In April 1777, not quite a year after the United States had declared its independence from Great Britain, John Adams wrote a personal letter to his wife Abigail. At its conclusion he simmered with conviction: “Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.” Although the American Revolution is largely seen by historians and the secular world as the beginning of a new epoch of human history, one devoted, even in an imperfect way, to limited constitutional government and inalienable human rights, Latter-day Saints have a unique perspective–even a theological one–on the birth of this new land of freedom. This perspective persuades us to accept a heavier burden in making “good use” of our freedom and appreciating the fact that we have it.
Key historical events related to the United States of America were foreseen by the prophet Nephi in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 13). The Lord stated in Doctrine & Covenants 101:80 that He had “established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” Very recently, Latter-day Saints have been instructed by a modern prophet, seer, and revelator regarding the Constitution and counseled us to defend it (see Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution by President Dallin H. Oaks). I could point to additional scriptures and a robust catalog of commentary from our inspired leaders on this important topic, but these will suffice to confirm Latter-day Saint’s unique viewpoint on the United States of America and its founding principles.
Every 4th of July, when I hear and feel the resonance of fireworks in the air, I try to imagine the terrible price which was paid by so many, “the cost” as John Adams called it, to secure for future generations a freedom unknown to so many generations before. It can be a humbling experience. I am reminded of Alma’s question in the Book of Mormon, “have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them?” (Alma 5:6). During the 4th of July, our minds can naturally focus on those early American heroes, but the scriptures are filled with stories of deliverance. The Lord is merciful to His children, and He desires for them to be free to worship “according to the dictates of [their] own conscience” (Articles of Faith 1:11).
Each generation has a new opportunity to retain or restore freedom for themselves and their posterity. We lack no shortage of challenges. The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently urged us “to be active citizens by registering, exercising [our] right to vote, and engaging in civic affairs, always demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.” They continued, “Merely voting a straight ticket or voting based on ‘tradition’ without careful study of candidates and their positions on important issues is a threat to democracy and inconsistent with revealed standards (see Doctrine and Covenants 98:10).” Although the 4th of July is a celebratory time, it is also a wonderful time to reflect with soberness on our shared responsibility to preserve for ourselves and our children the blessed freedoms God has prepared for us.
On July 9th, 1776, General George Washington had the Declaration of Independence read aloud to several brigades of soldiers and felt this powerful statement would be a “fresh incentive to every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and courage” (see 1776 by David McCullough). As we celebrate this 4th of July, let us also ponder once again the founding principles of the United States of America and find a fresh incentive to act honorably in defense of freedom. To quote John Adams once again, he looked forward to the future commemoration of America’s independence and remarked: “It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
To each of you, I wish you a very happy and memorable 4th of July.
Adam C. Zern | 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency of the St. Cloud Florida Stake
St. Cloud Florida Stake Blog 