“War and rumors of wars”. Prophecy fulfilled?

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Years ago, I remember attending the visit of a General Authority to our Stake. It could have been “Elder Glen L. Pace”, of the presiding Bishopric (at that time). Or it might have been “Elder Jeffery R. Holland”, who also visited our Stake, or others whom I may have forgotten about, just the name, but not the message. Or maybe the time when “President Gordon B. Hinckley”, who was accompanied by another Apostle, Elder Ballard maybe, for a Regional Meeting, where four Stakes were redrawn in that meeting. 
 

The theme of one of the sermons focused on the Book of Mormon wars, and the parallels to our modern day war, or warfare, and the role of Satan in such conflicts. The “jest” of these remarks pointed out the “glee” that Satan takes in war, and the detrimental effect that war has on the spreading of the Gospel, and “the often shutting down of missionary work”. He (the GA speaker) reminded us all that he (Satan) rejoices in the misery brought on by war, both death and suffering, which restricts or halts the salvation and progression of God’s children here upon the earth. Also that in more recent times of war, all missionaries in such areas must be called home, or reassigned for their safety. Although I cannot recall the Church movie, I do remember seeing one such movie where missionaries in Africa, barely escaped with their lives during one such conflict. 
 

As of late, this topic has been weighing on my mind. This year, my oldest granddaughter is determined to submit her mission papers. In our Ward, we had a sister missionary return, who explained that in her mission, American missionaries are not to well received. I believe it was a requirement that Elders were required to have I.D. and Passport on themselves at all times, and Sister Missionaries’s wore theirs like a garter under their dresses in the event of immediate evacuation! If memory serves this was required in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Baltic States. Also, currently all missionaries are being removed from these areas. Now, we have cities here in the U.S., where things are becoming more dangerous. I believe that a couple of missionaries have been killed, maybe one in Mexico and in one U.S. city. 
 

Since we have members in a few countries, and around the U.S. and Canada on this discussion board. How are things going with COVID, and with the current rise in violence, both in our major cities and around the globe? What information can you give about missionary work, with your children, or families that you know, be they young missionaries, or older couples? Is this a time to plunge ahead with missionary opportunities, or a time to wait and see? 
 

THOUGHTS? 

[rodheadlee]

Oh how we forget.

 

 

[2BizE]

There have always been wars and rumors of wars for thousands of years….and will continue for thousands of years into the future.

[Alexi Nakatology]

Prophecy fulfilled? More like…
 

propheticy fulfillingly

2 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Years ago, I remember attending the visit of a General Authority to our Stake. It could have been “Elder Glen L. Pace”, of the presiding Bishopric (at that time). Or it might have been “Elder Jeffery R. Holland”, who also visited our Stake, or others whom I may have forgotten about, just the name, but not the message. Or maybe the time when “President Gordon B. Hinckley”, who was accompanied by another Apostle, Elder Ballard maybe, for a Regional Meeting, where four Stakes were redrawn in that meeting. 
 

The theme of one of the sermons focused on the Book of Mormon wars, and the parallels to our modern day war, or warfare, and the role of Satan in such conflicts. The “jest” of these remarks pointed out the “glee” that Satan takes in war, and the detrimental effect that war has on the spreading of the Gospel, and “the often shutting down of missionary work”. He (the GA speaker) reminded us all that he (Satan) rejoices in the misery brought on by war, both death and suffering, which restricts or halts the salvation and progression of God’s children here upon the earth. Also that in more recent times of war, all missionaries in such areas must be called home, or reassigned for their safety. Although I cannot recall the Church movie, I do remember seeing one such movie where missionaries in Africa, barely escaped with their lives during one such conflict. 
 

As of late, this topic has been weighing on my mind. This year, my oldest granddaughter is determined to submit her mission papers. In our Ward, we had a sister missionary return, who explained that in her mission, American missionaries are not to well received. I believe it was a requirement that Elders were required to have I.D. and Passport on themselves at all times, and Sister Missionaries’s wore theirs like a garter under their dresses in the event of immediate evacuation! If memory serves this was required in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Baltic States. Also, currently all missionaries are being removed from these areas. Now, we have cities here in the U.S., where things are becoming more dangerous. I believe that a couple of missionaries have been killed, maybe one in Mexico and in one U.S. city. 
 

Since we have members in a few countries, and around the U.S. and Canada on this discussion board. How are things going with COVID, and with the current rise in violence, both in our major cities and around the globe? What information can you give about missionary work, with your children, or families that you know, be they young missionaries, or older couples? Is this a time to plunge ahead with missionary opportunities, or a time to wait and see? 
 

THOUGHTS? 

Things are alright, what did you expect? Missionary work can’t stay steady if the world is ending all the time……

[Rajah Manchou]

3 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Since we have members in a few countries, and around the U.S. and Canada on this discussion board. How are things going with COVID, and with the current rise in violence, both in our major cities and around the globe? 

I live outside the US, and things are unusually boring. Not like the roaring 70s when America was able to drop hundreds of thousands of bombs on this place, killing many more than COVID, without anybody even batting an eye.

I'd say in terms of wars and rumors of wars, on this side of the world, things have improved significantly.

Edited February 1, 2022 by Rajah Manchou

[The Nehor]

The big increases in violent in US cities is largely a myth. There was a significant increase in 2020 but we are still below the levels of violent crime in the 1990s and I don’t remember there being paranoia. Studies do show that people believe there is more violent crime but that is likely due to the impact of social media feeding us click worthy data. And of course there are propaganda outlets claiming or insinuating that violent crime is running rampant for their own purposes.

In this article #6 shows the long-term murder rate and #7 the perception that violent crime is on the rise.

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/10/27/what-we-know-about-the-increase-in-u-s-murders-in-2020/

The early 90s were not that dangerous. While the increase is obviously not good the real cause is unknown but the obvious suspect is Covid. It looks like 2021 will see another increase but from what I have read we are still below early 90s levels.

There are other trends that are probably dangerous such as the public having less trust towards law enforcement:

https://www.pewresearch.org/2022/01/05/trust-in-america-do-americans-trust-the-police/

Note that if you prefer transcripts over video like I do there is a transcript at the bottom of the page.

[Fether]

I know this is t the topic, but I get the feeling it is intertwined with the OP. I’ve found that these “fulfilled prophecies” or “signs of the times” have more to do with reminding us that there is a judgement more so than trying to tell us WHEN the judgement is.

[James 1 5]

21 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

How are things going with COVID, and with the current rise in violence, both in our major cities and around the globe? What information can you give about missionary work, with your children, or families that you know, be they young missionaries, or older couples? Is this a time to plunge ahead with missionary opportunities, or a time to wait and see? 
 

THOUGHTS? 

I've thought about how COVID may be one of those prophesied pestilences, maybe the biggest pestilence we will have to endure considering how it is affecting spiritual Babylon. Babylon long ago was the major trade hub so I compare it to our modern trade hub on Wall Street.  COVID has caused a lot of problems in our economy and it will likely go on for a few more years. Prices are outrageous and many people have become angry or scared that the world will not be able to go on like this for much longer.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

1 hour ago, James 1 5 said:

I've thought about how COVID may be one of those prophesied pestilences, maybe the biggest pestilence we will have to endure considering how it is affecting spiritual Babylon. Babylon long ago was the major trade hub so I compare it to our modern trade hub on Wall Street.  COVID has caused a lot of problems in our economy and it will likely go on for a few more years. Prices are outrageous and many people have become angry or scared that the world will not be able to go on like this for much longer.

Good points 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

1 hour ago, Fether said:

I know this is t the topic, but I get the feeling it is intertwined with the OP. I’ve found that these “fulfilled prophecies” or “signs of the times” have more to do with reminding us that there is a judgement more so than trying to tell us WHEN the judgement is.

Probable 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

The big increases in violent in US cities is largely a myth. 

Seriously? Not if you are Police as was my profession for decades. It is open season on Police Officers. I don’t know where you are getting these facts, well I do from the links you provided, but a “myth”? Not “largely a myth”, as in my city (hometown), “Atlanta”, not a myth, but a stark reality. New York (especially if just trying to catch a train), L.A. Chicago, need I list more? Those 10,000+ officers who lined the streets in Manhattan, and will again for the other Police Officer who died, were not there because this attack was just business as usually. Nor will the officers in Houston call this January, “largely a myth”, but  or business as usual. Nor our border agents, trying to stem the tide of drugs, human trafficking, and murder. Anyway, whatever…wow 

Edited February 2, 2022 by Bill “Papa” Lee

[california boy]

28 minutes ago, James 1 5 said:

I've thought about how COVID may be one of those prophesied pestilences, maybe the biggest pestilence we will have to endure considering how it is affecting spiritual Babylon. Babylon long ago was the major trade hub so I compare it to our modern trade hub on Wall Street.  COVID has caused a lot of problems in our economy and it will likely go on for a few more years. Prices are outrageous and many people have become angry or scared that the world will not be able to go on like this for much longer.

You do realize that the U.S economy grew at its fastest rate since 1984,   And as far as pestilence, if that was an indicator of the last days, it should have happened or 675 years ago when the Black Plague wiped out between 25 million and 200 million people. Or 350 years ago when the great plague of London wiped out 25% of the population of London,  Or 100 years ago when the Spanish Flu wiped out 50 million people.

When I read these "last days" threads, it is almost as if people want the second coming to happen in the next couple of weeks/years, so they cherry pick what is going on and try to get it to match prophecy.  When in fact, all of these prophesies have been getting fulfilled since the time of Christ.  And people have been expecting the return of Christ since His resurrection.   I challenge you (actually everyone who thinks current conditions are some kind of fulfillment about the last days) to find a period of time where people weren't expecting the end of the world to be eminent.  I doubt you could find one.  

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

24 minutes ago, california boy said:

You do realize that the U.S economy grew at its fastest rate since 1984,   And as far as pestilence, if that was an indicator of the last days, it should have happened or 675 years ago when the Black Plague wiped out between 25 million and 200 million people. Or 350 years ago when the great plague of London wiped out 25% of the population of London,  Or 100 years ago when the Spanish Flu wiped out 50 million people.

When I read these "last days" threads, it is almost as if people want the second coming to happen in the next couple of weeks/years, so they cherry pick what is going on and try to get it to match prophecy.  When in fact, all of these prophesies have been getting fulfilled since the time of Christ.  And people have been expecting the return of Christ since His resurrection.   I challenge you (actually everyone who thinks current conditions are some kind of fulfillment about the last days) to find a period of time where people weren't expecting the end of the world to be eminent.  I doubt you could find one.  

My thread is not a “last days thread”. It is a tread to point out how Satan uses war to retard the growth of the Gospel. Nothing in my comments suggested that the world was going to end, I just tied into it, my concern for my granddaughter who wishes to serve a mission. Also to highlight some of the dangers of today, especially in former Soviet Block Nations, and the borders I once patrolled during my military service in Europe. I also wrote of my concern for someone I love. So, no “last days thread” here. Often I think a poster could write a one word thread, and half of those who reply, will read into it, whatever is one their mind. Maybe that is what makes this so interesting, watching it morph into something completely foreign, with entire supporting essays and links. I was speaking of how missionaries had to deal with things in some of the same countries, who now seem poised for war. Also, my fears for my granddaughter in some major cities, even though one poster thinks crime is a myth. I did not suggest, nor do I believe that the end is near. I do wonder how much longer I might be around, in fact I have so many health issues, I am often surprised to still be here. Just went through another major surgery. Yet, here I am, and just had to say goodbye to one of my oldest and dearest friends. He was younger than I am, and I always supposed he would speak at my funeral. I do not fear the end, no matter when it comes, nor do I fear my own death. 

[carbon dioxide]

2 hours ago, california boy said:

You do realize that the U.S economy grew at its fastest rate since 1984, 

That has to be understood in context.  The US economy fell quite a bit over the last couple of years so the rebound would naturally be larger than what normally would be the case if the drop had not occurred.  Also inflation did play a role as well in those numbers. 

[carbon dioxide]

1 hour ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

My thread is not a “last days thread”. It is a tread to point out how Satan uses war to retard the growth of the Gospel.

This will always be the case because the world is never peaceful.  Keep in mind as well, most of the limitations with the missionary work are sort of self imposed by the Lord himself.  Satan really is allowed to have the upper hand in most things.  Take the Book of Mormon for example.  Satan persuades men by the idea that virtually no evidence exists to show the Book of Mormon is correct.  The Lord knows where all the evidence is would prove it to be true.  All he would really need to do is bring the golden plates back to the Church.  There is no issue with people stealing them or profiting off them financially.  That one action alone it would be game over.  The brass plates alone would render the Dead sea scrolls obsolete in terms of importance.  We would have an old testament writings predating those by over 500 years.  The Lord for whatever reason chooses not to counter Satan in all of his attempts.  Perhaps some of this will change in the future but maybe not.   Using a fishing analogy, the Lord is fishing for certain types of fish in the Lord.  The "bait" he is using most fish will not bite on.   If he wants more fish, he will use more types of bait.   Perhaps more revelations, visions, signs, or evidences that the Church is true that few can deny.   He can even use a big net if he wanted to.   A pillar of fire over all the temples in the world would probably bring in a billion people quickly.  Right now, the Lord is allowing Satan to prevail for a time.  

[Tacenda]

3 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Seriously? Not if you are Police as was my profession for decades. It is open season on Police Officers. I don’t know where you are getting these facts, well I do from the links you provided, but a “myth”? Not “largely a myth”, as in my city (hometown), “Atlanta”, not a myth, but a stark reality. New York (especially if just trying to catch a train), L.A. Chicago, need I list more? Those 10,000+ officers who lined the streets in Manhattan, and will again for the other Police Officer who died, were not there because this attack was just business as usually. Nor will the officers in Houston call this January, “largely a myth”, but  or business as usual. Nor our border agents, trying to stem the tide of drugs, human trafficking, and murder. Anyway, whatever…wow 

We are visiting Atlanta in April with my daughter and two sons, she has been asked to be a bridesmaid and I didn't want her to travel all alone, I'm one of those mom's.  She's even in her mid thirties, haha. I am worried about crime and I've heard the freeways are a nightmare. Am I right to be worried and want to go with her? 

Edited February 2, 2022 by Tacenda

[The Nehor]

19 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Seriously? Not if you are Police as was my profession for decades. It is open season on Police Officers. I don’t know where you are getting these facts, well I do from the links you provided, but a “myth”? Not “largely a myth”, as in my city (hometown), “Atlanta”, not a myth, but a stark reality. New York (especially if just trying to catch a train), L.A. Chicago, need I list more? Those 10,000+ officers who lined the streets in Manhattan, and will again for the other Police Officer who died, were not there because this attack was just business as usually. Nor will the officers in Houston call this January, “largely a myth”, but  or business as usual. Nor our border agents, trying to stem the tide of drugs, human trafficking, and murder. Anyway, whatever…wow 

It is not open season on police officers. Police officer deaths are up in the last two years but that is due to Covid. This is then spun as police work being more dangerous than ever. Being a delivery driver is more dangerous than being a police officer. Police officer fails to make the top ten most dangerous jobs. Having an impressive funeral turnout for a few specific deaths does not make the job more dangerous. It just makes people think the job is more dangerous.

Police deaths are up in 2020 and especially in 2021 but we should take a look at what killed them:

https://www.odmp.org/search/year?year=2021

In 2021 out of 518 officer deaths 356 of them were due to Covid. Best way to protect cops? Vaccines, not bemoaning cities supposedly becoming war zones because deaths are so high. It is spin that is exploiting police deaths to propagate misinformation.

[let’s roll]

18 hours ago, carbon dioxide said:

That has to be understood in context.  The US economy fell quite a bit over the last couple of years so the rebound would naturally be larger than what normally would be the case if the drop had not occurred.  Also inflation did play a role as well in those numbers. 

Well said.  Since GDP is measured in “current” dollars and inflation was at 7% last year much of the % growth of GDP was due to inflated dollars and a predictable rebound from a 3.5% drop in GDP the prior year. 

[let’s roll]

29 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

It is not open season on police officers. Police officer deaths are up in the last two years but that is due to Covid. This is then spun as police work being more dangerous than ever. Being a delivery driver is more dangerous than being a police officer. Police officer fails to make the top ten most dangerous jobs. Having an impressive funeral turnout for a few specific deaths does not make the job more dangerous. It just makes people think the job is more dangerous.

Police deaths are up in 2020 and especially in 2021 but we should take a look at what killed them:

https://www.odmp.org/search/year?year=2021

In 2021 out of 518 officer deaths 356 of them were due to Covid. Best way to protect cops? Vaccines, not bemoaning cities supposedly becoming war zones because deaths are so high. It is spin that is exploiting police deaths to propagate misinformation.

Is there a job where one is more likely to be a victim of a homicide than police work?  Logging, roofing and delivery driving are  statistically more dangerous than police work because of accidents, not homicides.  CNN reported last month that per FBI data, intentional killing of law enforcement officers in 2020 reached a 20 year high. 

[CA Steve]

I think every generation believes that things are getting worse and yet I also believe that if you were to ask people when they would like to have been born, they would choose the generation in which they were born.

 

It's good to be alive.

[The Nehor]

44 minutes ago, CA Steve said:

I think every generation believes that things are getting worse and yet I also believe that if you were to ask people when they would like to have been born, they would choose the generation in which they were born.

 

It's good to be alive.

I was told I had a choice and instead of going for City of Enoch I chose now. I can only conclude that I am an idiot.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

22 hours ago, Tacenda said:

We are visiting Atlanta in April with my daughter and two sons, she has been asked to be a bridesmaid and I didn't want her to travel all alone, I'm one of those mom's.  She's even in her mid thirties, haha. I am worried about crime and I've heard the freeways are a nightmare. Am I right to be worried and want to go with her? 

Although crime is up all over the City of Atlanta, send me a PM of the area where you might be, and I will tell you if it is safe, or tell you where the dangers lie. Right down to the neighborhood, or the very street. My daughter, also rents a VW Bus for weddings, for background pictures. In case you are into that kind of thing. There VW Bus is all the rage as are the backgrounds they provide. They do Gay and Straight weddings, and should you need security, I can get you in touch for those who provide security.  

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

6 hours ago, The Nehor said:

It is not open season on police officers. Police officer deaths are up in the last two years but that is due to Covid.

Police Officers are not be targeted due to COVID, or because of COVID, men are just evil, nor does it make them murder more due to COVID. They see an opportunity, and just shoot, which for too often leads to death. They do this because they have been lead to believe that all Police Officers are evil. More than this, it is because they are born of evil. This month alone (January) is one of the most violent months for crime against civilians, and Police Officers in very many years. Stop looking for reasons for crime and murder, stop trying to blame COVID, as the saying goes, “Bad people do bad things, because they can”. Evil does not need a reason, just an opportunity. Human Trafficking, and the epidemic of drugs coming over our border, have increased exponentially, because no one is doing anything to slow the surge across the border. The Mexican Cartels, see an opportunity, and they are exploiting it, and will continue until we put a stop to it. Simply put, ever Nation on Earth, are counted of the U.S. to blame every ill on ourselves, or even better, deny it is even happening. Also, that the we continue to destroy, and rewrite our history, so we will rewrite it. Also to convince ourselves that we are worthy of efvevrything that happens to U.S., making it easier to both punish ourselves, and to create and accept our punishment. Stop the propaganda; please!  
 

 Anyway, Brother. Please return to you light hearth ways. You were so beloved. Until then, got to say goodbye. But, here is hoping for the kinder, funnier Nehor. Anyway, I will still always love you….

Brother 

Edited February 3, 2022 by Bill “Papa” Lee

[Tacenda]

14 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Although crime is up all over the City of Atlanta, send me a PM of the area where you might be, and I will tell you if it is safe, or tell you where the dangers lie. Right down to the neighborhood, or the very street. My daughter, also rents a VW Bus for weddings, for background pictures. In case you are into that kind of thing. There VW Bus is all the rage as are the backgrounds they provide. They do Gay and Straight weddings, and should you need security, I can get you in touch for those who provide security.  

Thanks, I'll PM. 🙂

[The Nehor]

22 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Police Officers are not be targeted due to COVID, or because of COVID, men are just evil, nor does it make them murder more due to COVID. They see an opportunity, and just shoot, which for too often leads to death. They do this because they have been lead to believe that all Police Officers are evil. More than this, it is because they are born of evil. This month alone (January) is one of the most violent months for crime against civilians, and Police Officers in very many years. Stop looking for reasons for crime and murder, stop trying to blame COVID, as the saying goes, “Bad people do bad things, because they can”. Evil does not need a reason, just an opportunity. Human Trafficking, and the epidemic of drugs coming over our border, have increased exponentially, because no one is doing anything to slow the surge across the border. The Mexican Cartels, see an opportunity, and they are exploiting it, and will continue until we put a stop to it. Simply put, ever Nation on Earth, are counted of the U.S. to blame every ill on ourselves, or even better, deny it is even happening. Also, that the we continue to destroy, and rewrite our history, so we will rewrite it. Also to convince ourselves that we are worthy of efvevrything that happens to U.S., making it easier to both punish ourselves, and to create and accept our punishment. Stop the propaganda; please!  
 

 Anyway, Brother. Please return to you light hearth ways. You were so beloved. Until then, got to say goodbye. But, here is hoping for the kinder, funnier Nehor. Anyway, I will still always love you….

Brother 

I am not blaming Covid for people being evil. I do know from sad experience that troubled times make evil people more likely to act on that evil.

I also know that there is not a big increase in violent crime and the border is not more violent than it has usually been in the last decade. A lot of the ‘data’ used to show police are in greater danger silently puts covid deaths under dying in the ‘line of duty’ which might technically be true but suggests danger that is not there.

The rest of the world is not out to get us to blame everything on ourselves. We have been a friend, a bully, an opponent, and a devil depending on what nation and individual you ask. The United States needs to come clean with itself about what its ideals are and how often we have fallen short. There are people who are unable to see any good anywhere but that is not most people. The greater danger are those who cannot recognize evil. We are punishing ourselves. We have calls for unity but nothing to unify around. We see calls for acceptance from people who cannot accept. We see calls for equality answered by the oppressor claiming that equality is oppression of them. The other nations are experiencing a new emotion towards the United States. We have made other nations wary, brought joy to some, fear to others, and the all the rest but lately more and more other nations feel pity for us.

I love my nation’s ideals. The idea of a nation not united by ethnicity or a common monarch was odd and everyone assumed it wouldn’t take. It did anyways. It was a feeble thing. It’s ideals were sullied by the horrors of slavery and its promises to welcome people very circumscribed based on where they are coming from. We got better. Sometimes straight up and sometimes did the two steps forward, one step back bit. The struggle was hard fought and sometimes the gains were realized and then pushed back.

I see a lot of threats bearing down on us. An attempt to revive the evils of the past and combine them with new evils. I see a tolerance preached by some that I worry is tissue paper and comes more from security and will be destroyed if self-interest is ever at stake. I see those who have slept easily in institutional and economic power desperate to hang on to what makes them more likely to succeed and willing to quench equality to do so. I see religious leaders selling out to get gain and glory and the high seats at feasts. I see fools blinded by an imaginary utopian future fighting tooth and nail with fools believing that the past was paradise and that we can claw our way back to it. I see battles over history and dogma that make me hate. I see liars praised and lauded. I see fools deriding the wise and people with the minds of children fulfilling Isaiah’s warnings about children ruling and God taking away the wise and the skilled and leaving idiots to both lead and follow. I see senseless meaningless cruelty hiding everywhere and wearing a mask less and less. I see calls to make my country like other nations that seem to come right from the people upset at the prophet Samuel. I see autocracy becoming more and more seductive to many and when autocracy becomes the norm freedom will not be a cause worth fighting for and it won’t matter that much which faction claws down the others to take control.

The nation I love is partly a dream:

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

I think of how God would bless such a nation. Then I realize that most do not want it. There was a time that all would agree that the poem was a good ideal. Now it is seen as a weapon like almost everything else.

Then again, I am a Gen Xer and embrace my stereotypical role so I am unlikely to be part of the solution:

Edited February 4, 2022 by The Nehor