Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace. What an awesome movie!!! This movie recounts the story of the British politician William Wilberforce, who fought for the abolition of slavery in Britain. This young and eloquent politician faced the most bitter opposition for divers reasons, among them economical reasons, personal selfishness, and fear or rebellion and revolution.

As Wilberforce tries to pass his abolition bills through the House of Lords, they were defeated. The main initial reason for his defeat occurs because British politicians are afraid that they will lose the trust of their constituents, many of whom depend on slave trade for financial reasons. Slave trade was a flourishing business in eighteenth century Britain. Most of these slaves were sold to sugar plantations in the United States and the islands of the Caribbean. Without question, the slavery enterprise brought much revenue to both the British crown and English men. For this reason, it was very hard for the House of Lords to pass an abolition bill: they believed that it would affect the British economy in a disastrous way.

There were also personal interest issues. Many of the Lords were either linked to the slave business or were related to the crown, which meant that they were directly benefited by the slave trade.

Another issue that Wilberforce faced was terrible historical timing. The French revolution started during the time that Wilberforce was trying to pass his abolition bills. Soon after that war broke out in Europe. All those fighting for abolition were faced with the prospect of being considered traitors and therefore lost all credibility and support. As the war against France continued, Wilberforce was forced to give up his fight for freedom.

Sadly enough, during this time of defeat Wilberforce faced some trials of his own. Due to illness and pains he became addicted to opium, an addiction that almost completely destroyed his health and life. However, with the help of his wife he was able to overcome this addiction and once again fully return to politics.

As the war against France came to an end, the mood in England changed, and once again the people were a little more receptive to Wilberforce's message. With the help of his friends, William devised a plan that didn't attack slave trade directly, but indirectly affected the ships that carried slaves. However, most people didn't realized this. A few months after this new bill passed, the slave trade industry was in ruins and therefore, the circumstances had become much more favorable for Wilberforce. Under this new tide, he decided to propose an abolition bill once again, this time being approved by the House of Lords and recommended to the king. With this bill, slave trade was finally over in the British Empire.

Thanks to the will power and unstoppable effort of one man, the lives of millions were saved. Amazing grace is a true example of how one man or woman can make a difference for good in the entire world. William Wilberforce will always be remembered for his offering to all the human family.

The example of William Wilberforce can be applied to our world today. There are many changes that we can bring to the world. Changes that will make the world a better place. However, these changes will take much effort if we truly want to make them happen. Following the example of Wilberforce we can fight for what we know to be right, in spite of adversity.

Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln's second inaugural address is undoubtedly one of the most eloquent discourses ever produced. This short message was given as the president took the oath for the second time and as the civil war was coming to an end. Even though there are many great things about this document, there are two things in particular that I really enjoy. The first one is the very last paragraph of the address: With malice towards none; with charity for all men, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wound; to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves and with all nations. What I find truly amazing about this paragraph is that Abraham Lincoln was so ready to forgive and help those who had been his enemies and have sought for the destruction of the nation. It is amazing to me that he is willing to forgive those that decided to go to war for selfish reason, to keep their brethren enslaved. That is truly amazing to me, that he was so ready to forgive and accept everyone.

The second point that I really like is when he calls out those who would find just to make their brethren work as slaves for them. It is truly remarkable that people would have thought that they had any claim to divine assistance goes against the nature of charity, the true love of Christ. But as Lincoln wisely remarks, it is better for us not to pas any judgement.

I truly enjoyed reading this document. I recommend you all to do it =)

The Second Great Awakening and Joseph Smith

Last week in my American History class, we talked about the Second Great Awakening and the impact it had on America, particularly on Joseph Smith. For those who are not sure who Joseph Smith was let me give a brief explanation. Joseph Smith was a farm boy from upstate New York born in 1805. For much of his life he struggled over the question of religion. He was raised in a home that was divided over the issue of religion. His mother belonged to the Presbyterian faith while his father was a fervent Christian but did not participate actively in any denomination. Joseph on the other hand was partially inclined towards the Methodist faith. Not knowing what to do, Joseph followed the James' advice, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." And so Joseph did. At age 14, he prayed to God to receive guidance and to know his standing before Him. While praying, Joseph received a vision in which he saw the Father and the Son. They commanded him to join none of the churches. In time, Joseph was prepared to become a prophet and establish once again over the earth the Church of Jesus Christ.

Alright, after that into, sometime really interesting about Joseph's story is that were it not for the Second Great Awakening and the religious upheaval it brought, perhaps Joseph would had never wondered what church to join and would had never received a vision. In other words, the Second Great Awakening was a preparatory step towards the restoration of the Gospel upon the earth.

The Crandall Printing Museum = Awesomeness

So, last week I got to go to one of Provo's awesomest places: The Crandall Printing Museum. For those who haven't had a chance to yet, I truly recommend it. Basically, the museum shows the different advances in printing technology throughout history. It starts with Gutenberg's printing press and the creation of movable types. Before this time it would take months and months for a scribe in some monastery to copy a book by hand. Many times errors were make during this long process. After Gutenberg introduced the movable types and the printing press, hundreds of copies could be printed in only a few months. Gutenberg's press is considered by many the greatest creation in the history of mankind!!!

After this, the tour goes to a section where much about the American revolution is learned and the efforts to print tracts that would inspired the Revolutionary cause. Without the invention of the press the American revolution would have been impossible. Lastly, the tour goes through the times of the Restoration of the Gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. As I was going through the tour I felt that the Lord really inspired men to do marvelous works. Overall, the Crandall Museum experience was great. I really loved it!!!

The Revolution of Women

Last week in class we learned about the Women's Equal Right Movement and the Seneca Fall Convention in which the Declaration of Sentiments was delivered. We were prompted by our TA to think about why the Women's revolution took so long to come and then to write about it. As I was thinking about the condition of women throughout the United States history, I realized that perhaps women enjoyed more rights before the War of Revolution than before. Let me rephrase that, perhaps women enjoyed equality with men before the revolution. Let me explain this point.
Before the revolutionary war, actually before 1820, the American economy was based on a rather unsophisticated agricultural system; there were no big road, no trains or steam boats, no high-tech machinery. Under these circumstances both men and women had to work shoulder-to-shoulder. Thus, by defect, men and women became equal partners in society. However, the situation changed after 1820, when important technological advances were introduced to America. With these advances, the help of women was seen no longer necessary by the men of the day and therefore, women were secluded to a life inside their homes. With economical deprivation also comes political and social inequality.

It was at this moment in time that women saw the need to organize themselves and fight for their constitutional rights. Probable the most famous event in the fight for equality is the convention at Seneca Falls. During this convention, the Declaration of Sentiments was read. This declaration borrows ideas from the Declaration of Independence and in a very slick way address the problems that women face and calls for a solution.

La Amistad

Last week in my American history class we had the chance one of the most amazing movies I've seen in a long time, "La Amistad." I recommend it. Anyway, the movie recounts the story of a group of African villagers who are kidnapped away from their native land and taken on a boat to be sold as slaves in America. The African villagers rebel and take over the boat that finally lands on the American coast. They are taken under custody by American authorities and a legal battle starts regarding what should be done with the kidnapped Africans. With the help an attorney and John Quincy Adams they are finally freed and returned to Africa.

There are two scenes in the movie that I found precious. The first one occurs during the one of the trials. The leader of the African villagers stands up and in broken english pleads with the authorities to be given back his freedom. To me, this scene shows the uncoquerable human spirit: nothing can take away our freedom forever.

The second scene that I really like occured as the African leader is talking to John Quincy Adams. He tells Adams that he will pray so that all of his ancesters even from the beginning of time will come to help him in his time of trial. To which Adams replies how does he know that they will come. The leader answers, because at this very moment in time I am the very purpose for which they existed.

The Federalists Papers

Last week, in my American Heritage class, we talked about the coming forth of the Constitution of the United States. As many leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have declared, the Constitution is an inspired document, penned by men who sought after the welfare of their nation and all nations may be benefited by applying the principles found therein.
In particular, last week we talked about the so-called "Federalists Papers." This is a series of papers written mostly by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, that had as purpose to inform the average American of the political situation of their day, meaning, what was being debate regarding the Constitution. The authors of these papers explain the benefits of the different points found in the Constitution and defend these points against the attacks of adversaries. In particular, I would like to refer to the Federalist Paper no. 57, which is a defense against an attack on the idea of the House of Representatives.

Opponents to the Constitution, argued that a House of Representatives would aim at the sacrifice of the ambitions of many to the aggrandizement of the few. The authors of Paper no. 57 argued that this can't be further from reality. First, because the member of the House of Representatives would be chosen from the people and by the masses. Therefore, they would represent the interests of the majority of the country. Second, the founding fathers understood the men have a natural desire of power and that therefore, the members of the House of Representatives would want to be reelected over and over again. For this reason, they were given a short period as member of the House and then they had to go to reelections. Knowing that in order to be reelected they would have to represent their constituents, the House of Representatives would truly represent the masses, as oppose to the few, as their enemies claimed.

I find it truly interesting that the Founding Fathers were able to work with the follies of human nature in order to create a form of government that would preserve freedom and would last through the centuries.

The Constitution

Doubtlessly, the Constitution of the United States of America is one of the great master pieces ever conceived by the human mind through the ages. As the new nation struggled to survive, the founding fathers saw the need for a new type of government that would regulate the affairs of the nation in such a way as to make it stable through the ages. James Madison had a particularly great role in the early drafts of the document that later would be known as the Constitution of the United States. He saw the need for a strong central government that would represent the people and would be able to regulate the affairs of the different states. This was not an easy task due to the difference in nature among the different states, i.e. their size, economy, form of government, religion beliefs, etc. However, Madison understood that in order to secure the future of the young nation and to regulate the international affairs of the country, it was necessary to establish a stronger government.

Madison also saw the need for a true democracy in which all different groups would represented and treated with fairness. In order to accomplish this purpose, he devised a plan in which there woul be a senate and a house of representatives in order to represent the people of the United States. This one point in the Constitution gives the nation the stability it needs to continue through the ages.

John Adams

Hello again!!! Another week has passed by and I am once again writing about the American History. Last week in class, we were able to watch a movie about the life of John Adams. Something I found surprising and didn't know vefore was that John Adams was such a vocal proponent of declaring independence from Britain. I always hear the names of people like Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Washington, but as portrayed by the film, John Adams was the main voice when it came to the issue of declaring independence.

Something amazing about his ideals was the fact that he realized that the American colonies were about to do something that had never been done before: create a republican government that had as an end to get rid of most of the issues that governments throughout history had had.

Another facet of the life of John Adams that I really enjoyed was the relationship he had with his wife. Thet were truly best friends, and shared with each other all their feelings and ideas.

The Revolution of Sober Expectations

Last week in class, we talked about the talk "The Revolution of Sober Expectations," by Martin Diamond. Dr. Diamond explains how the Founding Fathers understood that men were not perfect and that therefore it would be pointless to try to establish a utopian type of government. Moreover, the Founding Fathers also realized that when making laws they could use the imperfections of men to the advantage of the people. For example, by having congressmen be elected every two years, one makes sure that they actually work during that period in order to be reelected for the next period.

One of the things that impresses me the most about the Revolution of Sober expectations is the simplicity of the whole thing. The Founding Fathers used their common sense to solve real problems in an effective way. It makes me think that in our times we can do the same. We can use our coomon sense to solve many of the problems we have nowadays, like public health, excesive debt, etc.

The Declaration of Independence

Last week, in my American Heritage class, we talked about the Declaration of Independence. This magnificent document, penned mainly by Thomas Jefferson, is a true ensign to all nations who seek for freedom. I have read this document many times before, but as I read again this time, pondering about the significance of Black History Month, I realized that all nations and peoples are blessed by God to have a desire to be free, independent, and to establish equality and justice among them. And so was the desire of Martin Luther King Jr., one of our national heroes. In order to commemorate his birthday, Brigham Young University invited Howard Dodson to speak at a university forum. Professor Dodson shared very interesting numbers regarding African slavery during the colonial period. However, what impacted me the most were his comments regarding the leaders of our nation. Dr. Dodson mentioned the need for leaders who uphold the ideals etched on the Declaration of Independence, who seek for peace and the welfare of their people. This point had such a great impact on me because I believe this is exactly what the founding fathers had in mind when they wrote and signed the Declaration. Their lives were at stake. When they signed that document, their fate and the fate of their families was sealed forever. However, they did not fear, they did not doubt. They signed the document; they worked and fought for the welfare of America.

The document that they wrote contains inspired principles that, if followed, will bring any people to peace and prosperity. I truly believe that God inspired these men to bring about a great work. God be thanked for the sacrifice of our founding fathers.