Independence

I recently had the opportunity to write an article for our ward newsletter about the Fourth of July.  I really wanted to talk about how the Lord established this nation.  My friend Mike recently posted about The Constitution, and I used some of the quotes he had in his because they were so good.  Anyway, here’s what I wrote. 

232 years ago, our forefathers were in a battle that would forever change this world.  Indeed, this battle had been foretold long before by Nephi who in vision saw what would transpire. 

“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.” (1 Nephi 13:16-19) 

I am speaking, of course, of the events that occurred allowing the United States of America to be established as a free nation. 

We celebrate on July 4^th the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  But, the founding of our nation began before that.  The Lord caused good men to come forth during this time, for the express purpose of establishing a land of liberty.  We know the names George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and many more.  These men were truly revolutionaries.  The Lord gave to them the courage and conviction necessary to accomplish the great work they had to do.  Of the passing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, “Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men.”

By all logical reasoning, the colonists should not have been able to win the Revolutionary War.  They were inexperienced and outmatched.  The British were better armed.  But, the colonists and their leaders had things the British did not.  Besides knowing the land better, they were filled with passion for their cause.  They were unquestionably fighting for their very lives, and the lives of their posterity.  They could taste freedom and liberty and would do whatever they had to in order to secure it.  Most importantly, however, they had the Lord on their side.  The War was not easy or swift, but in the end, the colonists were victorious. 

Now, they had to set about creating a new government.  Again, the Lord was with them.  While there was much debate about the role the new government should take, the Spirit was with the founding fathers, and they were eventually able to create a divinely inspired Constitution.  The Constitution was established in order to maintain liberty.  Indeed, the Lord tells us, “Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.  And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” (Doctrine and Convenants 101:79-80) 

How blessed we are to have a government established by the Lord, and guided by His divine Constitution. 

“Hence we say, that the Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. . . . We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 147-48) 

The Constitution is a gift from the Lord, and we have a duty to honor and uphold it.  President Ezra Taft Benson told us,

“To every Latter-day Saint, we have a tremendous obligation to be good citizens, to uphold the Constitution of this land, to adhere to its basic concepts, to do all in our power to protect the freedoms and the liberties and the basic rights which are associated with citizenship. The Lord has said even in our day, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that we have an obligation. He has not only spoken about the Constitution being inspired, he has said that if we are to be good Latter-day Saints, we also have to take an interest in this country in which we live and we are to see to it that good men are upheld and sustained in public office.” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson page 615-16; from an address given at Short Hills, NJ, 15 Jan 1961)

We must take an active role in the destiny of our great nation.  Be involved.  President Reagan once said, “I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do.  I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing.” 

            In closing, I’d like to bear my testimony of these things.  Anyone who knows me well knows my passion for this wonderful country.  I love this nation!  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who caused this nation to be established in the manner that it was.   The founding of the United States of America is something truly glorious!  I hold in my heart a great love and respect for those who risked their very lives to bring about The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution.  These documents were created through the Lord’s inspiration, and by no other means.  When I read them I cry.  They stir up inside of me deep feelings of gratitude, love, and honor.  I echo President Hinckley’s statement, when he said,

“On one occasion a journalist asked me about my belief regarding the Constitution. I replied that I felt it was inspired, that both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were brought forth under the inspiration of God to establish and maintain the freedom of the people of this nation. I said it and I believe it to be true. There is a miracle in its establishment that cannot be explained in any other way.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Keep Faith with America“, commencement address given at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah on 6 May 1999.)

This nation truly is a miracle.  It is wonderful!  I pray that this Independence Day we can remember those who came before us and established this great land!  Let us celebrate and be happy, for we live in a nation like none other!  Brothers and Sisters, I leave you these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.