Happy Birthday America...

After the death and ressurection of Jesus Christ, he visited his "other sheep" (see John 10:14-16) who were living on the American continent at the time. As he spoke to them, the Savior told them of the future nation that would be founded on the same continent by the gentiles, or non-jewish nations. He said,

"For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted

with his people, O house of Israel (3 Nephi 21:4)."
What things was the Savior refering to? He was refering to the records and testimonies kept by the people in the ancient Americas--these have come forth in our day as the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. (For more background information click HERE).

The Book of Mormon is one of the main media by which our Heavenly Father will bring the true gospel to his people in our day. Its title page informs of some of its purposes: 1) To show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; 2)that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever, 3) and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.

I am grateful for this book of scripture that has taught me and my family so much about the Savior and God's plan to save his children and bring them back to him after this life. This makes me grateful for the country in which my family lives--the United States.

The freedom given to us through the battle for independence made it possible for the Lord to do his work. I'm grateful for the freedom of religion granted us by the Constitution which made it possible for Joseph Smith to pray to God, recieve revelations from him, and establish his true church once again. I'm grateful for the Freedom of the press granted us that allows us to print the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the freedom of speech granted us that allows us to declare these things to all that everyone can experience the joy that comes from living according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

God bless America, but most of all, God bless us as a people that we might ever remain grateful and worthy of the blessings that we enjoy. May all nations of the world eventually partake of the same freedoms and blessings.