A Tale of Two Holidays

July brings us two special holidays, Independence Day and Pioneer Day.  Both holidays are rooted in remembrance of the concepts of liberty and freedom from persecution.  In the case of Independence Day the colonists sought relief from unfair taxation and unrepresentative imperial rule and Pioneer Day celebrates the escape of Mormon refugees from a hostile government and people.  Both holidays also share another unique characteristic:  They are often called simply by their dates (Fourth and 24th) by those who celebrate them.

As Latter-day Saints, we believe that the New World was divinely prepared for the restoration of the gospel.  It had long been the land of promised for the Jaredites, Mulekites, Nephites, etc.  But these cultures abused the promise made by the Lord and were "swept off" (Ether 2:10).  Then came the time of the "gentiles" and 2 Nephi 13 indicates the "Spirit of God" led them to the land of promise and even prophesied the American Revolution.  All this was done in preparation for the events in and around Palmyra in 1820-30 which led to the restoration of the gospel and the authority to proclaim it.

We rightly celebrate the founding of our country based in the values of freedom and democracy and as predicted in the Book of Mormon.

How ironic, is it then, that this very country, this new United States of America, a short time later would persecute and drive from its borders a group of people who only wanted to practice their religion as they saw fit, and in peace with their neighbors.  And how remarkable it is that this same people who, having been driven from their homes more than once, would gather together in Salt Lake City on July 24, 1849.  On this occasion they celebrated their arrival two years previously following their violent expulsion from Nauvoo.  Their theme and centerpiece on this occasion?  The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and a 104 foot flagpole from which hung a specially made 60 foot American flag.

How could a people so persecuted celebrate the symbols of the very country that so cruelly hounded them from its borders?  Elder Boyd K. Packer answered this question thus:

It may seem puzzling, incredible almost beyond belief, that for the theme of this first celebration they chose patriotism and loyalty to that same government which had rejected and failed to assist them. What could they have been thinking of? If you can understand why, you will understand the power of the teachings of Christ...

If you can understand a people so long-suffering, so tolerant, so forgiving, so Christian after what they had suffered, you will have unlocked the key to what a Latter-day Saint is. Rather than being consumed with revenge, they were anchored to revelation. Their course was set by the teachings still found today in the Old and the New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

If you can understand why they would celebrate as they did, you can understand why we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the principles of the gospel.

As we celebrate the Fourth and 24th this year let's enjoy the reason they were established in the first place and let us also remember the deeper message our pioneer ancestors gave us:  Our country was conceived and forged by the divine guidance and inspiration of Jesus Christ for the purpose of restoring His gospel and blessing this land of promise if we will but follow Him.  To do that, we embrace the principles of love and forgiveness and charity.  The pioneers had every right in the eyes of the world to be vengeful and turn their backs on the nation that spurned them, but instead professed their patriotism and rejoiced in the blessings of the Lord on the nation that was the birthplace of their Latter-day faith.  Their loyalty and patriotism would be tested again during the Utah War a few short years later, but their legacy has resulted in the LDS being known in our day as some of the most fervent supporters and leaders in our great nation.

God bless us that we will live up to the ideals of our forefathers, both in our nation and religion, that He may continue to pour out his blessings upon this land and protect us in these times of uncertainty and trial.

One of the obligations I have in my current calling is to write a little article for the ward newsletter every three months.  This is the one I wrote for July.