Freedom

I read an article about Religious freedom today. Got me thinking about what a lucky Lady I am to live in a Country that has put Freedom as one of our most important constitutional rights. I am paraphrasing here, but it spoke of how Freedom of Religion is often spoke of as our first freedom whether you are religious or just guided by conscience. Having that Freedom allows us to make decisions for our self based on faith or our own conscience of what we see as the right thing to do.
So what do we do with that Freedom? Take it for granted mostly I think, we are so used to waking up each morning and the water comes out of the faucet, food is in the fridge, car in the driveway, Internet at our fingertips. I guess I just don't want to be a person who takes these great freedoms for granted. So many other nations have seen what we have done and model after this great country. It all comes down to the individual we cant change anyone but ourselves.
Funny how we are all so different all drawn to likes and dislikes. The great thing is we get to choose what we will like and not like. Which faith to follow or not.
I think as Americans if we really want to be a great nation we should take our Freedoms more seriously. Stand up for our beliefs, live them, wear our faith on our sleeve. If we all stood for our faith or good conscience we would all benefit from others good choices.
James and I serve as Addiction Recovery Service Missionaries, it is a non paid service we do for our church. I bring it up because once a week I see great people who come to try to gain their freedom back by learning to live free from addictions. It is hard to be a productive member of society when you are chained to an addiction. I applaud anyone who seeks help to be free.
There is a scripture in Alma 39: 12 - 13 that says" The Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me: Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I command you my son(or daughter) in the fear(reverence) of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities;
"That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done"
We are all either a good example or bad, If we choose the right we have to opportunity to help other make good choices.
I am thankful for so many wonderful people in my life who set such a great example for me, so when the time came for a choice to be made I had lots of great examples to draw from.