Jesus Christ – amen – c/ork
“Anthesis”
cji
9/30/13
Are we cultivating
the soil
tending and weeding
daily
carefully planting
the seeds
each in their proper
place
mindful of the
eternal goals
we covenanted to once
obey
when in our
pre-mortal estate;
Thus do we tenderly
seek
discerning wisdom and
truth
prayerfully
considering all
learning our
stewardships
able to do all we can
do
worthy of the
Atonement
and thus the Grace of
God;
Do we help all to
blossom
our time wisely
engaged
doing Father’s will
today
being obedient to His
laws
His Commandments all
and His statutes
written
is anthesis found
within?
Copyright © 2013 –
cji
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