Where The Spirit of the Lord is, There is Liberty!

With our celebration of the Independence Day on Monday I was especially receptive to reading a talk by Elder Robert D. Hales titled "Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom". For me it was a great reminder of the importance of religious freedom and a perfect close to my 4th of July celebration this year.

I've chosen to share the four cornerstones of religious freedom that we as Latter-day Saints choose to rely upon and protect.

The first is freedom to believe.
No one should be criticized, persecuted, or attacked by individuals, or governments either, for what he or she believes about God. It is very personal and very important. An early declaration of our beliefs regarding religious liberty states:  “No government can exist in peace, except such laws are
framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience. …"

 The second cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to share our faith and our beliefs with others. The Lord commands us, “Ye shall teach [the gospel to] your children … when thou sittest in thine house.”11 He also said to His disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”12 As parents, fulltime missionaries, and member missionaries, we rely on religious freedom in order to teach the Lord’s doctrine in our families and throughout the world.

 The third cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to form a religious organization, a church, to worship peacefully with others. 
 The eleventh article of faith declares, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

The fourth cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to live our faith.
Free exercise of faith not just in the home and chapel but also in public places. The Lord commands us not only to pray privately13 but also to go forth and “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.”

"Some are offended when we bring our religion into the public square, yet the same people who insist that their viewpoints and actions be tolerated in society are often very slow to give that same tolerance to religious believers who also wish their viewpoints and actions to be tolerated. The general lack of respect for religious viewpoints is quickly devolving into social and political intolerance for religious people and institutions."


Elder Hales goes on to give us three things we can do as individuals to safeguard these sacred freedoms and rights for ourselves and our posterity.

1. Become informed. Be aware of issues in your community that could have an impact on religious liberty.

2. In your individual capacity, join with others who share our commitment to religious freedom. Work side by side to protect religious freedom.

3. Live your life to be a good example of what you believe—in word and deed. How we live our religion is far more important than what we may say about our religion.

Brothers and Sisters, I'm thankful for this guideline given to us by Elder Hales. Nothing is more important than freedom of religion in this country. Regardless of the religion, this land was established so that all of God's children have the agency to choose. Be aware of what's going on around you and gain strength by seeking out others who are willing to be heard as well.  Always speak with meekness and with God's light.

Remember....

Fighting for Liberty and Freedom.

When I found out that Alma 43-63 was called the "War Chapters", I didn't know what to think. War stories aren't exactly something that excite me, but I started my required reading with an open mind.

My reading this week did not go in order. I was prompted, on several occasions, to jump ahead and then back up. After my third chapter choice, I found myself excited about what I was reading. My understanding of who Moroni and Helaman were, grew stupendously.  As with many things in the Book of Mormon, I had heard the stories, but not read them myself. Having that confirmation from the Holy Ghost, brought me a whole new understanding of their message and example needed, in today's world.


I learned that they fought for freedom and liberty. The men and boys, who fought with Moroni and Helaman, were fighting because they believed in defending their family, their religion and their land.  They would not raise their swords on the offensive, but would defend themselves against the enemy and preserve their lives.

Alma 46:
11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.

 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

 13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—

Alma 48

10 And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.

13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.

After fighting for that freedom, Moroni chose to have a physical sign of "Liberty" raised on all the towers of the land. This immediately reminded me of photo, after 9/11, of the firefighters lifting the American flag.

Alma 46

36 And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.

I know some people around me wonder why I defend the constitution and religious freedom so strongly. I do so, because I have a testimony that the founding of this country was inspired and directed by God. The United States was chosen to be the promised land and was all part of the plan, that allowed the complete restoration of the gospel. On occasion, I find myself questioning how far I would go to defend that freedom. Looking forward, if I find myself asking that question, I will reference back to Moroni and Helaman, and remind myself of those characteristics needed to fight in such a war.

When I see Moroni at the top of each temple, I will no longer think of him solely as a messenger angel, but as a warrior and protector. 

I'd like to close, by sharing this video "War and Peace", by Gordon B. Hinkley. He shared this message during the the 2003 April General Conference; just days after the United States lead it's first offensive attack in the Iraq War. 

"It is clear from these and other writings that there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation, to fight for family, for liberty, and against tyranny, threat, and oppression." Gordon B. Hinkley 

A System of Judges and Personal Responsbility

Mosiah 29 appeared to be a small chapter in my reading this week, but the content contained lead to some very big changes for the Nephite civilization. Until this time, the Nephites had lived under a Patriarchal society and a Monarchy government. After seeing failures with both systems, Mosiah felt it was time to shift the government to a system of judges. There we're many factors and history that played into his decision, so let me share a few.

First, Mosiah had just translated the history of the Jeredites and under the Monarchy, and under their Monarchy government, the entire Jeredite civilization had been destroyed. Mosiah had also witnessed and read of evil Kings in his own civilization. Ultimately, he believed that a Monarchy could successfully rule the people and live by Gods law if the king was righteous, but that would not always be the case.

Second, King Mosiah realized that even his own kin could cause contention if another king was appointed. When word was spread to the people, they all desired that his son Aaron would be their ruler. Aaron, along with his brothers, all declined because they wanted to serve a mission among the Lamintes. Mosiah, warned the people that Aaron could turn again to his pride and try to claim his right to the kingdom. This could cause contention among the people, splitting them and causing anger and wars.

Ultimately, the biggest factor was his desire to shift the responsibility of the kingdom to the people, rather than than one man; The King.

v33  And many more things did king Mosiah write unto them, unfolding unto them all the trials and ^atroubles of a righteous king, yea, all the travails of soul for their people, and also all the murmurings of the people to their king; and he explained it all unto them.

 v34 And he told them that these things ought not to be; but that the burden should come upon all the people, that every man might ^abear his part.

 Mosiah has faith that, although their are some who desire to do wrong, the majority of people will choose to do right.  

v26 Now it is not common that the ^avoice of the people desireth anything ^bcontrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the ^cpeople to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.

He also feels, with a system of higher and lower judges, a system of "checks and balances" as we call it today, would be in place. If either set of judges is not judging in righteousness, they will be held accountable by the voice of the people.

Mosiah knew the importance of every man having an equal chance in the land and a willingness to answer to his own sins. 

v39 Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their ^avoices concerning who should be their ^bjudges, to judge them according to the ^claw which had been given them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the ^dliberty which had been granted unto them.

I'm very thankful to see this early example of Democracy being set forth in the scriptures. I'm thankful to have counsel that reminds me that good, can prevail over evil. In order to play our part in spreading good, we are counseled to seek the truth. We are counseled to carefully study the men and issues that will affect our local community and our country as a whole. 

I'll finish, with a link to a video that was included in my lesson this week. This short video titled "At the Crossroads of History", briefly summarizes the lesson of Mosiah 29 and reminds me of the need to "Rising Up and Defend Freedom".