By the dawn's early light

 

“When we ponder that vast throng who have died honorably defending home and hearth, we contemplate those immortal words, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’.

The feelings of heartfelt gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by so many

cannot be confined to a Memorial Day, a military parade, or a decorated grave.”

 

Thomas S. Monson

 

 

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

 

 

“We need not fear the future, nor falter in hope and good cheer, because God is with us. Trials may come, and we may not understand everything that happens to us or around us. But if we humbly, quietly trust in the Lord, He will give us strength and guidance in every challenge we face.”

 

Elder Porter’s

 

 

His mother caught him spending time with his daddy.

He lost daddy SFC Benjamin Wise in Afghanistan on Jan 15^th

 

 

“Heavenly Father’s top priority is His children. If it’s important to you, it’s important to Him. Whatever concern you have is His concern. Whatever you have a question about, the Lord knows the answer. Whatever sadness you are feeling, He knows how you feel and will ease the pain. He knows what it’s like to feel all alone. He will comfort you.”

 

Sharon G. Larsen

 

 

“While perhaps it is seldom, if ever, contended that either political independence or economic freedom alone brings perfect liberty, it is not, however, uncommon for free agency to be considered as synonymous with freedom of the soul. And it is true that the God-given right to choose one’s course of action is an indispensable prerequisite to such freedom. Without it we can scarcely enjoy any type of liberty-political, economic, or personal. It is one of our greatest heritages. For it we are deeply indebted to our Father in Heaven, to the Founding Fathers, and to the pioneers. God gave it to man in the Garden of Eden.  The Founding Fathers, under the Lord’s inspiration, wrote a guarantee of it into the fundamental law of the land. And the pioneers, led by the inspiration of heaven, gave their all to perpetuate it. Surely we ought always to be alert in its defense and willing, if necessary, to give our lives for its preservation.”

 

Marion G. Romney

 

 

“Freedom thus obtained-that is, by obedience to the law of Christ-is freedom of the soul, the highest form of liberty. And the most glorious thing about it is that it is within the reach of every one of us, regardless of what people about us, or even nations, do. All we have to do is learn the law of Christ and obey it.

To learn it and obey it is the primary purpose of every soul’s mortal life.”

 

Marion G. Romney

 

 

“Freedom for most people of the world means “freedom from” the absence of malice or pain or suppression. But the freedom that God means when He deals with us goes one step further.

He means “freedom to” the freedom to act in the dignity of our own choice.”

 

F. Enzio Busche

 

 

God Bless America

 

 

“It is important that we offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving in our families.
President N. Eldon Tanner was reminded of this principle by his daughter: ‘I was
deeply touched one day following our family prayer when one of our little daughters
said, “Daddy, I don’t think we ought to ask for more blessings.
The Lord has been very good to us, but I do think we should ask him to help us to be worthy of the
blessings we receive.” Since then we have tried more diligently to express our
gratitude to our Father in heaven’

 

 

“……. in this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, as we journey through mortality and face the trials and challenges of the future, may we remember the examples of these models to follow. May we have the unfeigned humility of John the Baptist, the unquestioning obedience of Abraham, the unlimited patience of Job, the unwavering faith of Noah, the undeviating loyalty of Ruth, the unflagging determination of Nephi, the undaunted courage of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the unfailing optimism of President Hinckley.

Such will be as a fortress of strength to us throughout our lives.”

 

Thomas S. Monson

 

 

“The feeling of longing for home is born into us. That wonderful dream cannot become real without great faith enough for the Holy Ghost to lead us to repentance, baptism, and the making and keeping of sacred covenants with God. This faith requires enduring bravely the trials of mortal life. Then, in the next life, we can be welcomed by our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son to that home of our dreams.”

Henry B. Eyring

 

 

“Let us remember that through any difficult challenge, there is still much in life to be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely more than our limitations or our afflictions! Trust in God. Hold on in His love.

Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows will flee.”

 

Jeffrey R.  Holland

 

You will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times,

and you will realize that He was always there beside you.

 

Thomas S. Monson