There are very few places outside of Utah that have enough pull from Mormons to change the day a national holiday is celebrated... and Eagar/Springerville is one of them. The town of Eagar actually has a pretty big 4th of July celebration... it's well-known throughout the state, and everyone's family (and families are BIG up here!) comes back into town for it, so there was tons of excitement this weekend. It all started Saturday morning with the parade, and since we wanted to see it but couldn't really sit and watch it we decided to take the opportunity to talk to as many people as we could on the street. We walked the opposite direction of the parade, and talked to a ton of people; of course they were mostly members but that's ok - we left them with a pass-a-long card and challenged them to give it to someone THAT day since there were so many people around (relatively speaking). After a looong day of working (no one wants to talk to missionaries on holidays) we were excited to watch the fireworks, and fortunately we had a really good view from our front porch.
Sunday we tried to get to as many wards as possible, and they were all packed. We made it to one Relief Society class and had an awesome lesson on patriotism. I was so grateful, because I think it was something I really needed to hear, and of course it was season-appropriate. I have never been the most patriotic person, maybe because we lived outside the US for 4 years, but I think it's because I've always been fascinated by other cultures, and the other countries I have had the opportunity to visit have had just as many awesome things as the United States of America. But, what this RS lesson reminded me of is the fact that this country really was preserved as a promise land, and was discovered and founded by divine inspiration. I truly believe that the Lord's hand was very much in everything as a way to pave the way for the Restoration - there were very few countries (if any) in the early 1800s that had the religious freedom necessary to be able to establish a church. I know that it had to take place here, and it had to take place then.
Another thought that came to my mind during the lesson are all the Book of Mormon scriptures that refer to the Americas as a promised land. Like I said, I know that to be true, but we have to remember the conditions that come with that promise. We know that we are responsible for keeping the commandments, and for maintaining high moral standards to keep the liberty we now enjoy. However, one look at "the world" and it is clear that we are quickly moving farther and farther away from any standards, let alone high ones. As citizens we have the duty to ensure that we and our leaders (both civil and religious) work to enforce those standards. I think the last paragraph of the Family Proclamation puts it well: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." We should be supporting not only the family, but also high standards of education and moral agency, etc. I hope that each of us can do our part by setting an example, but that we can also help those around us to recognize the importance of keeping the commandments... the scriptural promise is clear - if we do not keep the commandments, we will suffer, on an individual, community, and national level.
I know that this is a choice land, and through our actions we can work together to make this country stronger in the principles of faith and Christianity it was founded upon. I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day, and took the time to give thanks for the significance of the freedoms our country offers us.
Love you all,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
PICTURE - Sister Emrazian & I at the Snowflake Temple this morning... another great thing about being in this area! Sorry I don't have any pictures from the 4th, but just imagine me wearing red and white standing on our porch railing watching fireworks...
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