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Show TbonbegiviEig fepo 'family, feilG oggEi, Hotf. 20-27 assurances given these ancient an-cient colonists as they set foot for the first time on the soil of the "New World," assurances that "... this is a land which is choice above all other lands." The first known pilgrimage pilgrim-age to America, the Book of Mormon reports, occured nearly 4000 years before the Mayflower. One of the leaders lead-ers of the colonists described describ-ed their reaction upon arriving arriv-ing after nearly a year's voyage voy-age on the water and it's scene which must have been re-enacted centuries later at Plymouth Rock: ". ... and when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised prom-ised land they bowed themselves them-selves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before be-fore the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them." The same leader not only declared America to be "a choice land", but prophesied that "... whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, cap-tivity, and from allother nations na-tions under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ..." Subsequent histories of the civilizations inhabiting the Americas have proved that whenever the people have turned away from God, their societies many of which have been highly advanced have ultimately crumbled and they have lost the liberties liber-ties which continued righteousness right-eousness would have preserved. pre-served. When the pilgrims stepped ashore at Plymouth Rock, Bibles were among their most prized possessions. Today the Bible is the best-selling best-selling book in America, and the Momons The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Latter-day Saints have joined with other churches in encouraging encourag-ing the observance of National Na-tional Bible Week, November Novem-ber 20-27, 1977, appropriately appropri-ately the week in which Thanksgiving Day occurs. The First Presidency of the Church said, inaNation-al inaNation-al Bible Week statement, that the world will become stronger strong-er if its people will become better acquainted with the scriptures. Many Mormon parents testify that joint family readings read-ings of the scriptures, including in-cluding the Bible and the Book of Mormon, strengthen family bonds and enable them to better understand the purpose pur-pose of life. The Thanksgiving season, is upon us. Autumn's comfort is slipping slip-ping away and the icy fingers of winter are tapping Impatiently Impa-tiently as they await their annual grasping of the land. But still it's a warm time of year in Its own way. It's a time when thoughts conjure up both memories and anticipation of family gatherings around a bounty-laden bounty-laden table anchored by the traditional turkey. Thanksgiving-like words pop into thoughts and conversations conver-sations these days. Words . like pilgrims, the Mayflower, Mayflow-er, Plymouth Rock, freedom, a new start. It's only natural that Am -ericans pause to count their blessings at times of formal observances such as Thanksgiving Thanks-giving Day. But they should strive to be constantly aware of them, not just "in season," ' and to regularly express gratitude for the unique free- doms enjoyed in this country. President Paul K. Nielson of the Beaver Stake states that "Mormons believe that the American continent is truly a God-granted land of freedom and promise. The pilgrim forefathers surely felt the same way, as do many citizens today." The scriptures of the Book of Mormon, a Bible -like record rec-ord of great civilizations of ancient America, tell of other oth-er "pilgrims" who at various var-ious points of time in history traveled from the old world to what is nowthe Americans. The Christian prophets who authored the book told of Mormons claim the scriptures scrip-tures to be God's word, his recipe for the total joy which all men and women see. David Joseph Brewer wrote, "This American nation na-tion from its first settlement at Jamestown to the present hour is based upon and permeated perme-ated by the principles of the Bible." In this season of Thanksgiving, Thanks-giving, Americans and all people in the world will profit pro-fit by expressing thanks to the Creator for all that is good in their lives, Mormoas believe. As the Psalmist wrote: "Know ye that the Lord he is God . . . Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Thanksgiving Week 1977 is Family Week throughout the nation. It has been so designated de-signated by President Carter Cart-er and the Congress, and, locally, Gov. Scott Matheson and a number of mayors around the state have added proclamations of their own. In addition, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Latter-day Saints has written the Congress and the President, expressing gratitude and commendation for their proclaiming pro-claiming National Family Week. The First Presidency's letter said, in part: "Never in the history of this great country have its citizens needed to be reminded re-minded more of the importance impor-tance of parenthood and the home than in these challenging challeng-ing days now." "America can never be any stronger than its homes. Our children are our most precious and powerful resource. re-source. Every child deserves a good, wholesome home in which to grow. . . . "No institution can equal a good home for teaching prayer, honesty, moral purity, pur-ity, gratitude and unselfishness. unselfish-ness. No man or woman can better spend his or her time than in teaching righteousness righteous-ness to children . . . "We invite all Americans to join members of our church in setting aside one evening a week for family activities together discussing dis-cussing the scriptures, family fam-ily matters, good citizenship, citizen-ship, and have wholesome fun together." |
