These words ring true, especially today on the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 disaster at the twin towers. Starting a domino effect of fighting for the freedom and security that we take for granted.
We often ask ourselves or others 'where they want to be in 5 years'. Well, the question I ask, is 'where were you 5 years ago, on this horrific day?' I was sleeping when the 1st tower was hit...my friend, Laraine, called me on the phone, and asked if I had seen the news.
Turning on the news, I sat in horror watching the TV, crying for the devistation and heartache I saw on the screen in front of me. Cuddling my almost 1 year old baby, and counting my blessings.
I read in a friend's blog the words of her Aunt: 'It came to pass, not to stay'. This goes along with the saying 'This, too, shall pass'. The heartache, pain, uncertainty, disbelief of a moment may seem unbearable, and overwhelming...yet with time we are able to focus on other things, and to put into perspective events that created such uphevel in so many lives. Some things are closer to home, then others. The events of 9/11 had more of an surreal effect on me. It was very heartwrenching and unbelievable to see my fellow American's go through such terror & devistation (other events like Hurricane Katrina, also)
So, my thoughts today are: What have I accomplished and done over the last 5 years? Have I taken perspective and insight from the devestation of that day 5 years ago? Do I cherish the family and friends around me more, because of the events of that day?
Today I flew a flag in rememberance of that tragic day. I went out later in the day, and found that the flag had 'snagged' on a tiny staple on the house. It was 'holding on by a thread'. This reminded me of the prophecy given by Joseph Smith that one day the Constitution would 'Hang by a Thread'. To quote from his words: "When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States the Elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men" (JD 21:8)
Ezra Taft Benson:
“In connection with the attack on the United States, the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang as it were by a thread, and at that time, ‘this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It is my conviction that the Elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will, at that crucial time, successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of Constitutional government. Now is the time to get ready.” (Conference Reports-10/61:70)
~This was written prior to the attacks on the Twin Towers...(President Ezra Taft Benson passed away in 1994)...yet it still holds true for on that day. There WILL be more attacks and distruction on the United States. And as Pres. Beson states: 'Now is the time to get ready'.
It will not only be those outside our country seeking to destroy us, but also within. The moral fiber, the iniquity and decay of the American People, these are things that may also cause the Constitution to 'hang by a thread'.
We each must find the conviction and moral courage to stand forth and defend, not just on the battlefield of war, but also the battlefield of daily life. Standing for truth and honor.
In Book of Mormon times, Amalickiah was a wicked Nephite who wanted to be king, and he convinced many people to support him. When Moroni, chief commander of the Nephite armies, learned of this, he became angry; he knew that the people were in danger of losing their freedom. He tore his coat, wrote a message of freedom on it, and raised it as a flag he called the title of liberty. Moroni prayed for the blessing of freedom in the land. He then went forth, waving the title of liberty and calling on the Nephites to join him in protecting their freedom. Amalickiah and his followers fled to join the Lamanites. He and a few others escaped, but Moroni captured the remainder. Most of the captured persons then promised to defend freedom.
THE TITLE OF LIBERTY: "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children"
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