I listened to President Oak's talk. What I heard was a complete lack of focus on Christ's death on the cross and grace. It is all about what laws WE keep and what degree of glory WE earn. This is a different Gospel than the one taught in the Bible.
#ldsconf
#generalconference
New York’s vague and overbroad law sought to stifle robust debate on the internet, today’s decision is a victory for the 1st Amendment that should be celebrated by everyone who wants the internet to continue as a place where contentious issues can be debated and discussed freely.
VICTORY: Yesterday, a federal court halted enforcement of a misguided New York law that forces websites and apps to address online speech that someone, somewhere, finds humiliating or vilifying.
It is well established administrators cannot censor the views of conservative students based on their viewpoint.
Excited to serve as local counsel for
@TheFIREorg
and
@yaf
in this lawsuit and to play a small role in defending the free speech rights of these students.
LAWSUIT: Conservative students wanted to criticize communism. But when administrators deemed their opinions inappropriate and offensive, the students found themselves facing an oppressive regime right on campus.
I got to argue at the 9th Circuit this week on behalf of
@TheFIREorg
clients Daniel and Alejandro Flores, Juliette Colunga, and
@yaf
Clovis. Their group's flyers were removed by Clovis officials because the conservative views expressed in the flyers offended some students. 1/4
@poetickate
Our bodies are beautiful and from God and garments reflect that. Garments are a gift from God that represent clothing that he personally made for Adam and Eve. When I wear garments they represent the love that God has for me, so I am eager to wear them.
@ScottWalker
@foxnewsnight
@FoxNews
@tracegallagher
Great, I completely agree. Now I hope you will just as fervently support the rights of liberal students, educators, and speakers. Free speech needs to be for everyone not just for one side.
Last week
@thefireorg
sent a letter to the City of Orem, Utah on behalf of our client
@UtahLibraries
demanding the end of policies that violate the First Amendment rights of the ULA and Orem librarians.
1/7
We’re sailing into the weekend with great news in our lawsuit against Clovis Community College!
A judge just ordered admins to stop using their unconstitutional flyer policy to discriminate against students' viewpoints.
More to come as the case proceeds.
@JAEbberts
Born in Israel Went from Jew to Atheist to LDS. Served a mission in Russia. Disciple of Jesus Christ. BYU Law. 2 appellate clerkships. Con Law lawyer at PLF. Free Speech and Equality for All. Keep Gov powers separate and checked. Wife + 3 daughters
@SISTASinZION
Amulek, because like him I was called by God many times before listening. I admire his willingness to sacrifice friendships and family relationships to follow God. And Alma going to comfort him after his family and friends are killed touches me every time.
#generalconference
I wrote an op-ed in the
@BrandeisU
@thejustice
reacting to Brandeis's decision to ban the SJP chapter. As an alumnus, this decision hit close to home. The best part of my Brandeis experience was the vigorous debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
@YALiberty
This is deeply unamerican. I am generally sympathetic to indoor mask mandates, but arresting people for being outdoors without a face covering is unconscionable.
@CanPanicNow
This is a bad take. Federalist Society members produce excellent scholarship. And many Federalist Society members have been central in pushing back against President Trump's abuses of power from day one.
@Mormonger
So much. This Doctrine tells us who we truly are, that we wanted to be here, that we already showed great faith and trust in Jesus, and that God's plan is one of mercy and salvation.
@BenPatriarchs
sharing the story of his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
@Ch_JesusChrist
, has inspired me to do the same. I've shared this many times on Facebook and elsewhere but I don't think I ever have on Twitter
But the part that bothers me the most is that President Oaks thinks that the Terrestrial Kingdom is the equivalent of heaven for other Christians. That is just false. For me heaven would not be heaven if I am not in the full presence of God and able to glorify him forever.
@joshnaa2gez
I think this is arrogant and not true at all. There are many good people who leave the LDS Church because they believe that doing so will help them to draw closer to Jesus Christ.
@ohJuliatweets
It's insane to me that people think that the state can force parents to let them raise their child. Homeschooling is an essential component of liberty because it makes clear that the state does not own a child.
One important theme that stood out to me this morning was the importance of the power of covenants and ordinances in helping us build upon a foundation of faith in Christ and transform our character to become more like him.
#GeneralConference
No, I've explained if 10,000,000 times. Twitter would be liable for everyone else's content if they moderate anything. So they'd moderate everything and you'd have to wait to have your posts go live, or they'd touch nothing and this would become a hellsite full of spam.
This week we filed a lawsuit against Governor Newsom's continued shutdown of businesses and his claim of nearly unlimited power during an emergency. We are representing Ghost Golf an indoor miniature golf facility in Fresno and Sol y Luna a Mexican restaurant in Bakersfield.
For almost eight months, Gov. Newsom has unilaterally determined whether people are allowed to make a living or not. But the California Constitution is not suspended even in the middle of a pandemic.
@dortner1
@BloodnVinegar
I like what you ended up doing.
Next time I stay in a Marriot I plan to write a short message in the copy about how God led me out of Mormonism and to the God of the Bible.
I know that a lot of people are hurting today. I hope that those of us who are pro-life can show empathy and compassion even as we look forward to what looks like the end of Roe. Abortion is a difficult topic and we need a lot more love and lot less acrimony and hatred.
@jkimballcook
For me what has been disappointing is seeing people who know that I was a very faithful, active and orthodox member be so quick to accuse me of not understanding LDS doctrine or say I am making bad faith arguments. I am sure I was guilty of that when I had friends leave as well.
My latest from the Hill takes aim at how the University of California - Davis and other UC Campuses have turned the the mandatory diversity statement into an ideological test for candidates.
@CaseyMattox_
This is a really bad decision. Footnote 18 is particularly egregious in suggesting that if Facebook or Twitter want First Amendment protections they must prescreen content like a newspaper. This requirement would destroy social media as we know it.
Pennsylvania legislators just proposed giving education dollars directly to families in the fall
These dollars could be used to cover the costs of homeschooling and private education
This would fund students instead of systems.
@HannaSeariac
Also, I am sorry for all of the hate you are getting here and elsewhere. We need to do better at not pushing away people who are our brothers and sisters in Chirst.
@McCormickProf
Interesting, Delta has in my experience been one of the better airlines as far as competence and responsiveness. I have had much worse experiences in recent years with Southwest in particular.
I love this argument. Free speech is the way that we sharpen our ideas and persuade others. Even if we are certain we are right, we should highly value free speech.
8. “Mill’s (invincible) Trident: An argument every fan (or opponent) of free speech must know.” Whether you’re totally right, partially right, or completely wrong, free speech helps you. 4/11
@ThoughtfulSaint
Maybe folks don't like someone who tried to organize a coup to overthrow the election results despite soundly losing?
Nah, couldn't be that... Must just be personality. 🙄
Really honored to be cited by the Ohio Supreme Court in their decision released today declaring that deference to agency interpretations is never mandatory.
Congrats to Justice Dewine for a great opinion and to
@PacificLegal
for its win!
Really disappointed, but unfortunately not too surprised, to see
@BrandeisU
ranked DEAD LAST out of 203 universities in openness to conservative speakers and viewpoints in
@TheFIREorg
's latest rankings.
Really great thread. Joseph Smith was either an inspired prophet of God (what I believe), or an unparalleled religious genius who articulated a profound vision of human nature and the purpose of life.
Level whatever criticism against Joseph Smith you wish. I may care a little. I may disagree sometimes… though some of your criticism may, indeed, be valid. But it ultimately doesn’t matter to me.
It doesn’t change what Joseph has done for me. The fact remains that Joseph
@CalltoActivism
I would love to see schools abolish legacy admissions. That was not at issue in the case before the Supreme Court. But it is a practice that perpetuates inequality and privilege and is wholly unnecessary.
New op-ed with Ethan Blevins about how a proposed ethics rule in Utah would stifle important speech on controversial topics of public concern. Plus we quote Atticus Finch!
@ethanwb
@PacificLegal
Sorry to see the anti-Mormon bigotry being laid bare on Twitter right now.
I am proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I am proud to be a member of a Church that encourages its members to become public servants like Mitt Romney.
#Mormon
@kellymlundy2
@calvinjburke
I would encourage you to take a step back from the drama and take time out to commune with God. Remember your spiritual experiences. Seek guidance from him. Do not make consequences of eternal importance based on current events or someone else's experience.
@DanEllsworthVA
Other churches like the 7 Day Adventists have fiscal transparency without a ton of issues. I don't think that expecting a more detailed annual fiscal report is unreasonable or would cause a lot of issues -
@LDSMormon
“I will state as a prophecy, that there will not be an unbelieving Gentile upon this continent 50 years hence; and if they are not greatly scourged, and in a great measure overthrown, within five or ten years from this date, then the Book of Mormon will have proved itself false.”
@Mormonger
"Why, oh! why is it that you will continue to trust in an arm of flesh? Why will you cling to Joseph Smith, who was only a man, and believe all his revelations as if they were from God's own' mouth? Joseph Smith cannot save you in eternity!" David Whitmer
@OaksDallinH
You are preaching a different Gospel than what Christ died on the cross to offer us. Jesus Christ died for us when we were yet sinners and he offers us unmerited unearned grace that is sufficient to save us and glorify us in the presence of God. We are saved by his merits alone.
@PrestorJohn
Before I left I was ward Sunday School President and I was trying to get my bishop to organize the new institute class that the Church offers on faith issues. Seems like a good resource for anyone trying to follow your advice.
--
@PeterBlack511
I have really enjoyed reading different translations for a different perspective on the scriptures. I like Wayment's translation, but lately I have been loving the NIV because it is different enough from the KJV to really shake me out of complacency and familiarity.
@HannaSeariac
Hanna, I really hope that you will continue to stay firm on the core doctrines of the Gospel. There's a ton of room in the Church for differences of opinion about how to best apply our principles in government. But I think staying firm is important when it comes to core doctrine.
Really loving the outcome of the Court's decision today in the Shurtleff v. City of Boston Case case, but I wish the Court would have gone further and followed Justice Alito and Justice Gorsuch's lead. 1/9
@HannaSeariac
As a convert who had to face family opposition when joining the Church I feel like I can sometimes relate to the struggles and triumphs of the early saints more than people who come from multi-generational families
Some big personal news. For four years I've loved litigating for liberty at
@PacificLegal
. I'm really grateful to my colleagues and proud of all that we have accomplished. It is an organization that I deeply admire and I look forward to seeing it continue to fight for freedom.
It was a really great opportunity and I loved being able to stand up for free speech and for our clients' rights. If anyone wants to watch the argument it is here on the Court's website and the Court's YouTube channel.
4/4
The Fresno Superior Court ruled that our case challenging Governor Newsom's shutdown orders is not moot. This is a crucial step towards holding the Governor accountable for his use and abuse of executive power during the pandemic.
@Mormonger
I think that you can disagree deeply with the doctrines of another religion and even consider it demonic and yet oppose book burnings and the suppression of religious freedom and free speech. Even if you are sure you are right, freedom of conscience and thought are valuable.
@benjaminpacini
This was movingly written. I admire Romney's willingness to do what he believed was right despite the consequences for his own popularity and career.
Absurd policies like closing down playgrounds have deeply undermined public confidence as have brazen acts of hypocrisy from governors and mayors across the country. COVID-19 is serious but common-sense solutions and a clear message are needed.
My latest
@latimes
: Why are outdoor playgrounds closed but crowded indoor malls open? Nine weary months in, many Californians have entered the “why-is-this-closed-while-that-is-open” stage of the pandemic. One angry mom: “Let my kid swing on a f— swing..”
@NathanielGivens
I really enjoyed this one.
"The answer is always Jesus and that is very good news." Great line.
"We worship our father and not a formula." Amen.
"God already loves you perfectly." I wish that more people understood that.
@jamcjon
“Those who do not fully understand the Father’s loving plan for His children may consider this Family Proclamation no more than a changeable statement of policy. In contrast, we affirm that the Family Proclamation [is] founded on unchangeable doctrine[.]" President Oaks
@LDSMormon
When you have been told something very normal is sinful, it is natural to want to do that thing once you realize that it is not actually sinful.
@EvanMcMullin
So what does "safeguards access to health care" refer to? In context that sounds like a euphemistic way of saying you are going to protect abortion access? So what abortion policies exactly would you support?
@farmingandJesus
"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!" (Romans 5:17)
@TaylorPetrey
I never loved how LDS feel the need to defend everything that Biblical figures did. I have been pleasantly surprised that even very conservative evangelicals don't feel the same need and are much more willing to say that Abraham sinned in lying or that marrying Hagar was wrong.
During his closing remarks, the spirit testified to me once again that President Nelson is a true prophet of God. We have been so blessed to have him lead the Church in these days. His life is inspiring and I love how he constantly points us to Christ.
A federal district court judge issued a preliminary injunction finding that the flyer policy which gave unbridled discretion to college officials to remove anything they found "inappropriate" or "offensive" likely violated the First Amendment.
2/4
@JoeDudekJD
No, and 303 Creative does not mean you can put a "No LGBTQ+ Clients Allowed" sign out either. The decision is about narrow First Amendment limits to public accommodation laws when clearly expressive First Amendment activity is at issue.
@SoelbergGrace
This is not true. The Church permits abortion in certain circumstances, it never requires them. The Church would be fine with a ban as shown by the fact that it never pushes for greater access as a matter of religious freedom in countries where it is illegal.
This is a big deal. In the name of protecting children ICWA makes it harder for states to protect the best interest of Indian children. It makes the bigoted assumption that a child is better off with a member of any tribe than with a non-native family. Unconstitutional and wrong.
The Supreme Court announced today that it'll review the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act
#ICWA
.
ICWA is a complicated law, so it takes a while to get up to speed on its many problems. So, if you're new to this story, here's where to start for more info:
I have been blessed beyond measure by my choice to be baptized and to serve a mission. My wife and I were sealed in the temple and we have three beautiful daughters. Every good thing in my life came from my willingness to let God prevail and follow his will for me.
@dogmaticaddict
I was LDS for fourteen years. Unfortunately I don't think Joseph Smith restored the truth. His teachings lead people away from saving faith in Christ.
And then you have legal groups, like
@PacificLegal
, also funded by dark money, which have a different role. Cases don't wind their way to the court, they get shoved to the court to by these legal groups.
So you can start to look at these, and you can start to tie them together.
@hankrsmith
Thanks for standing up for the Prophet Joseph Smith. The divine truths that he revealed are so precious. He was a chosen seer. I honor him because the truths that he revealed resonate so deeply with my soul.
The Republicans won’t stop with banning abortion. They want to ban interracial marriage. Do you want to save that? Well, then you should probably vote.
@JimboliciousC
No. This is what trinitarians say about us and it's wrong. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and him crucified and resurrected is a Christian. We don't need to gatekeep.
@HannaSeariac
Sorry you had a rough weekend
A recent fav is 3 Nephi 9:13-14
"[W]ill ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? ..
Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you
and whosoever will come, him will I receive ..."
The Utah Supreme Court is considering a code of civility for lawyers which was stifle speech. This is a really bad idea. My colleague
@ethanwb
and I submitted a comment explaining why on behalf of
@PacificLegal
.
@dortner1
and I, on behalf of
@PacificLegal
, have written a letter to the Utah Supreme Court urging the court to reject a proposed Utah Bar rule that will impose a code of civility on lawyers that stifles their First Amendment rights.
#utpol
#lawtwitter
This is so true. I was never comfortable with masculinity before I joined the Church because I did not understand what true masculinity could look like.
@HannaSeariac
People sometimes speak of toxic masculinity.
I can't think of a place where I have been taught more about true, healthy masculinity than in the church, where masculinity is about service, kindness, profound emotion, humility, and sacrifice.
We have a preliminary injunction hearing set for December 15th to hopefully get a court order preventing the Governor from enforcing his shut down orders.