Yesterday's Spiritual Message: If You're Reading This

Belated Happy Fourth of July!

On the Fourth, my family and I wanted to get into the patriotic feeling of the day, and we did, in part, by watching this video dedicated to soldiers who have fallen in war, fighting for our country.

As a husband and father, this really tugged and tugs at my heart strings.



I realize there's much more to America than simply those who have fought for it.  Yet, without the ultimate sacrifice given by so many, I doubt whether we would have the great land we have, today.


Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
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!

Today's Spiritual Message: In Memoriam, 9/11

Today, my heart is full of pondering, of remembering that fateful day, from ten years ago.  I will always remember watching the events of 9/11 unfold, from the remote TV in my physics classroom, in high school.  I'm so grateful for those who gave their lives to save and rescue others.

Remembering those who gave their lives.

Tom Brokaw and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will air a special 9/11 broadcast, today.

In remembering 9/11, I invite you to watch a special memorial broadcast, recorded by Tom Brokaw, who was a news anchor detailing the events of 9/11, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, who quickly performed a memorial service.  The broadcast will be aired throughout the day.

Finally, invite you to read two different articles reflecting on 9/11, one by Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (in the Washington Post) and the other by Emory Cook, of BYUtv.

May we be a better people as a result of the 9/11 tragedy -- more full of love and compassion, and may God bless America.

Today's Spiritual Message: And This Be Our Motto: "In God Is Our Trust"

Have you ever sang the second and fourth verses of The Star Spangled Banner?  I had that privilege at church, today, and really got choked up:

In God is our trust.

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

To me, this photo says it all.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
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'm really touched by the second verse's reference to the sacrifice and suffering of our heroes of war who gave their life to gain and protect our freedom.  I know a number of brave men who have served our country in war and were also willing to give their lives.  I honor them.

I'm also moved to think back to a time when the whole nation stood up together and "Praise[d] the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation."  How I wish we would have that same reverence and veneration, today!

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

Ether 12: 2.  I hope and pray that we will, as a nation, return to praising the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Many of our forebears crossed the Atlantic in an outright
trust and general dependence on God.  How much can
the same be said about this nation, today?

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

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

God bless America, My home sweet home.