We will stand by that constitution and uphold the flag of our country when everybody else forsakes it. We cannot shut our eyes to things transpiring around us. We have our reason, and God has revealed unto us many things but never had he revealed anything in opposition to those institutins and that constitution, no, never; and another, he never will. --John Taylor
As I sit here and write tonight there are fireworks going off all around the valley. I can hear and see them from our balcony windows. It is so fun. But I wonder if those setting off the fireworks which we have seen for the last couple of days now, are thinking about the reason for the celebration. I hope much is thought about the lives that have been given for us to have the freedoms we enjoy today.
I heard a woman speak today about her dismay concerning a recent law that was enforced allowing protesters to attend military funerals so they can make a statement regarding their feelings about the military and war and even the individual who is being buried. Can you imagine? So our laws allow people to shout obscenities to be heard by the families of those who died maintaining the freedom for them to be able to disrupt the grieving of the family. A low point.
A high point came from another story told of a couple visiting Rome a number of years ago. They tried to find an LDS church to attend on Sunday. There was a small group of about 11 members meeting in a small apartment. It was the 4th of July weekend, but the travelers didn't expect to hear any mention of that in Italy in a Fast & Testimony meeting. But a young Italian woman stood up and spoke in English. She told of how grateful she was for the freedoms enjoyed in the United States. She testified that she knew that without those freedoms, without the constitution The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would not have been organized, the priesthood would not have been restored and she would never have learned of the saving principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Tonight my family got together and listened to my brother tell about his experiences on a recent trip to Israel. As he spoke I was struck by how confused things are about most of the historic events surrounding the life of the Savior. So many years have gone by and the land has changed and traditions and wars and bloodshed and anger and power have diluted the truth among so many religious organizations. But the same question remains for many that Joseph Smith asked years ago as he knelt in a grove of trees. Elder Maines says he, Joseph, was really the first investigator and when the Father and Son appeared to Joseph they were the first missionary companionship. In answering Joseph's question of where he could find truth, they taught him the same principles that missionaries today teach.
I am so grateful for the truths of eternal life which have come to me because of the freedom established here. I am grateful that I can exercise and share these truths because of that same freedom. What a great gift freedom is.
Friday night at the Concert in the Park the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band performed. It was hot and they were all in their fatigues. It was a fun and stirring performance. I think one of the crowd favorites was when they played and sang the songs for each of the military service groups and asked anyone in the audience who had served or had family serve to stand. The Navy was first and I was so proud when Ed stood up. There were not many who were in the Navy. Air Force was next, then Marines, then Coast Guard and they ended with Army. Half of the audience stood at that point. It was very touching. The concert ended with a trumpet player coming out and singing America the Beautiful. His tenor voice was clear and strong and it made us all have goosebumps. That concert was the perfect kickoff for a weekend of celebrating our freedoms.
Earlier I had been contemplating my week. We met our new Presidency and their wives; I have done a lot of redo of the Pacific Island Orals because of changes; our son-in-law successfully argued his thesis and is now done with his Master's; I got to hold our Edison several times this week; we attended a very funny play; the elevators in our building broke down with our friends and their 3 grandchildren in it; I was asked to "say" the prayer in the signing class I attend once a week.
What a great week!
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