July Message

Dearest Sisters,

“For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands….”
Ether 2:10

July is one of my favorite times of the year. I love to celebrate the freedom we have here in America…the Land of the Free. I love decorating my home for the 4th of July….I love singing the beautiful patriotic songs….I love to display the flag…I love the colors red, white and blue….I love being an American an the freedoms that we enjoy!

Today, there are many Americans who do not have a strong patriotic love for our country. It is now more important than ever, to teach our children to have a love and respect for America. Listed below are some ways we can teach our children about the freedom we enjoy:

1. Display the flag on all the patriotic holidays and if preferred all the time.
2. Explain the meaning of our flag and our Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Sing patriotic songs often…especially during the holidays.
4. Share stories of those who help found the United States of America.
5. Attend the Veteran’s Day Parade, Fourth of July Parades, and the 24th of July parade when in Utah.
6. Send Patriotic e-mails to family members
7. Enjoy with your family the beautiful fireworks and program given each year here in Vancouver.
8. When on vacation, visit some of the historical sites in America.
9. When saying your family prayers, remember to say “thank you” for the country that we live in and the freedom that we have.
10. Periodically have family home evenings on our country and our freedom.

No matter what time of the year it is, we should always cherish our freedom. The Lord prepared this land for us, a land where we can be free. Elder Richard G. Scott was quoted as saying (from a Vancouver Stake Freedom Fireside), “Freedom is perishable. It requires no effort to enjoy freedom, but it requires heroic measures to preserve it. It can be lost through ingratitude, selfishness, and violation of the laws of God. It can only be maintained through sacrifice, appreciation and humble recognition that freedom in this land was established and has been preserved by the Lord for His righteous purposes.”

May we all learn more this month as we “find joy freedom and choice” this month in Relief Society.

Sincerely, Judy Stevenson