|
| |
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington -- RSICC Oath of Office
announcement to rs_public
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington -- RSICC
Oath of Office
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT * EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT * EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
Re: Proposed RSICC O a t h o f O f f i c e
Remnant Saints Inter-Continental Congress
NEWSLETTER
Volume 1 Number 12
February 27, 2002 2:00 am MST
To: Full RSICC Membership and Friends
 This
evening my wife and I watched the timeless classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" -- a
truly inspiring moving.
I saw it while attending BYU years ago, but I must have slept through it because I didn't remember
anything about it, other than the idea that a brave man takes on the corrupt powers that have
infiltrated the Nation's Capital.
The role Jimmy Stewart played epitomizes the "weak and simple things of the earth who thrash
the nations by the power of the Spirit." I like to think that we here at RSICC are to world
governance what "Mr. Smith" was portrayed to be to Congress. We are idealists --
simpletons, really; and we have the plain truth on our side. We are being pitted against a system
that is deeply entrenched and very corrupt. And we are going to win, though it will be anything but
easy. We might not have half the "brains" that the powers that be put on airs to possess,
and certainly none of the connections, none of the "friends in high places" that enable
things to happen or not to happen. But what we do possess is a commitment to common decency and
common sense.
As we start out, and even late in the game, we are going to be made to look the fool in the eyes of
the world; like we are the ones in error, not those who are seeking to silence or destroy us because
they know we possess enough knowledge to expose them and ruin their plans. Even they know that what
we have is actually the truth, and many of those watching on know it too; while the big question
will be whether or not we will be able to hang in there long enough to prevail, even though it would
appear that all is lost -- when the sentiment of those we are supposed to represent is even turned
against us. It will be in that darkest of hours, that our unyielding devotion to the truth we
possess will carry us and will carry the day.
It was at that crucial moment, when Mr. Smith proclaims that he will continue to fight, even as he
collapses to the floor of the Senate in sheer exhaustion, that God steps in and moves on the hearts
of what goodness remains in those who had become corrupted. I can't help but think that there is a
prophetic overtone in that depiction, as it parallels both the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ as well
as the marring of the servant (a body of ones mighty and strong) prophesied to happen in the latter
days as well.
One of the things that struck me more than almost anything else in the movie was the oath of office,
which "Mr. Smith" obviously took very seriously.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the
same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and
that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So
help me God."
The thought occurred to me was that we as a guild ought to implement a preliminary form of this when
inducting new members (and those who are current members would also be required to take such an
affirmation to continue as members). The difference is that rather than affirming that we will
support and defend the Constitution (which we do anyway), we affirm that we will support and defend
the development of a new constitution that will have as its object the protection of freedom and of
the fundamental rights of all mankind on this planet.
Joining RSICC should not be viewed lightly, as if it were something one can just leave at any time
if they decide it's not for them, like a party they come in and visit for a few minutes before
departing on the slightest whim. We need people to realize what they are up against, what we are
aiming for, and then to commit to be a part of this and to stick with it.
Leaving RSICC ought to be as difficult, and carry as much of a stigma, as divorce; or as resigning
from a political office. It should not be easy.
MY PUBLIC AFFIRMATION
I, Sterling D. Allan, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the development of a
constitution for the entire world as well as for nations, states and communities, that will protect
the freedom and fundamental rights of all mankind; that I will defend this cause against all
enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to this cause; that I take
this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well
and faithfully discharge the duties of the office to which I am called to fulfill as my conscience
directs: So help me God.
END OF PUBLIC AFFIRMATION
I hold no malice towards those of my compatriots who wish to take a similar oath without evoking
acknowledgement of their trust in God to assist in carrying out this charge. While I hold such a
trust and reliance deeply in my faith, I also believe it a crucial tenet of freedom to allow others
to believe otherwise and yet be devoted to the common cause of freedom.
As for RSICC, this acknowledgement and reliance upon God is an inseparable element that we embrace.
It is one of the distinguishing factors of our mission.
I hope others of you will join with me in proclaiming such a pledge. Feel free to do so by sending
it to the guild. You may send it directly, or you can send it through myself or Joe Eldred so we can
forward it to the entire guild.
Any such declaration ought to be spoken before the entire guild.
Perhaps we ought to standardize the wording of the affirmation. If any of you have reason to alter
the wording I have chosen above, then we can bring the matter to a discussion and vote on it.
Otherwise, let us presume that this wording will suffice for adoption by the guild. The absence of
recommendations for altered wording during the next 72 hours will be viewed as guild approval of the
above wording.
Also, unless a contrary opinion is stated within the next 72 hours, the taking of such an oath
publicly before the entire guild will henceforth be required for membership in RSICC. If a contrary
opinion is voiced, then we can discuss the matter and bring it before the guild for a vote. Current
members can be granted a space of one month in which to make such an affirmation before the guild.
We need such a commitment -- not to the organization, but to what the organization is set out to
accomplish; an ideal that is timeless and very timely. And because RSICC as an organization is
focused on this cause, the oath of allegiance to this cause should have enough overlap with our
organization that joining the organization should only be done with the most solemn of commitment
intended, and leaving the organization should only be under the most extreme of circumstances.
To those of you who have left, I invite you to reconsider. To those who are yet members or
considering becoming such, I invite you to probe deeply and see if you have in your heart of hearts
this solid commitment that will be so important in enabling us as a body to accomplish what is set
before us.
Sincerely, your brother in the cause of freedom,
Sterling D. Allan
|
