Whoa. Let me just copy
and paste some crazy wisdom about America my mission president just blasted us
with today.
"Quoting from the D&C;
“And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the
hands of wise men whom I have raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed
the land by the shedding of blood.” (D&C 101:80)
Having declared America a land of liberty, God
undertook to raise up “wise” men who would write a constitution of liberty and
establish the first free people in modern times. He declared that the United
States Constitution was divinely inspired for the specific purpose of
protecting rights and freedom and eliminating bondage and oppression.
“The framers of the Constitution were part of
a special generation of marked political genius, raised up to deal with the
issues that surrounded the birth of this, the American nation. That assembly
that met to consider the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, but
concluded their deliberations by signing an entirely new Constitution,
constituted a conclave unparalleled in the political annals of man. This was no
accident of history. It was, in fact, essential to the eternal purposes of the
Father and the Son.” (In The Lion’s Den, Verterli & Hainsworth, 279)
Because of and by the constitution the Lord
would bring forth the Book of Mormon and the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
“Those men who assembled in Philadelphia in
the summer of 1787 constituted one of the most remarkable assemblies in human
history. They were men of great learning, men of commerce, men of law, students
of history and political theory, experienced in war, theology, and politics. Of
the fifty-five men that set their hands to the task of writing a new
constitution, most were exceptionally gifted… a [significant] number were men
of outstanding intellect. What they gave to future generations was a political
document like no other– a Constitution that made self-government, in the
literal sense, possible.” (Ibid)
And self-government allows men to follow the
One, even Jesus Christ. That this document was divinely inspired is of little
doubt. Pres. Reagan told this story about the Signers of the Declaration of
Independence and how they were struggling about the signing of the document.
His source comes from the journals of Thomas Jefferson.
Remember, their contemplated act was an act of
treason against the mother country, punishable by death. Consequently, they had
locked themselves in a room, we now call Independence Hall, and were hotly
debating whether or not to sign: “The doors were locked, they were meeting in
secret, there was contention in the room about signing the document, when an
old man stood and told them that this was their greatest hour in the history of
this nation and to step forward and sign the document and men would praise them
forever. With the spirit they felt, they immediately went to the table and
began to sign and when they turned to have the stranger come forward and sign,
he was not there, the doors were still locked and he was gone. (Writings of
Thomas Jefferson) (President Reagan told this story and one of the church
curriculum writers called Senator Hatch and he talked to the President and the
President responded with this letter, “I’m sorry to be so late in getting back
to you about your request for more information about the unknown person at the
signing of the Declaration of Independence who made an eloquent plea that it
should be signed. The statement comes from the writings of Thomas Jefferson. I
am confident in the validity of the story. I have seen it more than once in a
variety of publications, which were not quoting me as the source. In fact, I
doubt they even knew I had used it. Again my apologies for taking so long to
get back to you. Sincerely, Ronald Reagan)
And then add this from a July 4th 1854 address
by Orson Hyde found in the Journal of Discourses…“In those early and perilous
times, our men were few, and our resources limited. Poverty was among the most
potent enemies we had to encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may
not be amiss to ask here, by whose power victory so often perched on our
banner?”
"It was by the agency of that same angel
of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the
early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones and remains of towns,
cities and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with
the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of
America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. (See Mormon 8:35) He
was in the camp of Washington; and by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to
conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church
and the Kingdom of God to be established on the Western hemisphere, for the
redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world."
"This same angel was with Columbus, and
gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New
World…was with him on the stormy deep, calmed troubled elements, and guided his
frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel,
or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased, and flourished,
like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water.” (JD, Vol 6, p.368)."
Yeah.
I loved this a lot. I hope you enjoyed it too.
Anyways.
It's been a really good week! Our rigorous work this week culminated in
nights of hard sleep! I've been really tired this week haha. Though
tired, after teaching and testifying I feel psyched up to share even
more. There is a palpable energy that you feel after teaching the gospel
with power and I love it! Teaching solid truth and boldly inviting
someone to change is one of the greatest feelings your spirit can
experience. It's an even more poignant experience if those you invite act
on the invitation given and experience that power themselves. It's the
miracle of conversion. I've seen it happen and continue to happen in
myself and I've watched many many others embark on their own path of
discipleship. It's amazing.
On an ending note I'm so
pumped and ready for this last transfer! I'll be sprinting to the finish
in this last leg of my spiritual-emotional-physical-roller-coaster-of-a-ride
journey here in the land called Fresno. And loving every second of it.
Love you all!
Elder Frame
