A Political and Prayer Campaign

I am Tom Tomeny, and I am on the ballot as an Unaffilliated Candidate for Governor of Utah on November 5, 2024. While I hope you vote for me, and tell others to do so also, this is more of a prayer campaign than a political campaign.

Utah is blessed to be founded by, and occupied by, mostly Jesus followers. Whether as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints, other faiths, or simply good people following the Way of Jesus by loving one another without any formal religion, the people of Utah are overwhelmingly GOOD.

This campaign would likely have no chance anywhere else, but in Utah, by God, all things are possible.

The Prayer Campaign for Free College for All

As a Jesus follower, and adult convert to the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints, I have learned these three things without doubt:

The Church has the financial, technical, and managerial resources to provide a free, online, degree granting, college experience for all of God's children, perhaps starting only in Utah, but later expanding to the rest of the world.  BYU Pathway- Worldwide is already the model for this, though some changes may need to be made to make it comfortable to be acceptable to people of all religious traditions, or no religious tradition.

There are at least two other worldwide churches that appear to have the resources to start a similar college. Both the Roman Catholic Church and the Seventh Day Adventists come to mind.

And there are individuals who could do this as well. People like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerburg. As we pray and this idea becomes popular, I believe we will see a competitive market for free colleges for all.

Is Online College Really College?

That depends upon you and your learning style. Elon Musk says that he essentially never went to his college classes, but instead studied the textbooks and showed up to take the tests. That's one extreme. Most of the rest of us learn from relationships, relationships with teachers, and relationships with others.

College is meant to be collegial, meaning that all learn from all.  Free College for All will have this as students will spontaneouly form study groups with other nearby students, to learn from one another. And College Guides will emerge offering their services, hopefully on a pay as you please model, to mentor these study groups as desired.

The fine details of this remain to be seen, but it is clear that our current university model is totally broken, as it is dominated by bureacracies that demand conformity to the current groupthink.  Many of the very best teachers are forced to censor themselves, or have been terminated, which is the exact opposite of the Truth seeking that colleges are supposed to have as their mission.

How Does This Change the World?

Another thing I know, without doubt, from my experience as both an educator and life long learner, is that education is THE key to changing the world. Jesus came here as a teacher of moral lessons, and that is the foundation of all learning. Once we learn how to live moral lives, we have the freedom and understanding to live our lives in the service of others, confident as we live for others, all of our dreams eventually come true.

Utah is destined, sooner or later, to be the actual "city on a hill" described in scripture. I believe that nothing will get us there faster than us praying for the Church to institute Free College for All. This will set us apart from the rest of the world, as having, to my knowledge, the first free college education system that is supported by voluntary giving rather than forced taxation. 

This revolution has been brought about by the technological progress made in about the last 200 years that allows for almost everyone in the world to have all the information of the world in the palm of their hand. That technological progress has come from God, as each and all of us live through, with, and in Him, whether we acknowledge Him or not. God works through His children and provides the inspiratiton that is technological progress.

As more and more people's basic needs are met, there is more and more time for learning and creativity. Learning how to more creatively love and serve one another, to be in love with ourselves and all those around each of us, both close and far. In our religious tradition, this is Zion, Heaven come to Earth, with all living in peace and harmony. And we know it is possible, it is the great miracle of the Book of Mormon, found in 4 Nephi.

What Can I Do to Make This Happen?

Pray for it to happen. And ask others to pray for this to happen. Use your networks of friends and followers. And voting to make me Governor of Utah will surely help. To learn more of me please visit my political campaing site, letgodgovern.com. My other inspired ideas for better government may also appeal to you as you begin to comprehend that both the prayer and political campaign are based on the bedrock Bible foundation that Jesus spoke as part of the Sermon on the Mount:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

Paid for by Thomas Tomeny through the provision of Jesus. Feel free to call me at 801-318-3122 or email me at ttomeny gmail.