Savoring Our Freedom
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor                  

Editor's note: If you've always wanted to sail the Mexican Riviera, you can do it in the company of Vickey Pahnke-Taylor, John Bytheway, and Meridian Magazine. Click here for details.  And look for Vickey at BYU Education Week in August, where she will be performing in the De Jong Concert Hall and at the Smith Fieldhouse.

I am a patriotic woman. Tears well up whenever the National Anthem is played. If you catch me right, I will cry over any number of patriotic songs and sometimes am a sucker who dissolves into tears for “God Bless the USA.”  I love to see Old Glory waving in the breeze. I am grateful to be a citizen of the USA.  There are at least a couple of factors that create within me this strong love of country.

First, my dad was a “lifer” in the Armed Forces.  He spent years defending the USA, and serving our country in various ways. My sister and I were raised to love the flag and all it stood for.  My father’s hand went over his heart whenever the Pledge of Allegiance was spoken or the national anthem was played. My dad (and mom) never took for granted the blessings of living in this country.  We were raised in areas with many branches of the military represented, where citizens had great fervor for flag and country.

Secondly, I was blessed with family members who served in the national government. One of them was my great Uncle Jack. Uncle Jack, “back in the day,” worked with President Ezra Taft Benson when President Benson served as Secretary of Agriculture in Washington D.C. I often heard Uncle Jack speak of “E.T. Benson,” using such descriptive adjectives as “good,” “full of integrity,” “honorable” and “patriotic” whenever he spoke of him. Family discussions would center around issues, questions, and solutions to governmental concerns.

When as a teenager I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I made the connection of E. T. Benson, government leader, and President Ezra Taft Benson, Church leader. President Benson’s zeal and enthusiasm for America was never lost on Uncle Jack. Although he was not LDS, Uncle Jack loved E.T. Benson and appreciated his example and dedication to freedom. When I realized that one of my family members worked side by side with a man who was a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this probably more deeply ingrained my love and appreciation for the connection of truth in religion and truth in personal freedoms.

Still years later, I had the blessing of meeting President Benson on a couple of occasions. His intense desire for the members of the Church to study the history of the United States of America was palpable. His longing was for all of us, regardless of where we live, to recognize the interconnection of the foundation of religious freedoms to the restoration of the gospel. His respect for the Constitution and for our Founding Fathers was coupled with the hope that we would grab hold of the principles of liberty. It was clear to see that he loved this land, and desired that we love it — and all it stands for — as well. 

I am grateful for those who built the United States of America. I am grateful for those who continually serve in the Armed Forces and in the various governmental branches. I appreciate teachers who teach children to love this country and what it should stand for.

In due time, the gospel was able to be restored because certain elements had been set in place by the Founding Fathers. Because of it, we — in this day — enjoy heavenly blessings of restored truths no matter where in this world we may live. I am grateful.

In honor of Independence Day in the USA, I would like to share a few thoughts directly from President Benson and others of our beloved leaders whose desire it was that we appreciate the blessings of liberty and properly enjoy our freedoms.

As you read and ponder over these statements, specific ideas may come into your mind about what you can do to better enjoy the freedoms granted us. More than fireworks, barbeques, and family time together — maybe there is more to be done, by each of us. Clearly, Elder Perry’s counsel may find place in each of our hearts. 

In the USA, in the Pacific Rim, in the Middle East, in Europe, in Australia, or anywhere else, there are God-given freedoms given to Americans that are based upon spiritual truths.  Individual liberties are treasures from heaven. To enjoy them, there is personal responsibility to be taken. God bless us as we go about deciding how to best enjoy those freedoms that are ours!