Props to my friend

For those of you interested in the Prop 8 debate, my buddy Stu Beck (the High Trail blog I've recently added to my list) has an excellent summary of the issues at hand. Check it out!

A frightening Proposition

I'm getting political again. You have been warned.

Anyone who knows me doubtless knows where I stand on California's Proposition 8, designed to place in the state constitution the definition of "marriage" as being between a man and a woman. Most of the pro-Prop 8 advertising I've seen focuses on the moral aspects of the issue. "Look at the consequences for our schools and our children," they proclaim. "We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets," warns The Family: A Proclamation to the World from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I agree with and support these statements, but there's another issue at hand here, one which will, perhaps, help those who are having trouble with their decision based solely on moral grounds.


On March 7, 2000, California citizens approved Proposition 22, the Knight Initiative or Defense of Marriage act, with 61.4% approval and 38.6% against, a truly significant margin. By the democratic system established by our forefathers and supposedly upheld by our public officials, the people voted to uphold the traditional definition of marriage.

The California Supreme Court ruled on May 15, 2008 that Proposition 22 violated the state Constitution and was therefore invalid. These seven people decided that their opinion was more important than the mandate of nearly 5,000,000 voters. This sets a terrible precedent, and robs the American People of what little power they have left in government.

I find myself frightened at the prospect, particularly as I read the scriptures and find many direct parallels. From Alma, chapter 46, we read the following account of stirring turmoil and rebellion:

3 Now the leader of those who were wroth against their brethren was a large and a strong man; and his name was Amalickiah.
4 And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power.
7. . . . and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi exceedingly precarious and dangerous . . .

So for any of you who are undecided about the moral aspects of the situation, for any who are trying to decide what is right, let me ask you this question: Who do you want to have holding power over the law? You and your fellow millions of Californians, or four out of these seven glorified lawyers? Now is the time to show them that we decide what our laws are, not a pack of power-hungry judges with an axe to grind. It's time to show Mayor Gavin Newsom that, "like it or not", this is America, a land where the law and the government are, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "of the people, by the people, for the people," and that it "shall not perish from the earth."

In closing, for all of you who cannot vote in this election, let me implore your aid for my fellow Californians in the words of the prophet Moroni (8:28)


Pray for them, my son, that repentance may come unto them. But behold, I fear lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them; and in this part of the land they are also seeking to put down all power and authority which cometh from God; and they are denying the Holy Ghost.

New Poll!

Well, friends and family, Halloween is approaching. I decided that it might be fun to create a poll about something scary. After some consideration (and some inspiration from my Portuguese class), I realized that one of the biggest and scariest things for Americans today is the issue of Global Warming. Does it scare you, or do you believe it's nothing more substantial than Trick or Treat? Answer my poll (bottom of the blog) and let me know!