This week American’s celebrate our Independence Day. God Bless America, Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night, with a light from above! Oh, how my beloved nation needs this prayer for God’s helping hand through these stormy and troubled times! We really do need His “night light“ to guide us.
Let us remember that Our Heavenly Father is the source of that light. His warnings are clear that if we do not remember & serve Him, there will be dire consequences. But, His promises are also unlimited if we live righteously, choose the good, and treasure our freedoms. His hand is always stretched out to His children, waiting and wanting to bless us.
“Mormon bids farewell to a once great nation”, painting by Arnold Freiberg
The Book of Mormon is a scriptural record of the rise and fall of a great nation of people living in ancient MesoAmerica. It is replete with prophetic warnings and promises associated with this land of liberty where modern-day American’s now reside. The prophet Lehi declared:
The prophet Lehi, painting by James Fullmer
“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.” (2 Ne. 1:6–7.)
Today, and always, my prayer is that we as citizens of this sacred land will remember our God and be humbled for allowing us to live here. We have a beautiful nation; built on the foundation of faith and the tenets of the Ten Commandments. Too many are forgetting our history, redefining who we are and forsaking what we stand for. In light of the prophesy for this land, this trend weighs heavy on my soul. [Check out the great read over on Meridian Magazine called Lest We Forget.]
“George Washington’s Prayer”, painting by Ken Corbett
May we recommit ourselves to be vigilant protecting our freedom, and choosing the “light from above” as referred to in the great American patriotic hymn “God Bless America”. Written by Irving Berlin in 1918 while serving as a solider, he revised it during the “gathering storm clouds” of Hitler’s army on the brink of World War II (1938). His patriotic plea for divine help captures the essence of how I feel for my country. My solemn prayer joins with Irving Berlin. I cannot hear it or sing it without being deeply moved. This song reaffirms the light is there, shining in the darkness. – MoSop
Enjoy the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performing Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” arranged by Roy Ringwald.
God Bless America
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home
God bless America, My home sweet home.
Latter-day Soprano 