Similarities with Machiavelli's the Prince and Doctrine and Covenants 121

In Doctrine and Covenants 121 it states how a man acts when given power (and in this case this power and authority of the priesthood), and what type of attributes he/she should have to remain that authority. It states:

“But when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”

Simply put, if we exercise in any unrighteous manner, the authority we have will be worthless. A similar question we can even ask ourselves, are the things we do for our vain ambitions? Is it to gratify our pride? Is it to control the souls of other people? If it is, we should worry about our own soul and our own relationship with God.

In Machiavelli's The Prince, It teaches one how to rule. Instead of the Doctrine and Covenants and becoming in good standing with God, we learn how to be in good standing with the people one would have authority over. At the beginning of the book it states how it is easier to rule when given as a hereditary authority rather than having to move into a new kingdom as ruler. The Prince in essence gives examples of how to make the right decisions when you become ruler of a foreign territory. Some of these include: Making sure one does not have too much power and too many soldiers in the territory they have rule over. Making sure if and when a revolt arrises harshly suppress the rebels to make sure it does not get out of hand. There are many others, and they all revolve around making sure the ruler is in good standing with the people they have rule over. 

We see the differences in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Prince. While one is directed at authority for God's sake and another is for mans sake. However, it boils down to if you do not respect the people you have authority over, or try to rule as a pure dictatorship. That power and authority will be stripped from you, whether that be from God or man.

Similarities Between Ancient Rome and the US

Today we live in a world that has multiple problems. I agree we live in a wonderful country were we are free, however, there are issues we are facing. After reading book three in Juvenile’s Satire, I see the shocking similarities between the US and ancient Rome. As connected with my prior post, here are the issues we are facing today that can be related back to ancient Rome.

1. Tax reform – Romans had a tax rate that would climb up to 3%. However, this was due to everything they own. It appeared they were not just taxed on income, but they were taxed on property, slaves, personal property, etc. As Americans do pay taxes assessed on the value of our property on a monthly basis. We only have to pay taxes on our personal property (sales tax) once, and that is when we purchase it. However, it appeared the Romans would continually pay yearly taxes on their personal property.  When Rome conquered a city they would force those cities to pay taxes to the state of Rome. As Americans we tax on income earned in the US. However, Romans taxed everyone that was under Roman rule. Because their tax laws played a part in the demise of the Roman Empire, it is important to notice that taxes are what fuels a country. While we are collected a lot more of a percentage than the Romans, we still might not be collected in the best manor.

2. Gap between rich and poor – The Romans had a large gap between the poor and the rich. According to the Roman’s, it was all about how fancy of clothes one wore, or how much property your neighbor has. What was terrible about the Roman society was if you do not live such a lavish life, you were considered scum of the earth. In Juvenile’s Satire book 3, line 144 it states: “A man's word is believed in exact proportion to the amount of cash which he keeps in his strong-box.” That is all that mattered according to the Romans. Your word is believed only to the amount of money you had, so the wealthier one is the more power one had.

3. Wage issues – Never in Juvenile’s Satire does it tell the Roman’s salaries, or to how much they were getting paid. However, on line 164, you could tell that there was enough wage discrepancy to cause such a separation from two different classes: rich and poor. It states:

“It is no easy matter, anywhere, for a man to rise when poverty stands in the way of his merits: but nowhere is the effort harder than in Rome, where you must pay a big rent for a wretched lodging, a big sum to fill the bellies of your slaves, and buy a frugal dinner for yourself.”

It is not hard to tell how similar our society is today with in the days of Rome. There was such a high rent in Rome that the poor did not belong their. I just got back from living in New York City. I found while living there that years ago Harlem was a place where the poor could afford and be part of our society. However, slowly through time the cost of living started to rise. Now the rent and cost to live in the city has risen so significantly, the poor are being pushed out, not letting them be part of our society.

4. Education – In Rome education is only for the rich. On line 126 in Juvenile’s Satire it states:  “Here in Rome the son of free-born parents has to give the wall to some rich man's slave.” This shows that if you weren’t wealthy you spent your days as a slave to those who were wealthy. Granted in America, everyone is free; however, it is similar to those days of Rome because not everyone in America receives the equal right to education.

 5. Ethics/Moral/Religious decline – The whole third book of Juvenile’s Satire, moral and ethic decline seems to be the overarching issue. Umbricius states to his friend: "Since there is no room, for honest callings in this city, no reward for labour, Farewell my country.” (Speaking of Rome). The whole reason Umbricius left, was he felt he could not be an honest man and stay a successful person in the city of Rome. This is very similar to America, just getting back from an internship in New York City, I couldn’t tell you how many times other interns would be unethical, so they would get paid more. At a happy hour with my co-workers I was told my profession would suffer if I did not drink with them, even though I would go to the bars and socialize with them. Simply because I was not going to break my moral code I was told I was not going to as successful as them. This shows what type of society we live in, and that it is very similar to the Romans. I was being told that because of my morals I would fail in todays society, and just as Umbricius feels, I feel I cannot be an honest man and a successful business man at the same time.

Bibliography

"Taxes in the Roman Empire." Roman Taxes. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 July 2015.

"Ancient History Sourcebook: Juvenal: Satire 3 (English)." Internet History Sourcebooks. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 July 2015.

Social Problems Facing Our Society Today

There are many challenging social problems facing the United States today. Growing up singing songs about America made me think our country was perfect. As much as I love our country I realize we have problems we are facing. To name a few:

1. Tax reform – The United States has the third highest corporate income tax rate in the world. The world wide average is 22.6 percent while the US is at 39.1 percent. This makes companies based the US, source their income to these countries with a much lower tax rate (which is perfectly legal). If the US would just lower their rates many more US based companies would keep their income domestic, bringing more income to the United States.

2. Gap between rich and poor – I am not talking about the gap between middle class and the poor, I am talking about the truly wealthy and the poor. The wealthy where they have been inherited trust funds in their names. When they get to the age of twenty they already have a billion dollars to their name. What gives the right of a child to have a billion more dollars than the kid who was born in a home where he went to bed hungry every night?

3. Wage issues – I agree minimum wage is fine for the seventeen year old who works at your friendly neighborhood Smith’s, that job and salary builds a strong work ethic for our younger generation. However, it is an issue for a 45 year old man who is married has three kids and working morning and night for a lousy minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. That comes to a total of $15,080 a year. Yes this man might not have a great education and some might say he deserves it. However, shouldn’t we be as Christ and love all mankind and strive to help them? Isn’t there something we can do to pay this man a little more?

4. Education – Education is a right that should be given to all men and woman. It should not matter on ones race, sexual orientation, economic class. While many children do not get a good enough education to help them grow and be successful. It should be available and accessible to all, so all can have an equal opportunity in life.

5. Ethics/Moral/Religious decline – This is an issue that will continue to decrease. However, I think it is important for those of us that do have a moral code, to not lose it! Our moral code is the one thing we not only carry on to our next life, but it is the thing that will truly differentiate us from others. I have lived and worked in big cities, and have seen what makes good men truly great. It is by ones moral code, they live a life of freedom and respect.

Bibliography
"Corporate Income Tax Rates around the World, 2014." Tax Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 July 2015.

Plato's Crito Compared to the LDS 12th Article of Faith

Plato’s Crito is an inspiring dialogue between Socrates and his friend, Crito, and the appropriate response to injustice. Socrates has been imprisoned wrongly and his wealthy friend, Crito, has arranged his escape. Socrates refuses, holding to his principles to uphold the law and insisting that when he dies he will be judged in the underworld for behaving unjustly towards his city’s laws. He says, “In leaving the prison against the will of the Athenians, do I wrong any? Or rather do I not wrong those whom I ought least to wrong? Do I not desert the principles which were acknowledged by us to be just?” Socrates was not willing to break man’s law because he did not want to break God’s law. He ends the discourse by saying, “Then let me follow the intimations of the will of God”. Similarly, faithful Latter-day Saints feel the same as Socrates, we “believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law”. However, in line with Socrates’ closing statement, we need to obey the laws of our land, but we are first accountable to God, not man.

Socrates’ believed that by breaking man’s law, he would have broken his covenants to God as well. His virtue remained in tact in the face of adversary. Many instances in history show that man’s laws are not always in line with God’s laws, and in these circumstances, we must remember that we are accountable to God’s laws, and need to hold ourselves to a higher standard.  The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have said:

“For much of human history, civil laws have generally been compatible with God’s laws. Unfortunately, there have been notable exceptions to that pattern. For example, it is legal in the United States to perform an abortion on an unborn fetus. However, this practice is not morally acceptable before God. The consumption of alcohol, while contrary to God’s law, is legal in most nations of the world, but the physical and social toll for doing so is a painful matter of record.”

Socrates insightfully remarked that by breaking out of prison he would make himself an outlaw who would not be welcome in any other states, and when he dies, he will be harshly judged by God for behaving unjustly towards his city’s laws. There is no justification for men to break the law of the land. Christ gave us the example of the law-abiding citizen when the Pharisees asked Christ is it was lawful to give tribute money to Caesar. After learning Caesar’s inscription was on the tribute money Christ said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matt 22:21).

The recent Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States is an example of that discrepancy.  The Council of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have said:

“Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” 

While the trends of society will continue to change, we must acknowledge the laws of the land that that are different than God’s, and we must adhere to God’s laws. President Holland advises, “all of us are accountable to God for the responsible exercise of our religious beliefs and we are calling on our fellow citizens to be responsible in exercising their religious freedom.” When the laws of the land deviate from God’s, remember whom we will all be accountable to in the final Day of Judgment. We are not at liberty to change God’s laws.

Bibliography

“52d.” Four Texts on Socrates: Plato’s Euthyhro ,Apology, and Crito, and Aristophanes’ Clouds. Ithaca [N.Y.: Cornell UP, 1984. Print.

Smith, Joseph. “Chapter 1:12.” The Pearl of Great Price, Salt Lake City: F.D. Richards, 1851. Print

“Breaking News: LDS Chrurch Leaders Issue New Directive On Gay Marriage.” Gephardt Daily. 1 July 2015. Web. 6 July 2015
“Transcript of News Conference on Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination.” www.mormonnewsroom.org. Web. 6 July 2015.

My Epithet's

Grit
I am in the top Accounting program in the nation. Did my smarts get me here? No.  I got here because of my hard work and determination. When I set a goal, I reach that goal. I know that I can do anything the smartest person in the world can do. Why? Because I can work twice as hard as they do and get the same result. It is by my gritty personality I have become the man I am today.

Obedience
According to my belief of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I live my life by one word. Obedience. I may not be the most smart and sophisticated individual. However, I know that if I am obedient to the commandments God has given us here on this earth, my God will direct me in the path I should go, and will bless me.

Logical 
I am in my graduate studies here at Brigham Young University. I am studying Accounting. If any one knows an accountant, we are not the most creative individuals. We like facts and things that make sense. Having this said, I like things that are clear and understandable. I am not one who likes to get caught up in theories, I am one who likes to base my belief on facts.

Budgeter
I live my life around budgets. Budgets are how I feel in control of myself. I like order and stability, and having a budget is a perfect way to keep both of these. I set goals, and having a budget helps me hit my goals. I like to see my future as one where I have planned out and am financially prepared. That is why I live off of budgets. As I start now and investing my resources, I am able to prepare for the future.