As I mentioned in an earlier post, we spent Independence Day in Philadelphia. It fell on a Sunday this year, of course, and being the first Sunday in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was fast and testimony meeting. The premise is that everyone comes to the Sacrament Meeting near the end of a 24 hour fast. This way, members are prepared to feel humble and worshipful and grateful.
I was eager for the meeting, since most of the members in my son’s ward are black. It’s always fun to visit wards where the culture is different from what I’m used to. This meeting was not disappointing. The members expressed themselves with great openness. They spoke of their gratitude for Jesus Christ and for the Gospel of repentance.
As I sat listening to a great big black brother, I suddenly got all teary eyed. Here we were, 235 years after Independence was declared and a member of a race that had been terribly oppressed, was expressing his love of Jesus Christ, in a Mormon Church. Nobody harassed him and he had no fear. It’s taken a long time and a great hard struggle, but we are a free people. God has given us so very much.
It strikes me also that I’ve visited all but about 5 states in the nation. There is so much ROOM! Our country is so beautiful and rich and blessed. The oceans on three sides are beautiful and forest and prairie and desert in between are also so lovely, I don’t have adjectives big or bright enough to describe them.
I am recommitted to doing what I can to protect my freedom. I vote of course, but I’m going to be more active in campaigning and tea partying than before. Freedom is a great gift that comes with this beautiful land, and I have a duty to protect it as well as I can.