Freedom

Throughout the history of the world we have seen wars and bloodshed in every nation tongue and people that has ever existed. There is one thing that is fought over again and again and is still being fought for. The thing that I speak of is Freedom. The ability to choose, for yourself the things you want to or need to do is a great and compelling desire. No one wants to be forced into making a decision or doing something that they do not want to. There have been many wicked men who have sought most diligently to limit others ability to chose for themselves. Power hungry men who want to make the decisions for others so that they can glut themselves on the labors of others. The take away the agency (the ability to choose) that has been given to all men. Many Men and Women have fought and have given their lives to obtain and maintain that Freedom.
As the famous Patrick Henry once stated on March 23 1775, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” The value of Freedom is clearly shown in Mr. Henrys last words, “give me liberty, or give me death.” Many people have clearly shown those words through their own actions.
In the Book of Mormon Alma 43, The Lamanites sought to destroy the Lberty and Freedom of the Nephites. The Nephites went forth under the command of Captain Moroni to fight them, it says in verse 48: “And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage.” The Nephites gained courage from the words of their commander and cried unto the Lord for help and in that same hour the Lamanites started to run and flee from before them. The thought of Freedom and Liberty sustained them. They did not want to be subject and in bondage to another people. They wanted that freedom and fought diligently for it.
It was interesting to me at how they called unto the Lord in mighty prayer after hearing the Words spoken by Moroni about Freedom. In Alma 61:15 it says, “The bSpirit of God, which is also the cspirit of freedom which is in them” this war for freedom has been a long war. It goes beyond our mortal memory. In Revelation 12:7 we read that there was a war in heaven. Lucifer wanted to ascend above the throne of God. He wanted to take away our agency by making all of us choose right. In his plan there was no freedom or ability to learn from making our own decisions. His plan was rejected by the Father and a great war commenced in which Lucifer and his followers were thrust out of heaven. Today many men have caught hold of Lucifer’s (who is now called Satan’s) plan. They seek to take away the ability for us to chose for ourselves.
Having freedom can be risky. We have the ability to chose and think for ourselves but with every action there is a consequence. We can choose the action, but not the consequence. But it is through those consequences that we are able to learn and to develop pure knowledge. If we were kept in a box and we were not to do anything in fear of making a mistake we would not learn and improve and perfect ourselves. Freedom gives us that ability to perfect ourselves and to learn and improve ourselves. Freedom is worth fighting for. I like the words in a hymn written by William C. Gregg, “Freedom and reason make us men; Take these away, what are we then?” It is my sincere hope that all of us can gain a deeper appreciation for freedom and all that it is.