Celebrate and Commemorate Our Independence and Freedoms

On Friday of this week most of us will be celebrating the Fourth of July with the usual BBQs, swimming, sand-lot baseball, and fireworks.  Indeed, it is a time to celebrate – and to commemorate.  Friday is much more than a day off, and fun and games.  We commemorate those brave patriots who fought and died to break away from the tyranny they experienced from England.

On April 19, 1775 the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired at Lexington and Concord, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay.  After eight long years, the war ended on September 3, 1783 when the Treaty of Paris and the Treaties of Versailles were signed.

During the next eight years our Constitution was crafted and ratified, including the Bill of Rights.  This is truly a God-inspired document.

Since then we have been engaged in a Civil War, two World Wars and other conflicts – and our country and Constitution have survived.  Our country has been maintained and strengthened by the sacrifices of valiant men and women since the opening shots in Lexington and Concord 229 years ago.

Along with the BBQs and other activities, please take time to discuss with your families the stories behind our celebration of Independence Day.  Pray to Heavenly Father that we may be wise enough, strong enough, virtuous enough and courageous enough to pass along the freedoms we have been given, and fought to uphold, to our precious children and grandchildren.

By all means, CELEBRATE AND COMMEMORATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Elder Norm Masters, Full-Time Missionary

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The Upper Country News-Reporter     Cambridge, Idaho     July 1, 2014