Honored Dead
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. There will be cookouts, parties, and is usually considered the opening of the summer season. Many people have the day off to celebrate. What do we celebrate?
I think Honor is a better term than celebrate. It is the day that we honor those who served our nation, protecting our freedoms, and have died. We honor them by showing that their sacrifice is not unnoticed. Parades are held in their honor. We see the comrades of the fallen salute them, knowing often that it was perhaps just chance that it was not them.
Like so many of our holidays, Memorial Day is losing its meaning in the nation. We must pause, and offer prayers of gratitude to the fallen, who truly paid the ultimate price for freedom. Many take time to honor not just the those servicemen and women who have died, but honor their loved ones that have passed from this life. This is an excellent way to teach value of family, and to let those around us know the impact that they have had on the still living.
I want to take this moment to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was murdered in Carthage, IL on June 27, 1844. He gave his life willingly to not only seal his testimony with his own blood but to save the lives of his friends still in the jail. His brother, Hyrum, was also murdered in the jail, both under the protection of the state of Illinois. Spared were John Taylor, and Willard Richards. Through Joseph Smith, the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness was restored to the earth. The priesthood was restored, with all the keys necessary to perform all ordinances essential for salvation and exaltation.
My father served in the police action in Korea, the forgotten war. I honor him this day as well. I also expand that honor to all those who have served and passed. May peace be unto them, and may we never forget the sacrifice they put on the altar.
I think Honor is a better term than celebrate. It is the day that we honor those who served our nation, protecting our freedoms, and have died. We honor them by showing that their sacrifice is not unnoticed. Parades are held in their honor. We see the comrades of the fallen salute them, knowing often that it was perhaps just chance that it was not them.
Like so many of our holidays, Memorial Day is losing its meaning in the nation. We must pause, and offer prayers of gratitude to the fallen, who truly paid the ultimate price for freedom. Many take time to honor not just the those servicemen and women who have died, but honor their loved ones that have passed from this life. This is an excellent way to teach value of family, and to let those around us know the impact that they have had on the still living.
I want to take this moment to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was murdered in Carthage, IL on June 27, 1844. He gave his life willingly to not only seal his testimony with his own blood but to save the lives of his friends still in the jail. His brother, Hyrum, was also murdered in the jail, both under the protection of the state of Illinois. Spared were John Taylor, and Willard Richards. Through Joseph Smith, the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness was restored to the earth. The priesthood was restored, with all the keys necessary to perform all ordinances essential for salvation and exaltation.
My father served in the police action in Korea, the forgotten war. I honor him this day as well. I also expand that honor to all those who have served and passed. May peace be unto them, and may we never forget the sacrifice they put on the altar.
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