Aloha! It's a pleasure to be with all of you this morning here in beautiful Hawaii on this campus whose history is an inspiration. Not only are you a magnificent sight but, the love and warmth of the Polynesian people is always genuine and heartfelt. As I sought spiritual direction in the preparation of my message for you today, it became clear to me that I should speak about America's legacy of freedom as it relates to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When Columbus set foot on these shores, little did he realize the immensity of this discovery? To be sure, there was little to be proud of at the time. The vast land before him with its gaunt dense forests and quaint habitation, left little to the imagination, aside from proving his own theory that the world was round. For years Columbus knew that the Spirit of God had been working on him to make the voyage!
"Our Lord," said Columbus, "unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?" (Jacob Wasserman, Don Quixote of the Seas, pp. 1920)
However, it wasn't until 1620 that America began to have a purpose for its existence. That year the Pilgrims, who sought refuge from religious persecution and oppression in their own country, saw in this new land the priceless freedom of which they had dreamed and for which they had so desperately prayed.
[Performed America the Beautiful]
President Ezra Taft Benson spoke of his witness: "America's history was foreknown to God. His divine intervention and merciful providence has given us both peace and prosperity in this beloved land. Through His omniscience and benevolent design He selected and sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of our government. These men were inspired of God to do the work they accomplished." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 578)
In D&C 101:80 we read: "And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood."
President Benson continued: "Their work was a prologue to the restoration of the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ. It was done in fulfillment of the ancient prophets who declared that this was a promised land, 'a land of liberty unto the Gentiles,' and that is us." (This Nation Shall Endure, p. 23)
In 2 NEPHI 1:7 we read: "Wherefore, 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; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."
And, you'll recall another prophet who gave to us this warning: ETHER 2:10 reads: "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 ever-lasting decree of God. And it is not until the fullness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off."
President Abraham Lincoln's references to the circumstances contributing to the American Revolution and the Civil War and his declaration to establish the first official Thanksgiving Day observance as a nation make one wonder about the condition of America at that time and how it compares to our country today. Could it be that America has regressed further since then? Let me share Lincoln's concerns of October 3, 1863:
"We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever known. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us. Our blessings were not produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our Father who dwelleth in the heavens."
One of the most spiritual events of modern times was the appearance of many noble spirits to President Wilford Woodruff in the St. George Temple. President Benson stated: "It is inspirational to contemplate the fact that the signers of the Constitution and every one of those men who drafted the Declaration of Independence, with General George Washington and our Founding Fathers had their endowments completed under the direction of President Woodruff. These were great men-some of the best and most noble spirits of God our Father." (This Nation Shall Endure, p. 25)
Sadly, today's history teachers in our public school system across America are often afraid or uninterested to teach about George Washington and our Founding Fathers. Many even dismiss the term "Creator" as it appears in the Declaration of Independence the very foundation upon which America was built. Current laws have banned public prayers in our classrooms at schools. Atheists are working to have the phrase "one nation under God" removed from the Pledge of Allegiance and the words "In God We Trust" removed from our coins! What has happened since the days of the Founding Fathers?
Fortunately, however, there have been thousands of other valiant men and women, who, with great courage and fortitude sacrificed their lives over many decades for the cause of freedom.
In the Arlington National Cemetery-home of the eternal flame-there are rows and rows of great patriots who loved liberty more than life itself. These humble heroes without name gave to us a gift beyond compare. May we forever thank God for those who rest in honor there! I'd like to share a patriotic arrangement that I performed at the amphitheater in the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. on the first anniversary of 9/11 for hundreds of family members of the victims of those tragedies. It was a most humbling experience!
[Performed God Bless the USA]
During concert tours to Eastern Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, I began to have a better understanding of how blessed we are as a nation under God. While working with some of these people, it was obvious that we Americans are an overindulged people. Although the wall came down in '89, I witnessed that there were still obvious signs of gloom and oppression in these impoverished areas of the former communist state. My experiences while performing in these countries caused my gratitude for life in this great land of America to soar! Indeed, this is a land choice above all other lands!
While in Moscow I contemplated on how much worse it had been in the Soviet Union years earlier during the height of communism when I entered a Yogurt store one morning near Red Square. My belongings were immediately confiscated and a police officer followed me with a gun on his belt until my shopping was completed. Obviously, there's no shoplifting in Russia-even today!
On another occasion while recording a CD with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra I witnessed many somber and cautious Hungarians who I knew were well acquainted with tyranny and who, in most cases lived a meager existence. The thought flooded my mind that we in America are often spoiled-having too much and giving too little." Our blessings from God are too numerous to mention.
But, He will continue to bless us in abundance if we remember that 'Because we have been given much, we too, must give.'
[Performed Because I Have Been Given Much]
As for our nation's level of morality, I encourage each one of us the administration, faculty, staff, students, and brothers and sisters to work together to rid ourselves of the sickening moral depravity of current America. Recently, a prisoner of war for seven years was returned home to America. This is what he had to say when the media interviewed him:
"I love America. America is the people! Since I've been home people have asked me what bothers me most. Well, the thing that bothers me and other POW's most upon our arrival home is not the long hair or pierced ears on the men, nor the ugly clothes worn by young men and women; but the thing that bothers us most is the R and X-rated movies and the pornography that is easily obtained in magazines, TV programming and ads, and the internet. Clothes, hair and earrings are fads-they leave; but pornography in its many forms gets to the very root of our morality and we can't stand to lower our morality-for if we do, WE WILL FALL! That's what bothers us most!"
It is time for us to stand firmly together and to ask God's help to "Heal this Land."
And, it's important that we remain optimistic and enjoy America's awesome legacy of freedom-forever honoring those who have contributed to the greatness of this country. And most of all, may we, in our own way, contribute to America's greatness, which includes righteousness, by acknowledging the God of this land who is Jesus Christ. Then, and only then, will our nation be preserved.
In 2 NEPHI 1:32 we read: "Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lord, the Lord hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed with the seed of my son."
One great patriot, William Tyler Page, said it this way: "I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a sovereign Nation and many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I, therefore, believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."
Adlai Stevenson, presidential candidate against Eisenhower, made this profound statement: "Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion but the active and dedicated service of a lifetime."
In conclusion, my brothers and sisters, may we as members of the world community, set an example of righteousness and brotherhood for all other nations. Perhaps countries now in conflict might then find a desire to lay down their weapons of war and ponder the very meaning of life. Aren't we all the same, really? When a mother holds her baby her joy is the same no matter what country she lives in. Lovers are lovers no matter under what government they share their love. We, who inhabit this great planet together, are all sons and daughters of the same loving Father. If we are to survive, it will have to be together or not at all. As Americans and as brothers and sisters in the gospel may we find joy in spreading freedom across the globe and then find and defend peace-the peace of which the Master spoke the peace that was meant to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
[Performed Let There Be Peace on Earth]