Current Lessons
Principles of Good Government No. Eleven

Remembering 9/11 – What About the Future?

Celebrating anniversaries, for the right reasons, is an important part of our lives – Personal anniversaries, such as marriages and birthdays, should remind us that God desires to bless our lives, our marriages, and our families.  Religious anniversaries, such as Christmas and Easter, are important because they should remind us of God’s love.  Patriotic anniversaries, such as the 4th of July, the 24th of July, and 9/11, are important because they should remind us that God controls the destiny of states, and nations.  Twenty years have passed since the terrorist events of September 11, 2021, and we should remember the events of that day.  However, I believe it is more important to remember the unity that 9/11 brought in the weeks and months that followed.  Unfortunately, many have forgotten, but for those who strive to be united in good causes, the future is bright.

Wise men the Lord raised up – As we contemplate the future of our nation we need to remember that the Lord said that He “established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80).  These wise men understood eternal principles, and they desired to teach them to future generations by symbolizing these principles on the Great Seal of the United States.  (This Seal is on the front of every dollar bill).

The Great Seal of the United States symbolizes strength, preparation, peace, and diversity, but its central message is unity– The Founders chose the eagle as our national symbol because it represents strength, determination, and purpose.  The Founders symbolized the importance of peace by depicting the eagle with an olive branch in its right talon. The eagle faces to the right or to the olive branch showing that we should always seek peace.  However, our need to be prepared to protect our peace, if necessary, is symbolized by the arrows in the eagle’s left talon.  In its beak the eagle has a banner upon which is written the Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum which means “Out of many, one.”  In other words, this great diverse nation needs to be united in important and fundamental ways.  (The accompanying image shows the Great Seal of the United States on my military coin)

Diversity is important – The Lord intended our nation to be comprised of “many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise” (1 Nephi 13:14).  The United States would be a nation of immigrants, a melting pot with much diversity.  We have assimilated more immigrants than any other nation in the history of the world, and these immigrants have come from every nation.  Most immigrants, like the Pilgrims, come to this country for freedom and opportunity.  A majority of Americans are just a few generations from immigrant ancestors.  There has never been a nation that compares in this demographic.  Not only is the United States very diverse, it is one of the most populous nations on the earth.  Our birth rate is the highest of any developed nation.  Some people in the United States are racially prejudiced, but overall the United States is one of the least racially prejudice nations in the world. Fortunately, each succeeding generation seems to be less prejudice still.  Much of our national strength has come from successfully integrating people from all backgrounds into society.  These factors will allow the Lord to continue to use the United States as a source for good throughout the earth.

Unity is essential – However, the Founders had the wisdom to emphasize unity over diversity.  Washington wrote to John Adams shortly before the signing of the Declaration of Independence: “We have nothing my Dear Sir, to depend upon but the protection of a kind Providence and unanimity among ourselves.”  Unity is what gives peace and strength to society whether it is in the family, the neighborhood, the community, the state, or the nation. Unity is a gift of the Spirit and brings peace. The Lord said:  “For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.  Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away” (3 Nephi 11:29-30).

We can have confidence in the future because the works and purposes of God never fail – The Lord taught the Prophet Joseph Smith:  “The works, and the designs, and the purpose of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught….Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men” (D&C 3:1, 3).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Church and will stay united and on course – The Lord testified of His Church:  "This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people" (Mosiah 27:13).  There will be individual apostasy, but the continued faithfulness and unity of the Lord’s people, lead by living prophets and apostles, is certain.

Adjustments are necessary, but the United States will be preserved because its establishment was the work of God – Jesus, referring to the United States said:  “For it is wisdom in the Father that they [the Gentiles] should be established as a free nation by the power of the Father” (3 Nephi 21:4).  We also know that the founding and establishment of the United States was the work of the Lord (see 1 Nephi 13:12-19).  We know that He established the constitution and that it will be maintained by wise men he raised up and will raise up for this very purpose (see D&C 101:77-80).  The Lord does not abandon His work, and it is certain that His hand will ultimately guide the future of our nation.

Our safety and protection and our future is certain if we stay on the Lord’s side – The Prophet Joseph Smith reminds us of a powerful principle:  “You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves” (D&C 123:16).  The United States could be compared to “a very large ship” and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could be compared to “a very small helm.”  If we are responsible citizens of the nation God established, and if we stay on the covenant path and in the mainstream of the Church, and “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed (D&C 123:17).