Recommended Code of Ethics and Conduct
By Robert Morss and Lucas Denney
As currently Incarcerated, January 6th Political Prisoners, the following message is one we deem extremely significant to the outcome of the futures of those who may share our plight, and one interested in their circumstances, as well as their outlook on life, changing for the better. We recognize that not every individual who has been charged or convicted in reference to the events of January 6th is the same, nor are the motivations that led him or her to the occasion at Washington. However, acknowledging the vast spectrum of individuals that are now bound to the outcome of that day, and due to some individuals’ conduct while incarcerated that has unfortunately cast a negative light on us all, we felt compelled to produce a Recommended Code of Ethics & Conduct, that has been drafted, deliberated over, written and prayed over, so that the following collection of suggestions can be used as a motivational guide to orient the behavior of those behind bars during the most challenging time of our lives, so that as individuals, from this moment forward, we can all make every attempt to bring honor to ourselves, honor to our loved ones, honor to our country, and honor to our Creator, despite the overwhelming odds.
Point 1 - Consider Our Reaction’s Potential
To begin this list of suggestions for future behavior, it is extremely necessary to point out immediately that all eyes are on us, and everything that a single person may do could affect all within the jail/prison we occupy, or individuals on the outside. That being said, since we have so many people watching us within our concrete confines and around the world, so much so that it can feel as if we are living underneath a microscope at all times, we are going to take our first piece of advice from Hebrews 12:1 which says: “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Understanding this, let’s try to think beyond the frustrating situation before us and consider our reactions’ potential so that we do not push ourselves from the frying pan into the fire in front of an audience.
Point 2 - Fix Our Eyes On What Is Unseen
We have all been through more that we thought we could ever bear due to this experience. Most of us have lost everything as an outcome and this document is written by a pair of individuals who have persevered through Dante’s Inferno to be addressing you at this point in time. To remind you that you are not alone in your struggle, we want to reference 2nd Corinthians 4:8 and 4:16-18 to encourage you, which says: “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Point 3 - Become Better Not Bitter
Now it is important to remember and/or recognize that what we have gone through, and what we have yet to go through, has not been wasted in the least measure if we effectively apply our arduous experiences to the betterment of our character. This situation, if we let it, has the potential to build us up, instead of breaking us down. Should we choose, this time can make us better people, instead of bitter people, as we learn in Romans 5:3-5 which says: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into Our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Point 4 - Grow Through This Struggle
If we can realize that this situation is happening “for us” instead of “to us,” everything we have endured up to this point will make more sense, and perhaps we can find enough inner peace with this realization: to not just “go” through this struggle, but “grow” through this struggle. It’s necessary to recognize that we only really adapt and grow when times get tough; but even when they do get tough, we can trust that, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose,” as it says in Romans 8:28.
Point 5 - Suffer Well
So if we have been called then to suffer just a little while, let’s make every attempt to suffer well. In 1st Peter 2:19-20 we are instructed on just how we should handle this suffering we find ourselves in. The Scripture says: “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God.” This is a time for us to recognize, learn, and act out the adage: “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” We can begin to ask ourselves, “How might I have contributed to the problem that is unfolding before me, and how I can I be part of the healing solution?” Meaning, let’s suffer and respond to our individual suffering with dignity, class, a mindset focused on success, with active intention toward an outcome or goal that is mutually uplifting and positive.
Point 6 - Make Decisions Wisely
Let’s be smart about the situation we find ourselves in. We can recall the wisdom of John Wayne who poetically said, “Life is hard; it’s a lot harder when you’re stupid.” Instead of acting in an unintelligent way regarding our suffering, we can tap into the wisdom found in Proverbs 13, verses 3 & 20, which state: “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin,” and “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” This is a golden opportunity to start applying this ancient wisdom so that our superior moral judgment can be evident to all, as we attempt to pursue a more efficient, humble, knowledgeable, and blameless version of ourselves in response to this latest chapter of our lives.
Point 7 - De-Escalate Confrontation
In the spirit of being wise, James1:19-22 has a few excellent points on how to de-escalate inevitable confrontation and maintain a personal atmosphere that is conducive for upward progress. The scripture states: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves; do what it says.” This instruction comes from the same book of the Bible that exclaims, ”Faith without works is dead.” So let’s work hard while we are incarcerated to become better individuals. Let’s do what the Word says, so that our character, maturity, self-control, work ethic, calm demeanor, patience, discipline, and integrity stand out through our actions more than the reason we are incarcerated.
Point 8 - Gain Responsibility
Speaking of working, while we are incarcerated, we should all attempt to gain some measure of responsibility, preferably as an employee of whatever jail/prison we have been sent to, as what’s known as a “detail” or “trustee” position. Not only will this separate us as individuals who have a positive work ethic and distinguishable integrity, but this can also assist us with the goal of returning home faster by earning potential favor in the eyes of our judges, and by redeeming “good time” off of our sentences. Furthermore, having a responsibility, especially during this time, will emotionally help us endure this chapter of our lives with flying colors. For it was Victor Frankl who recalled from his experience in the Nazi concentration camps of World War 2 in his book, Man’s Search For Meaning that, “With a good enough ‘Why’, we can bear any ‘How’.” Having a responsibility or a job gives you that persevering purpose, that meaning to carry on through this present darkness.
You may also recall that in the book of Genesis, chapter 39: 20-23, Joseph was thrown in prison. But because he applied himself and humbled himself before the Lord, not only was everything he accomplished while in captivity blessed from above, but he also found favor with the prison warden because of his work ethic and integrity.
This is our time to be like Joseph. Having a responsibility or a job provides a mental and emotional escape due to your investment of time into something bigger than yourself, which drastically helps our period of incarceration go by with speed. Being employed also provides something external to hold us accountable. We all know that “idle hands are the devil’s greatest tools,” so become or stay busy so that we have “bigger fish to fry” than our own reputation. You will notice that our incarceration becomes easier to persevere through when we have a reason to face the day. If and when you do get a job, on those days when you feel like you have nothing left to give, remember how Colossians 3:23 encourages us when it says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, instead of human masters.”
Point 9 - Improve The Way We Live
It is important to realize that there is always a better way to live. Perhaps coming to jail/prison is the best opportunity (and maybe our last opportunity) to juxtapose the way we have lived in the past with the way we should have been living all along, according to Scripture. Learning how to improve the way we live should be the ultimate goal during this chapter of our lives. Moving forward with the mindset is exactly how we, “Do the time, and not let the time do us.” In Galatians 5:19-26 we are given a clear contrast of how not to behave, by gratifying the desires of the flesh, and how we should behave, by making every effort to live out “the fruits of the spirit.” Verses 22-23 of Galatians Chapter 5 read, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” If we strive to behave in accordance with these characteristics at all times, but especially during this period of development, we have the potential to be appreciated by those we interact with and become even better individuals by the time our incarceration is over. By acting in this way, our repetitive decisions based on positivity, optimism, enthusiasm, cleanliness, respect, maturity, and righteousness can and will separate us naturally from those who desire nothing but petty exploits and immature, selfish goals. Therein, it is likely that history will remember us more fondly if we learn to consistently display the fruits of the spirit toward all we encounter from this moment forward.
Point 10 - Be A Good Ambassador
In addition to the previous attributes from Point 9, which when implemented are extremely effective at deriving amazing results while interacting with other individuals, 2nd Peter 1:5-8 recommends that we take our journey of self-improvement a step further by saying: “…Make every effort to add to your faith, goodness and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” By putting these additional characteristics into practice, they can help us be a diligent and effective ambassador of the cause that individually motivated you to become involved with the events of Washington, D.C. as well as making you a good ambassador of the state you came from, the family name you bear, and a better ambassador of our Creator, especially while behind bars.
Point 11 - Behave in a Loving Way
If you noticed, the final component to that previous list of desired behavior, and the first component of the fruits of the spirit was love. If we began, right now, or continued to respond to life’s “hills and valleys” with actions rooted in love, we can effectively honor our fellow countrymen. Those of whom, in our nation’s past, showed no greater love than to lay down their lives for their friends, paying the ultimate price for our nation’s freedoms, as well as our brave service men and women who are currently sacrificing for our country at this very hour, can all be honored and respected if we decide to love one another. Their selfless actions will not be in vain if we do our absolute best, despite who we used to be, and what we have been through until now, to show love to others as often as possible. By deciding to behave in a loving way, we can also attempt to not let down those who have placed belief and hope in America’s First Political Prisoners, ensuring that the individuals who have decided to support us, have not wasted their time, energy, resources, and prayers. How do we act in love you may ask: 1st Corinthians 13:4-7 elaborates on just that. This is what love means: the Scripture reads, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. Love keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, loves always trusts, love always hopes, love always perseveres.”
Point 12 - Change The Way We Think
Now that we have been instructed how to conduct ourselves, you may be saying to yourself, “OK, that’s great, how on earth am I supposed to start showing kindness & patience & love after everything I’ve been through?” The best way to facilitate this update to our behavior is by changing what we think about, what we focus on. What we dwell on has immense power and potential for our lives. We also understand that what we think about, we talk about. And what we talk about, we do. And what we do becomes our character, which is observed by more witnesses than we will ever realize. So if we want to deliberately and intentionally maintain/improve our character, it begins with our thoughts. Philippians 4: 8-9 explains, “Finally my brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Now after reading this you may be saying to yourself, “Well that’s cool, I guess, if I can think about those things I will, but what’s the point? Why even bother?” Ask yourself this question: “Wouldn’t you like to be treated with kindness? With patience? With love? Especially now that we are in jail or prison?” We definitely will not be treated that way if we don’t initiate those qualities of action, in action, first. You have heard it said before, “A man reaps what he sows.”-- Galatians 6:7. Decide today to “sow “good thoughts, good words, good actions, which all lead to outstanding character, so that we can “reap” similar treatment/character from someone we interact with. Or better yet, lead someone, by example, to become more upright as a result of being near us. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” That is the secret to living a better life. If we want a better, more peaceful experience in life, or behind bars, the first requirement is to change the way we think.
Point 13 - Strengthen Our Character
To have as peaceful and productive of an experience while behind bars, it requires our consistent investment into our new self with our actions, which improve our character. Remember, our character is like a muscle that must be made strong with continuous effort. We have already reviewed how we can make our environment better with what has been previously mentioned, but Ephesians 4:22-24 explains the elevating process perfectly by saying: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its’ deceitful desires: to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This truly is our chance to grow, to become better individuals. By adhering to the Scriptures, we can adopt alternative perspectives that can help us prosper through our circumstances. If our circumstances aren’t changing, it’s because our circumstances are designed to change us. With our changing mindsets, instead of looking around our jail or our prison and seeing only a concrete coffin, we can reconfigure our minds to understand that we have actually been placed in a “Redemption Chamber” or perhaps a monastery, completely for the benefit of our integrity. We can visualize that we currently occupy the Biblical role of Jonah, swallowed by a “concrete whale,” who will spit us back out to the free world, once our individual lessons have been learned.
Point 14 - Repay Evil With Blessing
By doing these things, with consistent effort, not only will our prospects in life improve, but also how we are considered by others can be modified in a positive direction. Nothing is gained by “taking the bait” and attempting to solve the conflict by fighting “fire with fire”, or living by an “eye for an eye.” Such reactions only leave everyone involved burned and blind. No progress is made, nor honor achieved if we let this experience be an excuse to display poor conduct. We have to recognize that all of our actions will have consequences, most of which our loved ones on the outside will ultimately have to pay for. We must conduct ourselves in a manner that is worthy of respect. We are reminded of how we are to live in the face of adversity in the book of 1st Peter, but the verses from Chapter 3, verses 8-18 elaborate this point exceedingly well. For example, 1st Peter 3:8-9 & 15-17 says: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” and “but in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it’s God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
Point 15 - Remember God Is With You Always
As far as east is from the west remember that our God is with you always. He hasn’t left you or forgotten you, even if it feels like He has, due to our dismal circumstances. Regardless of where we lay our head at night, on a mattress or a steel bunk, we can get through this because Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Point 16 - Be Strong and Courageous
This situation has not been easy for any of us, nor the loved ones who have suffered by our sides through this hellacious journey. At many times we felt as though we couldn’t go on. The toll this has taken on us has been massive, and our recovery will take years to process this experience in a healthy way. During some moments we were about to give in; each of us has barely clung to our sanity and at moments have completely broken down. If you can relate, and have gone, or are going through, a time that has pushed you to the limit, know this: Through our most chaotic and unsettling moments we are reminded in Psalm 46 to, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When we feel less like men and more like shattered pottery, barely holding it together, we are reminded in Psalm 34 that, “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Even though we may feel surrounded and in danger, we are reminded in Psalm 23, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” And if doubt ever creeps into our minds to the point where we forget who our God is, remember what was instructed to Joshua before he entered the Promised Land when the Lord said in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” We have to remember that we have a King, who fulfills all His promises, and does not leave His men behind. He flung the stars in the sky and hung the sun and moon, and when you see only one set of footprints it is then that He is carrying you. With the support of the Grand Conductor of the Universe, the very least we can endeavor to do is uphold The Golden Rule, that Christ Himself advocates for in Mark 12:31 which reads: “The second [commandment] is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” If we can do this, regardless of where we are and what fate we are suffering through, when this is all over, we can be proud of how we handled ourselves. Our loved ones will welcome us back home with our intentions fulfilled and all we encounter can enjoy the work God did in our hearts to refine us into better men.
Final Point
This. Does. End. Remember that, “There is an after, but how it ends is up to you and how you carry yourself.” Remember that, “There is a purpose for the pain.” We know this is an awful experience in every way, but we believe we can all get through this chapter including each of its’ diverse and excruciating challenges, with this motivational guide at our disposal. It is Our hope that from this moment forward, we can all do our very best to be more: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. We also hope that this document assists us to always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and High Esprit De Corps of our ardent supporters and fellow incarcerated political prisoners. We recognize that in the past, we have not been perfect people; however, with enough initiative to hold ourselves to a higher standard during one of the hardest moments of our lives, perhaps, one day, we can contribute to our country becoming a more perfect union.
Let’s make every attempt to remain: physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. For many were called, but few were chosen.
Created by: Robert A. Morss A.K.A. The Lego Man & Lucas Denney A.K.A. Rooster