Independence and All!

I would like to include a bit from a talk by Elder L. Tom Perry, an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love his words about our country!

"Today we are fortunate to live in a choice and promised land. It will remain free and blessed as long as its people remember the God who gave them life and this free land. We must remember that the family is the basic unit of a strong society. We are all part of God’s family; and as our Father, he expects us to build strong family units. It is in the family that the basic morality and righteousness should be taught that will keep America free. Each member of every family plays an important role in America. For several thousand years throughout this land the great fathers and mothers, the noble sons, the patriot sons, the choice daughters have forged America into what we have today. It is America’s conscience that has preserved her. America is beautiful only when she is good, when children are laughing in her streets, and love abounds in her families. Without this conscience, civilization crumbles, as it has before on this continent. We are all part of America’s future. Our job is to remember the lessons of the past, to patch up the mistakes and the sins of everything that has gone before. The place to start is within our own families; and as we have been counseled, “No success can compensate for failure in the home.” That’s where we want to leave these people who come and have an opportunity of hearing our message, the most important message that will be taught during America’s Bicentennial year.
The source of America’s greatness is not a new doctrine to us. The Book of Mormon has declared over and over again that the blessings of heaven are contingent upon the righteousness of its people. In fact, this teaching has been proven in almost every age. Remember in 1831 when the famous French historian Alexis de Tocqueville said: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world of commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” (Jerreld L. Newquist, comp., Prophets, Principles and National Survival, Salt Lake City: Publishers Press, 1967, p. 60.) I want to again remind you of your responsibility to preserve the righteousness of America. I have reviewed 4,000 years of history, declaring this to be a land of promise, chosen of the Lord for his special purposes. Now we must deal with America’s future. The land must continue to remain strong and great and good. It is destined to be the major supplier of human and financial resources, to build the kingdom of God here in the whole world, and to prepare the world for the return of the Lord and Savior. The adversary knows all too well that a weak America will literally stop this building process and thwart the work of God. I hope I have painted a clear picture for you to see your role in this great eternal process. The Lord is making his major investment in you. In my dealings with the Lord, I have found him to be one who expects performance. Look at the very beginning; he supplied Adam and Eve with the potential for their needs. Remember his first command to them—multiply, replenish, have dominion over, and subdue. (See Gen. 1:28.) They were not placed in the Garden of Eden merely to have a comfortable life or to enjoy the benefits of the Lord’s labor, but to accomplish, to do. He is the supplier of resources and, in turn, expects performance out of us. John Adams understood the potential of a righteous government when he wrote: “Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible as their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obligated in conscience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and charity toward his fellowmen, and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God. In this commonwealth no man would impair his health with gluttony, drunkenness or lust. No man would sacrifice his precious time to cards or trifling with other mean amusements. No man would steal or lie or in any way defraud his neighbor, but would live in peace and good will toward all men. No man would blaspheme his Maker or profane his worship, but a rational and manly, a sincere and unaffected devotion would reign in the hearts of all men. What a utopia, what a paradise this region would be.” I want to issue you a challenge. I want you who are the best trained, the best educated, who have been given these great advantages here in America to literally become the conscience of America and the molders of its destiny and future. With your knowledge, your training, your understanding of how God works in the hearts of his children here on earth, let us obligate ourselves to temperance, to frugality, and to industry. Let us show justice, kindness, and charity toward our fellowmen. Let us demonstrate the love and reverence we should exhibit toward our Almighty God. Let us not trifle with the things that are holy to God. Fifty-six men represented 2.5 million in 1776 to bring about a new nation that has literally blessed the whole world. That was one man to every 45,000. Today I’m calling on each of you to exert an influence over about 220 million people in this land. The odds are even better for you; the advantage is on your side. This is the time for you to be bold enough to stand up for what you believe, to let the world know that God still blesses this great land of America—if we will live righteously, according to that which he has commanded. Will God bless us that we may have the courage to fulfill our responsibility here? I know by personal experience during these last two years that the heavens are still open, that he still does direct his work here. That message should ring from the hilltops of this nation during its Bicentennial. Will you have the courage to stand up with me and be counted with those who would preserve this land of the free through the righteousness of its people?"

Now we had a wonderful Independence Day, despite the fact we live in a liberal town. We started out by attending my sister's ward pancake breakfast in which the Mayor of Corvallis had been invited. Several stories of our flag's history and the Liberty Bell's history were shared, we sang patriotic hymns, and of course ate pancakes. It was a good start to the day! Justin really wanted to see a parade with Levi, and although I knew the Corvallis one wasn't really a parade, I took them to that one. It was mostly people dressed up walking past, with the occasional tractor or something. Not all the people walking were were patriotic stuff, so it didn't seem too much like a 4th of July parade, but rather just a parade of people. It was nothing more than what I expected, and now Justin agrees it would not be worth attending in the future. He especially didn't like that there was a huge following of the Democratic Party with signs for Obama (he really dislikes Obama, and the attitude of most Democrats), yet there was no sign of the Republican party. Also, following the Democrats was a large group of war protesters, which irked him even more. Both of us feel that war protesters do not belong in a 4th of July parade where you are celebrating the men who gave their life for your freedom. Now that last word is key because that is why those protesters were there, they have freedom just as I do, but that doesn't mean I have to agree or support them (just as they don't have to towards me). Anyway, so then we headed home for a little relaxation. It was nice, and Levi took a much needed nap. He looks forlorn in some parade pictures because he was so tired. Then Justin's sister Jessica and her family came by and our full celebrations began. We originally planned to swim, but it was overcast and 68, so we opted out. The three boys were having fun playing in the back room so we decided the adults could play some X-box. We played a game that allowed us to do a combat form of capture the flag, and we had a blast! An hour or so later we checked outside which we noticed had become sunny. Sure enough the clouds were parting and the temp had risen. So we took the boys swimming, and they had the time of their life! After swimming we had our both our dads (whose wives are away) and the missionaries from our ward over for a BBQ. Everyone was stuffed and the food was great! After that we played some more X-box while waiting to set off fireworks. Around 8:30 Jessica and her family headed home and we headed to my sister, Alicen's house. We had our own little firework show, and Levi was in heaven! He stayed close to us, but was so excited with the fireworks. Then we headed to a spot to watch the city's display. I thought Levi would flip his lid! He loved every minute of it, and it was so cute to watch. I wish I would have had my camera for that, but I forgot it at home. So our day started early and ended late, but it was worth every minute!

On Saturday we went to pick my mom up from the airport (she's been in Chicago for two and a half weeks). Levi was so excited to see his Nana again. On Sunday we had a family dinner to celebrate her safe return. Afterwards we all went for a walk. Up and down those hills was a bit much for me and I am still "feeling it" today! While walking Levi tripped on some gravel and skinned his palms and knee. This is the picture of him being so thrilled with his car band-aids. So alls well that ends well!

Hope all is well with you!