America The Beautiful

Happy Independence Day this week! Here is the Tabernacle Choir singing America The Beautiful.

This is the fourth of July weekend coming up. This is a week to remember the fathers of our country and the miraculous Freedom we have! I've always been excited when I read the scriptures in the Book of Mormon that testify of the freedom of this country and how prophets even over a thousand years before, saw our founding fathers; and how this country was the Promised Land of freedom. 2nd Nephi 1:7 says: "Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever." And Ether 2:12 reads, "Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." From these verses, we're reminded that true freedom comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to his Commandments. He is the true author of our freedom and liberty. I also think of Captain Moroni's example in Alma chapter 45, where it says, "he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren." I want to remember God's hand in my life and not take it so casually. I feel humbled to see that it is only through Him that I have any and all of the blessings and freedom that I do! I love God. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and know it's true. I hope that everyone can find the peace that faith in Jesus Christ can bring them. I'm thankful for our freedom here. I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July! Jillene Smith *There are more scriptures at the bottom you can read on this topic! https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/2?id=p12&lang=eng#p12 2 Nephi 1:5–9 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/1?id=p5-p9&lang=eng#p5 Alma 46:12–13 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/46?id=p12-p13&lang=eng#p12