The Long Awaited (and somewhat less than satisfying) Part II

Although I got sidetracked and failed to find a couple references I had intended to use as backup for the following opinions, the gist I wanted to get across about two months ago is regarding the overwhelming love most American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have for the United States of America.

Although the Church is still often on the defensive before the world, members of the Church don't dwell on the horrifying past through which their ancestors had to pass. We are aware of the injustices suffered by the Pioneers, both legally and socially, but we understand that historical facts can't inhibit forward motion. What has happend has happened and we can learn from it, but constantly looking backward makes a clear vision toward the future difficult to develop, if not impossible.

With no disrespect to other groups that have been singled out for abuse and molestation by others in society, members of the Church seem to have less animosity, less anger and less of a desire to get even with the aggressors (or more accurately, the posterity of the aggressors) in comparison.

While other groups are stirred up in debate and protest for equality and civil rights, Latter Day Saints are busy doing. The rights of which I speak are the same rights any other citizen of the United States of America has. Whether the rights are perceived or not, they are there. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments, etc., etc. all guarantee individual rights, and in a broad sense collective rights.

It is this Freedom and Liberty, desired by God for all His children across the globe, that the Founding Fathers channeled into this nation--comprised of states united by the principles of self-governance--that allowed for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in its fullness, for which Latter Day Saints are grateful. Members of the Church, in general, view the country as realists. There are weaknesses in the make up of our local, state and federal governments. Elected officials are men and women with shortcomings. An election has never, and never can, change the character, constitution and nature of an individual. Therefore, every governing body in the nation has as many potential points of failure as it has posts to fill.

All that aside, a free nation, governed by the people enables its citizens to determine for themselves the amount of success each of them will have. Joseph Smith determined to remain faithful to the calling that was bestowed upon him, regardless of how often mobs tarred and feathered him. He had the freedom to back down and save himself, his wife, his family and his friends and followers a large amount of trouble at the hands of people who despised them. But he chose to face the persecution day after day, pressing forward because of his belief and his faith. As did those who followed him.

As the Pioneers faced harsh winters, unwelcoming neighbors, disease and hunger, they could have headed back to the places they were born and lived in comfort and peace. But they chose to move from town to town, in hopes of finding a place they could settle down and live their lives according the dictates and faith of their hearts. Many of them gave the ultimate sacrifice in their attempt to secure their right to practice their religion without persecution.

Subsequent generations have had their own specific trials and difficulties, as each generation that lives on this Earth has and will. But the one thing that has been constant since the late 18th Century (and God willing, will continue to be forever, until Christ makes His triumphant return) is that the United States of America is a country based on Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. She is a beacon to the world. It was the freedom set up by God, through the Founding Fathers, that prepared the way for the Gospel Restoration for which "the Mormons" will always be grateful.

The Church is true and America is the greatest nation on God's green Earth. May we always strive to protect our own freedoms and the freedoms of our fellow Americans. There may be discrimination out there, but 1) it isn't a part or a bi-product of America's founding principles, but of individual choices. And, 2) I choose not to join it or participate in it. I don't want special privileges or made up rights for my demographic or any other, I just demand the liberty to make of my life whatever I can.