OUR-Why I'm An Abolitionist

Prologue

          About 4 years ago, my family and I (me, hubs, 4 kids) were living with my father in law in his condo that had a grassy common area with some trees and shrubs. One fall evening, my 3 older kids were playing outside in the leaves when they proceeded to come inside and tell me that they found 3 kittens-one for each of them. I immediately thought they were telling me a story about a game they were playing using their imagination. Full disclosure, I don’t like cats and I never have so my kids knew better than to ask me if they could keep the cats. When I didn’t fully believe them, they grabbed my arm, pulled me outside and moved away some big tree branches to reveal 3 adorable tiny kittens huddled together in the shrubs.

          In unison, the kids all asked me if they could keep one of the cats. I was moved by their shivering little cat bodies and fluffy fur. I-the cat hater-grabbed a big box, put in a comfy blanket, a bowl of milk (that’s what they do in the movies right?) and something they could play with, we gently put the kittens in the box and brought them into the garage. The kids were asking if we could keep them and I was totally on board! How could I look at those cute kittens and say no? Me, the cat hater was finding every which way possible to keep these abandoned kittens.

         

          In the end, my father in law nixed the housing of kittens immediately. That evening, we had to find someplace that would take good care of them and keep them healthy-even take care of the eye infection in the grey cat had who we affectionately called ‘One Eyed Willie’, that was the cat that William claimed. One Eyed Willie, Merida (Audrey’s cat) and Kitty Soft Paws (Siobhan’s) were all taken to a 24 hour vet that would find them a happy home. We left them with many tears in our eyes and my girls telling me ‘Mom, you owe us a cat!’ It was heartbreaking, but I was confident we left them in good hands.

          But what was it that made me to a complete 180 on the idea of having a pet cat? It was the fact that I’m a mother who can’t stand the idea of babies being abandoned and without the security that they need and deserve. I couldn’t stand by and let those kittens shiver in the cold and do nothing. My heart went out to these seemingly helpless creatures and I had to do something within my power to help them. We did the best we could under the circumstances.

Becoming an Abolitionist

          So what does this story have to do with Operation Underground Railroad and The Abolitionists film? In that one story about the kittens, I illustrate my desire to be a part of the Abolitionist movement by volunteering with OUR. As I sat watching The Abolitionist movie on Monday May 16^th, I saw kids on the screen who had been abandoned by their families, who were in danger with no sense of love and security. Anything could happen to these kids and everything was, in fact, happening to them. There was nobody to comfort their fears and wipe away their tears. Nobody to tell them of their worth or to help them understand how important they are. Until they were rescued.

          If you are unaware, OperationUnderground Railroad is an amazing organization that rescues children who are being trafficked into sexual slavery. These children are put into the most horrendous situations where unspeakable acts are perpetuated against them on a daily, nightly, hourly basis. Timothy Ballard and his ‘jump teams’ made up of former government agents and navy seals, go undercover as 'buyers' in elaborate sting operations to rescue these children. They work with local law enforcement in developing nations to pull off these rescues. The children (boys and girls of all ages) are liberated and then rehabilitated. If you haven’t seen this movie, please find a theater who is showing it and support this mission.

          After seeing the movie with my husband, I decided that I had to act. I couldn’t sit by as a mother and know that there are children who are going through this hell. I’m eternally grateful that when my kids go to bed at night, they do so feeling loved, safe and secure. The children in this situations, who are groomed and then trafficked into sexual slavery are taught they are commodities whose worth is decided on the auction block. My kids are taught that they have a beautiful, god given self-worth that is recognized by their parents, teachers, friends and neighbors. We are too lucky and too blessed to not do something, anything to help.

Why OUR?

          There are obviously numerous situations in society where kids are mistreated and don’t have the opportunity to reach their full potential-abuse, poverty, bullying, etc. And there are problems right here in my own town that need my help as well, and I’m doing my best to help in those circumstances as I’m able. And I would never want it to seem that those causes are not equally worthy of my time and money. But OUR has spoken to me in a big way. Here’s why.

          To start with, the scope of their mission is huge while also being personal to those involved. Before Timothy Ballard left his job at the Department of Homeland Security, his job there was rescuing American children who had been trafficked. He would do sting operations where he was only allowed to rescue those American children while leaving many children behind. When he left the government, he realized that as a private citizen, he could rescue all of the kids. They operate in North, Central and South America, India, Southeast Asia and America with many more countries asking for their help. To date they have liberated 529 children and put away 182 traffickers who are in jail for 20 years –life.

          Second, those who are helpless, need our help! I’ve had experience helping with other causes that I felt I could devote my time to and I will continue to so as much as I’m able. From those opportunities I have a learned a lot. Elder Boyd K Packer said, “We need women who are organized and women who can organize. We need women with executive ability who can plan and direct and administer; women who can teach, women who can speak out.” So that’s what I’m doing. I’m speaking out and using the skills that I have learned over the years to do my part!!

          One aspect of this movement that means a lot to me is the aftercare procedures that they go through with the kids. Instead of the team liberating them and then heading on their way and hoping for the best, the kids are placed in safe facilities where they can get the help that they need. Then they follow up with them and make sure that that helps continues. Tim Ballard even said that they will stop an operation in its tracks if there is not adequate care set up to help in the aftermath-even going so far as to build a facility for that country for that very purpose. These kids are not falling through the cracks and hopefully the cycle is being broken and these young people learn of their worth and potential.

Join Me!

          After I saw the film, I decided to fill out a volunteer application for OUR and I have my first opportunity to help at an event. I will be at another screening of The Abolitionist movie handing out information, selling t-shirts, giving out swag and supporting the movement. If you are in Utah, get out and see this movie! You will be changed and your heart will be softened as you learn about this issue that has not received the attention that it needs.

Helpful links!

Operation Underground Railroad

http://ourrescue.org/

The Abolistionists Movie

http://theabolitionistsmovie.com/

What I Gained When I Finished the Book of Mormon in 24 Days

On Sunday, January 31, 2016, we had our ward conference and as is the typical lineup for the meeting, our Stake President spoke to the congregation. He gave a wonderful talk that was full of inspiring messages. He shared some personal experiences to illustrate certain points, and one in particular stood out to me. He said that on January 1^st, he decided to start listening to The Book of Mormon in the hopes of finishing it in 30 days. He listened to it in his car on the way to work, while shoveling snow and other times during his days. He spoke about how much it meant to him, how it helped his days and that he was cutting it close, but still able to finish in 30 days. It was great message about making time for the scriptures and being inspired throughout the day.

February is always a hard month for me because, let’s be honest, February isn’t the funnest month. We’re done with the holidays, the New Year excitement has worn off, it’s the shortest month of the year and the weather is never consistently great. February is just ‘blah’ for me.So I wanted something new to help my month go a little better and not be such a drag. After hearing what the stake president said, I decided to try something. I was going to listen to The Book of Mormon every time I was in the car to see how fast I could finish the book. Now, I realize that reading and finishing The Book of Mormon should not be a race and it’s not about how fast we are able to do it. But I’ll get to that in a minute.

I began my quest on the morning of February 1, 2016 (a Monday) while I drove the kids to school. Throughout the month, I listened while driving to and from school, while driving to the gym, shoveling snow (hehehe), while making lots of copies for Primary Teacher Training, to and from the grocery store…..you get the idea. And I finished at 2:50 pm on Wednesday February 24^th. I didn’t have any idea or expectation about what I would experience, but I can say that in a few ways, it changed my life. I’m not being dramatic, I promise! It was wonderful! I gained a lot and I want to share how it made my life better. What I gained was not what I expected, but it was awesome nonetheless. I might even share a few things that I didn’t gain, but that were still meaningful and chances for growth.

A Change in Entertainment Choices

            I’ll be honest, I had totally fallen into a rut when it comes to what I was listening to in the car. I wasn’t listening to anything bad, but it was a constant radio channel surfing (I had like 6 favorites that I would jump between) and in the mornings I would listen to lame morning radio talk shows. What I listened to on the way to and from school was nothing awful, but it wasn’t enhancing my life at all. It wasn’t making me better. It wasn’t helping me become the type of person that I want to be. It reminds of a great talk by Elder Dallin H Oaks from General Conference in October 2007. In his talk he said the following:

“…. just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.” (Good Better, Best Oct 2007)

            Listening to the radio is fine, but listening to the scriptures is definitely better! I felt like my time in the car, which, as it turns out, is a lot, felt like it was almost consecrated. My mundane trips to and from school came to have more meaning rather than just a means to an end. My trips to the grocery store became a time for instruction rather than a drive that I could do with my eyes closed.

Decrease in Road Rage

            I consider myself to be a happy person and while I have my moments of anger and frustration (I have 5 kids, its inevitable), I try to stay positive and upbeat. But every now and then, I get really mad at other drivers who cut me off and my kids acting squirrelly in the backseat. It becomes distracting and I don’t feel like I’m the on my game as a driver. But when listening to The Book of Mormon, my ‘in the car’ mood swings definitely decreased. It’s kind of hard to get mad at someone who cuts you off when you’re listening to the story of Nephi getting tied up by his brothers on a boat to the Promised Land (1 Nephi 18). It puts things in perspective!

            Now with my kids in the early morning, they just never seem to be in a great mood. I’m not sure any of them are really morning people. When they would start to fight in the car, I would say, ‘Please quiet down and listen to the scriptures’ and it would instantly calm them down (most of the time). And listening to the parenting experiences of Lehi and Alma the Older and some of the other parents in The Book of Mormon helped me deal with those moments of frustration with a lot more patience, grace and love as I would try to follow their examples.

Increase in Understanding with my Other Study

            I mentioned before that I would talk more about the speed in which we read The Book of Mormon. I want to note that my listening to The Book of Mormon did not replace my personal study of it. I still made an effort to read a chapter or two out of my hard copy every morning (some days I did better than others). Those were the times that I would actually ‘study’ and mark my scriptures. This offered my two very different opportunities for learning and growth. When listening to the scriptures, I was able to hear the large ideas and be exposed to the themes found in The Book of Mormon, when reading in the mornings that was when I could focus in on specific topics and read the details. Details like the frequency that Christ is mentioned. You might be surprised!

Alma 32

            I knew that Alma 32 existed because I knew that there was an Alma 31 and an Alma 33. I know that throughout my life in the church I have read passages in the Alma 32 and I’ve actually read The Book of Mormon cover to cover a few times in my life. So I’ve read Alma 32. A few times. But you know that thing of how every time you read The Book of Mormon you get something new out of it? Well this was one of those ‘new things’ that I got out of it this time. Alma 32 is an amazing illustration of the power faith and the impact that faith has on our lives. And what happens when we live the gospel. Take a look at Alma 32:28

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Doesn’t that sound amazing! Such wonderful blessings comes into our lives just be allowing ‘the word’ to be planted in our hearts.

Families

           

            I have a very strong testimony of eternal families and I’m so grateful for the knowledge that I have that I will be with my kids and husband and love ones throughout eternity. But until now, I never truly understood how much The Book of Mormon testifies of families. Not sure why it never dawned on me until now, but it really is a saga of families and how our influence impacts our children for good or bad. We read about Lehi who wants nothing more than to see his family together on the right path. We learn about Alma and his desire for his son to stop rebelling and come back to the Lord. Brothers who pass the records to one another. Mothers who taught their sons to rely on the Lord and have faith. Parents who brought their children to meet the resurrected Savior. So what does this all mean? Family is important! A lot of the stories in The Book of Mormon are simply families who are trying to make it through this life together. Of course some of the parents and brother are prophets, but prophets are parts of families too. They all have their own struggles. It was actually nice to see the human aspect of prophets which is sometimes hard to see.

The Pride Cycle and Revelation for Our Day

            If you’re a member of the church, you’ve probably read President Benson’s talk about Pride (Beware of Pride). It’s a punch to the gut if there ever was one. It’s an amazing contemporary description of the harmful effects of pride on not only the individual but on society. But if you want a historical depiction of just how harmful pride is, this book has it. Pride is one of those themes that stuck out to me in my listening rather than my reading. Cities are built up and blessed by the Lord, the people get excited and proud of themselves, they get weak, they fall….then it starts all over again. Sounds familiar. It’s a fantastic reminder that even though the Lord will bless you (you, me, us) we have to keep ourselves humble and show honest, sincere gratitude to the one who gave it all to us. If the Lord will bless us with prosperity, it is our responsibility to give the gratitude where it should go.

            And by the way, Amalakiah is the Vladamir Putin of The Book of Mormon, am I right? He’s awful! In listening to the corrupt governments throughout The Book of Mormon and seeing how more often than not that would bring the downfall of an entire people, it’s not hard to see that playing out in our day. It’s a little scary to think about but one thing that I learned is that if you are strong in your faith and hold fast to what you know, the Lord will bless you, strengthen you and uphold you. He will bless you in your efforts to live righteously.

What I Didn’t Gain

            I did not become a scriptorian! Dang it! I still don’t know all of my Nephis and the lineage of most of The Book of Mormon is still shaky for me. But that’s OK! It’s a process. We are supposed to learn line upon, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. I gained a lot in the last 24 days, but I have much more to go and I’m excited for that! I still don’t understand 2 Nephi. And I’m okay with that too! I will eventually! And I still don’t understand what the deal was with Laman and Lemuel. Those dudes had problems!

            When I was a few days into this Book of Mormon adventure, my husband asked me an important but meaningful question. He said, ‘Are you actually getting anything out of this?’ As you can see from the above, I totally did. Was my experience always amazing and spiritual and full of learning? No. I can admit that. But I remember telling my husband that the Lord has asked us to the study his doctrine and adopt it into our lives. The scriptures are a gift to use that our Savior and our Father in Heaven want us to use. So I had faith going into it that because I was doing they were asking of me, I would be blessed. I can testify that I was blessed. My kids were blessed. And scriptures became a little bit more important in our lives. Is listening to The Book of Mormon the best way for everyone to experience it? No. We all learn differently and spirit touches us in different ways. But what I do know for sure is that our Father in Heaven blesses us in our efforts to live the gospel and learn his words. He loves us and he wants us to draw nearer unto him.

Next up, the Doctrine and Covenants (link)!

All picture credits, lds.org