Have you ever read a book which literally changed the course of your thinking and your life? That happened to me in 1981.
When Dr. W. Cleon Skousen published The Five Thousand Year Leap in 1981, I was fortunate enough to receive one of the first copies right off the press. I had heard about the project, which lasted actually several decades, and was most anxious to see the result. Little did I know how much its reading would be a life-changing experience for me.
As I read the text, I immediately noticed something special about the book. Very easy to read, it seemed to bring the confusion of politics into clear focus. Dr. Skousen has said many times that the Founders' success formula would solve nearly every problem we have in America today. When one studies these principles one by one, he cannot help exclaiming, "This is right, this is all true, this is really what we should be doing!" It gives one a feeling of confidence in today's confused world.
I became so excited about the principles in this book that I determined others need to feel the enthusiasm of these foundational principles of freedom. Since 1981, I have traveled not only my own state, but into nearly every state in the union teaching these principles. I found it does for others what it did for me. I have seen state legislators turn on to these principles, I have seen ministers recognize these principles as godly, I have seen citizens from all walks of life recognize common ground with the Founders' through these Principles of Liberty.
In later years, I have particularly seen the youth of the rising generation pick up on these principles. I have grown to love to teach these to young people. They seem to be able to easily recognize the hypocrisy of many situations in public life today and they are searching for answers. There is no greater reward a teacher can have than to see his students come alive to the freedom story and begin to identify with and think like America's Founding Fathers. As they do, they begin to ask, "Why are we not doing this today?" They also carry the feeling of these principles into their homes. I have had many parents express to me that they have never had such interesting and informative family discussions than since their high school student began telling what he or she was learning about the Founding Fathers.
Young people seem to have a peeked interest in current events when approached in the right way. Not only are they interested, they are able to dissect the situation and describe the correct solution to many problems which exist in America today.
Is there any more important subject to have our young people learn in our time than that of being able to restore and preserve our liberty? I think not. As Cicero said, there is something godly about this endeavor.
You are about to embark on a study course which could help students develop a firm foundation for the study of all history. Once a student has a working knowledge of the only correct and proven principles for freedom, prosperity, and peace, then other history classes can be taught from a whole different perspective.
American History, for example, becomes a study of how the Untied States, throughout its 200 plus years, has either supported the principles of liberty and prospered, or how we have violated these principles and suffered. A skillful teacher can use the history and events of our own country to reinforce the value of the 28 Principles of Liberty. I have seen young people divide up United States history into 20 periods of time, relate events in each period to the principles, and then describe to the class how the adherence to or departing from correct principles has changed the course of American history.
Also, World History can be taught in terms of mankind's struggle for freedom. Once the ideal form of government has been studied and the principles learned, one can evaluate other countries throughout history and analyze the causes of their successes and failures.
Can any other knowledge be more helpful to the rising generation in America today? America desperately needs better and stronger leaders. We need leaders who know correct answers. I believe this course is a giant step forward in preparing such leaders. I congratulate any teacher for catching the vision and teaching these precepts. I agree with Benjamin Franklin who said any teacher, who has recognized within himself the talent to teach young people, "is as strongly called as if he heard a voice from heaven."
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