This Is Who I Am

For the last 3 years, I have been careful about what I say on this blog. Why? Because I am a writer, and I had hopes of making it big in publishing. I had hopes of getting an agent in the national market, and making a name for myself in the industry. And I had read in many, many places that as an author I would have to be careful about what I say, and how I say it, especially in a public forum such as the internet.

I may yet get an agent for a future project. I may yet find a national audience for the things I write.

But if I do, they are going to have to take me as I am.

I like to write RELIGIOUS fiction. I like to talk about my beliefs on this blog. I like to talk occasionally about politics.

Will that keep me from getting a national contract? Maybe. Maybe not.

But this much I know: There is a fire growing within me. A desire to express the way I feel about world conditions, about my faith, and about things which are important to me as a Christian. And I don't think I can pull punches anymore. I have been too quiet. Perhaps I have been too afraid of what I might say, and that my words my close doors of financial opportunity to me somewhere down the road.

Maybe that is true. But you know, I don't care anymore. I don't care about the prospects of money and fame. I DO care about a great many other things, however. I care about who I am.

Who am I?

I am a believer in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Redeemer, and our Advocate with the Eternal Father. I am Christian.

I am also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am a Mormon. I hope that I am never, ever labeled as one of those wishy-washy, can't-make-up-his-mind Mormons like Jon Huntsman Junior. I don't understand why he can't seem to answer the question in an un-equivocal way. Either he is Mormon, or he ain't. Step up to the plate, buddy.

I am very conservative–politically, and in my religious and moral beliefs. I believe the Second Amendment is my personal right to bear arms and defend my family. I believe in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. I believe in the rights of religious freedom, and freedom of speech.

I believe in people taking responsibility for their actions. I don't believe that freedom of speech gives a person the right to injure other people.

I believe in being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Yes, I am an Eagle Scout. I earned that award, the "On My Honor" award, and the "Duty to God" award. I believe that program helped me to become the man I am today.

I fully support our troops. I am patriotic. I am forever grateful for the sacrifice of those who gave their all so that I might enjoy the freedoms which I have.

I love my family. They are dear to me, and the greatest treasure I have now and in the eternities.

That is who I am. Or at least, who I strive to be. I hope that I may continue to strive for that excellence.

And if there are readers out there who think it's not appropriate to be so direct about beliefs and politics and such on a writer's blog, all I can say is that I respectfully disagree with you. I want the world to get the same ME, whether online, or in person. God gave me the gifts which I have. I suspect that He has not raised me up to be ME so that I can hide in a corner, afraid of what people might think if I open my mouth and share what I believe. If you read my writings–short-stories or novel–you are going to see these beliefs come out in the words on the page. I can't help it. And in fact, I think you can tell a lot about a person by reading what they write.

Around here, you're going to get the real me. It's who I am. I hope that means we can still be friends.