Independance Day
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Independance Day
A few words shared on 5 July 2004The Founding Fathers and writers of the document that this Fourth of July holiday celebrates were inspired of God and set a courageous example we can learn from. Many are afraid of these brave words penned by Thomas Jefferson, quoted here from the Declaration of Independence. I share this post as a guide for daily observance of community and world happenings, especially in these troubled times. We need to be sure we are considering the ways of The Lord in all our decisions. We, as Latter Day Saints of The Church of Jesus Christ need to hold these words dear and close to our hearts. The truths, spoken by our prophets, need to be listened to and repeated often to counter the lies and misspoken words of others. Here are concepts which are a part of our great heritage. Ezra Taft Benson said in October 1987, "The Doctrine and Covenants states, "We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life" (D&C 134:2). Life, liberty, property mankind's three great rights." In The Discourses Of Wilford Woodruff and from an 1877 General Conference we read, "I will here say, before closing, that two weeks before I left St. George, the spirits of the dead gathered around me, wanting to know why we did not redeem them. Said they: "You have had the use of the Endowment House for a number of years and yet nothing has ever been done for us. We laid the foundation of the government you now enjoy, and we never apostatized from it, but we remained true to it and were faithful to God." These were the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and they waited on me for two days and two nights. I thought it very singular that notwithstanding so much work had been done, and yet nothing had been done for them. The thought never entered my heart, from the fact, I suppose, that heretofore our minds were reaching after our more immediate friends and relatives. I straightway went into the baptismal font and called upon Brother McAllister to baptize me for the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and fifty other eminent men, making one hundred in all, including John Wesley, Columbus, and others; I then baptized him for every President of the United States except three; and when their cause is just, somebody will do the work for them." |
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Again from President Benson's 1987 conference address, "At the conclusion of the Declaration of Independence, they wrote, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." This Declaration was a promise that would demand terrible sacrifice on the part of its signers. Five of the signers were captured as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary War; another had two sons captured. Nine died from wounds or from the hardships of the war. The Lord said He "redeemed the land by the shedding of blood" (D&C 101:80). Nephi recorded that the Founders "were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations" (1 Ne. 13:19)." In these affluent times, we have only to live by the examples given us by these great men. It may not be easy, but it is necessary if we are to honor the sacrifices and continue the work that is prophesied to be done on this continent and ultimately throughout this whole world. May God bless America, and each and every one of us as we help to bless others lives. This gospel of Love that Christ died to redeem to give us the chance to defend His work is the reason for our Founding Fathers sacrifices. I pray for the strength and wisdom to continue this work that God has given us all. Life is very good, the Gospel is very good and worth sharing with all. |
All good is of God and to his glory