Although I am overflowing with gratitude for the many blessings I enjoy as an American, I am not naive. My love for my country does not blind me to the downward spiral of immorality we are witnessing in this country. I am appalled at the disintegration of moral values I have seen in my lifetime and shocked at how quickly it has happened. How can we call America "great" when abortion is rampant and personal purity is becoming more and more rare? When it has become "politically correct" to turn a blind eye to corruption? America is only as great as her people. Of course, there are many great and exemplary people in our nation, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the growing wickedness of our society. I would say that Donald Trump's call to "Make America Great Again" is timely and appropriate---a clarion call for all of us.
SharonJuly 5, 2016
So well said Rynna. Renewed my spirit that we can hold strong.
Leonard PurnellJuly 5, 2016
Yes America is great but not as great as she thinks she is. They are straying away from several things that are absolutely wrong. There is a long way to go before they are truly great as she can be and should be. Too often Americans are arrogant in thinking they are better than others.
Im a Canadian with four children in the States and my wiah is for America to be great again. We'll see if they smarten up in the next 6 months and elect a government that is for the people not for the elite only.
CandaceJuly 5, 2016
Sadly, although I am American born I must say that our nation is no longer the nation of my youth. Our society has chosen to turn away from the promise and blessings of the Lord. Our Great American Experiment is in grave danger not because of failures of our elected leaders but because so few citizens have never learned or forgotten that with freedom comes responsibility. As Benjamin Franklin said when asked what form of government had been crafted, "A Republic, if you can keep it."
We citizens have allowed our government to run on autopilot for too long. Our young people are never taught their role and responsibility to oversee those we elect to represent us.We excitedly elect a new President every four years and ignore Representative and Senators and their actions. We do so at our own peril. We have allowed a political elite to develop and failed to hold them accountable to those who elected them. Government has strayed far from the Constitution the Framers gave us due to our ignorance and neglect.
ClarkJuly 5, 2016
Great article. Thank you for the wake up call! I have lived many years outside the US because of my profession and I am so grateful to be living in America once again. Don't mean to step on anyone's toes, and I certainly don't think the author of this piece did either, but I have to say that there are so many advantages, opportunities and blessings to living here in America. Why do you think so many are trying to come to America?
Lee SheppardJuly 5, 2016
I am a dual national American and British Citizen. I love both countries. I appreciate the message of the article. It bothers me too when people talk about making America great again. There are some things that have happened over the past eight years that we conservatives are not too happy with - but I could absolutely say the same about the previous eight years.
Having said all this, please PLEASE PLEASE stop using the word "most". The article was great until it fell into the old American trap of comparing with everyone else. It is so unnecessary. It is also so inaccurate. Yes, the scriptures refer to the promised land and so on. But remember that the Lord is no respecter of persons, and will bless all for their righteousness in the way that will bless them most personally.
You use phrases such as "Nowhere else on earth will you find this quality of life and freedom". I have to say to you: humbug. As others have said, the great democracies of the world enjoy the rich blessings of comfort and freedom. Look at google tables of quality of life and you will be surprised. (The Scandinavians seem to have figured this out best). Every great country has some flaws which reduce its freedom and America is no exception. The health system needs a serious reworking, for example, as many tens of millions suffer without being able to afford health care. That is a serious freedom limiter.
You mention that America is unquestionably the most diverse and generous country in the world. No. America is unquestionably a wonderfully diverse and generous country. But have you compared proportions of first-generation immigrants in various countries? Have you look at the levels of charity or time given in various places.
Please express your very valid love for country but remember your global audience - even within the church. Remember they pride that they too validly feel. Brotherhood of man and all that.
JDJuly 4, 2016
Thank you for this great and timely article. I really needed this. Spent some time with the family today making our own list. We concluded that when you only hear the negative you start to believe it and forget the good. May God continue to bless America.
JaneneJuly 4, 2016
I must say, your article inspired me to list the reasons I consider this nation to be the choice land it is.
We are truly blessed! God bless America, land that I love
Thank you Rynna.
Michael ColemanJuly 4, 2016
The United States stopped being great the moment the people chose fortune over faith, fame instead of family, malefaction over morality, political correctness over truth, and sin over righteousness. Electing evil leaders alone does not generate wickedness, it validates it. We cannot rest on the laurels of this great nation or what we have done in the past. It will not suffice. Additionally, if we fail to repent, the Lord will humble this Nation quite literally to the dust. Then, if we choose, we will have a chance to regain our greatness before the Savior returns in glory.
CharlieBrown2292July 4, 2016
As a Citizen of France, I concur with my Canadian and British counterparts. No, 99% of the world is not worse off than America. Standards of living in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other places are as good, if not better than in the US. True democracy, Freedom of speech and of information have been the rule for ages. In addition, we get access to free education and benefit from a generous welfare system, where one receives the best-available medical care for free. In comparison, tell me about those in the US who get left out because their medical insurance will quit paying their bills! Then, we don't risk having so many people having guns and using them against each-other. Last but not least, can God continue blessing the "Land of Covenant" when its people are breaking every possible one, walking away from the faith that caused their prosperity, and allowing immorality to replace morality in all its forms. No, America is truly in danger, and so is indeed the rest of the world for the same reasons, but probably less because the covenant people are American, not the rest of the world.
Glen GibbJuly 4, 2016
As a citizen of Canada (and BYU alum) I would like to echo the sentiments voiced by Pauline Smith.
But there is a pithy observation by Alexis de Tocqueville, a Frenchman who studied the newly independent USA. "America is great because she is good," he observed. Quite an observation.
Is the converse also true? That is, as her goodness wanes, so does her greatness.
Ronnie BrayJuly 4, 2016
As a naturalised American citizen, born in England in 1935, I have often tried to understand the meaning behind what is often seen as braggadocio by people in other nationalities whose own countries have much to be proud of.
At least superficially, it seems to some of us foreigners that the oft-repeated mantra that 'America is the best country in the world' smacks of insecurity.
During my childhood, 1930s and 1940s, it was driven into we young English folk that England was the best country in the world and that the British Empire was cogent proof of that.
Fortunately, I escaped the notion as I travelled abroad and met other nationalities and learned not only how they felt about their own countries, but also how 'blessed'; their countries were from the benefits their citizens enjoyed, including their freedoms.
When these nations and the benefits accrued by their citizens were compared with the freedoms I enjoyed as a British-English citizen I often found our benefits to be favourably comparable.
Having lived in the US for 16 years, I find that the US has not solved all its fundamental problems, and one of the greatest in my view is the intolerance shown by certain parts of the population, and the demand that the US be granted favoured nation' status by the rest of the world.
However, although there are many nations whose people do not enjoy the freedoms and benefits available to Americans, there are very many that not only have the same freedoms and benefits as do America's citizens, but whose government also provide additional benefits that are denied to Americans.
The most important in my opinion are the universal health care services of the UK and Western European countries that provide 100% access to every level of health care to all citizens and alien residents.
My late wife was an American citizen that lived for eighteen months in England with me and had immediate access to general practitioners, hospitals, and hospital specialist for all required procedures, and none of these costs a red cent at the point of delivery.
People that work in the UK pay a percentage of income, and it is not crippling, each month as National Insurance from which the National Health Service is funded.
Contrary to ignorant naysayers, there is absolutely no bureaucrat standing between patients and their doctors. None whatsoever.
I will say further that all prescibed medications cost the same as every other presctiption medicine, and once a person reaches the age of 60 years, all prescribed medicines are free.
When a worker retires they no longer pay National Insurance so their pensions are not bitten into one thousandth of an inch by further demands from the Social Security Administration.
No one has to choose between buying medicine and buying food. I believe that is a significant difference between what America could be and what it is. Think of the blessing a universal healthcare system would be to Americans at the bottom of the socio-economic scale.
I am not knocking America, and have been an Americophile from a young age, but when the US has such costly healthcare businesses and its cost-effectiveness is pretty poor, and the incidence of iatrogenic illnesses and deaths from medical errors is extremely high, then there is room for improvement.
It is a contradiction to acclaim one's nation as the 'best in the world' when many of its citizens suffer from poverty and its complications, and when essential health services are not available except by extraordinary means to so many, millions, of its people, then the mantra has a hollow sound.
There is much in the US that is good, but to imagine that it has no problems, especially as indicated and also in its political behaviour, then it could be seen by critics as, in the well-known English phrase, "All fur coat and no knickers [panties]."
America is great, but it could be greater. The measure of a great nation is how it treats its poor and sick.
If we rest on our laurels before these are addressed and set in place, then we are wearing our laurels on the wrong end.
God bless America - Happy 4th.
RachaelJuly 4, 2016
While I do appreciate the things pointed out as reasons we are still great--and agree--I take issue with the authors indirect attack on the presumptive nominee-dismissing his "mantra" as missing the mark and unfounded. There are far more reasons for DEEP CONCERN about this country than the few listed here for "why we are still great." Our Constitution is hanging by a thread, and far too many of our rising generation have no understanding of our great founding principles; our sovereignty is at stake from open borders, uncontrolled immigration, a ruthless and blood thirsty enemy which is intent on making this nation (in fact, the world) a religious Caliphate that would put to death all who will not deny Christ and accept their "faith", and from those within who are so utterly corrupt that all they are concerned about is their own power and enrichment; as well as moral and financial decay, and increasing lawlessness and injustice. Good is called evil and evil good. The righteous are punished and the guilty are rewarded. I could go on. There is A LOT that needs to change, and unless it happens soon, the only hope we will have it the 2nd Coming. It is apparent from previous publications that the owners of Meridian (and perhaps the author as well) have deep prejudice and antipathy toward the presumptive nominee, but it is time to get real. Thank you for pointing out some reasons for Americans to have pride in our country. We should. However, Hillary has NONE, and Mr. Trump, I believe, while not as articulate as I would like him to be, has based his slogan "Make American Great Again" and his campaign on HIS love for this country and HIS desire to give back and bring back the rights and opportunity that has eroded. I did not start out as a Trump supporter, but I am not so prejudiced or emotionally involved in another candidate's failure that I cannot see the CLEAR CHOICE before us all. It IS time to make American great again IN EVERY WAY.
Red StateJuly 4, 2016
The best part of this article is the collection of warning quotes from early great leaders. Most of the listed powers of this country stem from the blessings that flow from righteousness, as promised in the Book of Mormon. Likewise, most of the problems we have and which will increasingly have, flow from abandonment of righteousness. We must not pound our collective chests and say how great we are. We are seeing the beginning of serious problems because of sin. Yes our leaders have serious weaknesses, but we the people elected them. We have great need to repent and if our current president had any understanding he would call for days of fasting and prayer, not days of glorifying what is already fading. I suggest another article in this issue, the one on Nephite fasting and prayer https://meridianmag.wpengine.com/why-did-fasting-and-prayer-accompany-nephite-mourning/
DotJuly 4, 2016
Pauline this article was about America's heritage and greatness I don't see how that is being dismissive of any other nation.
John PearceJuly 4, 2016
While I agree that America is a great nation, it is a matter of opinion as to which nation is the greatest. As an Australian I could claim that Australia is the greatest nation (of course I'm biased). One point that I make is that we have had the courage to deal with the gun problem while America continues to have mass shootings every few months with no solution in sight.
Pauline SmithJuly 4, 2016
I appreciate the intent of this article, but as a citizen of the United Kingdom who has also lived in the USA I find some of the comments too dismissive of the great heritage other nations also enjoy.
StrelnikovJuly 3, 2016
Another excellent thought provoking article from this author. She has really put our country in perspective.
Comments | Return to Story
MaryannJuly 9, 2016
Although I am overflowing with gratitude for the many blessings I enjoy as an American, I am not naive. My love for my country does not blind me to the downward spiral of immorality we are witnessing in this country. I am appalled at the disintegration of moral values I have seen in my lifetime and shocked at how quickly it has happened. How can we call America "great" when abortion is rampant and personal purity is becoming more and more rare? When it has become "politically correct" to turn a blind eye to corruption? America is only as great as her people. Of course, there are many great and exemplary people in our nation, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the growing wickedness of our society. I would say that Donald Trump's call to "Make America Great Again" is timely and appropriate---a clarion call for all of us.
SharonJuly 5, 2016
So well said Rynna. Renewed my spirit that we can hold strong.
Leonard PurnellJuly 5, 2016
Yes America is great but not as great as she thinks she is. They are straying away from several things that are absolutely wrong. There is a long way to go before they are truly great as she can be and should be. Too often Americans are arrogant in thinking they are better than others. Im a Canadian with four children in the States and my wiah is for America to be great again. We'll see if they smarten up in the next 6 months and elect a government that is for the people not for the elite only.
CandaceJuly 5, 2016
Sadly, although I am American born I must say that our nation is no longer the nation of my youth. Our society has chosen to turn away from the promise and blessings of the Lord. Our Great American Experiment is in grave danger not because of failures of our elected leaders but because so few citizens have never learned or forgotten that with freedom comes responsibility. As Benjamin Franklin said when asked what form of government had been crafted, "A Republic, if you can keep it." We citizens have allowed our government to run on autopilot for too long. Our young people are never taught their role and responsibility to oversee those we elect to represent us.We excitedly elect a new President every four years and ignore Representative and Senators and their actions. We do so at our own peril. We have allowed a political elite to develop and failed to hold them accountable to those who elected them. Government has strayed far from the Constitution the Framers gave us due to our ignorance and neglect.
ClarkJuly 5, 2016
Great article. Thank you for the wake up call! I have lived many years outside the US because of my profession and I am so grateful to be living in America once again. Don't mean to step on anyone's toes, and I certainly don't think the author of this piece did either, but I have to say that there are so many advantages, opportunities and blessings to living here in America. Why do you think so many are trying to come to America?
Lee SheppardJuly 5, 2016
I am a dual national American and British Citizen. I love both countries. I appreciate the message of the article. It bothers me too when people talk about making America great again. There are some things that have happened over the past eight years that we conservatives are not too happy with - but I could absolutely say the same about the previous eight years. Having said all this, please PLEASE PLEASE stop using the word "most". The article was great until it fell into the old American trap of comparing with everyone else. It is so unnecessary. It is also so inaccurate. Yes, the scriptures refer to the promised land and so on. But remember that the Lord is no respecter of persons, and will bless all for their righteousness in the way that will bless them most personally. You use phrases such as "Nowhere else on earth will you find this quality of life and freedom". I have to say to you: humbug. As others have said, the great democracies of the world enjoy the rich blessings of comfort and freedom. Look at google tables of quality of life and you will be surprised. (The Scandinavians seem to have figured this out best). Every great country has some flaws which reduce its freedom and America is no exception. The health system needs a serious reworking, for example, as many tens of millions suffer without being able to afford health care. That is a serious freedom limiter. You mention that America is unquestionably the most diverse and generous country in the world. No. America is unquestionably a wonderfully diverse and generous country. But have you compared proportions of first-generation immigrants in various countries? Have you look at the levels of charity or time given in various places. Please express your very valid love for country but remember your global audience - even within the church. Remember they pride that they too validly feel. Brotherhood of man and all that.
JDJuly 4, 2016
Thank you for this great and timely article. I really needed this. Spent some time with the family today making our own list. We concluded that when you only hear the negative you start to believe it and forget the good. May God continue to bless America.
JaneneJuly 4, 2016
I must say, your article inspired me to list the reasons I consider this nation to be the choice land it is. We are truly blessed! God bless America, land that I love Thank you Rynna.
Michael ColemanJuly 4, 2016
The United States stopped being great the moment the people chose fortune over faith, fame instead of family, malefaction over morality, political correctness over truth, and sin over righteousness. Electing evil leaders alone does not generate wickedness, it validates it. We cannot rest on the laurels of this great nation or what we have done in the past. It will not suffice. Additionally, if we fail to repent, the Lord will humble this Nation quite literally to the dust. Then, if we choose, we will have a chance to regain our greatness before the Savior returns in glory.
CharlieBrown2292July 4, 2016
As a Citizen of France, I concur with my Canadian and British counterparts. No, 99% of the world is not worse off than America. Standards of living in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other places are as good, if not better than in the US. True democracy, Freedom of speech and of information have been the rule for ages. In addition, we get access to free education and benefit from a generous welfare system, where one receives the best-available medical care for free. In comparison, tell me about those in the US who get left out because their medical insurance will quit paying their bills! Then, we don't risk having so many people having guns and using them against each-other. Last but not least, can God continue blessing the "Land of Covenant" when its people are breaking every possible one, walking away from the faith that caused their prosperity, and allowing immorality to replace morality in all its forms. No, America is truly in danger, and so is indeed the rest of the world for the same reasons, but probably less because the covenant people are American, not the rest of the world.
Glen GibbJuly 4, 2016
As a citizen of Canada (and BYU alum) I would like to echo the sentiments voiced by Pauline Smith. But there is a pithy observation by Alexis de Tocqueville, a Frenchman who studied the newly independent USA. "America is great because she is good," he observed. Quite an observation. Is the converse also true? That is, as her goodness wanes, so does her greatness.
Ronnie BrayJuly 4, 2016
As a naturalised American citizen, born in England in 1935, I have often tried to understand the meaning behind what is often seen as braggadocio by people in other nationalities whose own countries have much to be proud of. At least superficially, it seems to some of us foreigners that the oft-repeated mantra that 'America is the best country in the world' smacks of insecurity. During my childhood, 1930s and 1940s, it was driven into we young English folk that England was the best country in the world and that the British Empire was cogent proof of that. Fortunately, I escaped the notion as I travelled abroad and met other nationalities and learned not only how they felt about their own countries, but also how 'blessed'; their countries were from the benefits their citizens enjoyed, including their freedoms. When these nations and the benefits accrued by their citizens were compared with the freedoms I enjoyed as a British-English citizen I often found our benefits to be favourably comparable. Having lived in the US for 16 years, I find that the US has not solved all its fundamental problems, and one of the greatest in my view is the intolerance shown by certain parts of the population, and the demand that the US be granted favoured nation' status by the rest of the world. However, although there are many nations whose people do not enjoy the freedoms and benefits available to Americans, there are very many that not only have the same freedoms and benefits as do America's citizens, but whose government also provide additional benefits that are denied to Americans. The most important in my opinion are the universal health care services of the UK and Western European countries that provide 100% access to every level of health care to all citizens and alien residents. My late wife was an American citizen that lived for eighteen months in England with me and had immediate access to general practitioners, hospitals, and hospital specialist for all required procedures, and none of these costs a red cent at the point of delivery. People that work in the UK pay a percentage of income, and it is not crippling, each month as National Insurance from which the National Health Service is funded. Contrary to ignorant naysayers, there is absolutely no bureaucrat standing between patients and their doctors. None whatsoever. I will say further that all prescibed medications cost the same as every other presctiption medicine, and once a person reaches the age of 60 years, all prescribed medicines are free. When a worker retires they no longer pay National Insurance so their pensions are not bitten into one thousandth of an inch by further demands from the Social Security Administration. No one has to choose between buying medicine and buying food. I believe that is a significant difference between what America could be and what it is. Think of the blessing a universal healthcare system would be to Americans at the bottom of the socio-economic scale. I am not knocking America, and have been an Americophile from a young age, but when the US has such costly healthcare businesses and its cost-effectiveness is pretty poor, and the incidence of iatrogenic illnesses and deaths from medical errors is extremely high, then there is room for improvement. It is a contradiction to acclaim one's nation as the 'best in the world' when many of its citizens suffer from poverty and its complications, and when essential health services are not available except by extraordinary means to so many, millions, of its people, then the mantra has a hollow sound. There is much in the US that is good, but to imagine that it has no problems, especially as indicated and also in its political behaviour, then it could be seen by critics as, in the well-known English phrase, "All fur coat and no knickers [panties]." America is great, but it could be greater. The measure of a great nation is how it treats its poor and sick. If we rest on our laurels before these are addressed and set in place, then we are wearing our laurels on the wrong end. God bless America - Happy 4th.
RachaelJuly 4, 2016
While I do appreciate the things pointed out as reasons we are still great--and agree--I take issue with the authors indirect attack on the presumptive nominee-dismissing his "mantra" as missing the mark and unfounded. There are far more reasons for DEEP CONCERN about this country than the few listed here for "why we are still great." Our Constitution is hanging by a thread, and far too many of our rising generation have no understanding of our great founding principles; our sovereignty is at stake from open borders, uncontrolled immigration, a ruthless and blood thirsty enemy which is intent on making this nation (in fact, the world) a religious Caliphate that would put to death all who will not deny Christ and accept their "faith", and from those within who are so utterly corrupt that all they are concerned about is their own power and enrichment; as well as moral and financial decay, and increasing lawlessness and injustice. Good is called evil and evil good. The righteous are punished and the guilty are rewarded. I could go on. There is A LOT that needs to change, and unless it happens soon, the only hope we will have it the 2nd Coming. It is apparent from previous publications that the owners of Meridian (and perhaps the author as well) have deep prejudice and antipathy toward the presumptive nominee, but it is time to get real. Thank you for pointing out some reasons for Americans to have pride in our country. We should. However, Hillary has NONE, and Mr. Trump, I believe, while not as articulate as I would like him to be, has based his slogan "Make American Great Again" and his campaign on HIS love for this country and HIS desire to give back and bring back the rights and opportunity that has eroded. I did not start out as a Trump supporter, but I am not so prejudiced or emotionally involved in another candidate's failure that I cannot see the CLEAR CHOICE before us all. It IS time to make American great again IN EVERY WAY.
Red StateJuly 4, 2016
The best part of this article is the collection of warning quotes from early great leaders. Most of the listed powers of this country stem from the blessings that flow from righteousness, as promised in the Book of Mormon. Likewise, most of the problems we have and which will increasingly have, flow from abandonment of righteousness. We must not pound our collective chests and say how great we are. We are seeing the beginning of serious problems because of sin. Yes our leaders have serious weaknesses, but we the people elected them. We have great need to repent and if our current president had any understanding he would call for days of fasting and prayer, not days of glorifying what is already fading. I suggest another article in this issue, the one on Nephite fasting and prayer https://meridianmag.wpengine.com/why-did-fasting-and-prayer-accompany-nephite-mourning/
DotJuly 4, 2016
Pauline this article was about America's heritage and greatness I don't see how that is being dismissive of any other nation.
John PearceJuly 4, 2016
While I agree that America is a great nation, it is a matter of opinion as to which nation is the greatest. As an Australian I could claim that Australia is the greatest nation (of course I'm biased). One point that I make is that we have had the courage to deal with the gun problem while America continues to have mass shootings every few months with no solution in sight.
Pauline SmithJuly 4, 2016
I appreciate the intent of this article, but as a citizen of the United Kingdom who has also lived in the USA I find some of the comments too dismissive of the great heritage other nations also enjoy.
StrelnikovJuly 3, 2016
Another excellent thought provoking article from this author. She has really put our country in perspective.
ADD A COMMENT