Recap of Our First Meeting (session 1)

Natalie and I would like to thank those who attended the first meeting of our group. We feel it was a great evening with good discussion and served as a good kick-off to future discussion sessions.

In this first session we addressed the following key items:

• Why each member felt compelled to get involved in this group and how we feel the group can be of benefit going forward.

• The "awakening" that is going on within individuals and groups regarding the status and future of our nation.

• The role our country has played in God's plan up to now. This land was consecrated by our Heavenly Father and preserved for a specific purpose. The destiny of America is intricately intertwined with the Gospel plan in this final dispensation, and was set up as a free country in which the restoration could occur.

• The restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith, and the growth of the church thus far, emanating from the United States, is just a begining to the role our Father in Heaven has in store for this land. The mission and role of our nation is significant in establishing the New Jerusalem, preparing for the return of the lost tribes, and ushering in the Millenium.

Regarding the role of America in this dispensation, President Brigham Young said the following:

"When the day comes in which the Kingdom of God will bear rule, the flag of the United States will proudly flutter unsullied on the flag staff of liberty and equal rights, without a spot to sully its fair surface; the glorious flag our fathers have bequeathed to us will then be unfurled to the breeze by those who have power to hoist it aloft and defend its sanctity.

"How long will it be before the words of the prophet Joseph Smith will be fulfilled? He said if the Constitution of the United States were saved at all it must be done by this people. It will not be many years before these words come to pass." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 360)

• A short clip was shown entitled "LDS Prophets Warn of The Dangers Facing America". It can be found at the following link.

• Discussion was held regarding the role individual freedom and agency has in the Gospel plan.

• As a group we discussed some of the recent events that have occurred, just in the past few months, that represent a departure from principles of liberty and the role of government ordained by God and set up by our founding fathers.

• We read and discussed excerpts from a General Conference address by Ezra Taft Benson entitled "Not Commanded in All Things". This address clearly outlines the responsibility of Latter Day Saints to engage in what President Benson has often referred to as "the fight for freedom" or the "freedom issue". President Benson then outlines seven tactics the adversary uses to keep good people from getting involved in this issue, and explains the potential consequences if we choose not to get involved.

We will be holding a second session of this first meeting on Thursday May 28th for those who are interested in participating in this group, but were unable to attend the first session.

Please consider others in our area who would find benefit in this group, and invite them to attend. We hope to see many more faces on Thursday May 28th.

Dates and times for future sessions will be published soon.

Key Resources To Accompany the Discussion:

1. Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi Chapter 13
2. Book: Elder Marke E Petersen, (1978) The Great Prologue, Desert Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah (available on Amazon.com starting at $9.99)
3. Book: Jerreld L Newquist (1964) Prophets, Principles, and National Survival, Publishers Press, Salt Lake City, Utah (available on Amazon.com starting at $11.72)
4. Talk: Ezra Taft Benson Not Commanded in All Things General Conference April 1965
5. LDS Prophets Warn Us of Dangers Facing America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehD390q9G3k