Posted in abortion Communism Family freedom Friends government health News politics Sacrifice Service Social Issues Society

A Catholic Family Gets a Visit From the FBI: A Time to Carefully Follow Stories on Threats to Religious Freedom

The opening talk of the October 2022 General Conference, “Caring for the Poor and Distressed” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, asked us to not only do more to help to…

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Xiaogang, Anhui contract
Posted in Books Business China Communism freedom government Industry Society

China Has More to Offer Than Fireworks When It Comes to Celebrating Liberty

The story of China’s economic revolution is barely known in the West, but has some vitally important lessons for all of us. Here I report on my trek to the small village in Anhui Province where that revolution began, and tell the story desperation and courage among a small group of farmers who risked their lives in 1978 to defy collectivism. Instead of being punished, their incredible success inspired Deng Xiao Ping and helped bring the blessings of increased economic liberty and prosperity to many millions in China. It was a quiet revolution that became a thunder sweeping China. The lessons from that revolution are now needed in the West.

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Posted in Communism Europe Travel

Lessons from Bulgaria: The Dangers of Censorship

During the Communist era in Bulgaria, the annual May Day parade was a major spectacle that drew huge crowds to the streets of Sofia. The crowds would come to 9th…

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Posted in China Communism COVID freedom

Prayers for China

  A view from Xi’an, China, the beginning of the Silk Road China has been in my prayers daily for a long time. It’s a land I love and respect…

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Posted in Business Christianity Communism COVID Europe freedom government health Media News War

Preparing for War: The Folly of Trust

Some of my more painful experiences in life have come from trusting people in authority, ranging from the promises of a business to the assurances of a medical authority or other persons I respected. While I continue to be an optimistic and trusting person, I increasingly recognize the reality that people often cannot be trusted, especially when there is an opportunity for personal gain at the expense of their personal integrity. I’ve also learned that there are red flags  I should have heeded more in my life, such as the words “you’ll just have to trust me” when claiming that an agreement could not yet be put in writing…. Can we trust what we are being told about Ukraine?

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Posted in China Communism freedom Media politics Social Issues

Embracing C3ns0rsh1p: A Survival Guide with Helpful Input From China

I marvel at the shock and outrage of some conservative voices as their posts, tweets, and entire websites are progressively downgraded in search visibility, flagged as “fake news,” demonetized, deplatformed,…

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Posted in Asia China Communism freedom history Industry

Freedom to Be Thankful For: My Pilgrimage to Xiaogang, Birthplace of China’s Latest Revolution

One of the most touching and courageous moments in China’s recent history is depicted in the painting below of a secret meeting of farmers in a tiny village that few…

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Posted in Book of Mormon Communism freedom politics Social Issues Society

Preserving Freedom: Hard to Do in Ignorance

For decades, Americans have skated though what we call education without basic information about the founding of this nation and the principles of liberty that our Founding Fathers taught. We…

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Posted in Book of Mormon Communism freedom Gospel of Jesus Christ politics Prophets Social Issues

A Cure for Deadly Optimism and a Key for Preserving Freedom: The Book of Mormon

Admiral Jim Stockdale is a man who understood the pain and trauma of physical torture. Admiral Stockdale was the highest ranking United States military officer in the “Hanoi Hilton” prisoner-of-war…

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Posted in Communism freedom government history Industry politics Social Issues Society Surviving

How Quickly Freedom is Lost: Remembering FDR’s NRA

Were any of you around in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s day? I am amazed at how he is praised in our modern textbooks, with little critical discussion of what he did to Japanese Americans or to the Constitution of this land. While the precedent he set of massive executive power grabs continues unabated in our day, there are some lessons from his reign that should be remembered by those who seem eager to trust a President with power far beyond the intent of our Founding Fathers. For example, consider FDR’s National Recovery Administration (NRA)…

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