In 2006, my book group read a phenomenal book, 5000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen. It lays out 28 liberty principles culled from the writings of the Founders which they felt were indispensable for the new nation. The book is almost a forensic outline of the Founders’ thinking, including excerpts of their own reading: Cicero, John Locke, William Blackstone, and others.
It’s woeful to relate, eighteen years later, that even back then, I was appalled at how far from original intent the country had moved.
I learned that in 1905, just 116 years after Washington’s inauguration, when the country was more closely living the liberty principles, this was the richest country in the world - not from the exploitation of other nations, but because it was producing more than half of the wealth of the world with a relatively small percentage of the world’s land and population at the time.
I learned that just over a century later, we had become a debtor nation, spending at an impossibly unsustainable rate. Now, eighteen years after that first reading, I’m sick to consider that the Federal Reserve - NOT A FEDERAL INSTITUTION - prints ONE. TRILLION.
Dollars every ONE. HUNDRED. Days. Hope you weren’t drinking soda when you read that.
In 2011, I began to study liberty principles from other sources with a group of women. We generally studied together, but often invited fabulous speakers who became not just teachers but mentors in these principles that if followed, could turn things around in such a short time.
In 2013, thanks to a poignant question from one of our teacher-mentors, one of my study friends and I began to pray to ask what the Lord would have us do with this important knowledge we were acquiring. We both felt strongly we should try to teach them to others.
That’s how my new hobby was born: trying to save the country, by teaching correct principles.
It’s far more stressful than cross stitch, I can tell you that.
In May of 2013, Stacie and I sent over 100 emails to friends and neighbors to invite them to a cottage meeting to see a presentation introducing the liberty principles. Stacie had made a beautiful power point, and we anxiously awaited that first audience…
Of one.
We told our dear friend she didn’t have to stay and watch. But stay she did, and in spite of such a dubious beginning, we’ve been teaching ever since.
The next group we taught - we were shocked at 30! - loved the presentation so much, they asked us if we could teach all the principles in an extended class?
Excuse me, what?
We taught that first group several months later, and too many more groups to count since.
We’ve taught in civic groups - most notably the Salt Lake County Republican Central Committee, the United Women’s Forum, and the FIRM Foundations conference.
We’ve taught in church groups - stake and ward firesides and Relief Societies.
But we’ve mostly taught in homes. And when the world changed with covid, we started teaching on Zoom - people from all over the country.
It’s been a most unusual journey for a couple of moms with zero credentials. But the more we’ve taught, the more we realize how dangerous it’s been for this country to be conditioned to only trust ‘experts’ to know anything.
We’ve really learned that the biggest qualifier for teaching something is loving it. If a teacher loves her subject matter, she earnestly studies along with her students.
We’ve learned that most people, regardless of their education, aren’t as familiar with these saving principles as will be necessary to save the country. We’ve had class members tell us they vote differently since taking this class, because their emotion doesn’t cloud an issue anymore once they understand the principle behind it.
It’s particularly gratifying that often people who consider themselves both left and right of center politically can agree on how much better off we’d be if we returned to these important original principles. And by the way - ‘left’ and ‘right’ is an important misunderstood concept which we clear up in the first class.
The Rip Van Winkle-like experience of the last two and a half years of my life has put our classes on hiatus. But we’re finally starting another zoom class at the end of the month. There are details on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/libertymoms
My favorite thing to talk about ever ever EVER is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
My second favorite thing to talk about ever ever EVER is liberty. Because to fully become what Jesus Christ sent us here to become - you need freedom to choose. Not freedom to choose willy nilly whatever you want. No, no. LIBERTY is the freedom to do what is right, and good.
Liberty is essential to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s PART of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I've attended these classes and highly recommend them. Your classes offer a deeper understanding of the constitution and the principles which support it.
I’ve been to your classes and they are wonderful. I want to go again.