A Land of Promise

   I like to make my blogs appropriate to the time of year or season. Even though I will post this after the holiday, we need not one single day to remember and recognize the greatness and potential this country has. This country was founded on Christian principles. I have done my "homework" on the Founding Fathers and yes, they were all self-proclaimed Christians. They were not just simply "deists" as the school textbooks will say. They were open about their belief in Christ. At one time, this nation had Christian morals...Oh how the times have changed...
   Everything happens for a reason. It was no coincidence that Columbus found this land, it was no coincidence that this land was destined to be free, it was no coincidence that a rag-tag team of American colonists defeated highly trained and far superior British troops to win their independence. God's hand is in all things.  In the Book of Mormon, it talks much of the American continent and the future freedoms it would have. This is only appropriate because America is the actual setting of the Book of Mormon. In Ether 9:23-25, it states:

"Wherefore … it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain–and the work, yea, even work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; …
For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; … for it is built up by the devil. "

This land was meant to be free. And anything that is done to hinder or take away from these freedoms is the works of the devil himself. So why is this country suffering? 2 Nephi 1:7 can tell us:

"  7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."

It is only a land of liberty if  we keep the commandments of God. He will maintain this country as free so long as we remember Him. So as long as we keep making everyone work on Sunday, which is supposed to be the Sabbath Day, fall into sin such as alcohol, drugs and fornications, then this land will keep getting worse and worse. But the opposite is true as well, God's hand is over this nation. But He will only bless us and protect this nation if we keep His commandments.