America The Beautiful

I hope you enjoy this song, America, The Beautiful, sung by Lexi Walker.

What a special week this is with Memorial Day right ahead. And how fascinating the topic of freedom is right now with what we've been studying in the scriptures for the last couple weeks! (See Come, Follow Me; pgs. 78-84, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-book-of-mormon-2020/20?lang=eng ) Memorial day is a special holiday which gives us an opportunity to show gratitude and reflect on all those who have given their lives for our freedom. There's so much going on in the world. So many changes! Much for good! And much also it makes me question how much longer until the words of past prophets are fulfilled, which said, "The time will come when the destiny of this nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction. It will be so” (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, 7:15). How do we maintain this freedom that has been given to us? Freedom. Equality. Liberty. Justice. Prosperity. Peace. Here are a few scripture bits to think about. * "there should be an equality among all men" * " let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace" * every man should esteem his neighbor as himself" * " labor with their own hands for their support" * "the Lord did visit them and prosper them and they became a large and wealthy people." (Mosiah 27:3–7 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/27?id=p3-p7&lang=eng#p3 ) In his last speech, King Mosiah organized the government of his people. When I read this, I felt so excited as I saw this divinely-inspired order reflect what our founding fathers established in our country, 233 years ago through the Constitution. * " let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people." * " we will appoint Wiseman to be judges that will judge this people according to the Commandments of God." * " now it is better than a man should be judged of God than of man, for the Judgment of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just." ( Mosiah 29:10–12 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/29?id=p10-p12&lang=eng#p10 ) I want to Echo the words of King Mosiah as he said, "I desire this land be a land of liberty and that every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land[!]" (Mosiah 29:32) And if we keep reading, is very clearly spelled out how! * "every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land" * "every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins" * " keep the Commandments and judge righteous judgements * " the laws were acknowledged by the people. Therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws" As you go on and read in Alma 1: 26-30, ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/1?id=p26-p30&lang=eng#p26 ) you can look and find all the details of how the people lived in order with God's law, & beautiful results which came from that! Freedom. Equality. Liberty. Justice. Prosperity. Peace. As we celebrate this Memorial Day, I hope that we can find renewed Vigor to live to our full potential as sons and daughters our Divine King! Even God himself! Let us live with honor, patience, integrity, diligence, love, hard work, & accountability; only then can we continue prosper and live in this Freedom that we have enjoyed. Let us live and honor those countless men & women who have given their lives before us; whether in this time, or in the millenniums past. And most of all, Jesus Christ himself. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Jillene Smith Extra links: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/l-tom-perry/church-american-bicentennial/