Family Home Evening - August 9

Home again, after a wonderful trip with three of my sisters. We left Salt Lake City on July 25, flew into Washington, D.C., toured there until Thursday morning, when we headed for Mount Vernon, then Williamsburg, VA. We returned to D.C. early Saturday, July 31, with time for a temple session before flying back to Salt Lake City that evening. I've thought alot about our country and the things we saw during that week. We visited the usual tourist attractions in D.C., saw the same things many others have seen, walked many miles, rode the Metro (great!), talked many hours, prayed, laughed, worried about family at home, saw sad things and exciting things, places where history was made, and places that reminded us of our many blessings. The thing that stands out in my mind this evening is the condition of our country today. We visited the National Archives, and saw the documents that established this country - the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution. In the American History Museum, we saw the tattered remnants of the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. We drove around the battlefield at Yorktown, ending our tour at Surrender Field, where the British surrendered to the colonial army. We walked the grounds and mansion at Mount Vernon, and watched Boy Scouts lay a wreath at the tomb of Washington. We walked around the monuments to Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, as well as the World War 2, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Marine Memorial, with the famous statue of the flag being raised at Iwo Jima. We walked the hills of Arlington and watched the solemn changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We also sat in the Senate gallery and watched the proceedings there. What I saw in the Senate didn't impress me. We all had the same impression - our country was established by statesmen, today we have politicians. For me, the most striking example was as one senator was speaking, many of the senators present (they weren't all there) were having side conversations. In fact, one very recognizable senator continued his conversation with three others, totally ignoring what his colleague had to say. There was no sense of courtesy for what another elected official was saying.
I was reading Ether from the Book of Mormon while on the trip, and read these words, "this land became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof." (Ether 13:2) I was saddened by what I saw. Brave men and women sacrificed, many giving even their lives, that this country may be established. I don't believe they would be happy with what is happening today. There is a seeking for power and riches that blinds men to the source of their many blessings.
May we always remember the cost that has been paid for this land, and remember the promises made by God to those who live here. It is my prayer daily that we, as a nation, will remember those two words from the Pledge of Allegiance, "under God", that we may remember who is to one day reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Love, Mom