Let Freedom Ring

I love the 4th of July! For as long as I can remember, I have loved the music, fireworks, barbecues, flags, etc., etc. I have quite a collection of patriotic decorations and can't wait to get them out each year in preparation for Independence Day. One of our favorite Benson family traditons has been our red, white, and blue breakfast on 4th of July morning.

But patriotism is much more than flag waving and fireworks. I am so grateful to live in this country--for the freedoms we enjoy here. I love American history and have a firm belief that God's hand was in the formation of this great country and the development of our government. The Constitution was the first written constitution of the world has has become a model for other countries to copy. In fact, every country in the world except six have created written constitutions and the US Constitution has served as a model for all of them.

The circumstances surrounding the drafting of the Constitution were miraculous when you think of the different backgrounds and ideologies of the delegates. It has been said that the success of the convention is due in large part to the intelligence, wisdom, and unselfishness of the delegates. James Madison wrote, "There never was an assembly of men, charged with a great and arduous trust, who were more pure in their motives or more exclusively or anxiously devoted to the object committed to them."

Elder Dallin Oakes (former member of the Utah State Supreme Court and current member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) suggests what our responsibilities as citizens are:

1. Study the Constitution and the principles included in it. Knowing what the document stands for, we should then vote in a way to promote those principles.

2. Promote morality (or what the founding fathers called "civic virtue"). It is our duty to be moral in our duty to all men and to be law abiding citizens. The personal righteousness of citizens will strengthen the nation. Further, we should fulfill our civic duties such as voting in ALL elections and serving on juries when summoned.

As this 4th of July comes around again, may each of us recognize and express gratitude for the great nation which we live in and do our part to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.

God Bless America

Land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with a Light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans--white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.