The United States of America. The New World. The Promised Land. A land of liberty. A land of opportunity. A place where all are free. Free to live, to love, to choose. To work for ourselves. To have a say in government. To believe in whatever and whomever we desire. To live peaceably with one another. To deal honestly.
Now this nation has become a place where we can choose to put ourselves under the influence of any and all addictive substances. To give in to any and all captivating desires. To dig as deep a hole of debt as we want. To make any rash or selfish decision that comes into our minds. To make evil things right. To make good things wrong. To push others down in order to lift ourselves up. To deceive for personal gain.
What changed? Suddenly all freedom of choice has become freedom to put ourselves and others in bondage. How? Can it be that we have failed our country? That we have forgotten what is most important? That something that might seem so small, so simple, so easily overlooked is of the greatest significance in our country’s liberty?
Mary had a little Lamb
His fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went
The Lamb was sure to go
He followed her to school each day
‘Twasn’t against the rule
It made the children laugh and play
To have the Lamb at school
And then the rules all changed one day
Illegal it became
To bring the Lamb of God to school
Or even speak His Name
Every day got worse and worse
And days turned into years
Instead of hearing children laugh
We heard gunshots and tears
What must we do to stop the crime
That’s in our schools today?
Let’s let the Lamb come back to school
And teach our kids to pray!
Ether chapter 2 verse 12 reads, “...whatsoever nation shall possess [this land] shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, ...if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ…”
“It is imperative that our people be in tune with the supreme leader of freedom, the Lord our God. ...Apart from God we cannot succeed, but as a partner with God, we cannot fail.” That was from Ezra Taft Benson.
Heavenly Father built up this land for His purposes. Those who were led here by Him are here for a reason. Our country is so very important. Our duty is to keep it on the right path, for any nation will go astray if God is not leading it.
But how do we do that? How do we make the entire country follow God? It is so easy for us as individuals to forget Him. There is no way to make 318.9 million people be truly faithful to Him.
That is true. But we can be an influence, make a difference, get the ball rolling. It is our responsibility to make sure we follow God. Ezra Taft Benson said that “[t]he home is the rock foundation, the cornerstone of civilization. No nation will ever rise above its homes.” Our duty to our country is to be the foundation of testimony that will support our nation and keep it focused on God.
The Founding Fathers were righteous, inspired men who created a perfect system of government for this chosen land. When the Constitution in its correct state is faithfully applied, there is no flaw. But men have changed it. Stretched it, cut it. The original Balance of Powers has been severely and fatally thrown off. Something must be done about it. But nothing can be done by ignorant people. Our duty to our country is to educate ourselves in such matters. Those in power know. That is why they are the leaders. But these conspiring men will lead us far astray if we do not come to know ourselves and right the wrongs that have been brought upon this blessed land.
We believe in the principles that will support a righteous nation, do we not? But as Ezra Taft Benson said, “[a] man must not only stand for the right principles, but he must also fight for them.”
It is not enough to believe in certain things, or even pray for them. We must do something. “Faith without works is dead.” We cannot say that we believe that God knows what is best and is able to bring about His purposes. We must act as His hands and do what we know to be right. We must trust in God, not to do everything Himself, but to lead us to do what He needs us to do. It is our duty to our country. Our duty obligates us to do all that is within our power to keep this nation on the right path. We cannot be truly free if we are not following God.
The world today says that the laws and commandments restrict us. Bind us down. The world says that we are not “free” if we are following someone else’s rules. But the truth is that this life is a maze. God knows the way through, and if we choose to follow Him, we will make it. If we choose to go our own way, to go in the direction we want to go, we will eventually find ourselves staring at a blank wall that marks a depressing dead end.
Our country is heading straight for that end. Sometimes it seems that we are already there, looking at that forbidding wall, and nothing could possibly get worse, but as long as there is good in the world, it can get worse. And as long as there is good in the world, and there always will be, there is something worth fighting for. Our duty to our country is to join that fight. There is something we all can do, no matter our political stance. Those of us of age to vote can work to put in office those who will promote the right things. Those of us who are younger can educate ourselves now so that we can be a positive influence in our country in the future. We know what is right, and we of all ages can help others gain the same knowledge.
Our country is not hopeless as long as God is at the head. He built up this country. He will guide it if we will allow Him. He will show us the way, for He is the way.
