George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Some friends make themselves heard

Abovethehate.com is gathering signatures to "express our deep gratitude to you and the entire LDS community" for contributing to CA and AZ marriage initiatives, and also "to express our outrage at the vile and indecent attacks directed" at us.

This is good to hear. It's open to the public, but here are some of the names on the letter:

Maggie Gallagher President National Organization for Marriage
McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University
Dr. Jim Garlow Pastor, Skyline Church Director, CA Pastors Rapid Response Team
Donald E. Wildmon Chairman, The Arlington Group Chairman & CEO, American Family Association
James C. Dobson, Ph.D. Chairman & Founder Focus on the Family
Charles W. Colson Founder & Chairman of the Board Prison Fellowship
Tony Perkins President Family Research Council
Paul Weyrich Chairman & CEO Free Congress Foundation
Dr. Gary Bauer President American Values
Bishop Harry Jackson Chairman High Impact Leadership Council
Richard Land President Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Ron Shuping Exec. VP of Programming The Inspiration Networks
Maurine Proctor President Family Leader Network
Peter Knobloch Executive Director Family Leader Foundation
Ron Prentice CEO CA Family Council
John Stemberger President Florida Family Policy Council
Keith Wiebe President American Association of Christian Schools.
Dean Nelson Executive Director Network of Politically Active Christians
Phil Burress President Citizens for Community Values
Kelly Shackelford President Free Market Foundation
Jeremiah G. Dys, Esq. President and General Counsel The Family Policy Council of WV
David E. Smith Executive Director Illinois Family Institute
Kathleen N. Benfield Director American Family Association of New Orleans
Regina Griggs Executive Director Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX)
Kris Mineau President Massachusetts Family Institute
Tom Shields Chairman Coalition for Marriage and Family
Colin A. Hanna President Let Freedom Ring
Diane Gramley President American Family Association of Pennsylvania
Micah Clark Executive Director American Family Association of Indiana
Steve Noble Chairman Called2Action
Molotov Mitchell President Illuminati Pictures, LLC
David Crowe Director Restore America
Wendy Wright President Concerned Women for America
Janice Crouse, PhD Senior Fellow Beverly LaHaye Institute
John Atkinson Senior Pastor Calvary Chapel North Long Beach
Pastor Gregg Barnes Set Free Pacific Beach
Jim Garlow Senior Pastor Skyline Church
Pastor Chris Clark East Clairemont Southern Baptist Church
Miles McPherson Senior Pastor The Rock Church
Jim Franklin Senior Pastor Cornerstone Church
Jim Barry 14th Ave Baptist Church
Wade Cabitac Bethel Assembly of God Church
Pastor Steve DeNicola Calvary Chapel Foothill Ranch
Pastor Nick Triveri Calvary Chapel Placerville
Pastor Jerry Foster Calvary Chapel South Lake Tahoe
Manuel Gonzales Senior Pastor Calvary Chapel Winnetka
David A. Skates Lead Pastor Christian Church of Lemon Grove
Bishop Steve Perea Christian Worship Center
Bill Jens Pastoral Care Church of Glad Tidings
Pastor Timothy Jones Community Lutheran Church
Craig Garbe President Cornerstone Christian School
Ron Sukut Pastor Cornerstone Community Church
Pastor Scott Wood Crescenta Valley Community Church
Larry Peltier M.Div. Senior Pastor El Camino Christian Fellowship
Rev. Brian L. Polston Family Life Center
Dr. Walter Price Fellowship of the Pass Church
Pastor Bill Mellinger First Baptist Church
Dave Beckwith Senior Pastor First Baptist Church
B. Wade Estes Senior Pastor First Baptist Church
Rev. Scott Pearson First Baptist Church
Dr. Glenn Edward Layne Lead Pastor First Baptist Church
Pastor Bubba Lipscomb First Southern Baptist Church
Brian Chock Pastor Foundation Christian Fellowship
Terry Long Pastoral Administrator Horizon Foursquare Church
Pastor Netz Gomez Houses of Light Church
Jimmy Salya Pastor Mission for Christ Church, Broadway Christian Center
John Andersen Elder Monte Vista Presbyterian Church
John Erwin Senior Pastor Moorpark Evangelical Free Church
Pastor Blayne Corzine Mt. Zion Assembly
Pastor Jim Ortiz Senior Pastor, My Friend's House, Assembly of God President, Whittier Area Evangelical Ministerial Alliance
David Berg Pastor New Covenant Ministries Christian Fellowship
Cecil Lucas, Jr. Pastor New Hope Community Church
Enrique Mulgado Pastor Pilgrim's Progress Chapel
Pastor Mark Pitcher Porterville Church of the Nazarene
Pastor Rick Bassett Santa Rosa Nazarene Church
Lee Huddleston Senior Pastor SeaCoast Church
Bishop Henry Alexander Shield of Faith Fellowship of Churches International, Inc.
Howard Haupt Respect Life Ministry Coordinator St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Anthony L. Dockery Pastor St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Jeff Kerkhoff The Lord's Grace of Downey
J. Larry McCain Pastor Trinity Baptist Church
Gina Vegar Leadership Team Member Vista Assembly of God Church
Pastor Willie Williams Wellspring Christian Center
Rev. Brenda J. Wood Pastor Word of Life Ministries International
Joanne Abel Ms Faith in Action Team- Co-Chair
Merritt Adams Chaplain Jail Chaplaincy of Racine County

Here is the letter's text:

November 15, 2008

President Thomas S. Monson
Office of the First Presidency
Church Administration Building
47 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

Dear President Monson:

We write firstly to express our deep gratitude to you and the entire LDS community for the large and impressive contributions of your church and its members in protecting marriage in California and Arizona.

Anyone who participated in this process has come to admire the competence, diligence and moral courage that so many members of your faith community displayed as part of this coalition effort—as Catholics, Evangelicals, Mormons, and people of other faith communities all came together to fight this great battle for marriage.

But we write for an even more important purpose: to express our outrage at the vile and indecent attacks directed specifically and uniquely at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members because of your courage in standing up for marriage.

It is deeply unfair, and contrary to the best American traditions, that any faith community, much less a minority one, should be singled out and attacked in this way by powerful, well-funded political forces determined to “make them pay” for participating in the normal political processes of democracy.

These attacks include:

Large organized protests designed to disrupt places of worship; [1]
Public calls to investigate and “dig up dirt” on Americans of a particular faith who donated to a political cause; [2]
An outrageous television ad campaign crudely and deliberately designed to incite fear and hatred of a minority religious community. [3]
None of these things should happen in America, but they are happening right now to the LDS faith community.

We urge more and other responsible voices to say “enough.” These attacks are shameful. This is not the way Americans behave towards each other.

The coalition for marriage in California and across the country includes people of different theological views. But let us here make one thing absolutely clear:

We, the undersigned, utterly condemn and reject the ongoing unprecedented efforts to incite religious hatred and bigotry towards members of the LDS Church because, as American citizens, you have courageously exercised your core civil rights to speak, to vote, and to donate to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

We pledge to work with you and for you not only to protect marriage, but to protect the rights of all religious citizens, including the LDS Church, to participate freely (without threats of retribution or retaliation) in the political processes of this country in defense of the Judeo-Christian values—and the common good—we hold so dear.

Sincerely,

Co-Signed:

Yes On 8 Blowback

Some News:


SLTribune: "More than mischief: Are recent acts of church vandalism tied to bigotry?"
Recent Prop 8-related charges

Assault » A Torrance, Calif., man is charged with a felony hate-crime assault for allegedly using an anti-gay marriage lawn sign to attack a gay man wearing a "No on 8" button.

Vandalism » San Jose, Calif., police were called to a house in the southern part of town after homeowners reported their garage had been spray-painted with "No on 8" messages. The homeowners had signs on their lawn supporting the measure.

Theft » Police in a Sacramento suburb arrested three teens after finding 53 stolen "Yes on 8" signs in their car.

Vandalism » A Utah man reported his lawn sign, opposing the LDS church's role in politics, was set on fire outside his home near 900 East and 900 South.


SLTrib: "More than mischief: Recent activity on Proposition 8"
Highlights of recent proposition 8-related crimes:

Lansing, Mich. » Services at an evangelical church were disrupted by members of an extremist group called Bash Back! An affiliated group claimed it poured glue into the locks of an LDS church building near Olympia, Wash., and spray painted its walls.

Riverside, Calif. » Forty to 50 signs supporting Proposition 8 were found arranged in the form of a swastika on the front lawn of a Roman Catholic church.

San Luis Obispo, Calif. » Vandals poured adhesive on a doormat, key pad and window at two LDS churches and peppered a nearby Assembly of God church with eggs and toilet paper.

Sacramento » Ten area church buildings were vandalized, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Orangevale, Calif. » An LDS chapel sign and walkways were tagged with the phrases, "No on 8" and "hypocrites."

Arapahoe County, Colo. » The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is investigating a case of a Book of Mormon that was set on fire and left burning on an LDS church's doorstep as a bias-motivated arson.

Wasatch Front » More than seven LDS churches have had glass doors shattered, six of them by BB gunshots.

LDS temples in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles » The temples, along with a Catholic Knights of Columbus printing press in Connecticut, all received packages with white powder substances in the mail.

Syracuse » A Syracuse Junior High seminary was evacuated after a mysterious letter was sent to the building

Weber State University » A plastic plant was lit on fire inside a Weber State University Institute building after an evening talk given by LDS Apostle Elder Boyd K. Packer.

Farmington » Farmington police are looking for a person who spray painted "Nobody is born a biggot" (sic) on a concrete wall outside an LDS church.

A Torrance, Calif.» A man is charged with a felony hate-crime assault for allegedly using an anti-gay marriage lawn sign to attack a gay man wearing a "No on 8" button

San Jose, Calif.» Police were called to a house in the southern part of town after homeowners reported their garage had been spray-painted with "No on 8" messages. The homeowners had signs on their lawn supporting the measure

Sacramento suburb » Police arrested three teens after finding 53 stolen "Yes on 8" signs in their car

Salt Lake City » A man reported his lawn sign, opposing the LDS church's role in politics, was set on fire outside his home near 900 East and 900 South

Sources: The Associated Press and Salt Lake Tribune reports

Some Opinions:
National Review's "Liberal Fascism" blog: "The Kulturkampf Reborn - This time it's Mormons."

To date, 30 states have voted on initiatives addressing same-sex marriage, and in every state traditional marriage has come out on top. But somehow the fact that Mormons got involved during the latest statewide referendum constitutes a bridge too far? In truth, Mormons are a target of convenience in the opening salvo of what is sure to be a full-scale assault on much of America’s religious infrastructure, which gay activists perceive as a barrier to their aspirations. Among religious groups, Mormons are not the biggest obstacle to same-sex marriage — not by a long shot. But they are an easy target. Anti-Mormon bigotry is unfortunately common, and gay-rights activists are cynically exploiting that fact.

There are no websites dedicated to “outing” Catholics who supported Proposition 8, even though Catholic voters heavily outnumber Mormons. And the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not remarkably strident in its beliefs on the subject. So far, no gay-rights activist has had the brass to burn a Koran on the doorstep of a militant mosque where — forget marriage! — imams advocate the stoning of homosexuals.

Another story from the LA temple

As always, take such stories with a grain of salt. I got it from one of the regulars on an LDS message board, who got it from a friend, who documents where he got it in the message. The bolding is mine.

-----------------------------

My dear family, brothers and sisters, friends and leaders:

My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His tender mercies and mighty miracles in our behalf. I just have to share this with you. As most of you know, I am a Temple ordinance worker and work the morning shift in the LA Temple every Saturday.

Today, I had the privilege of translating the new assistant Matron's message during our devotional. She started like this: "The prophet Joseph Smith said that no unhallowed hand would be able to stop this Work from progressing. These past few weeks when mobs have combined and armies have gathered against the saints, the Lord has protected His house." She went on to say that those, like her, who were inside the Temple when mobs were surrounding it, did not realize how scary and terrifying this looked on TV to the rest of us, because inside the House of the Lord all was calm and there was peace abundant.

After Proposition 8 passed, the Temple began receiving threatening calls and mail from those opposing it. They were warned that more than 5000 people would come to the Temple and burn it to the ground, and stop its work. The first Thursday when the mob came, the new LA Temple President called the Salt Lake City Temple Offices for instructions. He was instructed to call the local police and to insure the safety of those attending the Temple by closing the gates. The assistant Matron said today, that it was a tender mercy from the Lord that the mob chose that Thursday to come since they had only one person coming to receive his own endowment that day, which he received in time to leave before trouble started. The LAPD and the FBI responded quickly to the Temple Presidency's summons and patrolled the grounds and kept the mob from entering the same. Most of them had never been there before and expressed their surprise at how beautiful and peaceful it was all around. They were invited to come back during the Christmas season to see the lights, and they promised they would.

On Thursday, November 13th, sister Campbell, a secretary in the Temple, was opening the mail and upon opening a large manila envelope found inside a smaller one. When she opened this one, a white powder flew all around her desk. She thought this could be related to the demonstrators and feared the worst ANTHRAX. She contacted the President, who in turn called the Salt Lake City Temple office again for instructions. The FBI, the LAPD, and even the SWAT teams were once again in the grounds to investigate, and the Temple once again had to close from around 11:30 AM to 5PM. They closed the gates and were instructed to keep all the people there wherever they were found at the time. Those in the parking lot had to remain in the parking lot. Those entering the Temple had to remain in the first floor and those already upstairs were taken to the Celestial Room. Then, the miracles began to happen: A brother serving as a recorder that day is a Microbiologist by profession and used to deal with hazardous substances every day. He was the first to say the white powder in the envelope was only talc, and put every one at ease. Then the sister coordinator upstairs was impressed to call upstairs to the sealing area, and said "They said we can't go down but no one said we can't go up, and I have many people in the Celestial room with their ceremonial clothes on ready to work. Could they do some sealings?"

As it happened, there were four sealers present that day, and they ran four sealing sessions non stop while the Temple was closed. Downstairs, someone else thought to invite those in the Lobby to do some initiatories, which they promptly did for all those hours too, brothers and sisters alike.

Among those waiting in the parking lot there was a large group of young men and women with their leaders who had come to do Baptisms for the dead, and who waited patiently all those hours and decided when the Temple was reopened to go ahead and fulfill their assignment instead of driving back home. The Temple reopened in time for the 5:30 PM session. The next day when recording the ordinances, they discovered that they had performed 2000 sacred ordinances on Thursday, only one less than the day before when three stakes had been visiting the Temple. Once again the assistant matron reminded us of the words of the prophet Joseph Smith, "No unhallowed hand can stop the Work from progressing...". But, this is not all, a prophecy was also fulfilled. When the new LA Temple President was set apart by President Uchdorft of the First Presidency, he received a blessing, and these words were pronounced: " The time has come for the LA Temple to come out of obscurity and become an ensign for Righteousness to the world under your presidency." The pictures of the Temple have been shown on TV, newspapers and the internet, not only in this country but worldwide.

People of other faiths have called and sent letters to the Temple thanking the Church for defending marriage and protecting the family, and commenting how impressed they are by how beautiful and majestic the Temple looks . One minister of an African American church, who by his own admission had harbored ill feelings against the Mormons before said "I am impressed by your integrity and Christ like behavior, and even if I am not ready to consider you my brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be first cousins!"

I asked the assistant matron if I could share her comments and she said to go ahead. I can only add my own testimony that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the power and authority of God on earth. God Lives and Jesus, His only Begotten Son and our Savior is coming soon to redeem His people. I am grateful to know this and I pray we stand firm, steadfast and immovable while the prophecies of the signs before His Coming are fulfilled. "Be not afraid, only believe" He has said, and also " What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

I testify that this is true and testify it in the Holy Name of Whom I strive to serve, even Jesus Christ. Be faithful and safe is my humble prayer.

Polynesians rock.

Found on a message board by a guy who claims to have received it via email. I don't know who Ben is.

------------------------

As additional information for those who missed the news, Mormons have been targeted by the gay community in California as having been the main impetus behind the passing of Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage in the state. Although the population of the state voted on the passing of the constitutional amendment, I will proudly agree that most of footwork was carried out by us. It's funny that our opposition knows where the credit is due, but that's another topic for another day.

In light of the gay community's frustration in the passing of the proposition, our temple came under attack. I was at the Los Angeles Temple assisting in the security efforts and it was quite an experience. Our temple is safe and no damage was done on the grounds. It was a sight I never expected to see. At one point we had let in about 20 police vehicles through the gates because they were afraid their vehicles would be damaged as civilian cars were being vandalized. I removed the Utah plates from my truck just so I could drive through the mess and park blocks away. My roommate and I traveled on foot after we had changed out of our dress shirts and ties so as not to be targeted.

Two full squads of LAPD in riot gear set up their base inside the temple grounds while SWAT vehicles and hundreds of officers followed the crowds run up Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards. I've heard that the crowd was estimated to be over 2,500. When I arrived, all of the gates were shut and a small group of members had to remain outside the grounds as the direction was to turn away others who had come to assist.

After about a half an hour two sister missionaries ran up the drive to the East gate. I would have made more jokes with them, asking them trivia questions to prove they were LDS before opening the gate, but they were obviously nervous and had left on their name tags as they wandered the streets. When the crowd turned back towards the temple from West Hollywood , we opened the gate to those members still outside so they would not be trapped in the crowd. The officers inside the temple grounds made a line on the front lawn by the fence. At one point, with 7 news and police helicopters overhead, the crowd began to climb the fence and it looked like there was going to be a lot of trouble. We had it seemed a good fourth of a Polynesian ward there so it could have gotten very interesting very fast.

With lines of motorcycle cops with sirens wailing up and down the street with the latest outbreak, helicopters continually circling with spotlights cutting through the sky, and the crowd roaring being led my megaphones shouting every synonym they could think of that went along with "evil"...it almost seemed like the very end was at hand. My dad called me every few minutes to give me updates from live news through the Internet because we did not have TVs and the police did not even seem to be informed on the movement of the crowd up and down the streets. I relayed these updates directly to the head of temple security so we could anticipate when to be ready. My friend and I joked about what would happen if we were caught in the middle of the crowd rushing up the lawn. We decided that because we were still single without much luck in finding wives, it might be to our advantage to go without a fight and die as a martyrs. If I remember correctly, that's a free ticket to the Celestial kingdom and I'm sure there's plenty of girls there to chose from without the dramas of dating.

While I was there, I was not aware of anyone actually breaching the fence, but we were asked to move far across the parking lot as they were anticipating the need to shoot tear gas canisters. I never thought I would see the day when police officers would sit perched on the spire of our temple as lookouts. All of this happened at about 7:30 pm. It should be remembered that most likely many of the law enforcement were not in favor of our stance on Proposition 8, but nevertheless, the men and women were there doing their duty and protecting our property. For that we are grateful.

And yes, there was an incident with some of our members who had gone to remove the protest signs from the front fence. One of the protesters did initiate physical contact with one of our sisters so the details are uncertain as to whether the response was fully justified. The lesson to be learned is that it's important to anticipate and avoid such confrontational situations. Remember the world is watching our reaction and the media is everywhere. In the end, when we keep our cool, the video footage speaks the truth regarding which side is really intolerant and appears hateful when we simply do not respond or do so in a loving and controlled manner.

In all the commotion, I had the chance to sit alone by the side of one of the fountains and take in all that was happening. It may seem strange to say, but despite the adrenaline rushing in my blood ready for the next incident or next bit of news from my dad; I felt a tremendous peace. It came over me in a wave as I looked up at the spire topped with Angel Moroni. I can testify that I felt the presence of others protecting the temple tonight..those we could not physically see. I would even go as far to say that I felt the presence of someone personally related to me who was there for my safety. We were not alone. We were protected and our Father in Heaven is mindful of our efforts and willingness to withstand persecution.

As I later read a quote from Brigham Young, it made more sense why this did not have to be a fearful experience- exciting yes, in a urgency sense, but very clarifying as we were able to glimpse into things as the really are, truth as is really exists, the adversary's war as it really is raging. I wish everyone of you reading this could have been there just to be reminded as I was how real this war is. The great sadness is that so many of our brothers and sisters are unknowing participants, manipulated and deceived by the grand schemer of it all. The issues may be presented as complex, but the adversary's agenda was as clear as day. Be prepared friends and family, it's bound to get much worse before it gets better, but take council from a prophet:

"You that have not passed thro' the trials and persecutions, and drivings with this people from the beginning, but have only read them, or heard some of them related, may think how awful they were to endure, and wonder that the saints survived them at all.-The thought of it makes your heart sink within you, your brain reel, and your body tremble, and you are ready to exclaim, 'I could not have endured it.' I have been in the heat of it, and never felt better in all my life; I never felt the peace and power of the Almighty more copiously poured upon me than in the keenest part of our trials. They appeared nothing to me." ( Deseret News Weekly, 24 Aug. 1854, 83). (L. Aldin Porter, "'But We Heeded Them Not'," Ensign, Aug 1998, 6) -Brigham Young

-Ben