THOMAS JEFFERSON, QUITE A GUY

After recently visiting Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, as well as Washington D.C., I have been reading Jefferson's two inaugural addresses.  He was a wonderful speaker, but it takes some careful reading and re-reading to fully understand what he meant.  For those of you who may be LDS, it's kind of like reading an address by Neal A. Maxwell; not light reading, but worth the effort.

I want to share a few passages from his first address.  "To you, then, gentlemen, who are charged with the sovereign functions of legislation, and to those associated with you, I look with encouragement for that guidance and support which may enable us to steer with safety the vessel in which we are all embarked amidst the conflicting elements of a troubled world."  I liked the symbolism of steering a boat amidst the storms of life, as well as the fact that apparently the world always seems troubled- back then as well as now.

During the elections in 1800 there was a tie in the electoral college between Jefferson and Aaron Burr.  As per the Constitutional rules at that time, the House of Representatives had to meet and one would be chosen as President and the other would become Vice President.  After meeting for 30 hours of deliberation, the House awarded the Presidency to Jefferson. Referring to that, he made the following quote in his address; "announced according to the rules of the Constitution, all will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law, and unite in common efforts for the common good.  All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.  Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind.  Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things.....But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.  We have called by different names brethren of the same principle.  We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists..." I think he would be worried to see how divided our country has become as the political parties have become so unwilling to unite under compromise for the good of all.  I particularly liked his idea that ' every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.'

At the end of his address he concludes with this passage.
"I repair, then, fellow-citizens, to the post you have assigned me.  With experience enough in subordinate offices to have seen the difficulties of this the greatest of all (the presidency), I have learned to expect that it will rarely fall to the lot of imperfect man to retire from this station with the reputation and the favor which bring him into it. (the reputation of the president as he finishes his term or terms is seldom as positive as when he first sought office) Without pretensions to that high confidence you reposed in our first and greatest revolutionary character( G. Washington), whose preeminent services had entitled him to the first place in his country's love and destined for him the fairest page in the volume of faithful history, I ask so much confidence only as may give firmness and effect to the legal administration of your affairs.  I shall often go wrong through defect of judgment.  When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground.  I ask you indulgence for my own errors, which will never be intentional, and your support against the errors of others, who may condemn what they would not if seen in all its parts.  The approbation implied by your suffrage is a great consolation to me for the past, and my future solicitude will be to retain the good opinion of those who have bestowed it in advance, to conciliate that of others by doing them all the good in my power, and to be instrumental to the happiness and freedom of all."
Jefferson has such vision of how it would be for future presidents of our country.  They seldom leave office with an untarnished reputation in some form or fashion.  It also made me realize that these men are only human, and for the greatest part, I believe they serve as President because they are dedicated to the cause of helping our country be the best that it can be.  Even those past presidents whom I have not liked or agreed with on many points, I believe were following the dictates of their hearts and seeking to do that which was right in their minds.  For this reason it frustrates me when I hear people (and I have been guilty of this with past presidencies) say that the President doesn't really care about America and is out to ruin our land.

As I read Jefferson's second inaugural address I realized that there are some notions which he had that I did not agree with.  One of those concerns  his views on how to deal with the Native Americans during the early years of our country, following the Revolutionary War.  I would like to challenge you to look up and read this address (You can easily find it on Bartleby.com) and then tell me what you think about Jefferson's ideas relating to this issue.  It could make for some great discussions on Facebook.

WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY

This Sunday has been a glorious day for me.  It all started with our Sacrament Meeting (worship service) when Mackenzie Halliday, a teenaged girl in our congregation, got up and shared her experiences in going to EFY (Especially For Youth) this summer in Palmyra, New York.  She shared her gratefulness for being able to spend several days in the Sacred Grove, where Joseph Smith had his vision of God and Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.  She studied the scriptures there and prayed mightily for a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as a testimony of the restoration of the gospel through the prophet, Joseph, and the Book of Mormon.  She grew in faith and testimony and you could feel the Spirit through her.

Next Brother Paul Dickamore and Sister Ilene Dickamore shared their experiences while serving in the Bishopric of the Young Single Adult ward for the past 3 years.  The focus of their comments were on service to God and magnifying our church callings.  I cannot remember the last time I was blessed to listen to two more spiritual, insightful, and well articulated testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Next I got to listen as my sweet husband, Gary, taught our Sunday School lesson.  The long and the short of his lesson was how we can prepare spiritually to fight against Satan and the temptations we encounter in this world, and how we can fortify ourselves spiritually to make it through the challenges we all face.  He works so very hard on all of his lessons and I am so proud of him.  I was uplifted by his message.

Last, but not least, my dear friend and sister, Cori Connors, gave our lesson in Relief Society.  It can be a challenge to teach doctrines which we have all been taught over and over again, and today was no different, as she was teaching about the Word of Wisdom ( a health code our church members ascribe to). As always, Cori brought a breath of fresh air as we discussed the ideas in our lesson.

By the time I left church I felt as though my very spirit was near to bursting.  I had been abundantly blessed by the testimonies shared and the expansion of my knowledge and personal testimony.  I sort of floated back home when our meetings were over.  How lucky I am to live in a place where I can worship what and how I choose.  How lucky to live in a neighborhood surrounded by such grounded, giving, and loving people.  I am so greatly blessed.

WASHINGTON DC IN OCTOBER

Gary and I just returned from seven days in beautiful Washington D.C.  Gary had medical meetings for most of the time so I got to spend my days walking all over our nation's capitol.  Skies were blue, leaves beginning to turn, cool nights and days into high 60s or low 70s, couldn't ask for more. I have been to Washington DC before, but this trip really impacted me for some reason, and I fell in love with this place.  Everywhere I walked I could just feel the history and the electricity of the people who fill the streets there.

We arrived Thursday afternoon and Gary didn't have any meetings on Friday so we walked down to Union Station and rented a car for the day.  We googled up the directions for how to drive to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and off we went.  After being on the freeways for a short time we were directed to drive along the back roads of Virginia and they were wonderful.  We felt like we were back in Civil War time as we passed sign after sign for places like Mannasah, Fredricksberg, etc. Sometimes we felt like we were in a scene from Gone With The Wind.  It took us 3 hours to get there, but it was well worth it.  We gained a new appreciation for Thomas Jefferson, his intellect, his vision, his architectural prowess, and much more.

I had scene and visited many of the Smithsonian Museums before, visited monuments on the Mall, walked by the White House, etc.  I went to the D.A.R. Museum, American History Museum, and American Art Museum this time, looking in particular for some quilt displays.  I was very disappointed as out of all of those places I only saw about 8 quilts total.  

I made arrangements for a tour of the Capital Building this time as I had not been through it before.  I very much enjoyed that and learning so much about it's history.  While waiting in line I met a nice couple from Iowa and they suggested visiting the Supreme Court Building.  By the time I had completed my tour of the Capitol, Gary was free so he jumped in a cab and met me outside the Capitol.

Next stop was the Supreme Court. The front of the building is being cleaned and spiffed up so there is a huge screen covering it, but it has a picture of what the building front looks like hanging so you get a feel for the building's appearance.  We learned all about the history of the court and how it didn't get it's own building until 1925 I think.  The best part was the fact that since Congress is out of session and the Court didn't have any hearings going on, we were able to actually go and sit and hear a lecture about the Supreme Court in the very room where the justices sit and hold court.  There was a real sense of history in that room.  We were asked, "How old do you have to be to sit on the S.court, do you have to be a lawyer?, and do you have to be an American citizen to qualify?"  We were surprised to discover that the answer is : No age requirement, no educational requirements, and you do not have to be an American citizen!  Just have to be nominated by the President and be approved by a majority of the Senate. The photo above is a circular staircase inside the court building.

Since we were next door to the Library of Congress, Gary talked me into heading there next, although my feet were killing me. Boy am I glad he convinced me to go.  I won't go into the details of all we learned about the LOC, and there is lots to discover, but the building itself inside is absolutely breath-taking!! It is a must if you go to Washington. The frescos on the walls, the sculptures, etc. are extraordinary.  After the books in the original L.O.C. were burned during the War of 1812, Thomas Jefferson sold his personal library of approximately 6,0000 books to the Library and they are now on display there and if you are doing research you can actually sit down and read his books!!! There are many more things besides books kept there, such as movies and instruments.  This is the largest library in all the world. The two photos above are taken inside the library.  The top photo is a tile mosaic.  The colors in the painting on the walls are still deep and vivid and have never had to be repainted.

We visited the relatively new WWII Memorial at night and it was powerful with the lights and water fountains.  Gary really wanted to go see the Lincoln Memorial at night and I will admit, it is cool seeing it lit up at night, but my feet, legs, and back were so tired by the time we got there that I wasn't much into it.  While Gary spent time inside the memorial I sat on the steps and watched the military helicopters fly right over the trees of the reflecting pool on the Mall and go toward the White House.

The last day we had some time before our flight, Gary took me to see the Holocaust Museum.  Well that is a whole other blog all itself.  Needless to say, I was moved to tears.  It brought forth many ruminations regarding the evil in the world, man's inhumanity to man, how the world could be so fooled and ignorant of what was going on under Hitler's rule, including many German citizens, and much much more.  I am still thinking about it. Our country may not be perfect, but at least we have the freedom to disagree with those in political power and vote for those whom we feel could do a better job. I must say, it worried me to see that some of the ideas Hitler were so against were some of the ideals I currently hold. For example, he was against the power of trade unions, he was against war pacifists, and people with liberal political views. Many conservative citizens in our country are against these same things, but thank God I won't be murdered for my support of these ideals.

All in all it was such a fabulous trip, and left me with a desire to study more.  I was inspired by Thomas Jefferson and his unsatiable desire to learn, learn, learn.  Books are the keys to the world and with modern technology we can go anywhere and learn anything while reading a book or sitting in front of a computer.  Although there are evils which can come to us via the internet, on this trip I found myself constantly saying to Gary, "Well, I'm not sure about this or that, let's Google it up!"  Our access to information today is astounding.