My 8-28 Restoring Honor Expierence

Someone told me just the other day that, “we cannot change the world, only ourselves.”  I respect this person very much but I have to lovingly disagree.  I believe that we must change ourselves first.  If enough of us make that change in our hearts to place God as the focus and center of our lives; the world will change.

I have a picture hanging in my front room of the house.  It is the picture of George Washington kneeling next to his horse in prayer.  I have always respected that man for what he did and even more now for who he really was; a man of prayer, faith and humility.  Upon suggestion I picked up the book “Sacred Fire” and have started reading it.  I feel more of a connection to the founding fathers than I ever have.  What those men did for us and our country was truly inspired and they should count themselves as having been "counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” speaking of the Apostles after they were beaten for standing up for their beliefs (Acts 5:40-42).

By no small miracle I found myself in attendance at 8/28.  Me, just a guy from Montana with a wife and three kids.  I had a business trip scheduled to Raleigh, NC.  About a month before the trip I was watching Glenn Beck's television program and found myself wishing that I could find a way to be a part of the awakening that was happening in this country.  Then it hit me, why not find a bus from Raleigh and go to the rally. 

I know that this would be a financial strain on my little family but most of the expense would be covered by my company to fly me out and back for business.  I talked to my wife; we looked at our finances and decided that we would make the efforts for me to be at this historic and life changing event.  I prayed about it for days to be sure I was doing what was in the best interest of my family, not just myself, as I knew it would take some sacrifice to pay back the expenses to the family bank account.  We live check to check as it is.

I started searching the internet for a group out of Raleigh and found a bus coming from GA that would be stopping in Raleigh for lunch.  They had one seat open.  While on that bus I met some amazing people and even had opportunity to share part of my faith with a new friend (a miracle and opportunity to serve God in and of itself).

 We left around 7AM on 8/28 to get to the mall, the metro station was full of people, more people than I had ever seen in one place before!  Due to the traffic we arrived just as Sara Palin was ending her speech and missed the beginning.  

 

My friends and I worked our way through the crowd trying to hear but grateful to be counted as there.  Eventually I found my way to the side of the reflecting pool about ¾ of the way back to the WWII memorial and what a glorious view.  I was amazed at seeing so many people of different faiths, different backgrounds and beliefs all standing together for one purpose.  It reminded me of a scene from a scripture in the Book of Mormon where a great man stood on a tower and faced the people.  That man named Benjamin shared with them the word of God and told them that they needed to put faith in him at the center of their lives.  He talked of service to our fellow men or charity.  He also spoke of hope in that through God we can find peace in all things.

The height of the rally for me was feeling the energy in the air, the peace of the Spirit as >500,000 people listened to Alveda King tell us about her "new dream".  I couldn't help but have a tear of emotion as the crowd all sang Amazing Grace together then bowed their heads in prayer.  The power of the ideals behind the Black Robe Regimen have shaken this country to the core and ignited a true revolution!  Not a revolution of hate, anger or violence but a revolution of hearts. 

I could have floated off the national mall that day.  It is a day I will never forget, a day I cannot let my children forget, a day our Nation cannot forget.

On that day I started my 40 day challenge to get myself back where I need to be in my life.  I have found myself gaining strength in my personal testimony and more of a desire to be involved.  I have found a new place in my heart for my friends of other faiths.  I feel more united in purpose with Americans than I ever have.  I used to think that America really didn’t have a soul anymore other a drive for personal gain.  I knew there were good people here and there but I didn’t believe that we could control our fate.  Now I know we can.  There is power in numbers and “We the People” are growing in number.

I love this quote, “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 and extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations. This is part of the program and as long as we do what is right and fear God He will help us and stand by us under all circumstances”. –John Taylor, JD 21:8, August 31, 1879

Also this one, “It is no wonder that the Prophet Joseph said—even though he knew he would suffer martyrdom in this land—“The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner.”

“Yet, according to his contemporaries, he foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God he did not see the thread break. He also indicated the important part that this people should yet play in standing for the principles embodied in these sacred documents—the Declaration of  Independence and the Constitution”. Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1948, p. 85

I believe that the time for all people to play their part in keeping the thread from breaking, is now. I have also learned that one man really can make a difference and change the world. 

My eyes have been opened and I feel more inspired to do more “in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children” – Captain Moroni, The Title Of Liberty.

My goal in creating this blog is to give myself a place to share my thoughts as well as links to events and news that are happening around us everyday.  I want to have a place for my friends to find out for themselves what I have found for me.  I hope you will enjoy this space and comment often. 

Best Wishes...