Pilgrims and Pioneers, GiveThanks

Shez did remember the destruction of his fathers, and he did build up a righteous kingdom; for he remembered what the Lord had done in bringing Jared and his brother aacross the deep;

– Ether 10:2. He stayed righteous because he remembered the founding Exodus of his people, which was a miracle.

The Israelites stayed righteous when they remembered Moses and their own Exodus under the guidance of God.

The righteous Nephites kept in remembrance the miraculous epic journey of their founding fathers to their promised land.

No conference goes by that our own prophets don’t beg us to remember our own founding miracles: the first vision, the foundation of the church, the legendary trek of the pioneers hundreds of miles into the highland wilderness. Remembering keeps us based in our roots. Remembering keeps us aware that only God made it possible.

Do you see a pattern? Each dispensation opens with a burst of miracles. And often a journey into the wilderness. Then after the saints must remember if they would stay on the path.

I don’t think it’s wrong to say that there is an American dispensation. The pilgrim fathers opened it. They led their families across the dark stormy ocean into an unknown wilderness. They made a covenant with each other there under God. And God did miracles to save them.

Remember, and give thanks.

for my ancestors who lit the flame and kept it alive, pilgrims and pioneers, I give thanks.

For your ancestors who lit the flame and kept it alive, pilgrims and pioneers, I give thanks.

For you who remember, and give thanks, I give thanks.