Freedom -- A Gift From God!

FREEDOM does not come easily and the birth of this great nation, after independence was declared, required the shedding of much blood. I pray that we will do our part to ensure that such a treasure is maintained and strengthened with the help of Heaven. God wants this nation and the concept of FREEDOM to prevail, for it is His concept and design. FREEDOM is the way by which we can become like He is! It is the very thing that allows us to know the difference between good and evil. Let us now judge for ourselves the path that we are one as individuals and as a nation. The solution and resolve must begin at home, but we can and we MUST be engaged in the activity that is required of a free people. I think this gift is best summed up in the words of Thomas Paine, in The American Crisis. And we face times similar to those which he spoke of in his priceless pamphlet.

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldiers and the sunshine patriots will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we often esteem too lightly: - 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods; and it [would] be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared, that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us all in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD."

And so, FREEDOM, as Paine truthfully wrote, is a gift from God. It ought not be granted or taken away by man. And any nation or ruler who attempts to limit such a gift is only being an instrument of darkness and fulfilling the wishes of Satan. It is darkness! And to allow FREEDOM to slowly slip away is a foolish mistake. For once FREEDOM disappears, by way of government, it will likely not return for our eyes to see. It may even remain outside the grasp of our children as well. But one thing is certain. When Christ the Lord returns, He will restore FREEDOM to this nation, and to all mankind as it is meant to be.

We live in the Last Days; the times foretold by ancient prophets. Nothing can be done to prevent the events that have been prophesied, but we can choose to be the people who preserve and hold onto FREEDOM. We can take back the rights and privileges that belong in the hands of the people and return government to its rightfully limited place. But we cannot return to maximum FREEDOM if we are asking government to provide for our every want at the same time. Nothing comes free, and as Thomas Paine wrote, those things which come easy are rarely appreciated. If we want things to change and get back to their proper place and order, we must begin to perfect our lives at home. We will all make mistakes of our own, and because of our Savior, we can be forgiven and set FREE!!! We can and must also be involved in voting for and running for various leadership positions in our government. It is pathetic and shameful that we do not have 100% participation from eligible voters in this country. My fear is that we are too far disconnected from the price of FREEDOM to understand the cost. Pride has set in and it prevents us from participating in the ways that we ought to in order to maintain the very thing which allows us to ignore our responsibilities. But we are FREE to choose!

With all of that being said. I am grateful for those who have sacrificed to give us what we have. I am grateful to live in the land in which I live; The United States of America. I am grateful for my Savior who gave all of us the priceless gift of the Atonement which allows us all to be FREE. Today, we celebrated, as a family, the birthday of one of our children. The future will soon be in the hands of our children and we must leave them with something more hopeful than what we have now. We must use common sense! We must protect FREEDOM!!!

GOD BLESS THE USA!!!