America, the Beautiful

I am blessed to live in America, a land described in the Book of Mormon as "choice above all other lands".

Inspired by God, righteous men like George Washington established America

America was established by men and women who had a firm belief in God. For more than 200 years, America has been a bastion of freedom, a light in an otherwise dark world, an example for nations to follow. Millions have unselfishly served in the military to keep America safe. Many here worship God and keep His commandments, and He has richly blessed them.

But I worry it won't always be that way. Many in America and throughout the world are growing progressively more wicked. Far too many deny that there is a God. Many more acknowledge Him but do not keep His commandments. To the Book of Mormon prophet, Jacob, God said—

Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God.

Repeatedly we are warned throughout the scriptures that those who do not worship God fall; nations which do not acknowledge Him perish. Fortunately, many still believe in Him, and many still serve Him.

I join with Francis Scott Key, author of The Star-Spangled Banner, in saying:

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I pray that America will continue to be a bastion of freedom, a light in an often dark world, and an example of goodness and Godliness. In this I join with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in praising America, the Beautiful.