They built a
bowery on Temple Square. They erected a flagpole 104 feet (32 m) tall.
They made an enormous national flag 65 feet (20 m) in length and
unfurled it at the top of this liberty pole.
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. (Boyd K. Packer, The Test, Oct 2008 General Conference)
The United States of America has been great because it has been free. It has been free because it has trusted in God and was founded upon the principles of freedom set forth in the word of God. This nation has a spiritual foundation. To me, this land has a prophetic history. (Ezra Taft Benson, Watchman, Warn the Wicked, April 1973 General Conference)
Effort
will be made to lull us away into a false security. Proposals will be
and are being offered and programs sponsored that have wide appeal.
Attractive labels are usually attached to the most dangerous programs,
often in the name of public welfare and personal security. Again, let us
not be misled.
Freedom can be killed by neglect as well as by direct attack. (Ezra Taft Benson, Watchman, Warn the Wicked, April 1973 General Conference)
As American citizens, as citizens of the nations of the free world, we
need to rouse ourselves to the problems which confront us as great
Christian nations. We must recognize that these fundamental, basic
principles—moral and spiritual—lay at the very foundation of our past
achievements. To continue to enjoy present blessings, we must return to
these basic and fundamental principles. Economics and morals are both
part of one inseparable body of truth. They must be in harmony. We need
to square our actions with these eternal verities. (Ezra Taft Benson, Watchman, Warn the Wicked, April 1973 General Conference)
I see copies of a poster series designed to teach of God’s hand in the
founding of America. It was distributed and displayed in our chapels
throughout the country. ...In homes across America beautiful lessons have been taught on
the purpose and destiny of this land.
(L. Tom Perry, A Report on the Church’s Participation in America’s Bicentennial Celebration, October 1976)
Every
Latter-day Saint should love the inspired Constitution of the United
States—a nation with a spiritual foundation and a prophetic
history—which nation the Lord has declared to be his base of operations
in these latter days. (Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution - A Glorious Standard, April 1976 General Conference)
Constitutional government, as designed by the framers, will survive only
with a righteous people. “Our Constitution,” said John Adams, first
vice-president and second president, “was made only for a moral and
religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any
other.” (John R. Howe, Jr., The Changing Political Thought of John Adams, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1966, p. 189.) (Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution - A Glorious Standard, April 1976 General Conference)
