A Call for Christian Women
Dear women of America, we are at a critical time in our history. I plead with you to take a few minutes to read this letter and accept this invitation to save and rescue our nation! I am a Christian, patriotic and concerned woman, wife, mother and grandmother, who values America's Christian heritage and freedom. I value and give honor especially to the role of motherhood, the sacred and holy calling given to women. We play a critical role in our society today! Recently I felt inspired to study Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl, who was inspired to lead an army of French soldiers against the English during The Hundred Years War, a fight for the rule and crown of France in the early 1400's. Claiming a right to the crown of France, the English had invaded France, created allies with the disloyal French Burgundians, and with their help, took control of much of it. They were on the verge of conquering and taking the French crown, when Joan of Arc, a sixteen year old peasant girl, saw visions and was visited by angels; Saint Michael, the Archangel, and the Christian Martyrs, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret. They admonished her to be virtuous and obedient to God, and told her that she was to be a ‘savior’ of France. She was to fulfill a French prophecy about a virtuous maiden leading the French army to conquer the English and return the crown of France back to its rightful heir. As directed by the angels, she visited the garrison commander of the French army and bravely declared her vision and mission. He refused her request to lead the army and dismissed the peasant girl's claim as ‘savior’ of France. But later, after seeing that she was gaining the approval and support of villagers, he began to believe her story and relented and gave her a sword, a high-bred horse and an escort to visit the heir to the French crown; the future Charles VII. Instructed by the angels for her protection, Joan cut her hair, dressed in men's clothing and traveled on horseback for eleven days through enemy territory to meet the heir. She shared her mission with him, and due to miraculous events, she eventually gained his belief and support also. He gave her a suit of armor and an army to lead to the besieged city of Orleans, the last stronghold for the English to conquer and gain control of France. She was also instructed to have a standard made with images of God, angels and the crucifix, which would remind them of who was truly leading this army, and inspire and rally the French troops during battle. To ensure God's aid, Joan required a virtuous and moral army. She drove out the army prostitutes and demanded that the soldiers use no profanity. She and her soldiers would not fight on the Sabbath Day, and instead, repented and worshipped God, and partook of Communion. Previously forewarned by her angels, she was wounded in her shoulder by an arrow during one of the battles. However, with God's aid, Joan survived and courageously and miraculously led the French army to victory in Orleans and subsequent battles. Then she promptly returned the crown of France to its rightful heir. Later, she was captured by the Burgundian traitors and delivered to the English for a ransom. She was imprisoned, nearly raped, tried and charged falsely with heresy, then burned at the stake at the age of nineteen. Years later, King Charles VII ordered an investigation. He declared Joan of Arc to be innocent of all charges and designated her a martyr. She was officially canonized 500 years later in 1920, as the Maid of Orleans (as she was known) and the patron saint of France. She was one of history's greatest women, an enduring symbol of French unity, nationalism, and faith. See an excellent documentary here: http://www.byutv.org/watch/98102eb7-69d9-45e5-9322-2e9d7284c3a6/joan-of-arc-joan-of-arc As I pondered on this story, I marveled at and wondered how a common peasant girl could have accomplished such a miraculous feat and saved her nation! Then I felt impressed that this was an analogy of America today. We are experiencing our own ‘Hundred Years War’. Like France, our nation is under attack and has experienced an invasion of dangerous ideology. Just as Orleans was the last stronghold of the French, and the target of the English that would lead to the collapse of France, so is the God-given pattern of the natural family and the important identity and roles of men and women, fathers and mothers. The traditional family and marriage between a man and a woman is the "stronghold" and foundation of our society and nation. The invading ideology has infiltrated and weakened this foundation over the last century, leading to a rapid increase in broken homes and divorce, fatherless children, poverty, crime and suicides, and a loss of power and freedom. I realized the source of this invasion recently as I attended the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, and as I watched the Women's March earlier this year. Like the English invading and taking control of France, socialism, atheism and radical feminism are invading and gaining control of and acceptance in our society, causing our citizens to forget their identity and lose their hope, virtue and freedoms. We are forgetting that we are a Christian nation founded on true and lasting principles. John Adams said, "Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other". It was God's hand that established and preserved this nation. We are a “nation under God” and if we do not worship and serve our ‘King’, we will lose Divine Providence and the protection that has made America the greatest nation on earth! As Alex De Tocqueville once said, "If America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great", and I would add, that the America we have known will cease to exist if we abandon our Christian principles. Women and motherhood is the main focus of this attack. Like the French Burgundians, some Americans in our society are turning us against our true identity and freedom and aiding the enemy in ousting morality, freedom, religion, and our ruler and king, Jesus Christ. Destructive Invading Ideology:
Women are only equal with men or valued if they have a career or can provide financially.
Motherhood is a barrier to success and an unwanted burden.
Patriarchy is threatening, competitive, and adversarial to women.
Marriage is not only between one man and one woman.
Living sexually free, promiscuous lives is healthy and natural, and a basic human right.
Abortion is a basic human right and the government/ taxpayers should provide it for all women whether it aligns with their religious beliefs or not.·
Pornography, homosexuality and legalized prostitution are good for society.
Traditional gender roles are sexist.
Feelings, not biology, determine gender.
Negative Effects on Society:
Women who value and revere their roles as women and mothers and who value men and fatherhood, are often made to feel weak and belittled for submitting to men in the “bonds of matrimony”. Many see it as demeaning servitude and bondage. Fewer people are committing to marriage.
Women are often shamed for bringing life into this world, and wanting to stay home and raise their children (though this isn't always financially possible). They are not honored or appreciated for their selfless sacrifice and critical role in society.
Women often see men as unnecessary, since they are replacing men as the ‘breadwinners’ or providers in the family and society. They are choosing careers over childbearing and family, or money over creating life and posterity. Sadly, many women are realizing too late, that they have sold their birthright for a “mess of pottage”. (Many countries today are unsuccessfully financially incentivizing women to have children because the replacement rate is dangerously low and will not support their future society.)
Overtime, men have been devalued and often demonized. Civility between men and women is diminishing. Women are often offended and feel belittled when men treat them like 'ladies', or act chivalrously towards them.
Fatherhood is being eliminated as single mothers provide for themselves or rely on the government to provide for them, leading to a welfare state and irresponsible men. Over half of all children today are born fatherless, leading to instability in children with dire emotional and financial consequences to society.
Immorality and abortion has led to disease, psychological and mental problems and many times physical harm to women, at a great cost to citizens both financially and morally. Many men and women have lost their self-respect, self-restraint and virtue. And for the sake of pleasure and convenience, are choosing to terminate the lives they conceive, rather than taking responsibility for the lives they choose to create.
Pornography and prostitution have led to sex-trafficking, the sex slavery and abuse of millions of women and children. This degrading and objectifying of women (and children) along with the ‘sexual revolution’ culture has influenced many men to disrespect and take advantage of women. Sexual relations outside of marriage has led to fewer men who are willing to commit to a marriage relationship; they do not need to “buy the cow” if they can get the “milk” for free.
Traditional marriage has been redefined and traditional gender roles are disappearing.
Sexuality education that teaches immorality and homosexuality is being mandated in public schools, leading to confusion about gender identity and immorality. Many are choosing to change their sex and live immoral or homosexual lives, leading to emotional and spiritual problems, disease, suicide and the disintegration of the family.
Thankfully, like Joan, some women understand the truth. They are willing to fight for their rights and freedom, and remain loyal to their heritage and king. The Truth: Women are powerful and amazing human beings! Though we may be physically weaker than men, our minds and hearts, or intuition, are equal to and sometimes even superior to men's. We absolutely have equal capability to get an education and to financially provide if needed. However, women are the creators and deliverers of life! We love, nurture and develop the hearts and minds of children in ways that are unique to women. We are the greatest influencers of future generations and leaders of the world. No other role in society matches the supernal role of motherhood. The most important and fulfilling work women can do in our society is within the walls of our own homes. Women bring life and beauty into the world. We temper and civilize mankind, and teach them compassion and how to love. We are ‘saviors’ and ‘redeemers’ in our society. We are the heart of the home and the soul of the nation! "Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life...Motherhood consists of three principal attributes or qualities: namely, (1) the power to bear,(2) the ability to rear, (3) the gift to love...this ability and willingness properly to rear children, the gift of love, and eagerness, yes, longing to express it in soul development, makes motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world. She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come...deserves the highest honor that man can give.” - David O. McKay The word woman, is a compound of the words womb and man. Women are the womb of mankind, and are naturally the nurturing, and civilizing agents of society. As Eve was to Adam, women are the ‘help meets’ of men. In the Hebrew language, the word help is translated to ezer which means "to rescue", "to save", "to be strong", "to deliver". Women were created to be the ‘saviors’ and ‘deliverers’ of men. The word meet translated into Hebrew is k'enegdo, meaning "fit for", or "opposite", "exactly corresponding to". Eve was not designed to be exactly like Adam, she was designed to be his mirror image or opposite, possessing the other half of the qualities, responsibilities, and attributes which he lacked. Just as Adam and Eve's sexual organs were physically mirror opposites (one being internal, the other being external), so were their divine stewardships designed to be opposite but fit together perfectly to create and nurture life. Eve was Adams complete equal, endowed with power that was opposite but equal to his. Instead of comparing and competing with each other, women and men are most powerful and happy when they partner equally in creating and supporting life, and in honoring and supporting each other in their distinct and critical roles. Marriage between a man and a woman is the balance or ‘yin and yang’ needed in marriage, family and society. The seemingly opposite or complementary, interconnected, and interdependent qualities of men and women give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Traditional marriage provides a strong and balanced foundation for our children, our families and our society that is becoming dangerously imbalanced! Everything a man has traditionally done (providing and protecting) supports women's most important work; that of bearing and raising children, the future generations and leaders of this world. Fathers are critically important in the life of a child, (and studies continually show that the natural or traditional family structure is the most successful for children, women and men), but no other role can have the power or influence in children's lives that mothers and grandmothers can, since we are usually the caretakers, who shape and mold the hearts and minds of our children and grandchildren. As Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” We shape the destiny of our nation! Men and society need us to be true women, and remember our divine nature; to stand in the power of our femininity! Men need us to model and encourage them to live honorable, virtuous and civilized lives. They need to be appreciated, honored and valued for their important contributions to their children, their family and to society. As Joan of Arc, we have been given the word of God, a ‘sword of truth’, and a standard, or banner of freedom. They are our greatest weapons in this battle. We must wield and use them bravely in this battle for the future of our children and grandchildren, and for the strength and freedom of our nation! We need to stand up and speak out for the divine pattern of the natural family. We must teach our sons and daughters their true identity; "God created [them] in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them". They need to understand that attractions and feeling may change, but not their gender or identity as sons and daughters of God. We must instill in them the importance of having and raising children, and the value of their divine roles as fathers and mothers in their own future families and in society. We must model integrity and teach them obedience to God’s laws. We must teach them the importance of self-respect and self-restraint, and the value of virtue and Chastity before marriage, and complete fidelity after marriage. They must understand our American heritage and the Biblical Christian principles this nation was founded upon. We must return the ‘crown’ to our true king and ruler, Jesus Christ! If we do not turn the tide and turn our hearts to our children and to the true principles of the natural family, to our future, and to God's will, like the French; our societies and nation will continue to weaken and fall under these invading forces. Thomas Paine, an American Patriot wrote these inspiring words that George Washington had read to his troops during the crisis and winter of Valley Forge: "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God." Like Thomas Paine, I am calling for ‘winter soldiers’ at this critical time! Patriots who are willing to make their family, faith and freedom a priority. Said Patrick Henry, “The battle...is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave". Like Joan of Arc I am sharing a vision and a call for strong and courageous women who stand for family, faith and freedom. We need women who are willing to bear and rear children, and honor the roles of motherhood and fatherhood; women who value the important role of the natural family in society. We need women who believe in and follow Jesus Christ. And we need women who are patriotic and loyal to the constitution and the Biblical Christian principles of our nation's founding. We must preserve the truth that, "all men (including women, children, and unborn children) are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". We are God's secret weapons! Like Joan of Arc, we can ‘save’ our families and ‘deliver’ and ‘rescue’ our nation from this false and destructive ideology if we will unite and stand together for truth! On Labor Day, September 4, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah, join an army of powerful like-minded women in a Joan of Arc Women's March to strengthen and ‘rescue’ our besieged ‘stronghold’; the natural family. Labor Day was chosen to depict the suffering and sacrifice of women as they ‘labor’ to deliver and nurture lives, and raise future generations and leaders. It also recognizes the ‘labor’ of men, in providing for their families, so women can stay home and do their most important work. It is a reminder of America's ‘winter soldiers’ throughout our history who ‘labored’ under very difficult circumstances and sacrificed to establish and preserve this nation and our freedoms. And last, but certainly NOT least, it depicts the heavy burden of our sins that Jesus Christ ‘labored’ under to save and redeem us. Marchers Attire:
Women and Men wear white shirts and black skirts (Women) or black pants (Men) symbolizing 'Yin and Yang'; the masculine and feminine balance needed in marriage, family and society.
Female Youth wear all white dresses (or blouse and skirt) to symbolize femininity and purity.
Male Youth wear red, white, and blue to symbolize valor, purity, and justice and American Patriotism.
Women and Men hold Bibles to symbolize parent's responsibility to teach God's word and America's Christian heritage and founding principles.
All Youth hold American flags to symbolize patriotism and the future leaders of America.
We will not hold posters or signs, but ‘Joan of Arc’ will lead the march, and we will provide banners proclaiming our message. This will be a silent march depicting the ‘silent majority’ who will be silent no more! Though this march is being held in Salt Lake City, women anywhere are welcomed and encouraged to unite and join in this Joan of Arc Women’s March in Utah, or in their own city or state. Men and boys are also invited and encouraged to join us. It is time for us to rise up, speak out and stand! We cannot remain silent anymore! Before it is too late, we must teach the next generation that this false ideology is not embraced by the majority of Americans. Though the Women's Marches earlier this year drew millions of people (There were at least 653 reported marches in the United States. These involved gatherings of well over 100,000 marchers each in Washington; Los Angeles; Oakland, Calif.; San Francisco; New York; Chicago; Denver; Seattle and Boston.), this represents only one percent of our population. If we want to send a clear message to the next generation and to congress, we must let them hear our voices. We cannot sit back any longer and let this dangerous ideology consume our children, our society, and our nation! The way that we will be spreading this message and call to march is by each of us committing to march, and committing 10 other women to march and do the same thing. We will hopefully get 10,000 to 100,000 women to each march as this duplicates 3-4 more times. Will YOU commit to march with us, and commit 10 more women to march (who are committed to do the same)? As this continues to duplicate, we will create a Christian army that will send a powerful message of the importance of the natural family, faith and religion in our society, and the principles of freedom! “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. … “We need women with the gift of discernment who can view the trends in the world and detect those that, however popular, are shallow or dangerous.” -Boyd K. Packer "We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.....women who can speak with power and authority... We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world. We need women who are devoted to shepherding God’s children...; women who know how to receive personal revelation....women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families; women who teach fearlessly....We need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration. We need you to speak up and speak out. Married or single, you (women) possess distinctive capabilities and special intuition you have received as gifts from God. We (men) cannot duplicate your unique influence. We know that the culminating act of all creation was the creation of woman! We need your strength! Attacks against (life and family) are going to increase. Because of this, we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation. We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms. We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity. We need women who have the courage and vision of our Mother Eve....women whose righteous lives will increasingly stand out in a deteriorating world and who will thus be seen as different and distinct in the happiest of ways." - Russel M. Nelson Finally, from William Ross Wallace (1819-1881): THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE IS THE HAND THAT RULES THE WORLD.
BLESSINGS on the hand of women! Angels guard its strength and grace. In the palace, cottage, hovel, Oh, no matter where the place; Would that never storms assailed it, Rainbows ever gently curled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Infancy's the tender fountain, Power may with beauty flow, Mothers first to guide the streamlets, From them souls unresting grow— Grow on for the good or evil, Sunshine streamed or evil hurled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Woman, how divine your mission, Here upon our natal sod; Keep—oh, keep the young heart open Always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages Are from mother-love impearled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Blessings on the hand of women! Fathers, sons, and daughters cry, And the sacred song is mingled With the worship in the sky— Mingles where no tempest darkens, Rainbows evermore are hurled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world.
Rise up daughters of Eve and women of God! It is time to rescue the family and nation, and restore our Christian heritage and King! Let us stand and march together for Family, Faith, and Freedom!