Day 22: Land of the Free

"For there is a time appointed for every man, according as his works shall be." (D&C 121:25)

Across the time line of existence, we stepped on the scene during the winding up period preceding that event which every prophet since the foundation of this world has spoken of. And as Dickens so aptly penned it,

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us. . ." (A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens, pg. 1)

Unless you've had your head stuck in the sand you are well aware that this world we live in isn't getting any better. At times it can seem pretty bleak.

As I said in a talk I gave recently, 'Satan knows that his time of power is quickly drawing to a close, and he isn't taking weekends or holidays off. This is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year business of destroying souls, and he's been working overtime since day one. This war he wages is not fought on the shores of Normandy or the deserts of the Middle East but in the fleshy tabernacle of our hearts.This is the time, if ever there were one to be valiant in the testimony of Christ.'

"For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well--and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none--and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. (2nd Nephi 28:20)

But he is not going to win. We know that. The only thing yet to be determined is which side of the line we will stand on. And I think you already know the answer to that. I do. We have to "be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed. . .for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)

I am so grateful today that I am an American. I am proud of it. I love this country and I appreciate those brave men and women who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the establishment of a nation where the gospel could go boldly, nobly forward, "to sweep the earth as with a flood" (Moses 7:62). And I am grateful for the brave men and women who today are defending the borders of our land at home and abroad, and for their families who sacrifice time with their husband, wife, father, or mother so that we can enjoy time with ours.

I hope you will take the time to watch this video--all of it. And if it moves you at all, if it brings you to tears or makes your heart swell with gratitude, don't just think, "wow, that was neat." Begin again with me and start living your life in a way so that the individuals who didn't get to come home will have not died in vain.

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren: and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad."

(D&C 128:22)