I love this country! I also love the patriotic holidays that give us the opportunity to honor this great Nation, and pay tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives so that we may remain a free and prosperous land. Celebrating these holidays is a big deal for our family. We all look forward to them and always try to have something special planned. One of our traditions is to make sure that our beautiful American flag is up, for all passing by to see.
This past Memorial Day, I got up early and posted the beloved Stars and Stripes right outside our front door. As I stood there with my hand over my heart, I started thinking about all the blessings and sacrifice that this magnificent flag represents, and the goodness of life I enjoy due to living in this choice land. I then decided to end my early morning flag ceremony by reciting the treasured words, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”.
In the solemnity of that moment, a bit of sadness crept over me with the thought of how little we actually say the Pledge of Allegiance anymore. It seems to me that the Pledge of Allegiance has gone from “an absolute must”, when I was growing up, to being criticized and challenged today. It is very disconcerting that this cherished pledge of devotion, to God and country, is continually being “shouted down” by some very loud complaining voices; voices which seem determined to remake America!
However, loud complaining voices are not a concern. In fact, being able to make one’s voice heard, without threat of harm or incident, is one of the things that makes this Country great. It’s the disdain and contempt for this nation’s value system, combined with the continuous effort to dissolve it, which is the cause for concern.
It is hard to believe that something once so loved and respected as the Pledge of Allegiance, a mainstay to this democracy, is now being challenged in the courts of this land, all because it places God at the head of this nation. (Criticism of the Pledge of Allegiance, March 11, 2010, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit)
Do we really think that a country founded by a strong belief in God, no longer needs Him? Have we, as a nation, really become that arrogant and prideful? I believe that if we look closely, we will find that those who are trying to remove Deity from this land, more often than not, are those without regard for this nation’s history or legacy. In fact, they resent it and would change it if they could!
E Pluribus Unum – “Out of many, one”
I remember the first time I saw the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, I was in my early twenties. My heart burned, as the spirit bore witness to me, that this land is indeed “a chosen land, choice above all other lands.” I can remember feeling so thankful, for each immigrant that walked through the doors of that stately, red brick building, seeking American citizenship. (Ether 2:8)
These good people, our ancestors, didn’t come here hoping to change this nation. They came to embrace it, to call it their home, and to raise their families in freedom and peace. They came seeking “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” often under very dire circumstances. They were willing to give up, and go through so much, for the privilege of becoming “part of “ the great American Culture. They did not come here to remain German, Irish, Russian, Greek, Italian, Latino, Asian, Black or Muslim citizens, simply “living” in America, they came because they wanted to “become Americans”. They saw themselves as part of this Nation’s motto, E pluribus Unum, “Out of many, one.”
That is the America for which I long. That is the America I want us to become again! No matter what our differences, we all gather together under the same red, white and blue umbrella, under God, bonded by a common language, even though we may be blessed to speak others, with each doing their part to preserve and prosper this Nation as a whole. Does this sound too good to be true? I think not! This country’s history is rich with such noble attitude, selflessness and sacrifice of people who not only believed in these things, but who also had the fortitude to act upon these beliefs.
The Bridge at Concord – God’s prophecies fulfilled
One of my very favorite places to visit, that bears witness of this, is the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. The last time I was there was in the month of October, and it was bitter cold. The leaves had turned the amber hues of autumn and were being stirred up everywhere, as school children poured out of yellow and black busses. Harried teachers were trying to gather their students in groups, to teach them about what took place on April 19, 1775, when a single shot was heard around the world!
As I stood there listening to one of them retell the events of that historical day, I could sense the excitement, fear and tremendous uncertainty felt by those brave men, young and old, all simple farmers and villagers. There they gathered, four hundred and fifty strong, shoulder-to-shoulder, armed with faith and courage, ready to take a stand against the most powerful army in the world!
On that hallowed bridge, a skirmish took place that set events in motion that resulted in the birth of the greatest nation on earth. I looked down at the time worn wooden planks beneath my feet, and tears filled my eyes. “Such a small bridge”, I thought, “to bear the weight of history for all the lives that would be lost – from that moment on”. And yet I hoped, had I been alive at that time, I too would have set my feet upon this bridge, in defense of all that I believed in and held dear.
As I walked along the leaf-strewn path, my head down, trying to keep the freezing wind out of my face, I spotted something that I hadn’t noticed before. Sitting back a ways, under an enormous maple tree, was a beautiful old stone marker honoring the fallen British Soldiers. It read:
Grave of British Soldiers
They Came Three Thousand Miles And Died
To Keep The Past Upon Its Throne:
Unheard Beyond The Ocean Tide,
Their English Mother Made Her Moan.
April 19, 1775
I felt an ache in my heart as I thought about these poignant words, and the loss our Mother Country sustained in that war. After all, these soldiers, no matter what color their uniforms, were still sons, brothers, husbands and fathers, loved and lost, laid to rest on unknown soil.
However, my heartache was eased as the words of 1Nephi, chapter 13, verses16-19, ran through my mind,
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them.
And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them. And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle. And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.
Thus we see that the outcome of this bitter war, the victory and the loss, was foretold anciently, on engraved golden plates, hundreds of years before the actual event ever took place. The grace and power of God was upon these humble colonists, and upon this chosen land. God did indeed, as prophesied, deliver them from the tyranny and rule of all other nations.
The early American colonists were people from many different origins. However, most important, even paramount to the very foundation of their lives, was a trust in God. They trusted that if they had faith in Him and His mighty power to deliver them from their enemies, He would do so, and indeed He did!
America in Decline
So in these troubled times, filled with financial uncertainty, gross immorality, selfishness, dishonesty and a growing disbelief in the Almighty, how do we get this Country back to the level of integrity and faith, that existed when the Founding Fathers established our Nation’s sacred motto, In Deo Speramus, “In God We Trust?” This is where the gospel of Jesus Christ comes in.
It is by living and teaching the principles of the gospel, and obeying God’s commandments, that we will become a faithful and prosperous Nation again, as promised in 2Nephi, chapter 2, verse 20. It reads “And in as much as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land.”
I know there is a growing concern among good, faithful people in this country regarding the future of this Nation. We watch and worry, as many of these cherished concepts of liberty, put forth by our Founding Fathers, become more and more convoluted everyday.
Just recently a federal judge ordered a Texas school district to prohibit public prayer at a high school graduation ceremony. He ruled that those who filed the lawsuit would “suffer irreparable harm” if anyone prayed at the ceremony. His ruling also banned students and other speakers from using religious language in their graduation speeches. Among the banned words or phrases are: “join in prayer, bow their heads, amen, and prayer.” In addition, he ordered the removal of the terms “invocation” and “benediction” from the graduation printed program. (Federal Judge Prohibits Prayer at Texas Graduation Ceremony, by Todd Stames, June 02, 2011)
As the Christian beliefs, that made America exceptional and strong, continue to be diluted, it becomes critical that we remember God’s warning to us regarding the government, judgment and future of this land. He has said:
For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off… Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ. (Ether 2:8-12, Mosiah 29:27)
The message is clear and very daunting. Be a Christ centered Nation or cease to exist! Still the decline of God’s position as the Supreme head of this Nation is not the only serious problem that threatens America’s future. The very foundation, the moral base upon which she stands, is starting to crumble and disintegrate due to years of overlooked erosion!
Last Wake-up Call
As I see it, there is an urgent need for an immediate awakening in this country! Somehow “We the People” of these United States, must come to see that we are where we are, because we have drifted away from the core values which lay at the very foundation of this Nation. Values, such as common decency, honor and respect. For example, take the movie Gone with the Wind. Moviegoers literally gasped out loud, as the suave Rhett Butler spoke the famous parting words, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”. That was just a little over 50 years ago! Now compare that language to the current profanity used in movies today. How very shocking to realize how fast and far we have declined morally!
I believe that now, more than ever, as members of the Savior’s restored Church, we must be willing to open our mouths and “stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places.” If we truly want to preserve this Nation, our voices must become as loud as those who seek to remove God, and Christian values from this Country. (Mosiah18: 9)
This land has faced many trials, difficulties and challenges throughout its history. Hard times are not new to America. This is a great Nation, filled with great people “from sea to shining sea,” who remain true to the values for which America stands. But darkness is on the rise, as Satan plots the downfall of this Country.
America is irreplaceable! It stands alone and above all other governments on the face of the earth. That is precisely why we, as concerned citizens, must be willing to sacrifice and work together to preserve it. It is time we become more concerned with the devaluation of this Country, and less concerned with the devaluation of the dollar!
In the Words of Benjamin Franklin – God, “that forgotten powerful friend”
In1787, delegates from twelve states convened in Philadelphia, solely for the purpose of finding a better plan for governing the new Republic. Congress sent them with instructions to revise the Articles of Confederation, the acting rule of government at the time. But some came with completely new ideas, headstrong and unbending, believing that the current government was inadequate and would soon collapse. Emotions ran high, as bitter arguing and discord erupted over the allocation of power between the states and the federal government. Much like what is happening today! The senior delegate, inventor and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, 81 at the time, stood and addressed those 55 dissenting delegates, assembled in Independence Hall, with the following:
Mr. President… in the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. – Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… In this situation of this Assembly groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it… how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings… And have we now forgotten that powerful friend, or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? (Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention Address on Prayer, June 28, 1787, Philadelphia, PA.)
Today, as in 1787, the governing body of this great nation, “of the people, by the people and for the people” finds itself “with different sentiments on almost every question.
” It is entrenched in debate, bitter arguing, and tremendous discord. Thus, it would appear, what is most needed today from the Halls of the United States Congress is not another bail out or taxation, but another Benjamin Franklin! But until then, “We the People” need to speak up, and let our voices be heard! We must be willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the America we all know and love.
If the history of America has taught us anything, it is that there is only one power, under Heaven, that can save this Country from the destructive forces that seek its demise. As members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we know this to be true, as did Benjamin Franklin, when he stood and delivered the following powerful address.
I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that GOD governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise, (or be preserved) without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel… I therefore beg leave to move — that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations… (Ibid.)
Now is the time, figuratively speaking, to take “our place” on the Old North Bridge. Let us stand shoulder-to-shoulder, millions strong, armed with faith and courage, ready to battle any and all who seek to destroy all that we believe in and hold dear. We may not be fighting for freedom and independence, but we are fighting for human decency, righteous principles, and the moral character of our Country. But above all, we are fighting for love, honor and respect for God, as the Supreme head of this land.
