Memorial Day is one of reflection.  Not only can we honor those who have sacrificed their lives for this country,  but we have an opportunity to ponder about what we are personally doing to retain the memory of all of our friends and loved ones who have gone before.

I received the following quote from our dear friend, Delta Bement, from Boulder, CO:

“Show me manner in which a nation or a community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals.”   Willliam E.  Gladstone, 1809-1898–Four Times Prime Minister of England

For me, doing temple work for them is one of the best ways we can honor them.  To do the family history research is rewarding in and of itself, to know our roots!  I was raised with parents who were tolerant of all religions, such as the Bleggis in Mapleton who were good friends, and were Catholic.

So, why should Mormonism be true and the others not?  Then in my late teens – thanks to good friends, and my cousin, Collin – I learned of the plan of salvation that provided an equal opportunity for everyone to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, either in this life or in the life to come, as alluded to in 3 Peter 3:18-20; and 4:6.

This excited me, because I believed that if Father in Heaven loved all of His children, then there must be a way for them to receive the gospel of His Beloved Son, who died and was resurrected for all.  I have traveled the globe and have not found another religion that provides this grand opportunity of salvation for ALL.

Also, studying history helps us to appreciate those, who have given “their last full measure of devotion” and who paid the ultimate price for the cause of freedom.  George Washington, in summarizing why America won the “Revolutionary War,” aptly said, “Divine intervention.”  Liberty and the gospel are hand in glove.

My good friend, Jim Noorlander, who ran for US Congress, wrote a profound article about liberty and freedom you may enjoy.

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day.  Our love to you and yours.

David W Allan