Commandments are his quest

ST. GEORGE — Once upon a time, Robert Anderson's days and nights were his own.

That was before he decided to show his support of the Ten Commandments by printing signs and T-shirts with the commandments printed on them, and then offering the items to the public at cost.

"I've gone through 950 signs and I've reordered another 300 of them," Anderson said Tuesday, nearly five weeks after he attended a public rally in support of the Ten Commandments.

"It's just growing and continuing. It's amazing," he said.

People around the country have ordered the weatherproof signs, printed with the Ten Commandments in white on a burgundy background, he said.

"I just sent a dozen signs to someone in Idaho Falls. I've heard from people in 16 different states, from California to Florida," said Anderson, a veteran and salesman who retired from the Salt Lake City area to live in St. George.

The signs, 24 by 18 inches, are sold for $6 each. Those ordering signs from locations outside southern Utah are billed an extra $5 to cover shipping costs.

The T-shirts, printed with the Ten Commandments on the back and the words "Live by them" on the front, are sold for $6 or $7, depending on the size ordered, he said.

"Wearing the T-shirt has been a unique experience for me," Anderson said. "I'm mindful, when I'm wearing the shirt, that I've identified myself as having standards, and I'm cognizant that I have to set a more complete example of my standards. It's just declaring where I'm at and that I need to live where I'm at."

Anderson's foray into public life has brought some unexpected attention, he said.

"I've been on several radio talk shows, written a few articles and had an inquiry from the New York Times," he said. "I had one caller on a radio show tell me I was a fascist and I just had to laugh at that. I've learned that I've hit a nerve of truth that they can't fight."

Anderson spends a lot of time now packaging signs and T-shirts and mailing them out to folks across the nation.

"I get up early in the morning and stay up late. I'd like some help, but right now I'm handling it on my own. Not that I'm complaining," he said. "I've found out through this that I have a real love for mankind and for my country.

"I have a deep concern over the loss of our God-given rights. There are those who believe our freedoms are given to us by the government. The laws of the land are here to defend and uphold our God-given rights."

Anderson sent a bunch of Ten Commandment signs to an Arkansas destination and found it cost him $3 more than he collected.

"But that's OK," Anderson said as he prepared for another day and night of delivering Ten Commandment signs and T-shirts to supporters. "I just got a bigger sign of the Ten Commandments made for my lawn. It's awesome."

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E-mail: nperkins@infowest.com