EXTREMELY IMPORTANT * EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT * EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

Re: Proposed RSICC O a t h o f O f f i c e

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Remnant Saints Inter-Continental Congress
NEWSLETTER
Volume 1 Number 12
February 27, 2002 2:00 am MST

To: Full RSICC Membership and Friends

http://www.rsicc.org/Newsletter/2002/Feb27MrSmith_Affirmation.htm


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