Letter from the Editor

Jul 2008 Issue

During this patriotic time of year, we collectively pause and give thanks for our nation: from its tenuous beginnings, upheld by the hand of the Almighty; to its rise in wealth and power; to the restoration of the gospel with the ordinances and covenants that lead us to eternal life. In counting the blessings of our lives and of this land, our list is long indeed.

In reviewing our own history, though, we must not ignore the cycle of previous great civilizations on this same land. We have followed their pattern from humble beginnings to greatness, and now through the wickedness of the nation we are following the uglier side of the cycle.
President Benson commented that:

“If you use the scriptures as a guide, you know what the Book of Mormon has to say regarding murderous conspiracies in the last day and how we are to awake to our awful situation today. I find certain elements in the Church do not like to read the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants: to such, they have too much to say about freedom” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 81).

If we were already in an “awful situation” twenty years ago, with “murderous conspiracies” above us at the head of our government and freedom in peril, do we recognize our situation today?

More recently, President Hinckley spoke of “The Times in Which We Live.” He reminded us that the wars and treachery of this world are only a continuation of the War in Heaven. He told us that God our Eternal Father will watch over all “who look to Him.” He added “Our safety lies in repentance.
Our strength comes from obedience to the commandments of God” (October 2001 General Conference).

May we all humble ourselves before the Lord and recommit, in ways large and small, to love and serve Him. May we visit His Holy House more often; pray more fervently; magnify our callings; rejoice in the gifts of the sacrament and the Sabbath. We will surely find safety there. It’s the most patriotic thing we can do.

All the best,