Independence: Celebrating a Great Nation

Elder Christoffel Golden was in our ward on Sunday. He shared his testimony at the end of sacrament meeting, and he shared a few thoughts that I jotted down. (Keep in mind, he is from South Africa. He is not American.) To paraphrase what he said: Never hang your head in shame. This is a great nation. This generation has the responsibility to build upon the great work of previous generations.

Celebrating Independence Day points first to the Declaration of Independence, penned and signed by men with the courage and conviction to assert their rights: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It brings to mind such people as Patrick Henry, whose words we have heard quoted: "Give me liberty, or give me death!" So many people did sacrifice--home, family, and many their lives--to gain independence.

But it didn't end there. The following decade, delegates from each of the colonies gathered to create a Constitution. This Constitution was carefully considered and penned by men with a love of liberty and a desire to extend this liberty to others. I believe that it was inspired of God. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." They did not seek only to establish a Constitution and government that would benefit them. With faith, hope, and vision, they established a government that would "secure the Blessings of Liberty" to many generations to follow!

In the more than two centuries since that time, the United States has endured wars and natural disasters. It has been a beacon to many of other nations who sought liberty. This country has faced both good and bad. It will continue to face both. But let us not hang our heads in shame! This is a great nation!

As I look to the past, I cannot help feeling gratitude not only to the Founders of this nation, but to so may others. I feel gratitude to those who have helped to preserve and continue to help preserve it. Thank you to our military! I feel gratitude to my own ancestors, those who came with the Mormon pioneers, as well as to my maternal grandparents who themselves are immigrants. Each of them gave up a life they knew to follow a dream and create a new life for themselves and their posterity. Because of them, I can claim this nation as my own, the land of my birth.

In the lesser-sung verses of our national anthem, it speaks of a "heaven-rescued land" where "this be our motto: In God is our trust." This nation has been preserved as we put our trust in God, as we stand united, and as we praise Him for His protection. As we acknowledge Him and serve Him, He will continue to preserve and bless us, individually and as a nation. We, today, have the responsibility to build upon the great work of previous generations, that God may continue to bless the USA. I love this country! God bless America!

[Just a quick note, for those who have the time, most of the hyperlinks above lead to patriotic songs on youtube. Enjoy!]