You may go to France, but you will never
become a Frenchman. You may go to
Greece, but you will never become a Greek.
You may go to China, but you will never become a Chinese, to Japan and
never become a Japanese. But anyone can
come to America and become an American.
That is the greatness of this country we call the United States of
America! Angie Papadakis
“The
United States of America is a great nation, founded on gospel-based principles
and values. I believe our leaders were
guided by Deity during the very formation of our country to make it so. In turn, we are promised by God we will always
have His care and protection as long as we serve Him.
In a 1775 letter when George Washington was the head
of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, he wrote: “A
kind of destiny ... has thrown me upon this service. I shall hope that my
undertaking of it is designed to answer some good purpose.”
That
“good purpose” was that the United States was where the Lord intended for
liberty to take hold so that agency might thrive. Here the gospel would put
down roots and then branch out with truths to bless millions.
Though we
are aware that religious freedom is clearly under fire, teachings based on
faith in God have always contributed to moral actions that benefit the entire
nation. Cultivating a sincere and
abiding love for all others, by loving our country and its values, and most of
all by demonstrating love for Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will help us joyfully
engage in the Lord’s great work to help us maintain freedom and liberty for all
in our wonderful country—and around the world.
It is a work for everyone to preserve freedom and moral agency.”
(The above is a summary of remarks given
by Ronald A. Rasband, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. He was the keynote
speaker in the 2026 Patriotic Service of America’s Freedom Festival, Sunday,
June 28, 2026)
I am grateful
for this bold message with wise words which invite us to be more valiant during
challenging times ahead when our country’s values and freedom may be contested
even more.
Let’s take an
active part in preserving our God-given freedom and moral agency every day by extending
a sincere love for all—here and around the world! We are truly brothers and sisters in Christ’s
family no matter where we live.
John Adams gave the
following suggestion at the time of the Declaration of Independence. I hope you celebrated July 4, 2026, in the same true American style as it
was celebrated that day 250 years ago on July 4, 1776, when we declared
ourselves a nation!
“The 4th of
July,1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. It ought to be
solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires,
illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time
forward….”
