A Land Filled With Promise

This past week we celebrated the independence of our beautiful country.  Over the course of the week I have been thinking about what a blessing and privilege it is to live in such a place, with the freedoms we so fully enjoy.  It is important to remember that the the freedoms we enjoy have come with a very heavy price.

I grew up being taught to always pay tribute to those who have served our country.  My Grandfathers, Dad, and now brother have all given portions of their lives to defend the rights and liberties we have.  I am so grateful to them, and the countless other men and women who give so willingly of themselves to defend God, and Country.

What I have found to be interesting is that America has always been a "promised land" of sorts.  I love to read about this in the Book of Mormon.  2 Nephi chapter 10 is a great place to learn more about the promised land of America. 

"But behold, this land, said God, shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land.  And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. And I will fortify this land against all other nations."  To me, this is such a powerful promise and blessing.  However, this blessing and promise comes with an expected action on our part, in order to receive it.

"Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God.
And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land...."

These verses explain that we must first remember our God, and second lay aside our sins.  I find it so interesting that God could ask us to do so many more things, or even more difficult things, yet all he asks of us is remember, and repent.

Such power and blessings can come into our lives by doing those two essential things.  The more we remember our God, the more apt we are to see His hand in our daily lives.  The more often we sincerely repent, the Holy Ghost will be better able to abide with us and guide us in doing what is right.  Not only are we blessed spiritually for remembering our God, and repenting often, we are blessed temporally through the rights and liberties we have here in the United States.

I know that it is by no coincidence that this land is a "choice land" and "land of liberty."  This land has made it possible for the Church of Jesus Christ to be restored to the earth in its fullness.  If this land was not a land of liberty, our dear Prophet Joseph Smith would not have asked in faith to know which church he was to join. In fact, there wouldn't have even been a choice for him in the first place.  We know that this land has been consecrated by God for the purpose of restoring the true doctrine of Christ to the earth.  Because the doctrine of Christ has been restored, we know the necessity of repentance.  Without the gospel, we would not have this knowledge.  Without America, we might not have the Gospel.  That to me is a scary thought.  So much comfort and safety comes from simply remembering our God and doing our best to repent.

I would love to hear your thoughts on how we can better "Remember our God, and Repent."