The Test of Time

 This July 4th marked the 250th birthday of the United States of America.  The 4th of July was never really a favorite holiday for me, but I'm beginning to feel differently about it.  I've always had fond memories of July 4th.  When I was young, I always went to the parades and was even in them for many years.  We always went to fireworks shows and set off our own!  I have felt that my parents always impressed a sense of patriotism on me.  Every year, the thing I noticed most were the tears in my dad's eyes during the fireworks, the Star Spangled Banner, or when another patriotic song was on the radio.  I never knew what came to his mind at those times, but there was clearly an emotional movement, or something even spiritual going on.  

I don't know what it's like to sacrifice my life for freedom or liberty.  I've never been jailed for standing for what I believe.   I've never had the courage to travel to unknown places in the name of freedom.  I've never lost someone close to me due to war.  I've never seen the horrors of war.  I've never been hardened by military service.  I don't know what it's like to lead men and women into battle.  I'll never know the weight of making the decision to go to war.  I'll never understand the true consequences of the mistakes that are made regarding war.  Often times I haven't understood the immense meaning of the birth of this nation.  My dad's eyes always told the story of maybe deep gratitude, or acknowledgment of God's Divine hand in all of it.  That was enough for me for a long time, but somehow I came to view the holiday with a bit of indifference.  I got to a place where I would rather work the holiday than not.  For a little while I didn't understand exactly what was to be celebrated?  I did not think it so important to celebrate or teach my little kids about its significance.  I lost the spirit that I so vividly remember as a child.

This year surprised me.  Maybe it was the hordes of people willing to drive around to find parking, then walk for a while in the crowds, only excited for the fireworks, the patriotism of the colonial festival, the sold-out theaters for Young Washington.  There was a special, a certain spirit this year.  Maybe I felt it because I dared venture out among the throngs of people.  Maybe it was the clapping at the end of Young Washington.  My daughter said she had never been in a theater when people clapped at the end, and we go to a lot of movies!  Maybe it was the pure joy expressed at the end of the fireworks.  Maybe it was the sweet lady at the colonial festival that invited me and my children to sign the Declaration of Independence.  That was significant to me, but my kids didn't quite understand, and I had the opportunity to explain.  

It could have been Sunday's sacrament meeting when we sang The Star-Spangled Banner in front of the flag.  I felt transported back to my youth when I sang the song countless times in choirs.  I felt something significant.  The words brought tears to my eyes.  It could have been the opening prayer I gave in sacrament meeting when a profound feeling of gratitude fell upon me.  It might have been the moment the Holy Ghost prompted me with something I read a few days before leading me to the pulpit to bear my testimony and express gratitude.  I remembered my dad, his teary eyes, and whatever spirit he felt long ago.

Maybe it was just me this year.... OR maybe something was different about this year.  Either way, I rediscovered something that felt lost, or something I hadn't felt in a long time.  The statistic I read prior to Sunday's meeting was a profound one; one that perhaps put things into perspective.  By today's numbers you have a 2.7% chance of being born in the United States of America.  That's a 1 in 37 probability.  The year I was born, 1985, the chances were 2.9%, or 1 in 33 probability.  I pondered on that for a while, thinking that maybe it was by luck that I'm here now.  That statistic made me stop and think.  I realized how grateful I should be.  My life has been hundreds of times easier than many out there.   

I've studied history, I know it, but I don't think of it so often.   Sitting in the sold out theater watching Young Washington, I was able to revisit that history just a little.  Yes, the souls who died to fight for the land they too were born on, consecrated the land with their blood.  Not everyone fought for the same reasons, but blood was spilt nonetheless. It's truly a complicated and complex history.  You can't simply say it was about land or killing the Native Americans.  Although some of this happened, that is not the whole story. Washington's story is a classic, American underdog story.  His life truly captures and exemplifies the theme of the movie, "even a pawn can take a king". It's a great movie!  You should go see it!

The closest I've ever come to war was after the 9-11 attacks when military units in my area were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.  I was a Junior in high school, and I was in the Madrigal choir.  Our choir director volunteered us to sing at the sendoff ceremony to honor the deployed.  Many of these young men were not married.  The program enlisted the choir girls to be escorts to the unmarried men during the ceremony.  I remember it almost like yesterday....it left a mark on me.  I didn't totally understand what was going on at the time.  I wasn't sure I agreed with the war on terror.  I was unfamiliar with much of the global politics at the time.  It was somber.  It was a sad time.  It was strange thinking that the man I escorted to the stage to be honored might not come back.  I didn't know him.  I didn't know anything about him.  I think they did all come home safe and sound after their deployment. 

What I've learned this year is that there is a very specific spirit that accompanies patriotism.  There is a special spirit that resides here in America, in the land and among the people.  I think most recognize the miracles that were brought down from the heavens for this nation to come into existence.  How ever one comes to feeling this spirit of freedom, liberty, and God's hand it is present.  So, no, you don't have to be a soldier, fight wars, lose loved ones, be a history scholar, receive honors or medals, or travel the world over to feel this spirit.  You can feel it watching fireworks, listening to the national anthem, or looking to the past and seeing what this country meant to the people of the past.

The odds that the Constitution of the United States would be ratified were quite low at the time.  Ratification required 9 out of 13 states to ratify.  This was considered a super majority.  Over 1600 delegates debated the constitution in state conventions and this produced the largest outpouring of political writings in history.  The promise of a Bill of Rights was one thing that tipped the scale in the minority's favor.  They needed to convince 9 states, and most were hesitant.  It was described as a near-impossible task. This US Constitution has become the longest lasting written constitution in the world. It is the oldest written constitution still in operation.

This constitution made it possible for religious freedom.  The United States of America and its constitution did not always work in favor of the early LDS saints, but it was free enough to allow for the birth of the restoration of Jesus Christ's true church.  After the saints fled the US for many reasons, they eventually voted to become part of the United States in 1896.  Their entering the union was delayed due to disagreements over polygamy, however they were resolved when Utah agreed to outlaw it.  The LDS saints have been grateful to US Constitution ever since and continues to advocate for religious freedom.  Religious freedom means a great deal to the LDS people.  

From George Washington to the US Constitution to the many wars that hallowed this land to religiousfreedom and the birth of the restoration to today, God's miracles have not ceased.  The spirit that dwells here does not cease.  George Washington has stood the test of time.  He was uniquely....American.  The Constitution stood the test of time....still standing.  Religious freedom still stands in the land despite the way some act today....they still view themselves as supporters of the 1st Amendment, haha!  God's miracles stand the test of time.....for they have never ceased.

Happy 250th Birthday America....You have stood the test of time!  Here's to the hope that you continue to stand!