Being An American

Dear Kids,

Recently there was an event in the news that really troubled me. A man named LaVoy Finicum was peacefully protesting with some other ranchers up in Oregon. They had all experienced the over reaching of our government on their lands and their rights. They had tried for years to stay within the bounds of the law, but decided that it was time to get more attention on the matter. So they decided to go and take over a bird refuge in Oregon in order to be able to start negotiations with the BLM to get their land back.

There is A LOT to this story, and only time will tell how the world is going to view it in 20 years, if they remember it at all. But basically what happened in the end is that LaVoy was shot and killed by the FBI. There were many falsehoods told about him in the media, calling him a terrorist and other horrible things, but they were all not true.

How do I know they weren't true? Because I did some digging, I met his family, I really took some time to get to know this issue. There are many "Gadianton Robbers" in the head of our government, and there have been for years. Many secret combinations that are running the world. But after reading, researching and meeting his family, I know the falsehoods that have been told. I haven't trusted the main media for YEARS... This just once again reaffirmed those feelings.

After he was killed, I felt a HUGE loss for our country. I spent about 48 hours in mourning over where we are as a country. This isn't America!! This isn't the country our founding fathers had in mind! But yet, here we are with tyranny all around us, and the majority of America not even realizing it.

I read in my scriptures in 2 Nephi 33:3 about how Nephi says that he prays, "continually for them (his people) by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night because of them". For the first time in my life I started to understand the depth of those emotions that Nephi, and so many other prophets, felt. My heart was so heavy with mourning over my people and over my country.

But I went to a candlelight vigil for LaVoy on Monday night. I am so glad that I did. His family talked and told everyone that they feel no malice or anger. They reminded us that Jesus forgave those who crucified him on the cross and LaVoy would want everyone to do the same. They asked us to pray for the trial, that those who seek to bring about truth and justice will be upheld by the angels of heaven. They told us to not be mad at America. Yes, there are those in secret places planning for America's destruction, BUT that is not America. They reminded us that everyone at the gathering remembering LaVoy, THIS is America. WE ARE AMERICA. We love each other, we trust each other, we uphold the right and the true.

They asked everyone to read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They asked everyone to educate themselves and be smart about their feelings of patriotism. The death of an amazing man won't be in vain if we do that.

It was so good for me to remember about what America really is about... and not just America, but what the gospel is about. The gospel promotes freedom. The gospel promotes truth. The end game of the world is afoot. The end game of the Lord is the most important and it is leading us to the Second Coming of our Savior. That is the most important thing to keep in mind. Be Christlike. Stand for truth boldly, nobly and freely. Don't give up.

I am so glad I went to that gathering. The world is changing all around me. I am seeing such a significant change from when I was young to now. I don't know what it is going to look like when you are all grown and having families of your own. But I hope I can instill in you the principles of the gospel and the principles of freedom. I will teach you. I will train you and pray that you will go in the right ways with angels around you helping you on your errand here on the earth.

I love the gospel. I love America. I love freedom and liberty. I love my Father in Heaven and I KNOW HIS WAYS will prevail. I know it and I have faith in the path of the world.

I love you,

Your Mom