By: T.F. Stern | Self-Educated American
While reading the scriptures this afternoon, in the Old Testament from the Book of Joshua that were part of this past Sunday’s lesson, I wanted to highlight Joshua 4:6, regarding the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant across the River Jordan on dry land while the Lord held back the waters. Each of the tribes of Israel were instructed to place a rock stacked in the middle of the river as a monument, a reminder of how the Lord protected Israel
“That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?”
It struck me as important to acknowledge the Lord’s hand in all our doings; but mostly I considered how this might apply in our day, a sad reminder that so many of our fellow citizens fail to recognize the Lord’s hand in establishing and maintaining this land of liberty. It has gotten to the point where some not only don’t show gratitude for the miracle that is America; but are in outright defiance of God’s eternal laws.
Then a bit further, in Joshua 24:13 the Lord pointed out how the people of Israel were handed the promised land, not by their own efforts; but as a gift from the Lord.
“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.”
How sad; a significant percentage of Americans don’t appreciate all that has been done by those who went on before. Those who fought and died in various wars to protect individual liberty; even back to our founders. All our victories, our abundance, and yes, our exceptionalism has been done with the help of the Lord.
This current generation’s ingratitude and sense of self-importance, relying on the arm of flesh, leaves me wondering what kind of citizens are left to work with as real challenges are always just beyond the horizon. Without the help of the Lord this nation couldn’t exist.
Some fully understand the relationship of our Creator and the nation He prepared for a moral and obedient people…; which is why they want America destroyed from within, remove constraints placed on government by the constitution and transform this nation into a totalitarian socialist state, one that replaces inalienable God given rights with entitlements handed out by whomever is in power.
This past April during the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, our newly sustained Prophet and President of the Church, Russel M. Nelson, made the following statement :
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
We as individuals need to turn to the Lord for strength and guidance; the same is true for our nation. How is this to be accomplished when so many folks have lost their way, have forgotten or ignored the rich history of our country?
Our founders made it a point to establish days of Thanksgiving, fasting and prayer days and to remind everyone of Providence and Divine Intervention playing an important role in our independence and other blessings. I find it unfortunate that we as a people don’t have a monument in our River Jordan, a means of reminding our children of the Lord’s hand in our lives.
At one time our National Flag was sufficient to act as that monument, a means of reminding us of the price of liberty while at the same time acknowledging Divine Providence; but apparently our Flag is offensive; to whom is it offensive… and should it matter to those of us who understand what that Flag stands for?
America needs a monument for future generations to gaze upon and ask, just as in Joshua’s time, “What mean ye by these stones?” Perhaps we can once again use the American Flag as that reminder; she is, after all, a grand old flag.
