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Show KwrcK CVYewS'O (2EDITORIAL PAGE To Honor Or To Burn flag of the United States is a sacred It represents all for which the of this land is known to 'v stand. The Constitution itself is an inspired document, written by men whom God raised up for that specific purpose. Then can any true American do other than honor both this instrument of government and the flag which represents it? The United States is no ordinary nation. This is not said in reference to its wealth and power, but it is different in the sense that it was set up as a free and independent power by act of God and was given a twofold divine destiny: To set a pattern of liberty for the a world, wherein free agency would abound and under which every person would be judged by the Almighty for his own acts. The (DC 101: To provide a climate of freedom b which would permit the Lords people of latter days to take the everlasting Gospel to believing Gentiles the world over and to the house of Israel. (3 N. 21:4) 77-8- 0) THE RISE of this great modem nation was forecast in prophecy as far back as the first Nepl.i who saw its rise even the disin vision. The covery voyage of Columbus Revolutionary war and the emancipation of the colonists who came here to make their homes were forecast in his prophecy. The Savior himself, as He spoke to the Nephites, declared that it was in the wisdom of the Father that we should be established in this land and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things (gospel teachings) might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel. THERE CAN be no misunderstanding that language. Americas destiny is heaven-giveand it is not yet complete, far from it. And we the Latter-da- y Saints, both as n, Americans and Church members, must unite our efforts in the great task w'hich still lies before us. We must be good Americans, preserving our freedom. And we must be devoted followers of the Lord in establishing his truth on earth. Can anyone among us then take a stand against this destiny? Is not a stand against the Constitution which God established also a stand against our destiny? And to burn is it not or otherwise desecrate our flag rebellion against the divine plan of the Almighty? The Prophet Joseph Smith loved America. So did Brigham Young, and all of the Pioneers. They loved it so much because the n purpose of America is so important to His latter-da- y work. SAID THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH: The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard. It is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner. It is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. Can any follower of Joseph Smith then oppose, its principles? Or desecrate our flag? God-give- Said Brigham Young: We mean to sustain the Constitution of the United States and all righteous law's. We will cling to the Constitution of our country, and to the government that reveres that sacred charter of free mens rights ; and if necessary, pour out our best blood for the defense of every good and righteous principle. AND PRESIDENT McKAY HAS SAID: The Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of the individual to worship God, to speak as he feels, to own his property to take care of his family his home, his castle. The Constitution of this government was written by men who accepted Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. Let men and women in these United States then continue to keep their eyes centered upon Him who ever shines as the Light to all the world. Today, as we celebrate Flag Day, let us each resolve to be true to the principles for UNDER one nation which it stands indivisible God with liberty and jus-ic- e for all. A Teacher Affects Eternity Excerpts from an addrats by Elder Richard l Evans at General Conference. April ' If. There are many who have responsibility for teaching children: parents, teachers, friends, anyone w ho in any way enters their lives including the makers and promoters of products, of policies; creators of entertainment, and the whole community, publicly and privately. And children in their innocence have a right to be protected from exploitation and from evil influence. As to teachers, the following is cited from a signficant source: The personal influence of the teacher in molding the character of the pupils is the most important element in their education. . . In morals a teacher cannot teach what he is not. If he talks what he is not, it were better not said, for his life talks more forcibly and is sooner believed, both by children and adults." Always we must remember that the teacher teaches himself. A Adams said it: teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. People who speak of their private lives as a thing apart from their professions would well remember this sentence from Stanford Universitys Dr. David Starr Jordan: There is no real excellence in all this world, he said, which can be separated from right living. As Henry BOOK OF MORMON PROFILES Moroni Ends Record s In November, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation from the Lord which, in part, reads: O inhabitants of the earth, 1 have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel . . . who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth. The angel was Moroni, who was given jurisdiction of the sacred records by his father, Mormon. The appearance of Moroni to Joseph Smith was in fulfillment of Johns vision as recorded in Revela- tions: And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth . . . Moroni was the last representative of the Nephites, and he witnessed their total destruction as an officer under his father. As custodian of the records, Moroni hid them in the earth the Hill Cumorah to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Lamanites who, he wrote, would have destrojed them. When it was time for the Prophet Joseph to receive the plates for translating, Moroni counseled him that he should take every precaution to protect them: The same heavenly messenger (Moroni) delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off . . . Later, the Prophet explained, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When . . . the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day . . . Moroni wrote upon the plates that his entire people were destroyed, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale . . . And whether they will slay me, I know not. Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth ; and whither I go it mattereth not. A few paragraphs later, however, Moroni wrote that he had again taken up writing in the records, after a period of 20 years, during which time he apparently wandered across the American Continent in hiding and fear of the Lamanites. Moroni completed the record of his father, denouncing the wicked generation that would be in the world when the Book of Mormon should come forth. He also warned and exhorted men to be faithful. Closing his fathers record, Moroni then abridges the 24 plates containing the record of the Jardites, known as the Book of Ether. After this, he added a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more. Added are 10 chapters of his own history, instructions, teachings, and letters of his father, and his own final compassionate farewell to the Lamanites. These chapters show Moroni to be a man of noble character, an obedient son honoring his father, and a faithful servant of God. Il'ustratlon adapted from The Book o Mormon Storv, (C) Deseret Book Co , Ronald Crosby, artist . Id CHURCH WEfK ENDING JUNE 14, 1969 v i i - f tif,f' f m , t t m o i |