The Land of Promise

 

A couple of weeks ago, while perusing various articles, I ran across one with a seemingly straight forward catch phrase, “Israel is the only country in the world that was founded with a specific purpose.”  While the statement might be considered accurate by a good percentage of the world’s inhabitants, the statement wasn’t exactly true. I left a comment explaining why Israel isn’t the only country in the world founded with a specific purpose; however, not one individual bothered to challenge my comment or acknowledge that the comment had even been made.

Not taking anything away from Israel being one of God’s promised lands to those who serve him; there is another promised land dedicated to those who acknowledge God and serve Him.

Doctrine and Covenants 101:80 reads, “And for this purpose have I (the Lord) established the Constitution of this land (the United States of America), by the hands of wise men (Founding Fathers) whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.”  (Emphasis added)

In the October of 1975 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Marion G. Romney, then Second Counselor in First Presidency, gave a talk entitled, America’s Destiny.  In that talk, scriptural references were made regarding the purpose of this particular nation.

“Millennia ago, he declared: “There shall none come into this land [he was speaking of America] save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

“…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.” (2 Ne. 1:6-7)

Elder Romney continued after explaining the tragic demise of those who perished in battle near the Hill Cumorah, located in the State of New York, around the year 421AD.  Moroni, being the last of his people, hid sacred records at that location, sacred records that would later become what we enjoy as, The Book of Mormon.

“And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land,” wrote the ancient prophet-historian, “that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.”

“For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God.” (Ether 2:7-10)

It’s wonderful to read about the promises and blessings of protection from God covenanted to the inhabitants of this nation we call the United States of America as long as we acknowledge the Lord and His commandments in our lives by following those commandments.  But it should come as a sobering realization that through tolerance and acceptance of abominations which are commonplace in our society, it could easily be concluded that we have “ripened in iniquity” and that “God’s wrath shall come upon”… us.

May we learn from the history of the inhabitants of Israel, that when God’s people rebel against Him, those who survive the invasions from their enemies often are enslaved and carried away to distant lands until such time as they are humbled and once again serve the Lord.

Fibber McGee’s Freezer

 

The younger generation might not have a clue as to the reference made in the title.  There was an old radio show from back in my childhood that we’d listen to, Fibber McGee and Molly. Getting to hear these radio shows gave me a glimpse of how my folks grew up.

This was the tail end of a long running radio gig from the vaudevillian age that ran from the 1930s on through when I was growing up in the late-1950s.   One of the featured events during the show was the sound of objects, many objects falling to the floor when Fibber McGee would open the closet.  That closet stored all manner of items stuffed in helter-skelter, stacked precariously on each other and yet balanced to precision temporarily.

Opening the closet door to remove even one item would upset the delicate balance and there would follow a horrific avalanche, at least that’s what we would hear as the radio created the scene for listeners. Radio shows, much like books, permitted the listener to imagine what was being presented for their entertainment. Television has robbed us of our imagination to some degree as special effects professionals apply their skills in such a way as to leave no doubt as to what mayhem has taken place.

This morning while catching up on social media, comfortably positioned with my bed pillow tucked behind my neck, there came a thundering sound from the other side of the house.  Heavy items were striking the floor in random commotion while muffled words of displeasure followed.

“Are you alright, Dear?”  I asked as best I could, being a naturally sarcastic husband.

“Nothing’s wrong, I’m fine.” This was followed by a few more thuds as items reached the floor.

I cautiously left the comfort of our bedroom and ventured toward the kitchen area.  Lucy had frozen salmon, frozen hot dogs, frozen steaks, frozen butter, and I’m not sure what that other frozen item was scattered on the floor in front of the freezer.

“I had to get the ribs out for when the Sister Missionaries were coming over for dinner this evening.”  Lucy was attempting to place each item back onto one of the shelves in the freezer; but the perfect fit, based on how each became a frozen mass when placed into the freezer, that perfect fit no longer existed. Lucy would place several items onto the shelf only to have the first items slide out and fall to the floor.

I’ve distanced myself from the kitchen area; hiding out in the office where I can document today’s efforts. Occasionally I’ll ask, “Are you okay, Dear?”, quietly and without too much sarcasm just to let her know I love her.