What a great country we live in, this great United States of America, that we have the freedom to practice our religion.
"Freedom of religion is a guarantee by a government for freedom of belief for individuals and freedom of worship for individuals and groups. It is generally recognized to also include the freedom not to follow any religion. Freedom of religion is considered by many in many nations and people to be a fundamental human right."
-The freedom of religion as stated by Wikipedia
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Sunday is a day of rest from our weekly schedule of work. Today is a day that we reserve for worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My thoughts for today are to give you thoughts on the United States Constitution as I truly believe it was inspired by God.
My First Quotation comes from President George Albert Smith...
"The Lord in his wisdom saw the necessity of giving us a nation in which we could thrive. In no other nation under heaven could the Church have been organized and gone forward as we have in this nation. The founding of the United States was not an accident. The giving to us of the Constitution of the United States was not an accident. Our Heavenly Father knew what would be needed, and so he paved the way to give us the Constitution. It came under the influence of prayer, and he guided those who framed that wonderful document."
"I hope that the membership of this Church will not be deceived into thinking that other plans, other forms of government, other systems of direction whatsoever, are desirable. I want to say to you without any hesitation that no form of government in the world can be compared favorably with the government God gave to us. This is his plan."
-April 1947
The following quotation is by the prophet Joseph Smith as a Declaration of Belief Regarding Governments and Laws.
"We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. 2. We believe that 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 right and control of property, and the protection of life.
-Doctrine & Covenants, Section 134, 1-2
-August 17, 1835
I am strongly patriotic and believe that our country was founded for reasons beyond you and I...that it was founded so that we can have the freedoms that we enjoy and most take for granted. I believe that, because of our Founding Fathers, I have the right to practice my religion freely and to enjoy the benefits of a society, full of others with diverse religions, who can do the same.
A great resource for more about the doctrines and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that goes into detail topic by topic, is a book called "We Believe" by Rulon T. Burton. I utilize it regularly because it includes references to scripture from the Bible, Book of Mormon, General Authorities of the Church, as well as other figures of support. A great resource indeed.
Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.
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