blessings

To trust in the arm of flesh is foolishness; to suppose that we are self-sufficient is naive. This nation will survive and prosper only as God permits it to do so, and his permission rests upon our obedience to him and his gospel. He brought forth this nation. He gave us our liberty. He inspired our federal constitution. But it is for us to preserve these priceless blessings by our repentance and obedience to God. Our sins and haughty attitudes can only bring us sorrow.

The preservation of our democracy is the intention of the Lord, but if we fight against God or ignore him, he will withdraw his blessings, and will wipe the wicked off this continent as he has done before.

We have the right to choose, but, likewise, we have the responsibility to choose. We cannot be neutral. There is no middle ground. The Lord knows this; Lucifer knows this. So there is a great campaign being waged today. On the one hand, Lucifer has attractively painted his road signs. You have read them; you have seen them. They are bright; they are attractive. They read something like this: "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Another may read: "It's the popular thing to do." Another one may read: "Just this once won't matter." On the other hand, the Lord has prepared His road signs for our guidance. They read: "Fear God and keep his commandments." See II Kings 17:36-39. Another one may read: "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." See Galatians 6:7. Another one: "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (D&C 130:20-21) Thus we have two roads to follow, and we have the responsibility to choose.

Do we give thanks to God 'for his unspeakable gift' and His rich blessings so abundantly bestowed upon us?

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.

Awake, my soul, and with the sun thy daily course of duty run. Cast off dull sloth, and joyful rise to pay thy morning sacrifice. All praise to thee, who safe hast kept and hast refreshed me while I slept! Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, I may of endless life partake. All praise to thee, my God, this night for all the blessings of the light. Keep me, oh keep me, King of Kings, beneath Thine own almighty wings. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him, all creatures here below! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

We fail to see the purifying and refining effect wrought by the flames of adversity. These flames are not meant to consume but only to purify us. Disguised as adversity, blessings are showered upon us.

I give to my friends the assurance that if they will recast their ideas and attitudes about the relative importance of the spiritual to the material, and bring themselves to participate in the mighty cause of establishing God's kingdom in the earth, they will find a satisfaction, a sureness of purpose, a peace and contentment, surpassing anything they have ever known. They will not be ashamed to say to themselves and to their fellows that God and his work come first. When they can develop the faith and the courage to make this acknowledgment, self-sufficiency and egotism will be replaced by humility of spirit. The brotherhood of man will become real to them. Their service will be ennobled, and they will lay the foundation for the attainment of the highest rewards and blessings vouchsafed to humanity.